The Missionary Review of the World — July 1937
1937
, The Murdoch Trail in Kentucky Alvin E. Magary What Rural Churches Are Doing w. H. Thompson Pioneering for Christ in Kwangsi A. C. Snead China and the New Life Movement Generalissimo. Chiang Kai..shek Thinking Yellow vs. Acting Yellow Geoffrey W. Royall The Problem of the Rural Church in Canada J. R. Watt A Brahman Christian……Nehemiah Goreh 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember September 27 – October 1 – Houston, of her service to Japanese women
Texas. Dean, Mrs. A. B. Haynes, the field of education. M>iss Loomis July 5-16-New Jersey Summer 618 Highland Ave., Houstori, Texas. was principal of Doremus High School School for Christian W 0 r k e r s, for girls in Yokohama from 1901 until Blairstown, N. J. October 5-6- Warren, Ohio. Mrs. her retirement last year. She is the George Konold, 314 Scott St., N. E., second missionary in this school to be July 8-13 – International Christian Warren, Ohio. so honored by the Emperor, the first Endeavor Convention, Grand Rap- being Miss Julia N. Crosby, one of ids, Mich. October 21 – Baltimore, Md. Mrs. the founders of the mission, who went David D. Baker, 410 N. Calhoun to Japan in 1871. July 11-16 – Anniversary, First Con- St., Baltimore, Md. ference of American Methodism. *** Old St. George's Church. Phila- Personal Items Dr. Tom Lambie, recently in charge delphia. Dr. E. Stanley Jones expects to be of the work of the Sudan Interior Mis- July 12-26- World Conference on in China for six months from August sion in Ethiopia and a naturalized Life and Work. Oxford, England. 15. He goes at the invitation of the citizen of Ethiopia, has recently re- National Christian Council of China. turned from a visit to Africa to sur- July 14-17-National Council of Fed- He will be asked to give attention vey the Nigerian field with a view to erated Church Women. Lake Ge- primarily to the strengthening of opening new stations to be occupied neva, Wis. church leadership in evangelism, lay by missionaries who will no longer be service and the Christianizing of the welcome in Ethiopia. Dr. Lambie has July 19-30-Religious Education Con- home, with such work for non-Chris- applied to have his American citizen- ference. Northfield, Mass. tians and students as may be carried ship restored. During his trip he and on without diversion from this main Dr. Rowland V. Bingham went up the July 24-31-Conference of the Asso- Nile to Khartoum and later flew from ciation of Christian Youth Move- objective. there to Kano, 1,800 miles across ments of America. Stony Brook, *** Africa to the west.
L. 1. Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, a member of *** the Board of Directors of THE RE- July 31-August 6-General Confer- VIEW, has been elected president of Rev. Hafiz Abood Faris, elected to ence. Northfield, Mass. the Woman's American Baptist Home represent Syria at the Centennial cele- Mission Society at its recent annual brations of the Board of Foreign Mis- July 31-August 7-Annual Interde- meeting in Philadelphia. sions of the Presbyterian Church in nominational Young People's Con- the U. S. A., is pastor of the church ference. Stony Brook, L. I. *** at Horns, Syria; president of the Synod Dr. William J. Reid and Dr. Wil- and moderator of the Syrian Evan- August 3-18 – World Conference on gelical Church. Through his leader- Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Scot- liam J. Reid, Jr., as father and son, ship federation among the Protestants land. in Syria has been effected and included have continuously led the First United the Covenantor churches (Reformed), August 16-23 – Christian .Endeavor the Irish Presbyterian Mission and the Conference. Northfield, Mass. Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh Danish Mission churches.
August 21-29-General Bible Confer- for 75 full years, the father holding As a schoolboy Mr. Faris attended ence. Stony Brook, L. 1. the American Presbyterian Mission the pastorate for 40 years. This School at Sidon and received his the- Sept. 28-30 – Annual Interdenomina- unique anniversary has recently been ological training at Suk-ul-Gharb. He tional Missionary Institute, Wom- is related to the talented Abood fam- an's Interdenominational Union of celebrated in Pittsburgh. In a curious ily which has furnished the Christian Philadelphia and Vicinity. First way the younger man has reproduced Church in Syria and Palestine with Baptist Church, Philadelphia. six pastors, several teachers, and a his father's work. The father was for number of workers along other lines. SUMMER CONFERENCES AND 15 years editor of the United Pres'by- He spent a number of years in Amer- SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS terian; the son has edited the same ica (1903-07), and organized an Arabic-speaking Presbyterian Church Council of Women for Home Mis- paper for 16 years. The weekly Bible among the Syrians of West Hoboken. sions and Affiliated with the Committee on Women's Work, School at the Y. M. C. A., which the *** Foreign Missions Conference elder taught for 30 years, was after- Rev. and Mrs. Phineas B. Kennedy, July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. Miss v.ho have spent forty years in Al- Amy O. Welcher, 796 Prospect Ave., ward led by the son for almost 20 bania and Macedonia as missionaries, Hartford, Conn. years. The U nit e d Presbyterian first under tHe American Board and Handbook, which the father prepared later in the Albanian Evangelical July 10-17 – Mountain Lake Park, Mission, are now in America and are Md. Chairman, Mrs. J. M. Knight, annually for many years, has been available for addresses on conditions 207 Roane St., Charleston, W. Va. and work in Albania. Mr. and Mrs. issued by the son for 22 years. The Kennedy have a fine lot of stereopticon July 17-24–Mt. Hermon, Calif. Mrs. slides and a large fund of interesting N. J. Forsberg, 1144 Eddy St., San father sent a full-page weekly discus- Francisco, Calif. information in regard to this little- sion of the Sunday school lesson to known part of the storm center of July 19-23 – Bethesda, Ohio. Miss Europe. Their address is 718 Ken- Mary 1. Scott, 310 Tomlinson St., his paper; here, too, the son has car- sington Ave., Plainfield, N. J. Moundsville, W. Va. ried on. *** ••• August 15-22 – Chautauqua, N. Y. Chairman, Miss B. Louise Wood- Dr. J. D. Jones, long pastor of one David Griffin, son-in-law of Rev. ford, 930 23d Ave. North, St. of the leading Con g reg a t ion a I Paul Rader, Chicago evangelist, ex- Petersburg, Fla. pects to make a 20,000-mile tour of churches of England, and well known Asiatic and African frontiers in a August 19-25 – Kerrville, T e x a s. three-wheeled motorcycle truck, ac- Chairman, Mrs. T. M. Cunning- in America as well as Great Britain, companied by Hubert Mitchell, of Los ham, 618 West Sydamore, Denton, Angeles. From Singapore their Texas. has been elected to the presidency of route will take them through the Ma- lay States, Burma, Tibet, across September 20-24 – Minnesota (Min- the National Free Church Council. Khyber Pass, through Persia and neapolis-St. Paul). President, Mrs. finally across the mid-section of Charles L. Grant, 610 Aurora Ave., *** Africa. St. Paul, Minn. Prof. Arthur H. Compton, eminent September 20-24–Southern California young physicist and Nobel Prize win- (Los Angeles). Mrs. H. M. Horn, ner, has been installed Chairman of 1955 Carmen Ave., Los Angeles, the Laymen's Missionary Movement, Calif. Chicago. Prof. Compton has served on the Committee for eight years. September 27 – October 1 – Dallas, Texas. Pres., Mrs. E. R. Alderson, *** 561 Goodwin St., Dallas, Texas. Miss Clara Denison Loomis, for thirty-five years a missionary in Japan under the Woman's Union Mis- sionary Society of America, was re- cently honored by the Japanese Gov- ernment by being presented with the Renju Hosho, the highest decoration
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REVIEW OF THE WORLD well for all of us to keep before us to the DELAVAN L. PIERBON, Editor the general trend in the missionary world, as well as to know some of the ORIENT VOL. LX JULy-AuG., 1937 Nos. 7 & 8 speclllc pieces of work which are be- ing carried on by other churches Japanese Publication and Business Olllce– throughout the world. Your MISSION- Girl Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. ARY KEVIEW helps to keep us informed with at these points." Editorial and Executive Olllce– lantern. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. MABEL NIEDERMEYER, Entered as second-class matter at Director of Children's Work, Go direct fromVancouverand Victoria in 10 days by Em- Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under United Christian Missionary press oj Asia or Empress oj Act of March 3, 1879. Society, Indianapolis. Russia. Only 3 more days via Hawaii by Empress ojJapan 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. *** (fastest ship on the Pacific) Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. or Empress oj Canada. Con- Published monthly, except August. "You are surely issuing a most nect at Honolulu from Cali- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 193 7. splendid magazine. I bind the copies fornia ports. Low round-trip British agents – Marshall, Morgan so as to maKe constant use of them. fares include passage from and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, I have known of interest and contribu- and to Seattle. London. E. C. 1 shilling per copy, tions through people learning of needs 10 shillings a year. as given in THE REVIEW." ~r;4 MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- REV. WILLIAM H. ENSIGN. For rates and sailings, see LISHING CO., INC. Los Angeles, Calif. YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- dian Pacific: New York, Chi- BOARD OF DIRECTORS "I think ever*y *Ch*ristian ought to ca~o, San Francisco, 38 other ROUERT E. SPEER, President citIes in U. S. and Canada. A. L. WARNSHUlS, Vice-President read THE REVIEW. It is the best thing I have ever seen on missions. Many WALTER MCDOUGALL, ~'rea8urer of my congregation are oecoming en- thUSIastic over it. One night when a DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Secretary speaker disappointed me I talked for an hour on mIssions, giving informa- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT tion gleaned from THE REVIEW."
WILLIAM I. C'luMBERLoUN PASTOR F. L. SHANNON.
D. J. FANT Beckley, -W.-V-a.- – – – MRS. ORRIN R. JUDO THE SECRETS OF SUCCESS WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH "Push," said the button. "Take pains," said the window. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER "Never be led," said the pencil. "Be up to date," said the calendar. Editorial Chat "Always keep cool," said the ice. "Do business on tick," said the clock. Our June (Rural America) Num- "Never lose your head," said the ber has already had a large sale and is still in great demand. Order your barrel. extra copies before the supply runs "Do a driving business," said the out. Here is only one of the many favorable comments we have received: hammer. "Aspire to great things," said the nut- "Allow me to congratulate you on the splendid issue of THE REVIEW for meg. June in which you present a fine pic- "Make light of everything," said the ture of rural America. This will be of great help to the rural church fire. movement." "Do nothing off-hand," said the glove: "Look up," said the telescope. THOMAS ALFRED TRIPP, "Make much of little things," said the Associate Director, Town and microscope. Country Dept., The Church Ex- "Look ahead," said the spy-glass. tension Boards of the Congrega.- tional and Christian Churches. Obituary Note.
*** Emma Belle Dougherty Pierson, for forty-two years the beloved and Other articles on "Christ and Rural faithful wife of the Editor of this America" appear in this present issue REVIEW, fell asleep in Christ at her and more will follow later, since the home in Montclair, New Jersey, on subject is to cover a year of Home June 18, after a serious illness, last- Mission study. ing over five months. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December *** 15, 1871, and early gave herself to Christ,., trusting in Him for salvation As usual, in recent years, there will and all her daily needs. For nearly be no August number of THE REVIEW. fifty years she was a remarkably suc- Instead the June and July numbers cessful teacher of little children in the each have a larger number of pages. Sunday school and led many of them Many subscrioers are away in August to Christ. Her personal charm and and the summer months are less (un- many talents were dedicated to His fortunately) active in church circles. service. Mrs. Pierson was deeply in- The omission of the August issue is terested in the work of Christ at home also a help in meeting publication ex- and abroad, was active in the missionpenses. ary work of her own Church, was an officer of the Montclair Missionary *** Union and for some years a mem.:er of the Board of Foreign Missions of Our October number will be looked the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. forward to with great interest as it will be devoted to the very important (Concluded on 3d cQ'/Jer.) topic, "Christ and the Moslem World." [337 ] Other recent *com* m*ents on the RE- VIEW show that God is using it to stimulate interest in the Cause of Christ. The following are some extracts from letters: "I wish to express my appreciation
© International Photo
A RECENT PORTRAIT OF GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK AND MADAME CHIANG (See article, pages 356 to 362) REVIB ORLD AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS VOLUME LX JULY-AUGUST, 1937 NUMBERS 7 AND 8 Topics of the Times YOUTH – WHITHER? The situation is not wholly new except in the complacency with which many parents, teachers This is ideally the golden age of youth. Never and even professing Christians look upon it. have the young men and young women had such There are many who have high ideals for the opportunities. They are awake to this new day, Church, the school, the home; what are we going with its problems and possibilities in education, to do about it? Boys and girls are capable of in politics, in science and business. Youth is also great things and their interest is not difficult to awake to the new license and opportunities in capture for the best in God's creation and procrime and lust, in war and lawlessness. It is well gram. Left alone or misled they naturally run known that the age of convicted criminals has de- wild. creased by one-half in the past twenty-five years. The widespread use of the automobile for vice and The Christian Church has a responsibility for crime, the pernicious effect of intoxicants and the the guidance of youth because of her commission degrading influence of much that is found in from God and the ideals for which she stands. At movies and theaters and in modern literature; a crime conference held in Albany, former Justice the decrease in the influence of the Church; the Alfred J. Talley said that judges of the bench laxity in parental control, and the new disregard declare the main cause of criminality in Amer- ica is the "indifference of our people to the need for God and His laws fostered in too many schools of the American child for daily religious teachand colleges – all these have not only helped to ing." He continued: further inflame "flaming youth" but now endanger the whole life of the coming generation. Recently Why is it not time to make a fresh start? In the some high schools in Greater New York and else- policy of the State, religion is kept out of the schools, where have been the subject of shocked investi- because, unhappily, one religion was fearful that another gation because of the widespread immorality that religion would get some advantage and the fatal course was reported. Such immorality is not new but was adopted of wiping out religious teaching altogether. modern tendencies have made it more prevalent Pagan divinities and their amours may be glorified in the and open and less disgraceful in the eyes of youth. school- Nero, Cresar, Hannibal, Napoleon, Henry the In one city alone five tons of salacious books and Eighth-with all their human frailties, their wars and pictures, chiefly intended for boys and girls, were devastation, but the Almighty Father, the Divine Archirecently seized, while many tons more have barely tect, the Merciful Creator who holds the destiny of the escaped a similar fate. In New York certain de- American people in the hollow of His hand must not be grading "shows" have been closed but still the mentioned before an American child in an American State refuses to exercise <censorship in behalf of school. Why is it not time to make a fresh start? the youth. While we enact and enforce laws to protect physical health, lawmakers still permit The Hon. John C. Maher, Chairman of the the deadly germs of moral and spiritual diseases Parole Commission of New York, speaking of the to be spread by those who seek to grow rich there- influence of religion in the life of the criminal, said: "To me religion stands preeminently above all the police forces and all the armies that the world has ever conceived. It has an influence on by. Who can wonder at the wave of banditry, an individual that cannot be injected by a prison, murder and increasing sex crimes that have but can be injected by those who are experts in spread alarm all over the United States? the art of reaching the inner man. The aid of the [339 ]
Church and the clergy should be definitely en- Today superstitions are breaking down before listed to help solve the problem of crime." modern education; harmful social and religious customs-such as infanticide, child marriage and A member of the New York Parole Board re- the burning of widows-are outlawed by growing cently called attention to the need for cooperation. public opinion; caste is breaking before the ad- vance of modern progress and the awakening of While it is highly desirable that something be done on a the outcastes; women are coming out of purdah religious basis, practical experience shows that not much and are taking part in public life; Christ and His can be done unless the religious groups actually will be- teachings are coming to be honored by multitudes, come interested in doing something for the criminal. Judg- even of those who are still Hindus. All these ing from my personal experience of five years in New changes have come about by the patient teachings York City, in which we have dealt with now some ten or and influence of Christian missionaries and by twelve thousand cases, I believe that generally speaking the laws and education promoted by the British the individual clergymen of all the different groups are Government. definitely disinterested in the criminal. These and other signs of progress in India are Christians have tremendous opportunities and especially evident to those who have visited the duties of service which have not yet been accepted great peninsular continent at intervals during the adequately. Some of the greatest achievements past half century. Dr. John R. Mott, who has reever accomplished, not only in science and public cently returned from his fifth visit, first went out life but in religion, have been under the energy there in 1895 in the interests of the Student and leadership of youth. Jesus Christ and the Christian Movement. Again he visited India in apostles were young men; General William Booth 1901-02 to conduct an evangelistic campaign, and was a young man when he started the Salvation eleven years later to help organize the Christian Army; the Y. M. C. A. and the Student Volunteer forces of missionaries and Indian leaders. In Movement, the Missionary Education Movement, 1928-29 he went again to help interpret the J eru· and many similar activities were initiated and led salem Conference and to form the National Chrisby young men. Where are those today that will tian Council. Now he has returned from a three organize and carry forward a new Christian cru- months' visit in connection with the International sade to enlist the youth of today in the service of Y. M. C. A. Convention at Mysore. He returns Christ and their fellowmen? with great burdens on his heart for India. The new impressions he has received have brought The responsibility for the proper training of deepened convictions and a sense of wonderful youth is divided between the State, the Church opportuni ty. and the home. In most instances the influence of the State and the school is nonreligious and non- 1. There is the conviction that the work of the Christian, if not positively antireligious and anti- missionary is not yet done in India. It is only be- Christian. The churches today have little oppor- ginning and is of prime importance. With the tunity to train the youth because the breach has new constitution the land is progressing toward been widening between them. It is necessary that independence and is struggling to attain greater the clergy and Christian laity go after the youth unity and power. In view of the new possibilities and win them, rather than expect the youth gen- in material advancement in education, in ecoerally to come to the Church for instruction. But nomic, political and social life and in religious the key to the situation is the home, the funda- attitudes, it is no time for Christians to relax their mental unity of society. If the home is character- efforts. ized by unity, purity, honesty, love, joy, faith and reverence for God, and by a true understanding 2. The present-day opportunities of evangelism of Christ and His Way of Life, then there need offer a greater challenge than ever – especially be no fear as to the way youth, under the guidance among the Depressed Classes and the students. of God, will react so as to build a Christian world The Indian Church is in the midst of a five-year for tomorrow. campaign of evangelism. This calls for a clearer understanding of the needs of India and of the THE MODERN CHALLENGE OF INDIA power of Christ to meet those needs, both indi- vidual and social, temporal and eternal. India It is diffi<;ult for many today to realize the re- needs the whole Gospel adequately presented. markable changes that have come in India in the through united Christian effort. past half century. Things that were considered impossible then have now come to pass and 3. There.is the challenge presented by the Lindchanges that seemed could only be brought about say Commission to unify, extend and improve the in a century of effort are now taking place. This Christian educational work. There are today very is true in regard to religious superstitions, and unusual opportunities to reach the college students social customs, the stranglehold of caste, the low and to train them for Christian service. position of women, the immoralities of Hinduism and the strong antipathy toward Christianity.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
4. There is the challenge presented by the med- the Mexican republic have been unusually strin- gent against the practice of religion, some States ical opportunities in India. The physical needs of having enacted legislation that is a drastic at- tempt to throttle all public worship and religious millions of people are still uncared for, and the teaching.
medical missionaries are now looked up to and Certain states have limited the number of priests to about one for every 80,000 of the poptrusted by all classes. This work is practical ulation. In others, as Chiapas and Chihuahua, only one priest has been permitted for the whole Christianity that opens many closed hearts and state. Such limitation has now been declared il- legal by the supreme court of Mexico. In the case closed doors. of Roman Catholics, who form the greater part of the population, the number of priests allowed 5. The rural probtem in India presents a tre- by law has been far below the needs of the people. In at least two states, Tabasco and Campeche, mendous challenge in a country that is ninety per the law permitted only married priests to officiate in religious worship and to administer the sacracent rural. Here is a basic problem that affects ments, so that no Roman Catholic priest could celebrate mass unless he violated his oaths of the whole work. It calls for "new investigation, celibacy and broke the discipline of his Church. In Tabasco, which is perhaps the state in which agitation, experimentation and demonstration" by antireligious legislation was most extreme, church edifices have been razed, the bricks and stones those who have the best interests of India at used for paving the streets, and the sites converted into public playgrounds. Even children have been heart. obliged to take part in the public burning of cruci- fixes, and rewards have been given to those who 6. There is the challenge of the growing literacy informed against Mexicans who privately prac- ticed religion in their own homes. Now, however, and the need for good literature. With a rapidly the governor of this same state reports that he increasing number of readers, ~nd the influx of proposes to assume an "attitude of conciliation to cheap and harmful literature, Christians must the Church." So far, that conciliation is limited to granting the privilege of private devotion; provide better periodicals and books for the read- there has been no published statement lookina- toward the renewal of permission for public reing public. With a growing Church there must ligious exercises. In other states, as San Luis Potosi and Sonora and in the Federal District, be more funds provided to supply the members masses may be celebrated in most of the churches, and there seems to be a considerable relaxation with wholesome Christian reading. in the stringent enforcement of antireligious laws. In the State of Vera Cruz, some months ago, the 7. There is the challenge for an increase in the people forcibly opened the churches after a young girl had been shot by the police during a religious missionary staff in India. The economic depres- celebration. The President of the Republic sus- tained the people and the churches have remained sion has led to a decrease in workers and a con- open, although still under police surveillance.
sequent increase in the burdens borne by those Although there are indications that the rigor of the antireligious laws of Mexico is being rewho remain. While the Church of Rome is in- laxed, the concessions thus far made are of com- paratively little importance, except so far as they creasing her missionary activity, the Protestant show a desire on the part of some officials to be less strict and unreasonable. This more lenient Church is curtailing hers. There is danger that attitude may pave the way for a more liberal interpretation in the future, or for the abrogation as the older missionaries retire younger men and of legislation that has proved ineffective because obnoxious to the majority of the people. women will not be sent out'to take their places. During the period of antireligious agitation in The result will be an alarming hiatus. . Mexico, the Protestant work has suffered very 8. There is the' challenge of new opportunity for native leadership in India. At the coming Hangchow Conference in 1938 there will be fifty Indian delegates to ten missionaries. The Indian churches are eager for help and the Christians of other lands must stand by them. The National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon has now formed provincial councils that have a most important field for service – but they need help to do effective work.
India, without doubt, offers one of the greatest challenges to Christians of the present day. The progress already made, the great vital needs of the people especially along spiritual lines, the dangers that come from anti-Christian sources, the new attitude of Indians toward Christ and the Gospel, and the readiness of the Indian Church to take up the burden of responsibility-all call on the Christians of Europe and America to in- crease rather than relax prayer and sacrificial effort.
THE .CHANGING SITUATION IN MEXICO In Mexico, as in Soviet Russia, the antireligious movement seems to have lost something of its former strength and vigor. The Federal laws in
_ THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [J uly-August
little in comparison with that of the Roman Cath- social strife in America, show that it is high time olic Church. This is largely due to the fact that for the Church of Christ to reveal His power to Protestants are a small minority of the popula- transform human society as well as to save indition, their ministers are g.enerally married, they viduals. have been careful to comply with all laws affecting registration and those that regulate public The missionary work of the Church has always worship, so that foreigners have refrained from been greatly affected by the attitude of the govconducting what have been defined as religious ernments in non-Christian lands, by the social services. Recent letters from Mexico indicate conditions and customs, and by the state of relithat there are now unlimited opportunities for re- gion and the influence of religious leaders. At ligious work of all kinds, and that ministers of the same time, missionary work has greatly af- Protestant churches, even foreign missionaries, fected these phases of life. Christ desires to transmay come and go when and where they will, form politics, society and religion in order that preach and otherwise help in conducting services, all life may be brought into harmony with the without restrictions on the part of public officials. will of God. It has always been stated by government officials that the drastic legislation was not aimed at the THE EDINBURGH CONFERENCE on "Faith and Protestant minority, which has always been law- Order" (August 3-18) will emphasize the reasons abiding and in no way has tried to exercise politi- for Christian uni,ty and the beliefs held in comcal power; it was directed against those mem- mon where all followers of Christ may unite. bers of the Roman hierarchy who presumed to consider themselves above the law and refused to The first World Conference on "Faith and submit to the laws, especially that one which de- Order" was held at Lausanne, Switzerland, in manded their registration. The main object of 1927 with 400 delegates present, representing over the lawmakers, it has been asserted, was to oblige 100 churches. The delegates of Edinburgh inthe Church to limit its work to the spiritual realm, clude representatives of Protestant churches in rather than attempt to control the State, and that, many lands and also from the Greek, Armenian in so far as it has obeyed the law, there has been and Assyrian communions. no thought of persecution. Today Christianity is being challenged as never WEBSTER E. BROWNING. before since the days of Constantine. From the fourth to the twentieth centuries a steady advance PROBLEMS AT OXFORD AND EDINBURGH was made in winning the allegiance of mankind to Christ, but now tkere seems to be a renewal of While Christians are told to be "in the world activity in non-Christian and anti-Christian but not of it," that does not relieve them from re- forces. The 1937 Conference 'must be conducted sponsibility for proclaiming truth, lifting stand- in such a way as to face realistically the present ards and righting wrongs. Jesus Christ not only situation of the Church in the world. preached the Gospel but rebuked sin wherever found and helped meet the material and temporal One of the definite achievements of the Conneeds of men, as well as those that were spiritual ference ten years ago was the conviction that and eternal. unity will not come by glossing over differences of belief. Now the churches must go on to the Important conferences of Christian church task of trying to share with one another what it leaders are to be held this summer at Oxford and is that the various confessions mean until we dig Edinburgh to consider how Christians, especially down through the rocks .to the Eternal Rock. of the Protestant churches, can work together more harmoniously and effectively to give Christ The first task is to realize the urgency of the the preeminence in our thinking and in following challenge of the world situation to Christendom His teachings and spirit in every walk of life. as a whole, and in the face of that challenge to discover and accept the underlying unity which At Oxford (July 12-26) about eight hundred binds Christians together through common loyalty delegates from North America and Europe, Af- toone Master, Jesus Christ. The second task will rica, Asia and Latin America, are to gather for be to press forward to help the Christians of all two weeks in a conference on "Life and Work in churches to realize, in things both outward and the Church, the State and Society." The presiding inward, the true unity of the Body of Christ. officer will be the Archbishop of Canterbury. The main lopics to be discussed at Edinburgh The conditions in the world today clearly call are: for more effective Christian testimony. The wars that devastate Spain and the threats of more Jesus Christ and His Grace. widespread and destructive conflicts in Europe, The Church of Christ and the Word of God. Africa and Asia, and the growing industrial and The Ministry of the Church of Christ. Church Unity in Life and Worship-visible and invisible.
A VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN CENTEH AT BUCKHORN
The Girls' Dormitory (Englis Home, accommodating forty students), McKenzie Hall, and the Domestic Science Building The Murdoch Trail in Kentucky By the REV. ALVIN E. MAGARY, D.D., -<t&f Brooklyn, New York Pastor, Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church T HERE is a new state road in Kentucky, called Kentucky mountains to investigate conditions for the Murdoch Trail. the Board of Home Missions and, once having Thirty-five years ago a young Presbyterian seen the possibilities around Buckhorn, the life minister arrived at the little mountain hamlet of of an assistant minister in staid old Brooklyn was Buckhorn, Kentucky, with $250 in cash and un- far too tame. He proposed to some of the men of searchable riches in Christian faith. His name the church that they back him in a modest way was Harvey Murdoch. in a missionary adventure. They consented, and Today, Murdoch is gone, but the fruits of his since that day the people of the church have been faith remain. There is a school of 400 pupils, the main financial support of the work. Until more than half of whom are in the high school Harvey Murdoch died, in October, 1935, he came department, there is an orphanage, a hospital, a back to Brooklyn each year to tell the people how large farm on which most of the food for the things had gone in their beloved Buckhorn since school and orphanage is raised, and a church with last they saw him.
800 members. When Harvey Murdoch came to Buckhorn, Murdoch had been, for some years, a member there was no railway station within twenty-4ive of the pastoral staff of the Lafayette Avenue Pres- miles. There were no roads worthy of the name.
byterian Church, in charge of the work at the If you could afford transportation you rode on Cumberland Street Chapel. He had gone into the mule-back up the bed of the creek, realizing the [343 ]
while how much a mtile wouid 'be-impr()ved' if it a rare thing and even fUIieralsweI'EHioinftequeht could be equipped with springs. But most people as to be marked occasions. Usually, the body was walked and a tramp of thirty miles to school was put into the ground without even a prayer and not regarded as anything out of the ordinary. the funeral service was held at any time, from Conditions in that country are still primitive. The one to five years later, when a minister happened railway is still a dozen miles aw.:f1Y and the mule to be in the neighborhood.
Five years after Murdoch's coming the Buck- horn church had been organized and he was for- mally called to be its pastor at a salary of sixty dollars a year. To pay a minister anything was entirely against the traditions and practice of the people in those days. Today there is an entire Presbytery of 37 churches that has grown out of that first work. :.'Since the beginning, more than a church per year, has been organized. The first little log-house structures have been ' supplanted by buildings still extremely inexpensive and simple, but adequate and comfortable. To the eyes of some of the children from distant hamlets, children who have never seen a railway train, nor a building larger than a mountain cabin, they doubtless seem grand enough.
Buckhorn has worked a transformation in the country round about, but there is still much to be done. The old days, when the country was the scene of murderous mountain feuds, have passed, but even now the resort to gun-play is by no THE LATE HARVEY S, MURlDOCK (Grist Miu.. KEY "&Saw Mill Ir Eleeme Pta"… 10. Boys Dormitory.(, StoriQ) has by no means lost his place in the economy of life; but, when the season is not too wet, one can 2.Churth. " . Presidenb HOme . (l3tonea) get in by automobile in these days. Boys and girls still tramp over the mountains, a score of miles 3.6ymtlClsium. 12.. ReseY''Ioir. and more, at the opening of school. Sometimes a dozen of them will be brought in by truck, hav- A..LafClyette School Hell' (.t.1te'*~ 13. H~spitClI. ht St,rie') 10 Sm. ing ridden at least a part of the long way. There 14. G~ "s Home : (~t S"."'5) is often no other way to bring the sick to the hos- 5. M"nuo' Trofni"" H"JJ 15. G,,15 Dormitory. (5 St'Or,,,) pital except to carry them on a litter over the mountain trails. When the writer was there re- 6 . PrimC)1"V Hall. cently, a little procession, with mother and father leading, came in carrying a boy of six from his 7. Ki"d."fJOrt.".. 16. Oin,f't9 ,Hall. ~JL' Sto,let) home eight miles away. While we looked, as the 8. Boy~ Horne. (a 5…..iH) IT. Dome$tlc Sclenc.e. Hcdl (,a S"'lc~ little cortege stopped, we heard the mother utter a cry. Her little boy had died within a hundred e.Vie. Presidenb Home. (2 S't"'_ yards of the hospital. They had not reached it soon enough. THE BUCKHORN · PLANT In the old days freight was brought up the river in little hand-pushed boats, traveling a mile and a half an hour. For many children of the district almost no schooling was available and only one person in seven or eight was able to read or write well enough to be called literate. Harvey Murdoch was the only ordained minister of any denomination along the middle fork of the Kentucky River for 'a distance of sixty miles, from Athol to Hyden. Before his coming a religious service was
JAKE WOODS, THE OUTLAW
means a rare occurrence, particularly when plenty Church, Dr. Dinsmore, proposed that the class of mountain whiskey is mixed with the situation. undertake the support of a boy at Buckhorn. His The people are still desperately poor. The farmer proposal was adopted and the youth selected was may have ten acres, planted in corn. The arable a mountain boy, Elmer E. Gabbard. Through land runs along the creeks and is so steep that school and college and theological seminary they much of it can be cultivated only by hand. Many stood by him. Now, after a successful ministry, of the parents of the young people at Buckhorn he has left the pastorate of the North Side Preshave the best will possible toward the idea of edu- byterian Church of Chattanooga and has gqne cating their boys and girls but it is impossible for back to Buckhorn. He knows the people and them to pay as much as ten dollars a year for tui- they know him, and we may believe that he will tion. Yet the school takes them, so far as its carryon the work to yet more notable achievestraining capacity will permit. They work on the ments. farm, in the kitchen, everywhere; they do the baking, the cleaning, the plowing and harvesting. In these thirty-five years 6,000 persons have They are busy from dawn until night, with neces- professed their faith in Christ and 4,000 young sary time for rest and recreation. No busier, hap- people have been educated in this work started by pier, more attractive lot of young people will you a young man with $250, some good friends, and a see anywhere. They come out of poverty-stricken resolute faith in God. The influence of Buckhorn mountain cabins, knowing as little of the civilized is felt throughout the state of Kentucky and it world as a squirrel and, after a term of years at was a proper tribute to its founder that the state Buckhorn, go back as teachers, doctors, leaders in road passing near by was named "The Murdoch their communities, to change the whole aspect of Trail." It leads to Buckhorn; but the trail of life among their neighbors. Harvey Murdoch leads straight to Him who said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the One Sunday, some years ago, the leader of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Men's Bible Class in the Lafayette Avenue me."
Jake Woods, the Outlaw* By J. S. BURNETT, Chattanooga, Tennessee Superintendent, Tennessee Mountain Home Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church O NE night high up in the Smoky Mountains other preacher ever had; you must try to save of Tennessee I was lost in a snowstorm. Jake Woods." Though I was frozen into unconsciousness, my horse carried me to a house. When conscious- How should I begin ? Jake was sitting before ness began to dawn again, I heard a fire cracking the wide fireplace as I packed my saddlebags. I and looking up saw a bearded man bending over, walked over to him. Taking a bill from my pocket, swearing because I would not open my mouth to I said, "Mr. Woods, I regret to offer you so little admit the neck of a bottle. In the moment of when you and your good wife have done so much delirium, I thought I was dead. for me, but this is a little expression of my ap- preciation for what you have done. I could not When my senses returned, I recognized the man pay you even if I were rich." asa notorious outlaw, with a price on his head, a man who had vowed that physical violence would He looked me over from head to foot with asfall heavily on any preacher who dared to enter tonishment. his house. "Put up your money, Doc," he said; "what we My rescuer and his wife did everything possible done for you was because we wanted to be clever for me. When bedtime came, he took me in bed to you. If you had come to my house last night with him and held me .against his great warm as a preacher, I would have turned you away in breast all night, never relaxing his vigilance for the storm and been glad if you were frozen to a moment. In the morning, I was little the worse death. Twenty odd years ago, when the Almighty for my experience, but the sun shone and the snow took our little boy, our only child, I swore that no was melting, and I was ready to go. Then it was man representing Him should ever come under that a Voice said, "You have a chance that no my roof. I kept my word till last night, but when your horse brought you I couldn't turn you away. • Condffilsed from The ahri8t~an Advocate. Now, you can go and have it to say that you have stayed all night with Jake Woods."
His last sentence was hissed through clenched I gave him the book and turned away saying, teeth. I never saw a man look so fierce. I had that his ','old woman" might come to hear me failed, so I picked up my saddlebags from the bedside and started toward the door. But some preach when I returned to the Flats School House. Power gripped my conscience like steel. "You Several times before I had preached at the Flats must try it again," the unmistakable order came. to but a few good souls, but when I arrived this I walked the floor, trying to find a ship to time the whole schoolyard seemed to be covered Tarshish, but none was in sight. I was sure that with people. The first man who gripped my hand, Jake guessed what I was suffering but he never until I thought I would fall off my horse, was Jake turned his head. Finally, I walked over to him Woods. "Doc, I fetch 'em," was his greeting. again, and with voice trembling from emotion, I said, "Mr. Woods, I have a little book that I want I walked into the schoolhouse. The women were to read and talk to a Friend of mine before I go, on one side of the aisle. On the end of the second will you let me?" He turned in his chair with his bench from the front there was one who caught back to me. His wife, sitting in the corner, said, my coat sleeve as I passed. It was Nancy Woods, "Doc, it's all right; go ahead." I began reading at church for the first time in more than twenty that wonderful fifteenth chapter of Luke, about the one sheep that had strayed, but was found. years. "Doc," she said, "there is something the matter There was the story of the Prodigal Son, too. When he came home, in tatters within and with- with Jake." out, his father was so happy that he would gladly "What like?" I asked. have killed everything on the place to make merry "I don't know, but he hain't like he used to be because his son had come home; maybe to spend some more. since you were there. He's been real good to me. Doc, please call for mourners today; maybe Just then I looked out of the corner of my eye Jake'll go up." and Jake Woods had turned around and was looking' at me with eager interest, as much as to say, The tears came to my eyes as I walked to the "Why are you talking about me?" He had sneered table and laid my saddlebags down. Jake Woods in the messenger's face who came when his father had beaten that woman almost to death once bewas dying and begged his son to come home. cause she had given a coin to a preacher. Many I dropped on my knees and took hold of God times he had driven her off in the storm. Once, while I tried to reach Jake Woods with one hand, but he was too far away. I held on until I re- in a drunken delirium, he had thrown her in the membered that the sin of lacking hospitality is fire. Now, she had been in heaven for three whole unpardonable with us in the Southern mountains. I said, "0 God; I came here more dead than alive weeks! last night, and this man and his good wife took The men came, with Jake Woods at their head, me in and nursed me back to life, and now they refuse to accept anything for their kindness. But walking like he was on air. Just behind him was Jesus Christ has stood at their door, ever since an old soldier of the Civil War, hopping on a stiff they have had a house, with outstretched hands knee. He hadn't been ih church since the war bleeding, and with thorncrowned brow, and they have slammed the door in His face. Help Jake closed. Woods sat on the end of the front bench Woods to tell Jesus Christ to come in today." and the old soldier by his side.
When I got up, Woods was sitting on the floor, The house was full of the good and the bad. looking at the door. I followed his gaze but saw The sermon that I had prepared would not fit, so nothing except the open door, with sunshine and I took for my text, "The Son of man is come to melting snow. After a minute, he said, to Someone apparently in the door, "Come in." Then seek and to save that which was lost." turning to me, he added: "He came in," as much as to say, "You can't throw it up to me any more." One standing by that·table at my side, preached that day, with convincing power. When I left the cabin Jake followed me to the gate. "Doc," he asked, "have you another of those When I let down the net, Jake Woods sprang to little books like you read out of awhile ago? My his feet and went down the aisle, speaking in a pap used to read about that boy and I guess I've voice that drowned mine: "Men and women come been him. If you'll lend me one and turn down a on! Doc's telling you the truth for I saw that leaf, I might find someone to read, and I think I Man when Doc prayed in my house. When I would like to hear it again." opened my eyes, He was standing in the door, with His hands stretched out and there were holes in them with blood running out. I saw thorns on His head, too. I told Him to come in and He came and I haven't been the same man since." , They came until it seemed that all would come. The result was thirty-five candidates for baptism.
Jake Woods went out to exhort and save the peo- ple of his acquaintance, and he reached more of that class in two years than I could have reached in a lifetime.
Some Rural Churches Are
By W. H. THOMPSON, Columbus, Ohio Field Secretary, Ohio Council of Churches SCATTERED widely over. the land are out- meetings, such as Day of Prayer for Missions, standing examples of what Christ can do for Youth conferences, annual business meetings, and country people through pastors who have social fellowship and creative leisure activities.
been born of His spirit of sacrificial service, and The pastor and his coworkers, the Rev. Rowland who have been endowed with consecrated intelli- Jones and Miss Elizabeth Streid, share their time gence. They have been scientifically trained, and in personal and pastoral parish visitation, each have answered the Divine call to country fields as church sharing in financial support according to foreign missionaries have dedicated their lives to ability. The pastor joins with pastors of other Africa, Asia, or the Islands of the Sea. denominations of the area in community-wide Parish of Templed Hills projects of religious and social welfare. He co- operates with the Agricultural Extension Service, Until eleven years ago when this parish was Farmers Institutes, Four-H Clubs, public school organized, there were in the region near Oak Hill, leadership and the county ministerial association.
southeastern Ohio, from eight to twenty Welsh "As prosperity seems again to be coming upon Presbyterian churches on a circuit served by a us," says Mr. Bicksler, "and the cities are beck- group of ministers, each living on a farm or hav- oning our youth to jobs, we feel we can send them ing some other occupation. with a background of respect for the church, be- Urider the advice and counsel of the late Warren cause locally the church has kept abreast of other H. Wilson, six of these churches and a mission things such as the schools and adequate equip- chapel were brought into a definite cooperative ment. Though we cannot expect to keep all of parish relationship with two pastors and a full- our youth on the farm, we can, with our spirit, time social worker. program and equipment, at least prepare them Five years ago the Rev. Harry E. Bicksler* was as Christians and church leaders." t· .
called as director of the Parish of Templed Hills. Ohristian Fellowship Parish At his coming the churches cooperatively purchased a fourteen-acre tract of land in the open A second example of the transforming power country, including five acres of dense thicket and of Christ in village and rural communities in Ohio a fine piece of clover mea,dow. Under Mr. Bick- through cooperation of a group of churches is sler's direction, a modern manse with every con- found in "The Christian Fellowship Parish" in venience was built, the thicket was transformed the southwestern part of the State. Six Christianinto a picnic grove in which a shelterhouse was Congregational churches entered into a "Parish erected, with table and kitchen equipment, with a Fellowship" two years ago under the joint passeating capacity of 600, for use by local organiza- toral leadership of the Rev. Ralph A. Brandon as tions, and as a meeting place for youth training Minister of Parish Administration, residing at conferences for southeastern Ohio. Hamersville, and the Rev. Theron A. Zimmerman as minister of Christian Education, residing at Each church in the Parish is organized and Pt. Isabel. cares for its own local business. There are three councils-the Elders' Council, Council of Women, The constitution under which these churches and Council of Youth. Parish Trustees are the work includes the following: holders of property which is owned jointly by all the churches. There is also a parish Federated Believing that friendly cooperation between our several churches in their religious, moral and social work would make possible a program of Christian activities that would Flower and Garden Club. The manse and the vitally strengthen the Kingdom of God in our several com- parish grove are used as a central meeting place munities, bring about a more efficient church and i:>etter build into the lives of our people the teachings of Jesus for the councils, and as a center for various group Christ and the principles of the Christian Church, we, the • Mr. Bicksler had completed a term of service in a Home Mis- following churches . . . do hereby pledge our loyal supsion Rural Parish in the far West, had been sent by his Board of port to the following Constitution and By-Laws. . . . National Missions to Europe to visit the great rural parishes of the ~~~~~~~?tt{es~nd had spent a year in graduate work in one of our pa~i~r'Or~:~~r~ 1r7Ils~,~ory is published in his recent book, "The [347 ]
The object of this organization shall be to promote the now joint studies are being made by all the pas- Kingdom of God through systematic and persistent meth- tors of the area, exploring the possibility of enods of Christian education, evangelism, worship, and com- larging the parish group to include churches of munity services; and to bring about a better religious, other denominations. Here again is a case of moral, and social atmosphere in our communities through especially trained pastoral leadership for the pasthe coordination of our efforts. tors are dedicated to town and country work, backed up by their national and state denomina- A Council, consisting of six representatives tional Councils, and have in their hearts the Spirit from each church, six members at large, and one of the Christ who "came not to be ministered unto, representative from each denomination included but to minister." in the Parish, chosen by the State head of that denomination, and the members of the staff, meets Example number three is the Federated Church quarterly and acts as the executive body. in the village of North Jackson, in. northeastern Ohio. More than ten years ago the Spirit of Christ moved the hearts of the denominational leaders and the members of three of the four local churches-Church of Christ (Disciples), Presby- terian, and Reformed in the U. S., to recognize the sin of local competition and division, and to work out a plan of union whereby the three churches united under the leadership of one pastor.
Each church retains its denominational connec- tion and benevolence contributions are divided equally among the three State and national offices. The Presbyterian building was selected ·as the place for united public worship. Sunday school classes use the public school classrooms. The Church of Christ building is used for Women's So- . ciety activities. The Reformed Church building is being razed and materials used to enlarge the Presbyterian building.
The present university trained pastor, the Rev. James D. Wyker, was formerly a member of the staff of Groton Larger Parish, New York. He came five years ago and under his dynamic lead- ership, and that of his unsalaried wife, a varied program of constructive Christian leadership is being developed with the many groups in the com- munity.
Horse-sheds Transformed ELDERS' COUNCIL, PARISH OF THE TEMPLED HILLS Two features of the program at North Jackson are worthy of special attention. A camp has been A program of systematic pastoral visitation, developed in a natural beauty spot, with creek, regulaz: Sunday school and worship services, an- woods and hills, with cabin, mess-hall and craft nual .evangelistic meetings and preaching mis- shop, vesper spot and recreation field. Here local sions, vacation church schools, youth activities, groups, including youth and farm women, asleadership training institutes and mission study, semble during the summer for from two to fiveis provided for each church. day- courses of study of the Bible, personal and community problems, recreational leadership, and A mimeograph machine, owned cooperatively, for social fellowship. The camp is also used for is used to publish a parish paper and by it the community picnics and family reunions. reports of all departments and committees are made available to all members. Was it not the Spirit of Christ who inspired the men of the church and community to dismantle These pastors cooperate with pastors of the the obsolete .horse-sheds of the Disciple's church' other churches in the area so that the program and use the materials in the construction of the for the whole community is coordinated. Even camp mess-hall and craft shop and the bridge leading to vesper hill?
As an expression of the ideal of Christian unity in local community Kingdom building, Mr. Wyker
AWAY WITH SORCERY AND MURDER IN PAPUA
has helped to develop a community coordinating absent in parsonages, and parish travel obligacouncil of character building agencies in North tions ten times greater than that of the average Jackson. Frank study of local problems has been city pa~tor. undertaken and allocation of responsibility for service programs has been made looking toward Through the le:;tdership of these pastors, town wise use of available resources and talent. and country youth are being won to Christ through evangelism and religious teaching, and The pastor also has assisted in developing "folk schools" for the study and practice of the prin- HORSE SHED TRANSFORMIDD INTO MESS HALL ciples of Christian cooperatives in his own and AND CRAFT SHOP neighboring communities. He is one of the vicepresidents of the Ohio Pastors' Convention and a are trained in the Christian use of leisure time member of -the executive committee of the Ohio and in high civic and economic and social ideals. Rural Pastors' Summer School maintained at Neighborhood feuds are being healed by their Camp Ohio by the Extension Service of the Col- ministry; lonely souls are befriended; comfort lege of Agriculture of Ohio State University. and counsel is brought to the sorrowing and the disillusioned. Churches having fallen into dis- The picture would not be complete if recogni- repute are being restored to the respect and contion were not given to scores of high-minded and fidence of their communities. devoted town and country pastors and their wives who, without special technical training of colleges and seminaries, never-the-less by diligent reading and frequent attendance at summer schools, short courses, and rural institutes, have kept abreast of the times in techniques and programs and ideals of religious education, youth activities, community cooperation with public schools, the Grange, Farm Bureau, Four-H Clubs, and Boy and Girl Scouts. They have served wisely and effectively in fields where the odds and handicaps have been terrific, salaries inadequate, modern home conveniences Away With Sorcery and Murder in Papua* A Story of the Work of God Under the Kwato Mission of Papua T HE Bohutu Valley, in Eastern Papua, long grasped him by the wrist, crying, "What are you presented a problem which no Government doing?" forces could solve. Fear of sorcery and spirits had led to the complete depopulation of the It was Lobai, the sorcerer, who was out to do valley, the tribes having fled to live in small the village policeman to death that night. Think- ing Merari was another sorcerer he pleaded for groups in the mountains around. No offers would his life, but Merari explained that he did not want possibly induce them to return to their villages. to harm" him. He told him about God, and ar- Reason is helpless before fear in Papua as in ranged to meet him next day at the village. Be- Europe. . fore the night was out he had surprised two other It was Merari, a tall, athletic Papuan of twenty- sorcerers on similar errands and arranged to meet eight, who first saw how these deep-seated prob-_ them the next day as well. lems could be answered. God told him in his time When they met at the village, two of the sorof listening to go up into the valley and investigate. So he went and lived in one of the villages. cerers immediately produced their ginauri, de- stroyed them, and gave their lives to God. But One evening he was out in the bush, and, as he Lobai held back, the sacrifice being too great. walked, heard some one approaching along the Then Merari did a daring thing. "We'U put it to track from the opposite direction. Stepping off the test," he said. "You say your charms are the track he waited, and as the man passed strong; I say God is stronger. Over there is the • From the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society Quarterly. This platform on which I sleep. You may come tonight Mission, founded by the late Rev. Charles W. Abel, has American headquarters at 156 Fifth Ave., New York. and put any charm on me you like. Then we will
see which is the stronger." Lobai hesitated, then life has been changed the death-blow to adultery answered slowly: "No, you are right. I tried has come because the sexual life of the natives is them all last night. But every time I threw my God-guided and released.
magic at you it came back at me." So he too was Eighteen months ago it became clear that new changed, and is one of the most fearless leaders ground must be found for the activities of the in the valley today. teams already mobilized. The Abels were granted Merari immediately sent an S 0 S to Kwato, permission to take on the mountain district of and a team came up to help him. They stayed a Abau, where the tribes still practice their homi- month, moving from group to group, bringing a cidal customs. Before a man was considered new life to hundreds in personal interviews. Some eligible for marriage he had to have killed or time later thirteen sorcerers and sorceresses came helped to kill some one. "Every male I met,"
to Mr. Cecil Abel of the Kwato Mission, and vol- writes Mr. Abel, "-and I met a great many-had unteered to give themselves up to the Government, served sentences of between two and ten years for sorcery being a punishable offence. The Governor murder."
pardoned them, and none of them have gone back Here the tribes have no background of teaching to their old ways. In the same way those changed whatever. No missionary had ever been into the in the little hamlets in the mountains received area. Everyone predicted the greatest difficul- spontaneous guidance to return to the valleys. ties, but when Cecil Abel went in with a team of Their fear had disappeared. Now they are gath- Papuan leaders the response was immediate. The ering into three large villages. The Government patrol lasted threll1 weeks, and at the end of that Patrol visiting the valley recently said that they time five chiefs came together, said how they could not recognize the place; the people and the agreed with the new way of life, but wanted to distribution of them had changed so utterly. see how it was lived out in the villages of the After four years the new life is increasingly Kwato district. "Only send a messenger," they active. A new corporate life is developing. In said, "and we will come down to you."
some villages the day starts with the blowing of When Abel sent for them, not five but forty a conch-shell in the dark morning stillness. A wanted to make the three days' journey to the sleeping village rouses itself and goes to bathe- coast. Only six could then be accommodated, but a reform which neither Government nor mission- for two months these chiefs mingled in the vilary could ever have enforced. Half an hour later lages and watched the everyday life of the inanother note on the shel.!, followed by complete habitants. When the time came to return home silence for about half an hour, indicates that the they got together for a farewell party, and Bawhole village is having a quiet time of listening ruma, their leader, made this speech: "The Govto God. Twice or thrice a week they meet cor- ernment tried to make friends with us, inviting porately as a community. us to feasts and 'Christmases' at Abau, but we It was in this way that guidance came to one went back unchanged. Then they took us off to previously poverty-stricken village to make one jail, four, five, six years. We didn't mind. Gov- corporate holding of all the land where their crops ernment rice and biscuits are very good. We were produced. Private interests gave way vol- came back unchanged. At last God's children untarily to community guidance, and the village came out of love for us and changed us right flourishes. Another village was guided to give round inside. Your food ·at Kwato is very good, its large surplus of produce in a bumper year to but we have good food too in Dorevaidi. We another village that was hard hit by a local bad haven't come for that. Your schools and works harvest. The men loaded their canoes, and the are very good. We would like to learn too, but we emotions of generosity and gratitude produced haven't come for that. We have only come for more spontaneous delight than the old communal one thing. To learn about God. Our hearts are orgies, for which the appetite has been lost. burning to go back and tell our friends all we In another community a common pool of coco- have learnt."
nuts, the only form of capital the native possesses, The true task has just begun. In Kwato are be- was made to inaugurate a new corporate manage- ing trained leaders adequate to changed the whole ment of the village consequent upon the change in course of Papuan life, while in the district itself the individuals composing it. The damage done the way is clear for a God-directed civilization to'
by civilization has been in some measure repaired. come into being. For the changing of lives is but Adultery, which was unknown under the old tribal the clearing of the undergrowth and the setting morality, became common when these ancient of firm foundations on which God may build a sanctions were removed, and the only penalty was culture of amazing richness, perhaps the pattern a fine. In many villages where the community for the Pacific.
HUNAJj._
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KWANG .TUNG PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN MISSIONS IN THE PROVINCE OF KWANGSI, SOUTHWEST CHINA The Chcistian and Missionary Alliance has ten centers where 26 missionaries reside; in thirty other towns and cities chapels have been opened, lllanned by Chinese Christian workers.
Nine other societies are at work in the Province: Church Missionary Society (Kweilln); C. of E. Zenana Mission (Kweilln); Bible Churchman's Missionary Society (Nanning, Noming); Southern Baptist (Kweilin, Wuchow); Seventh Day Adventist (Nanning); Assemblies of God (Chungshan and Hohsien- both vacant); Independent (Wuchow, Kwelhsien). These societies report 34 missionaries.
Pioneering for Christ in Kwangsi By the REV. ALFRED C. SNEAD, New York I Foreign Secretary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance 11i- ~==========================~ SOME years ago Old Eagle, a Chwang tribes- but still earnest and active, has been tramping man of the Province of Kwangsi, southern over the mountains and hills as a colporteur of China, came with ten other men from their the British and Foreign Bible Society, visiting the country homes to the city of Liuchow. There they wildest parts, wherever he could find members of heard the Gospel message. As he listened to the his own tribe. The Lord has blessed his efforts Gospel night after night Old Eagle accepted and a number of his people have been converted Christ and the joy of salvation filled his heart. and are now faithful members of the Christian He became eager that his own Chwang people Church. should hear the Good News and later accompanied The large southern Province of Kwangsi was the missionary on many tours of exploration and formerly one of the most backward in China. In preaching trips. There are nearly three million recent years, however, the province has become of these tribesmen in the Province and for the one of the more advanced in education, enlightpast few years Old Eagle, now seventy years old ened government, engineering projects, and the [351 ]
building of roads. The honor of having one of there is now a membership of more than 320 the first resident missionaries in the then hostile Chwang tribesmen in the Alliance Mission in and forbidden Province of Kwangsi fell to the South China. On an 800-mile trip in Western Christian and Missionary Alliance when its mis- Kwangsi, the .missionaries and Chinese found that sionary entered Wuchow in 1896 and resided in a thousands in the country markets could under- "haunted house," the only place then available stand scarcely a sentence of Mandarin, the pre- for residence. vailing language being Chwang. The Yao is one The city of Wuchow was built in A. D. 592, so of the least known and most primitive of the tribes that more than 1,300 years passed before the and there are many subdivisions. The Tung Church of Christ began to fulfil' the Lord's com- tribes, estimated at 300,000, live in the wild moun- mand, so far as Kwangsi was concerned. Today, tain fastnesses of Kwangsi and the neighboring besides the Alliance, the Southern Baptists and Province of Kweichow. These people, among two other American societies, there are four Eng- whom a missionary couple and Chinese workers lish societies, and a few small independent groups have been ministering for six years, listen to the working in the province. The Bible Societies are Gospel eagerly and some have accepted Christ.
Various divisions of the Miao tribes are scattered through the northern and western parts of the Province· and some of these, as well as other less well-known tribes, are being brought to the atten- tion of the Mission through long and often la- borious itinerating trips into hitherto unreached territory. The spirit of those who make these trips is shown in a letter written by the intrepid pioneer, Rev. W. H. Oldfield, the Chairman of the Alliance Mission in South China: "Here we are in the wilds of the west ready to start out with a party of thirteen for a tour among the tribesmen. The whole trip has been a time of blessing. First, we made a tour in the moun- tains of the north, which is commonly called Miao- land. There we came in contact with six differ- ent tribes, two of which we had never seen before.
The Gospel message was given and tracts .were left among them and we trust that this seed will be watered by the Spirit and will bring forth an abundant harvest to the glory of God.
Photo by A. F. Desterhajt "On the entire journey of over 1,000 English TUNG WOMEN OF KiWANGSI miles on foot through all kinds of mountain ter- cooperating with the various missions in circu- ritory, we were led in safety, but the very last lating the Word of God. Today after more than day, when almost within shouting distance of the forty years, there are still millions in the province city of Poseh, we were held up by robbers and two who have not been brought into vital touch with of the three loads we were carrying, containing the Gospel of Christ; and in the northern and bedding and clothing, were taken from us by these western portions of the province, where the Al- evil men. It occurred the day before Christmas. liance is responsible for evangelizing the people, It seems strange that this term of service should wany.tribes are entirely unreached. begin and end with a highway robbery, but I am glad we still have clothing. We do not change our During the past few years, pioneering trips plans, but in spite of somewhat disturbed condihave brought to light many tribespeople in the tions, we plan to leave day after tomorrow for the fastnesses of the mountains and the valleys of the last few weeks among the tribesmen of the west, interior, and these the mission and the Chinese and we trust through the prayers of faithful Church are making earnest efforts to reach. friends that we may be saved from further ·The population of Kwangsi is approximately trouble, though trouble or not we go forward in 12,000,000, according to the latest government His Name to the many peoples of the west that census. There are believed to be at least 5,000,000 have not yet heard the saving message of the tribespeople in the Province. The Chwangs, Gospel."
members of the great Tai race, are the most nu- With the growth of the Chinese Church in merous and easy of access. One hundred mem- Kwangsi, there has been a very encouraging debers of this tribe were baptized last year and velopment along true indigenous principles. Mis-
PIONEERING FOR CHRIST IN KWANGSI
RED-HEADED YAOS OF THE LOH-LI AND SI-LIU DISTRICTS, MR, YUEN, THE' EVANGELIST FROM POSEH, IS STANDING, HOLDING HIS ACCORD'EON siOonaries and Chinese workers are earnestly the church treasurer a sack of pennies amounting laboring to make the Church fully self-supporting, to $5.00, hOoping that other members might be wisely self-governing, and zealously self-propa- stimulated by his example, so that they could have gating under the leadership and by the enabling their own building. Mrs. Tseng, the treasurer, of the Holy Spirit. had a flourishing business and every comfort, yet she gave nothing. She was ashamed as she gazed When a congregation is able to supply six- on the sacrificial offering and a few days later she tenths of all its running expenses, including sal- left her shop and hurried off to see Dr. Moh, a aries, it passes from the oversight of the Joint prosperous man and a member of the church com- Committee (Chinese and Mission Executive Com- mittee. She Ooffered to give a plot Oof land fOor the mittee) to the direction of the Chinese Commit- building and to help buy the brick and lumber, if tees. The goal is to attain full self-support within Dr. Moh would take time to direct the workmen. four years after the church has become sixty per cent self-supporting. Finally a spacious street chapel was completed and furnished. The prosperous members felt a One group of Christians in the inland town of little ashamed of their ragged brother Lan and Kong Cheng rented a building as a chapel but urged him to wear better clothes. He quietly rethey often had to change their place of meeting plied that he had frequently been tempted to buy because the landlords blamed them for any calam- clothes but that he felt he must lay aside his penity that might befall their households. Finally nies for the church. As Dr. MOoh listened and Mr. Lan, one of the poorest of the members of remembered that he himself wore silk and fur the church, declared that they must build their garments while his brother member WOould not ownchapel. Daily he prayed to God to help him even buy a cheap padded gown because he was so think of some plan by which he might save money intent on His Lord's interests, Dr. Moh invited for the building. His fOOod was only such as the the poor man tOo his home where he gave him a poorest of men could affOord even in China, but good hot meal and a new gown. His son also was finally he and his wife decided to eat less and lay given work in the doctOor's office. NOoW a happier aside a few pennies saved from time to time. The man than Brother Lan can scarcely be found in poor man's body was weakened from the lack of all the countryside. He and his fellow church nourishing food and he was often chilled because members have found that giving is the Father's of insufficient clothing, yet he rejoiceq as his sav- way to added blessing. ings grew. After several months he brought to
Eleven organized churches, with a total mem- provided by the converts for continued meetings bership of 993, are now under the direction of the before the Bands have finished their ministry in Chinese committee. The combined membership the section. of all the Alliance churches in Kwangsi is 2,539 and many of these are expected to come into full In recent tours in Kwangsi and Kweichow, seven counties have been traversed, great moun- tain ranges were crossed, where the foot of a white man had never tramped. Thus, the search for new tribes and peoples goes ever onward in the confidence that, when they are discovered, mis- sionary volunteers will not be lacking and through the prayers and assistance of loyal friends at home, earnest efforts will be made to reach these tribes with the Gospel message.
One of the encouraging discoveries of recent trips is that a number of the tribes can be reached through the Chwang dialect, the Chwang workers had no difficulty in being understood by the vil- lagers and people along the pathways to whom they spoke.
During one part of the trip, four tribes were found of which the missionary writes: "The Heh-i, the Loh-Loh, the Ta Pan Yao and the Lan Tien Yao are still practically as much A CHWANG WOMAN AND HER BABY relation with the Chinese Conference within two MR. LAN, FORMER TAOIST PRIEST, NOW or three years. AN EARNEST CHRISTIAN The great unevangelized Yao Mountain terri- He is seated beside; some of the idols that he formerly worshiped. tory in Kwangsi, with its many thousands of unreached tribesmen has been entered by repre- neglected as they were a thousand years ago. It sentatives of the Chinese Church as their field for is true some Gospels and tracts have been distribevangelization. The Church publishes the Al- uted to some of them, but they have not as yet liance Weekly in Chinese, Sunday school papers, had an opportunity to hear and understand the and other helpful literature. Some of these have Gospel. On this tour we determined to get in a circulation reaching into nearly every province of China, as well as into foreign countries where Chinese have emigrated.
The Bible Training School, under Chinese leadership, often has among its student body representatives from many other missionary societies and church groups. It is recognized to be of a high standard and absolutely loyal to the Word of God and the fundamental truths of our Christian faith. Two important phases of work are the Short Term Bible Schools held in various districts and the ministry of the Chinese Evangelistic Bands who labor both among the Chinese and the tribespeople. In one month members of one of these Bands gave a brief Gospel message in 1800 homes and preached in all the towns and villages of the section in which it was laboring. In some places the work of the Bands is so fruitful that several groups of converts are baptized and places
PlWto by A CHWANG TRIBESMAN'S HOME IN THE' MOUNTAINS-HERE A MISSIONARY OFTEN SPENDS THE NIGHT. PIGS AND COWS ARE FREE TO ENTER THE FRONT DOOR ON THIID GROUND FLOOR.
close contact with them. On other trips we have long so as to discourage travelers, especially met them on the mountain pathways and have soldiers or robbers, from going that way. Though found them usually timid and retiring. On this the Miao carrier did not wish to continue the trip, however, we left the main pathways, secured journey, the Commission of the Lord still reads guides to take us back behind the mountain ranges "unto the uttermost part" and so the messengers to where the tribesmen have their homes, lived pressed on. Tribes in these distant places are with them in their huts, ate with them, slept with them, sat with them around their' camp fires, almost 100 % illiterate so the Gospel must be given dressed their sores, bound up their wounds, and told them the story of the Gospel. In a few days them by word of mouth. they became so friendly that they flocked around How do the tribespeople respond to the Gospel us as if we belonged to their tribe; when we left one tribe to pass on to another, there was a hearty message? A Tung tribesman, having been told invitation to call again, and we felt that another that a strange white man who loved his people tribe was ready and waiting to receive the Gospel was living in a distant town, left his mountain when we have men to send and means to support home and came to the city where he cautiously inthem." quired for the missionary. That tribesman is now studying the Word of God and looking forward to The Timber Yao people differ noticeably from the time when he can tell his ownpeople the glad other tribes in their language and in the women's new Story which he has so recently heard. Many dress. Their houses are scattered in groups of who hear the Message are eager to tell it to their two to five, with only an occasional small village. people in the scattered villages, and they find a The women of this tribe, as well as the Miao and hearty welcome as they sit around the camp fire Tung tribes, wear trousers instead of pleated evenings and tell to their friends and neighbors skirt like those worn in other tribes. Their silver the story of God's redeeming love. ornaments include a number of Hongkong coins, beaten plates of silver and earrings. Another young Tung from the hills of Kwangsi, who had studied in the City of Canton, returned to After passing through a valley, far beyond the his mountain home among fellow tribesmen, and contacts of civilization, the party came to a moun- was so oppressed by the dullness of his surroundtain pass where the natives had spiked the road ings that he planned to seek escape through suiwith sharp spikes of bamboo four to six inches cide. Then it was that a Chinese preacher, Mr. Loh, visited the village and gave the young stu- dent some Christian books. Through reading
these, a desire was created to know more of the This answer to prayer made a powerful impres- Gospel and finally the young man expressed his sion, not only on the sick man's household, but purpose to follow Christ and to become a teacher also on many other members of his tribe. They of the Gospel to his own tribesmen. had never seen prayer answered in this fashion and reasoned, "If the Lord can answer prayer in Through the witness of two Chwang converts, this way, surely we ought to trust Him for the Mr. Lan, formerly a Taoist priest, and Mt. Chiu salvation of our souls and our future happin!,!ss." Tak-sun, an earnest Christian farmer, a consider- Before long about forty of the tribespeople asked able number of Chwang tribespeople have been to be enrolled as inquirers and from this number converted, twenty-seven being baptized on one twenty-seven were baptized. occasion. Mr. Chiu constantly urged his tribespeople to accept this Jesus who worked such won- Many similar instances could be given as eviders when on earth and who is still the same dence of the saving grace of God among the tribestoday. people of Kwangsi. Millions of Chinese and tribespeople are yet unreached and the Mission One day a neighbor became very ill and the with its thirty-four missionaries and the 102 sickness increased in severity until the family Chinese wor-kers, 29 of whom are women, have a feared that he was going to die. After tribal large task before them. We commend to the remedies had failed, the family sent for Mr. Chiu, Lord's people for prevailing prayer these earnest who went at once to the sick man's bedside. After missionaries and Chinese workers that, as the exhorting the family to cast away their idols and new-born souls are instructed in the essential trust alone in Christ, the Christian farmer kneeled truths, they may be established in the Christian down and prayed to God for the tribesman's re- life and become effective witnesses to their fellow covery. The next morning he was much better tribesmen. and in a few days he was well.
China and the New Life Movement* CHINA'S present attitude toward religion and nificant Easter message is significant of the atti- toward Christ is somewhat confused. Con- tude some of China's leading spirits take toward fucian ideals, though a factor in the New religion. The country is more widely open to Life Movement, do not function religiously any religious propaganda than ever before. Though more than they ever did. China does not promise there may be some discrimination against gradto be more Buddhist than at any time past, nor uates from unregistered Christian schools there is is it turning Christian. To promote religion in none against qualified Christians for important China is no easier or simpler than in "Christian" governmental and commercial agencies. Furthernations. Nevertheless, the attitude of China to- more, there is apparent a desire for Christian day toward religion is different from what it has and church cooperation in reconstructive projects been in the past. No religious system is receiving that implies recognition of the religious dynamic the special favor of the state, nor is the state at- as one of the essentials to China's rebuilding. In tacking religion. Prominent Chinese, including other words, China has passed from a mood ansome Christians, do not in their attitude distin- tagonistic to religion. guish as sharply between Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and Buddhism as some Christians Present-day China is more aware of religion might wish. Official courtesies are paid to rep- than once was the case. There is an inarticulate resentatives of all religions when occasion re- feeling that economic, social and political changes quires. One hears little discussion of religious are not enough. Thus for all kinds of aggressive liberty yet it seems to be a fact in China though religious movements the hour is propitious. some deem it infringed upon as regards educational freedom. China is not aggressively anti- Three years is too short a time in which to religious at the moment. judge the New Life Movement which has set itself a stupendous task under unusually difficult cir- There is something to be said of a seeming cumstances. It is not an organization but a movefriendliness on the part of China to religion. ment. It cannot be judged solely in terms of its High officials participated in the platform ad- purpose- and a summary of its achievements bedresses given before a Catholic Action Congress longs to the future. Nevertheless, it has moved a year or so ago. General Chiang Kai-shek's sig- forward as regards the clarification of its purpose and understanding of what it should aim to do in • The first part of this article is freely quoted from an editorial terms of reconstruction. Taken generally it is in The Chinese Recorder. "An attack on the fundamental moral problem in
THE MOVEMENT OFFICIALLY DESCRIBED
China's social life." As a matter of fact insofar as program are already cooperating with the New the Movement tries to reform manners it has both Life Movement. All churches not so engaged to curb the exuberance of modernized Chinese might well consider how they may participate. manners and jar the inertia out of traditional What can Christians add to the New Life Moveones. In some places, however, the Movement ment is a question. But cooperation in any field has disturbed gamblers and those promoting com- can only be worthwhile if it is reciprocal. So the mercialized vice to the point where they have question, What can the New Life Movement conurged that the Movement should show less zeal. tribute to the churches? needs also to be consid- This is an indication of its possibilities as a moral ered. The Movement provides an opening for the force. The program outlined indicates how the manifestation of the religious dynamic hardly Movement is becoming a positive force for re- equalled heretofore in China. It offers to tie up building life as well as an obstruction to evil Christian energy and moral fervor with the life agencies and a reformer of manners. So far it is of China in new ways. As an indigenous movelargely urban but the direction and scope of its ment it is setting out to endeavor to do along sevactivities are turning to rural centers also. eral lines what Christians have been trying to do for many years. Church response to the Move- It has been said that "The New Life Movement ment's appeal for cooperation should aid in keepaims at the revival of the traditional virtues of ing it creative. If in places the Movement is more China." But those responsible for it also feel the sound than success the church should help give need of a religious fervor to energize these tra- the sound a deeper note. If, on the one hand, it ditional virtues and that they seek the aid of those is a revival of traditional virtues it is, on the other motivated by the Christian faith in particular. In- hand, a search for ways of developing and manideed, while his Movement is not set on building festing a modernized and vitalized life. It cannot up a religion or a church as such, Christians are go far in this without the deepening of spirit and to some extent active in directing its activities. consciousness that religious faith can give. Chris- The time has come for the churches to give it tians can help by demonstrating how their faith serious attention as a force in the life of China works in the simple or elaborate forms of reconwith which they can work. struction.
Churches engaged in activities as given in the The Movement Officially Described* By' GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK President of the Chinese M'litary Affairs Commission THE New Life Movement aims at revolution- such traditional virtues as Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, izing the mode of life of the whole of the they are living today under conditions. which sug- Chinese people. It seeks by the application gest that they have just emerged from savagery. of the simplest and most effective methods possible to eradicate from the people those habits that China has 35,000,000 square liof territory and are no longer suited to the times and to replace abounds in natural resources, which if developed, them with a new mode of living in accord with could easily make this country one of the wealththe spirit of the age in which we live. In other iest nations of the world. Yet there is widespread words, the movement stands for the rationaliza- poverty and misery in the land. This again is due tion of the lives of the people, and is based on the traditional virtues of China as expressed in these to the neglect of the traditional virtues of China, characters, Li, Yi, Lien and Chih. namely, Li, Yi, Lien, and Chih.
The Chinese people used to set great store on China has 400,000,000 people who used to be these traditional virtues, the revival of which is well organized in all the essentials of life. But imperative and essential to the welding of China what spectacle do our people present to the rest into a modern nation. of the world today? They are disorganized, in- dolent, cowardly and torn between conflicting per- With a civilization of more than 5,000 years the verse teachings, leading a life little better than Chinese people attained long ago a high degree of that of savages. This again is due to the neglect refinement in matters of food, clothing, shelter of Li, Yi, Lien, and Chih. and deportment, but owing to their neglect of While it is true that the removal of the existing • From ChAnese Affairs, Shanghai crude and degrading modes of life of the Chinese people in favor of one of refinement depends to a
great extent on the revival of the old virtues of anything else. This work may be described as Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, it is equally true that under the work of the New Life movement. The extenpresent circumstances, when society is in a state sion and progress of the movement depends upon of chaos, when perverse ideas have permeated the the extent to which the people realize its need. It country, and when the great majority of the peo- should begin with individuals and later spread to ple are sunk in pleasure and indolence, immediate families and the community at large. It serves success can hardly be expected to attend the in- as the vanguard of the political authorities, but it troduction of political measures or the inculcation should not depend upon the latter for its success. of teachings of the right sort. If the modes of living of the people are to be improved, a start Objects of the Movement must be made first with the rectification of their bad habits. For this reason, the New Life Move- The attitude of mind of the great majority of ment offers the only road to the salvation of Chinese today is marked by drift and insipidity. China. This expresses itself in acts which do not distin-. guish between good and evil, right and wrong, Our late Chungli, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, said: "Min and private interests and public welfare. Hence, Sheng means the life of people, the existence of our officials are hypocritical, greedy and corrupt; society, the livelihood of the citizens of the country our people are disorganized and indifferent to the and the welfare of the masses." Although the welfare of the nation; our youths are degenerate problem of the livelihood of the people, or Min and irresponsible; and our adults are vicious and Sheng, may be considered from four angles, the ignorant. The rich are given to pleasure and exquestion of life is really the manifestation of the travagance, while the poor are low, filthy and other three aspects of the problem of the people's groping in the dark. All this has led to a complete livelihood. For the continued existence of so- breakdown of authority and discipline, resulting ciety certain guarantees are necessary. As re- in social unrest, which has in turn made us helpgards the problem of the livelihood of the people, less in the face of natural calamity and foreign there must be room for development and expan- aggression. If this state of affairs is allowed to sion. For the continuity of life, propagation is continue any longer, it will be impossible for us necessary. Life is the manifestation of all these even to lead the present kind of existence for very activities. In other words, life is a general term long. . . . . for all human activities. To rebuild the life of the people in accord with All activities arising from the propagation of modern conditions, especially to build a new social the race, from the preservation of life and also order, resort has to be made to political reform, from the development of the livelihood of the peo- particularly education, but in the past education ple assume different forms at different times and and politics in China have suffered from one beunder different conditions. Sometimes the en- setting sin, namely, cant and hypocrisy. This vironment also changes. Not until a man "renews has led to the ineffectiveness of laws, the uselesshimself daily" can he hope to have a rich and ness of technical talent and the impotency of abundant life. The life of a people must accord machines. Where a C.hinese is placed in the post with the time and environment in which it lives. formerly Occupied by a foreigner, it invariably A new life is possible only when there is a com- happens that the Chinese official cannot attain the plete break with the old modes of living. same degree of efficiency .as the foreigner. This is true of machines. Run by a Chinese, a machine Whether the people have a rich and abundant cannot yield the same output as it does when life depends primarily upon the existence of good under foreign· supervision. If we want to make government and on the extension of sound politi- our laws effective, the thing to do is not to imcal institutions, but this has a close connection prove the laws, but to get the right· men to adminwith customs and usages. ister them. The same is true of machines; Struc- turally, there is nothing defective about them: If during the transition from an old social what is needed is the right men to operate them. order to a new one nothing is done to assist the It is true that politics and education have an imintroduction and spread of new political· institu- portant role to play in the formation of character, tions by the introduction of new customs and but at the same time it is equally true that social usages, such new institutions are liable to be stul- customs and usages exercise a more important tified in their development. In other words, they influence over the lives of men. must be assisted by the inculcation of new ideas, preparing the minds of the people for their recep- That the Government will exert itself for potion. For this reason, every country makes the litical reform goes without saying. Unless we are task of changing the customs and usages of the prepared to let the nation go under without a people its first concern during the transition from struggle during the present national crisis, we the old to the new, for this is more important than
must act resolutely to put a stop to the present of food and clothing will not bring about social state of affairs and throw ourselves into the work peace, and if any proof is needed to substantiate of social reform. In short, we must make a clean this statement, it is an unquestioned fact that sweep of the existing social abuses and evils and crime abounds always in cities where there is take prompt measures to foster what is best and plenty and abundance. Moreover, can one serivital in society. This is the mission of the, New ously maintain that many of those who have Life Movement. turned to brigandage or become traitors and greedy officials have done so owing to fear of Contents of the Movement hunger and starvation? . . .
The New Life Movement advocates a mode of Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are general principles in living based on the principles of Li, Yi, Lien, and the establishment of states. This was true of Chih. In other words, it seeks to apply those ancient times and is true of the contemporary age.
time-honored principles to the daily conduct of Of course, each age has its own interpretation of men and women, especially in matters pertaining those principles. Let us explain them in the light to food, clothing, shelter and deportment. Any of modern conditions of life. Briefly, Li means one who fails to order his life in accordance with polite manners, Yi, chivalrous or upright conduct, this code is bound to fail. This is true also of Lien honesty or a moral sense 'of right and wrong, nations. and Chih, decency or an appreciation of moral There are people who are skeptical of this view. values. It is contended that Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, undoubtedly excellent virtues in themselves, may be There are two conditions associated with food, able to produce men of exemplary character, but clothing, shelter and deportment, namely (1) tanif we are backward in technical knowledge, no gible things, such as food, houses, roads, carts, amount of virtue can save China. This line of steamers, etc., and (2) manifestations, such as reasoning is untenable. It is true that knowledge eating and drinking, living, ·walking. is power, but knowledge is liable to be abused in The word Hsing, or deportment, however, has the hands of those who have no moral scruples. two senses. In its narrow sense it means walk- Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are the guiding rules of ing. In its broad sense it means behavior. Inconduct for individuals, society and the state. deed, in this sense Hsing ~ncludes food, clothing, shelter and deportment.
When educated men act contrary to these rules, The "San Min Chu Yi" ("The Three People's both the public and the nation will suffer. In Principles") in the chapter dealing with the short, Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are able not only to questions of food, clothing, shelter and deportsave China but to remake her. ment, emphasizes the material aspect of the prob- There are others who declare that Li, Yi, Lien lem. If there is any doubt on this score, it should and Chih are empty principles and can hardly be be dispelled by a perusal of this passage in "The expected to serve as rules of conduct for those Fundamentals of Reconstruction" which says: who live from hand to mouth and do not know The Government should assist the people in the where their next rice bowls come from or what development of agriculture so that they will have the morrow may bring. This fallacy is due to the enough to eat. It should promote the textile inteachings of Kuan Tze who maintained that be- dustry so that the people will have enough tovvear. fore a man can know decency he must have enough It should help the people to solve their housing to eat and wear, or as the Greek philosopher Aris- and transportation problems by building more totle said, before a man can be expected to be houses and repairing canals and roads. The virtuous he must have a competence. The funda- "Hsing" in the present New Life Movement is mental fact seems to have been overlooked by used in both its narrow and its broad senses. these skeptics that Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are the "foundation" of a man, and that if he does not Methods of the New Life Movement possess these attributes, he cannot have food and clothing. Leadership.-The direction of the whole New Life Movement is vested in the hands of the New In a society based on Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, one Life Movement Promotion Association in Nancan make up the lack of food and clothing by hu- chang. Branches of the association may' be estabman means, whereas in a society where these lished in the various parts of the country, but in principles are not observed, no amount of wrong- order to avoid confusion and to ensure common doing, such as robbery and theft can bring suffi- action, district branches should be subject to the ciency and abundance to the needy: Acts of Li, control of provincial New Life Promotion Asso- Yi, Lien and Chih are correctives to acts of strife, ciations. theft and robbery. In cases where Li, Yi, Lien andChih are flouted, even sufficiency in matters District and provincial branches should be jointly organized by representatives of various
public organizations, such as the Provincial and Chinese should have a decent standard of living, District Kuomintang headquarters, Bureau of which is another term for an artistic mode of liv- Public Safety, Social Welfare and Education, and ing. In ancient times China used to have the somilitary commissions. Subject to the direction called six arts and sciences: Rites, Music, Archof the l~al district New Life Promotion Associa- ery, horsemanship, calligraphy and mathematics. tion, the various guilds, schools, women's organi- These six things today have made the Western zations and rural groups may start separate New powers great and strong, although the Chinese Life groups. people for centuries used them as guiding prin- ciples of action in life. The reason why there is The work of the New Life Movement consists so much suspicion, jealousy and animosity in of investigation, planning and promotion. Chinese society today is that we have forgotten the teachings of our ancients. There is no hope The expenses of the movement should be re- of improvement unless we order our lives in acduced to a minimum and borne by those respon- cordance with the principles of Li, Yi, Lien, and sible or raised by the authorities of the locality in Chih. which there is a branch of the New Life Movement Promotion Association. Solicitation of con- (2) The poverty of China is due to the existtributions from outsiders is forbidden. ence of so many people who cannot produce any- thing of their own and who live on others. The The program of the New Life Movement will be productivity of the people must be increased. We drawn up by the New Life Movement Promotion must develop our immense natural resources and Association in Nanchang. The Movement will avoid waste. Everyone should consider it a first begin with a campaign for cleanliness and shame to depend upon others for his support. In orderliness. other words, everyone must work for his own living. There is no other way to relieve the pov- The formula of the Movement.-The Movement erty. of China and remove the source of civil strife should start with oneself and then extend to than to practise the principles of Li, Yi, Lien and others, with officials first, and then the masses, Chih in our daily lives. from simple things to more important tasks, and from public organizations, schools, etc., to the (3) In advocating Li, Yi, Lien and Chih as the lower classes of society. code of our daily conduct, we are inspired by the How the Movement may be promoted.-Per- or desire to "militarize" the life of our people. When sonal example, oral instruction, illustrated posters, campaign literature, plays and motion pic- a nation cannot fight for the defence its soil tures are some of the means by which the Move- against foreign invasion, it cannot be considered ment may be promoted. The New Life Movement a nation. We must cultivate martial arts if we Promotion Association will send delegates to visit are to overcome the present weakness of our counthe various provinces and districts from time to try. China today is overrun by Communisttime and inspect the work being done by the re- bandits. Civil war has not yet been completely spective New Life groups. In order to promote banished from the land. Our national territory a healthy spirit of rivalry between the various is growing smaller and smaller every day. Imgroups contests will be held. There will be prizes perialists join with traitors and Communists in for the winning groups. oppressing our people and undermining our coun- try. If we wish to deliver China from ,the present No compulsion should be employed in extend- crisis and bring peace and order to the land, we ing the Movement. Persuasion should be the must prepare to "militarize" the whole country. watchword of the "New Life" canvassers. Before this is possible, the people must be trained in habits of orderliness, discipline, cleanliness, Conclusion simplicity and accurate thinking. They must be law-abiding, conscious of their responsibilities and To sum up, the New Life Movement aims at the ready to die for the country. substitution of a rational mode of living for the present irrational mode of living of the people. A rational mode of living is realized when the How can this be effected? My answer is: by principles of Li, Yi, Lien and Chih are applied to making Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, the code of our the daily conduct of the people, especially in matdaily conduct. ters pertaining- to food, shelter, clothing and de-. portment. A great revolution will have been ef- (1) In advocating the revival of our traditional fected and the foundations of new national strucvirtues such as Li, Yi, Lien and Chih, the object ture laid when every Chinese lives in accordance in view is an artistic mode of living for all our with the principles of the New Life Movement, people. Many are apt to think that only a few which are based on the traditional virtues of Li, privileged persons can lead an artistic life. This Yi, Lien and Chih. is a mistake. It is within the reach of all. Every
Chiang Kai–shek's Interpretatiqn
of the New Life Movement in China* T HE New Life Movement was inaugurated medireval into the modern world. Those who have three years ago to quicken and to deepen the failed us are those who have refused to pay the work of reconstruction in China. Since then price of living the New Life. "You cannot serve the nation has progressed farther than we had God and mammon"; you cannot live a regenerated dared to hope, giving us a new faith in the future vitalized life and at the same time maintain a of our race. After these three years of experience selfish attitude toward society. we are more than ever convinced that the most vital force in the reconstruction of our nation is On this our third anniversary it is fitting that the spiritual life of the people. we should review some of the accomplishments of the past and perhaps more important still outline It has been a long and difficult task, and one the most pressing needs of the nation. that has required the cooperation of all the leaders of the nation, to unite China's scattered troops First and foremost let us mention the needs for into one strong national army. It has not been unity and internal peace. easy to improve communications, remodel cities and set forces in motion that will eventually im- The policy of the National Government is enprove the living condItions of farmers and work- tirely one of harmonizing, composing and settling ers. Yet in the long run these are the outward all differences through peaceful means, thus presigns of a new controlling principle, a new law of serving national resources and strengthening the life which we are slowly learning to follow. faith of the people in the ability of the nation to weather any storm. The unification of the armies This energy and courage animating our people, is not sufficient in itself. There must go with it and sometimes referred to as the national renais- that oneness of purpose and broadmindedness that sance, has been at work in China for two decades. enables men of all parties and of every faith to In a very real sense, the New Life Movement is keep in step, regardless of conditions, and while gathering together spiritual forces that are partly keeping in step to work together for the commonindigenous and partly from abroad. The New wealth. Life Movement is slowly winning the confidence of the people, for we are still very conservative, Throughout the country there are still minor and is fast becoming a centre where all agencies, disturbances where hungry men, masquerading both governmental and private, interested in the as bandits, take by force from their neighbors and welfare of the people, may find a common meeting from travelers what society should provide for ground. them in some other way.
Heretofore various organizations shouldering Economic Betterment and Education the burden of building a new social order have not only been scattered but they have oftentimes Benjamin Franklin has well said, "Poverty been perplexed by what seems to be cross-currents within the life of the nation. The river of New often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is Life released three years ago in Nanchang is gradually gathering into one great flood embody- hard for an empty bag to stand upright." ing the currents of life and thought that go to unify and reconstruct the nation. Idleness, intemperance and extravagance are A year ago, on the occasion of the second anni- not the only stones that pave the road to poverty. vers.ary of the New Life Movement, the Generalissimo emphasized three immediate needs of the Corruption, inefficiency, oppression, malnutrition nation: sincerity, efficiency and living of the New Life. During the same year mistakes may have and an unjust social order also help to depress been made but none can question the sincerity of our national leaders. Most Of them have been the economic level. When the New Life Movelending. a hand as the nation emerges from the ment was inaugurated in Kiangsi, one of the first • Radio broadcast speech by Madame Chiang on February 19, 1937, In commemoration of the Third Anniversary of the launching things it did was to establish welfare centers st~::h~tW Life Movement. Reprinted from The Peoples' Tribune, where the economic and social needs of the people might be studied and gradually relieved. Through- out the nation it will continue to focus attention upon the economic factors underlying the needs of the masses. Without this there can be no in- ternal peace. Banditry and rebellion will cease only when nt heex tpteoopt hlee have enough to eat. inte rnal Second, need for unity and peace I should place education.
[361 ]
The growth of the modern school system Almost anyone of us can gather together a few throughout China is phenomenal. Everywhere we see the children with their school books com- friends interested in social service and through ing and going. The fact· remains, however, that the vast majority of the people are not informed pooling resources can bring new life to many a on many matters that concern their every-day life; ignorance and superstition still influence them to community. Incidentally in so doing you will find an alarming extent. great joy and lasting satisfaction. The New Life Movement last summer presented this challenging situation to the college students , A group of well-equipped devoted national leadof East China and received a hearty response. College students, both men and women, spend time ers without your help cannot bring new life to our in their own or neighboring villages teaching summer schools for both children and adults and nation. Such a social revolution calls for the coholding popular lecture courses in the evening. In time our educated people will catch this spirit operation of every intelligent man and woman of service and voluntarily will do 'what they can in their immediate neighborhood so that in a short throughout China. time illiteracy will be greatly reduced. What the national and provincial governments are doing to Many a great movement has slowed down bemeet this gigantic problem is very encouraging but we wish to make this appeal to our educated cause it has failed to grip the imagination and to people everywhere, that they must not rely solely upon the Government but should also carry re- enlist the enthusiasm of the rank and file. This sponsibility for those closest to them. I, myself, have found deep satisfaction in mothering a few is not true of the New Life Movement, and from hundred students in the schools for the children of the revolution and I recommend this form of the bottom of my heart I hope it never will be social service to my friends throughout China. true. You know as well as I do that the great Games and Healthy Sport failure of democracy is that we rely too much We all know that we receive much valuable education outside of the schoolroom. Last summer a upon a fe,w chosen leaders. In democratic China student from a Shanghai college, visiting his home village in Kiangsu, discovered that a large per- you are showing your appreciation of the nation's centage of the people were spending their leisure time gambling; without discoursing on the evils leaders in many ways and we are deeply grateful, of gambling he hastened back to Shanghai where he purchased and borrowed a few outdoor and in- for it makes us doubly sure of the solid foundation door games, including a small radio. He worked with the young men of the village in cleaning and of unity upon which we are building. I beg of whitewashing an old temple and in levelling a playing field. Within a few days he had games you not to take too much for granted and not to and competitions in progress for the younger members of the community and victrola and radio expect too much of a few leaders. If New Life entertainment for those who preferred to be less active. From his knowledge of the outsilje world really comes to all our people throughout the provand from newspapers and magazines he gave a series of evening lectures on subjects of interest inces, it will come because it has been unanimously and value to the community. When the time came for him to return to his studies at college the vil- supported in the heart of the country. lage schoolmaster had already taken charge of these activities and they are doubtless still in The last and most important thing that I have progress. to say to you is something that the President of Through the social-mindedness of another college student in providing a village radio, the peo- the New Life Movement has said over and over ple of his community have just heard the President of the N~w Life Movement speak to them. again. "New Life is something we live, not some- thing that we promote." It is a quality of life within ourselves, a standard of ·values that in- fluences every thought and action. The greatest Teacher that ever lived has told us that "what goes on in a man's heart determines the quality of his life." If New Life implies a change of heart then let us all make that change together on this the third anniversary of our great spiritual move- ment. A change of heart within each of us will soon prOduce the :riew and prosperous nation that we all long to see. .
*** A Missionary Resolve – By the Grace of God: We will "maintain the spiritual glow."
We will depend on spiritual means to achieve results in God's work.
We will not magnify statistics nor glory in mere numbers.
We will be slow to criticize others, but will seek to be our best and look for the best in others.
We will earnestly try to be free from race prejudice.
We will show love to others and devotedly seek their high- est good. _ We will ask God's help to solve our own spiritual problems so as to be more free to help others.
We will not be too impatient for visible results, but will steadfastly trust God to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think."
We will tarry until we are "endued with Power from on High" and then go forth to witness for Christ.
"He giveth power to the faint." Isaiah 40: 29.
Yellow vs. Acting Yellow*
By GEOFFREY W. ROYALL, Chao-Cheng, Shangtung, China Missionary of the Church of the Nazarene THE eyes of the world are turned to China to- ventions, raising money, holding bazaars in order day more than at any time since the Boxer that the Gospel (!) might be taken to the poor Rebellion, a generation ago. So much has heathen – these slit-eyed, flat-nosed, oily-faced happened in the last five years and so much more Sons of Han included!
seems about to take place. . . that' even the Span- A tragedy! Yes, and one that is enacted too ish situation has not turned the attention of the often in other churches. Can it be true in yours?
people away from the land of Sinim. If we are not vitally interested in the salvation Now, instead of attempting to transport you of the ",heathen" who live on your street, your to the Orient and thrusting you heart first into the neighbors and fellow-citizens, then why try to fool intriguing life of the Chinese, we will stay in the ourselves into believing that we are really con- Occident, and spend a few moments "Thinking cerned in the redemption of heathen ten thousand Yellow." We have "thought white" for so long miles away? If one cannot "think yellow" at that it will be no easy task to suddenly "think home, it is useless to try 'imd stretch one's reli- yellow." gious imagination across the Pacific. It will prob- Having just returned from the Middle King- ably be drowned before it reaches Honolulu!
dom, I was in a store in Toronto purchasing a Cincinnati, the metropolis of Ohio, is a great daily paper. A lady of large dimensions came in centre of religious activity. Some years ago at and asked for one of the popular weekly'maga- the annual district convention of one of the larger zines. As the news agent handed her the maga- denominations, the largest auditorium filled to zine and her change, he pointed in my direction hear a missionary of national repute lecture on and said: "This is the Reverend Geoffrey Royall China. The two front rows were reserved for who has just returned from China." ecclesiastical dignitaries – bishops, superintend- "Why how strange," she replied, responding to ents and the like.
my recognition. "I have just come from the Chi~ A passing Chinese, with a staggering burden of nese laundry. You know, Mr. Royall, I have a laundry, was attracted by the bright lights' and horrid sensation run down my spine every time I paused to read the announcements. When his enter that place. That yellow face that pops up eyes caught the word "China" and noted that this behind the counter when I hand over my husband's evening was to be devoted to an address on his shirts is enough to scare anyone. Slit eyes, flat own country, he passed through the doors and noses, oily face . . . ugh! I'm glad I was not walked down the aisle towards the front, with the born a Chinese. How awful it must be for you to bundle of clothes. The speaker was waxing elo- have to live among such people." quent when his eye caught the face of the Chinese I opened my mouth to reply but the words laundryman beaming celestially into his own.
clogged in my teeth and I was silent. . With a quick gesture he motioned the visitor to a "Well, we have a meeting of the Women~s Mis- seat and the visitor promptly sat down next to a sionary Auxiliary at three, so I'll be running corpulent bishop, at whose feet he unceremoni- along," the woman continued, picking up her ously planted the laundry. A few minutes later magazine. We watched her sail out of the store the good bishop discovered that one end of his with the trail of a Pekinese dog in her wake. frock coat was caught beneath the individual next "Mrs. Jones is one of the best workers in her to him an,d, as he turned to look and he discovered church," remarked the storekeeper. a Chinese, he rose to move to another seat. Near- My mind followed her down to her missionary sightedness prevented him from seeing the bundle meeting. Here was a church woman, busy week at his feet, and he tripped ungracefully over it after week, no doubt, year in and year out, work- with a resounding thud.
ing on garments, preparing boxes, visiting con- Can we doubt that at the moment the bishop moved away from the Chinese, Jesus came and * C()lldensed fram a missionary address given In the First Church sat down in his place? To separate ourselves in ~Is~~oena~:z~~~~':;nk~:, ~~~~~~s'19~~~lfornia, at the annual District pride from our fellowmen because of the color of [363 ]
his skin is to segregate ourselves from the Son of the window display. His hand was on the door- knob, when he looked up and saw a plain notice, Man, the "Friend that sticketh closer than a in English and Chinese, nailed just above the door: "Chinese and dogs not allowed." The suit brother." There is danger that a "paternal" at- in the window was most inviting, but the words above the door were not. titude toward the heathen prevents us from being The same ancient tram took the prospective "fraterna1." . customer back to the Chinese quarters and the next day his customers noticed a new sign tacked In the city of Los Angeles I heard the following above the entrance to his restaurant: "Europeans and dogs not admitted." story. The new Chinese Vice-Consul decided to As we think over these four incidents we are patronize American stores during his residence in forced to admit several things.
California and visited one of the American bar- First, the average American church member does not appreciate the wonderful advancement bers. The shop happened to be without other his cousins of Cathay have made in recent years. There is also a tragic lack of soul passion for their patrons on his arrival, and the head barber was redemption. When we have learned that we are our "brother's keeper" in America, only then can seated on a chair reading a newspaper. Hearing we accept this responsibility for our neighbors in other lands. a customer enter he lowered his paper and looked Second, a spirit of aloofness and feeling of suover his glasses. The Chinese official smiled, but periority is a great barrier to Christian progress in foreign fields. How much of our missionary the proprietor growled: activity is superficial? There is a vast difference between being "interested in foreign missions" "What do you want in here." and in being vitally burdened for those of other races tor whom Christ also died. How often we "Oh, just a hair-cut today," smiled the Chinese foolishly interpret the former for the latter!
Vice-Consul. Third, the influence of Christian civilization that we endeavor to send to the Orient is often "Well, we don't cut Chink's hair here, so get nullified by our pagan attitude of superiority to- ward those who come to our own shores. out," was the reply. Fourth, many representatives of so-called "And may I enquire the reason," asked the Christian business houses that trade in the Far East, are a positive hindrance to the efforts of the Celestial, his smile disappearing. Christian missionary.
"I've got no time to argue," snarled the hair- "Thinking yellow!" does not mean "acting yellow!" It is a fallacy to suppose that Christ dresser. "Suppose our best customers from Holly- was a white man. In the book of Acts we read that when the Apostle Paul was standing on the wood should see me cutting your hair; what would steps of the castle waiting permission to address the Jewish rabble, the chief captain of the Roman they think? Do you suppose they want their hair guard asked: "Art thou not that Egyptian?" Christ and Paul were contemporaries and if the dressed with the same tools as I use on you? The chief captain mistook Paul for an Egyptian, it seems that he might well have mistaken Jesus for trade I have built up through years would be one also!
ruined in a day." The seventy-five thousand Chinese in America today constitute an outstanding challenge to the . "Before I leave I want to ask you a question," Christians of America-a challenge that has never been adequately accepted. said the Vice-Consul as he turned to the door. Christians can-learn to "think yellow" by learn- "Make it snappy then," grumbled the barber. ing to understand and to' sympathize with the Chinese. We need not "act yellow" in a sense of "I'm expecting a customer any moment." doing what is unworthy of a follower of Jesus Christ. The same Gospel that transforms us will "If my country came to you, as it has in the burnish the Chinese into gold fit for the King's crown. past, and gave Uncle Sam an order for five million dollars worth of machine guns and ammunition, seventy-five aeroplanes, two million dollars worth of scrap-iron and half-a-million dollars worth of modern factory equipment, would your people re- fuse the order? Would they say, 'We don't take Chinks as customers?'" Without waiting for the answer the Chinese stalked out of the shop. .
The tragedy was that at the same time he slammed the shop door he also slammed his heart's door on Jesus Christ. Today, that Vice-Consul is a chief executive under Emperor Henry Pu-Yi of Manchukuo. One of his tasks is to interview mis- sion board representatives who come with re- quests for government grants of land for hospitals and for other concessions. We wonder if he ever says to himself: ". . . We don't serve white for- eign devils."
Now let us take a boat to a foreign port in the "Dragon Kingdom," "thinking yellow" in Hong- kong. A young Chinese restaurant owner needed a new suit, and noticing a special sale advertised by a prominent down-town tailor, he planned to investigate. An antiquated street car took him to the foreign concession where he eagerly viewed
of the Rural Church in
~-.. I By REV. J. R. WATT, D.D., Kingston, Ontario I Registrar in Queen's Theological College EXCLUDING Greenland, Alaska and New- gave the ratio of urban to rural population as 53.7 foundland (a separate British Dominion), to 46.29 (urban, in Canadian census terminology, Canada comprises the entire northern part includes any separately organized municipality of the North American Continent. It has an area regardless of population). Since 1881 there has of 3,729,665 square miles as compared with the been a steady decline in the ratio of the rural pop- 3,776,700 square miles of the United States and ulation. In many of the older townships the rural . its dependencies and is slightly smaller than the population has declined as much as 50 per cent.
Continent of Europe. The estimated potential Even so two-thirds of Canadian congregations are agricultural land is 2,218,747,200 acres. rural or semirural in character. For this reason Occupying this vast area are 10,376,786 people, alone the welfare of rural congregations is a an average of 2.99 per square mile, but because major concen of the Canadian Church.
large areas are unoccupied this figure may be mis- It seemed necessary to state the foregoing facts leading. Prince Edward Island, with little unoc- that non-Canadian readers, unfamiliar with con- cupied land, has an average density of 40.3 while ditions here, might have some background against Ontario, with great areas unsettled in the North, which to look at the problem. In many respects has 9.45. East of the Great Lakes most of the the problem of the rural church is the same in population is found south of the 50th parallel and China, India, Canada or the United States. But in the West south of the 55th. the approach to and the solution of it must always Of this population 5,381,071 are of British take into account the local background with its origin, 2,927,990 of French, 2,067,725 of other unique local characteristics. Climate, density of races. The largest non-Anglo-Saxon groups are population, religious complexion, racial traditions, German 473,544, Ukrainian 225,113, Dutch 148,- are all factors of prime importance to workers in 962, Polish 145,503. The largest infiltration of this field, and must be taken into account in any non-Anglo-Saxon population is in the West. efforts at betterment. Some of these factors are Prince Edward Island is almost solidly Anglo- permanent, others are modifiable, and the problem Saxon while of the people of Manitoba, Saskatche- will change as they change.
wan and Alberta half are of non-Anglo-Saxon In a contribution as brief as this must neces- origin. sarily be, many significant elements must be In religion the population is 4,285,388 Roman passed by without reference. For example, there Catholic (of whom 2,853,117 are in Quebec and are in not a few communities the changing racial the Maritime Provinces), Jews 155,614, Greek complexion. Areas that once were solidly British Orthodox 102,389. The United Church is the and populous enough to maintain adequate reli- largest Protestant group with 2,017,375 persons, gious services are by steady infiltration becoming and the Anglicans second with 1,635,615. French or Ukrainian or some other racial color.
The climate varies with the latitude and other Then follows inevitably the ethical confusion and factors. Compared with Europe, except in the uncertainty that accompanies the clash of cultures territory on or near the Pacific coast influence by and the, difficulty that a thinning Protestantism the warm waters of the ocean, Canadian winters has to support its own religious usages.
are colder and longer with shorter, warmer and Since this and many other problems of the same drier summers. The temperature of the Pacific order are local to certain communities, they must Coast is identical with that of the British Isles in yield place here to other handicaps much wider in the same latitude. Of Canada as a whole it may their influence which effect all rural work. Of be said that the climate is healthful and invig- these denominationalism must be given first place.
orating, favorable to hardy bodies and vigorous Denominationalism is an inheritance. Histori- minds. cally Christianity was propogated and maintained Agriculture is the chief industry. In a single in the Dominion on a denominational basis. It year the value of the total agricultural production would serve no good purpose to quarrel with a has reached $2,000,000,000. The Census of 1931 fact that was, perhaps, in the evolution of Prot- [365 ]
estantism inevitable. But inevitable or not de- In these overchurched communities the work nominationalism in spite of much that was ad- suffers in several directions. Ministers are undermirable and praiseworthy must be debited with paid. If three men have to be supported where some things inimical to the rural church. When only one is needed stipends are inadequate and a pioneer community found itself, because of de- home mission funds that ought to go to new nominational zeal and prejudice, supplied with all pioneer work are expended in communities that the branches of Presbyterianism, Methodism, the might and ought to be self-supporting. Because Baptists and Anglicanism, it was not well of competitive denominationalism ministers have churched but shamefully overchurched. The con- to minister to areas too large for efficient work. sequence was a burden of maintenance that over- Serving, as many must, three, four and five points taxed the financial resources of the community, there is not a full program of religious work at inadequate buildings, and ,a conception of religion any place. Sunday school and Young People's that would be difficult to justify from the New work suffers because the groups are too small Testament. This condition has been improved for effective work and the minister's time is too greatly by the various unions that have taken much dissipated. Buildings once adequate when place. In 1876 the Presbyterian churches united preaching was the only function of the church to form the Presbyterian Church in Canada. In Gan scarcely be maintained and seldom are re- . 1883 the various Methodist bodies came together placed with modern buildings in keeping with in the Canadian Methodist Church. Then in 1925 present-day conceptions of church function. the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and the Congregational Churches merged their A second handicap that adversely affects all identity to make the United Church of Canada. rural work is the measure of disesteem with which The Methodist Church as a whole entered this society and the Church regards the country and union, practically all the Congregational Churches country life. As a generation we are urbanand two-thirds of the Presbyterian Church in minded. The proof and causes of this fact cannot Canada. be here examined. It must stand biuntly while the consequences are set forth. The consequences of this latter Union for the rural work affected by it were far-reaching. The Very few men voluntarily and deliberately degreatest single incentive in achieving Union was vote themselves to country work. In too many the religious needs of the rapidly expanding fron- cases it is accepted as a second best because nothtier. In anticipation of Union hundreds of con- ing else offers. It is accepted with the hope that solidations took place and in the three years fol- a few years apprenticeship will open the way to lowing Union 560 amalgamations, rearrangement an urban appointment which carries with it the of fields, or uniting of charges were affected, in- hall mark of success. When this ambition is not volving 2,000 congregations. One Presbytery, realized there is a measure of secret disappoint- Kamloops, B. C., reported a saving of $2,750 per ment and a restlessness which most men strive year in Home Mission Funds. Within the area of heroically to conceal. But concealed or admitted the former Presbyterian Synod of Toronto there it reacts on the work and robs men of the joy in was a saving in money of $50,000 while 126 men service without which no man gives his best. required on a competitive basis were released for work elsewhere. In part society is to blame for this deprecation of rural life and service. The stage farmer with In spite of this improvement there still remains hayseeds in his uncombed hair is a libel that gets in the older parts of the Dominion much over- raucous laughter from cr'owds who appreciate churching in rural areas. The Union of 1925 af- very little the farmer's part in national economy. fected only three of the national churches at work "Who's Who" is a roster of city names – even in Canada. But within the United Church itself though many are farmers' sons. It is difficult to there is a natural enough reluctance on the part imagine any farm achievement that would earn a of many people to close unneeded churches, hal- man a place beside those who have achieved prolowed by'memory and long association, in the in- fessional distinction or made money. Urban newsterest of an efficiency that was not demanded in papers frequently publicize city pulpits while earlier days or encouraged by older conditions. rural utterances of equal merit go unnoticed. For this reason it is not impossible to find many hamlets of six or seven hundred people striving In part our Theological Colleges are to blame. to maintain four or five churches where only one They graduate students hopeful that they will add is needed. Eventually this anachronism will cor- lustre to the school by winning tall city pulpits. rect itself, but when it comes it must be without Among the courses they offer there is little serious too much overhead compulsion and so it will be effort at instruction in rural background or rural slow. psychology; and as little to impress students with the contribution that the farm makes to national character, culture and stability. Little pains are
PROBLEMiS OF THE RURAL CHURCH IN CANADA
taken to correct the silly heresy that country pas- Church at large. Today the average urban church torate,is a proof of mediocrity. has at its command much more adequate and In larger part than either society or the theo- steady resources than its rural neighbor.
logical college the Church itself is to blame for Today the farmer is not prosperous in Canada.
accepting these standards without vigorous pro- When taxes are paid and necessary living expenses test or effective resistance. Whatever it may have are provided for there is little left over for the held in theory in practice it has consented to such Church or any other community enterprise. Why a judgment. This is to be seen first in the scale agriculture should remain the Cinderella among of salaries in town and country. The average in industries is a question that clamantly calls for an the city has been always very much higher than answer. Of its truth there can be little doubt and anything attempted in the country. This, doubt- neither the Church nor the nation will be steadily less, is justifiable in a measure but the spread is prosperous until such adjustments are made as greater than can be justified. Because of the will secure for the farmer a fair return for his larger stipends and other advantages that urban investment risk and labor.
life offers the city exercises a selective power that It is obvious, then, that this problem cannot be tends to bring the ablest men to its pulpits. This solved by Church action alone. The economist and happens not because city posts are more difficult statesman must lend their aid before this handi- or more important but because of very definite cap can be removed. When it is corrected, as it financial and social advantages. The rural min- must be in the national interest, a new day will ister, frequently isolated, serving a community dawn for the country church. For the farmer is with a declining population of three or four small essentially religious. He is too close to the vital discouraged groups, who provide little effective processes of the world to be much impressed by a local leadership has a task far more difficult than godless humanism. His religion may be touched the average urban minister and needs, if he is to with fatalism but he knows that it is only the fool carryon, courage of the highest order. Yet the that says in his heart there is no God. If his Church is content to send its weakest men to the Church is meagerly supported it is by necessity most demanding tasks and remunerate them on and not by choice.
the lowest scale in the Church. That rural pas- Three conditions that enter into the rural torates are brief, too brief to face and solve the church problem have been briefly noted. What problems they present, is not to be wondered at. of the future? It is pleasant to be able to state in It is the direct consequence of the factors we have closing that definite progress is being made. The been considering and will not be corrected until outlook is promising. Overchurching is on the de- the Church wins back a true perspective and cline. The generation that takes up our work is creates sufficient spiritual dynamic to remove going to see some changes that the boldest prophet these abuses and inspire men to choose as Oberlin did not dare to anticipate a generation ago. The did more than a century ago. Church is slowly opening its eyes to the need and A third major handicap which touches the pros- profit of strengthening the rural base. More men perity of the rural church is the depressed status are hearing and responding to the call of the coun- of agriculture as an industry. The Church as an try without apology or the old sense of inferiority.
institution cannot carryon without suitable build- And governments are slowly learning that pros- ings, equipment and trained leadership and for perity and national greatness are not products of these a sufficient measure of financial support mass production in city factories but have their must be found in the community served or in the roots much deeper in the life of the soil.
FOLLY OF BEING POWERLESS If an electric car stands motionless on the tracks, it is nothing against the power of electricity. If an invalid has no appetite, and cannot go out of doors at night, it is no argument against things good to eat and the joy of starlit air. If a man does not know a flower by name nor a poem by heart, it is no indictment of the beauty of a rose or the charm of some poem. If we bear the name of Christ, but give no other sign of Him; if we go through the forms of Godliness, but live powerless lives, it is a thousand reproaches to us. To be powerless when Christ has all power, and we can have all we want, is an arraignment to which we can make no answer that is not self-incriminating.-Selecfed.
Service for Rural
~-.. I By the REV. LOUIS C. HARNISH, Standish, Maine IPJ…- W HERE shall we spend our honeymoon? Why should so much outside help be needed in This was one of the questions that two carrying on the work of the rural church? young people discussed as they made plans This question involves two other questions: for their wedding. One was a recent graduate of "Why not depend on local leadership?" "What a well-known college who was serving as Dean of are the special or unusual needs that ought to be Women in her Alma Mater. The other had pre- met?"
pared in a midwestern college for teaching. The In other words, what are the conditions which answer to their question came from the American make the revival of the rural churches so difficult, Friends Service Committee to whom the Sebago and why is there need of such a large amount of Lake Regional Parish of Maine had applied for volunteer work that can be done only with the help vounteer summer workers. Arrangements were of leaders from outside the community?
completed and the young bride and groom arrived The task of the Christian Church might be deon the scene. They found themselves in a colony fined as "ministering to the abundant life." Chris- of eight volunteer summer workers, housed in the tianity is a religion of culture. Ministering to hu- large parsonage at Standish. man needs in the spirit of Christ makes religion The Sebago Lake Regional Parish was one of vital. It was in this way that Jesus began the a number of so-called "Larger Parishes" founded work of the Kingdom in His day. People are led largely through the vision and energy of the Rev. from the needs they recognize to the needs that Hilda L. Ives who, in this case, served as one of are more fundamental, that is, spiritual needs. the volunteers. Other members of the colony In spite of all the advances and facilities of were a mother and daughter, two young women college graduates, and a young Harvard student. modern civilization, there are multitudes who need the ministry of health, of sympathetic understand- The mother was a woman of culture and of ex- ing, of encouragement, of wholesome recreation, perience in higher education, who served as house of social satisfactions, of culture, including music, mother. Her daughter was a teacher in the pub- beauty, literary appreciation, etc. Homes need to lic schools of a large city. be made more livable, more attractive, more com- The group lived together as a family, each par- fortable, more sanitary, and in many cases, more ticipating in the household duties. Daily confer- commodious. Parents need assistance and guid- ences were held at which reports of the preceding ance in the care of their children and in habit day were received and plans for the day discussed. training of their children from infancy. They With the aid of cars in various degrees of senility need cooperation in dealing with youth and in the group scattered over the field. Every home in family problems along many lines.
the entire region was visited and studies were This is a spiritual ministry and can never be made of the needs and problems which were re- made fully effective by any other ministry than vealed as a result of the home or individual con- that of Christ-directed lives prepared for the spe- tacts. cific task to which their energies are to be de- Partly as a result of the summer's experiment voted. It is this phase of Christian service that the Church must meet if its ministry is to be efa call for student volunteer Christian service was fective. This is true especially of underprivileged sent out through various channels. An article in sections. Nowhere is this service more needed the Boston Transcript brought many responses. than in many rural regions. More than thirty-five young people have served on the Regional Parish staff, mostly on a non-salary The lack of competent local leadership in many basis. For the past three years the whole staff rural sections..is obvious. The reasons for this. has been serving without salaries. Ordinary liv- lack are also obvious. ing expenses are provided and the staff live as a family in the Standish parsonage. Each person First: The membership of the rural churches is allowed ten dollars a month for strictly per- is for the most part pitiably small. Those who sonal use, but it is understood that no one will be constitute the membership are as a rule older peoallowed to suffer in case of emergency. ple. Many have lost their vital touch with the younger generation. There is also, to a large ex- [368 ] tent, a spirit of pessimism that weakens the in- sick. This is one of the greatest opportunities fluence of the group. for devoted service in the rural field. One member Second: At least one generation has lost out of our present staff is a registered nurse and has both in religious and cultural training. The demonstrated clearly the demand for such servyounger generation, including the young married ice and its practicability as a means of spiritual people, are not even connected with the church, service. except in a few of the more progressive parishes in very recent years. Even those who are mem- There is great need for people with home ecobers often do not take their religion very seri· nomic training, especially fitted to deal sympathetously. ically with families. Here is an opportunity to really transform homes and to instill in them the Third: Those who have the qualities and capac- religious atmosphere. Another line of service is ity for leadership have left their homes to find em- for people with nursery school and kindergarten ployment in other places. Some of these have training. The Regional Parish was instrumental become religious leaders in other churches. in securing Federal Aid for a nursery school which has been carried on for over two years in very Fourth: In rural communities people are scat- close and sympathetic relation to the leaders of tered, many living at a distance from any center, the Parish. It seems almost impossible to overmaking it inconvenient or impossible to attend estimate its value. Elementary Christian educagroup meeting with any regularity. tion must be closely related to the home and Fifth: The demands for Christian service in should begin in the earliest stages of the child's thinly populated regions of Maine and other parts life.
of New England are especially great. Facilities We recognize the value of music in the church that are available in cities and more advanced and in the home and in almost every phase of neighborhoods through schools and clinics, and neighborhood life. Whole generations have lost visiting nurse associations, through settlements out in music training. The schools have made a and civic centers are almost entirely lacking in beginning. Here is a great opportunity for the many country districts. Some "homes" are even Church. Every child that has the capacity ought worse off than those in the congested districts of to have the opportunity to learn to playa musical cities. instrument and to sing. We have done something Sixth: In most country districts there is a lack along this line, but very inadequately. There is need of, and in fact, a demand for many other of social responsibility on the part of the more lines of cultural service. A Harvard graduate privileged people. There is a tendency to regard interested in oriental pottery spent a summer in the people of lower standards of living as "no our parish teaching "coil and pat" method of good" and incapable of rehabilitation. These conditions are, in a way, similar to the making pottery. The response was astonishing. conditions that gave rise to the settlement move- There is demand for all lines of manual work ment in the cities fifty years ago; They give the' for both boys and girls. Recently our boys' Church its opportunity for the revival of the rural worker became very popular teaching the boys to church. Here is a situation that calls for the same make airplane models which could really fly.
heroic service as the foreign field. It is a service The call for volunteer service on the part of that demands the very highest qualifications of younger (and older) Christians is a reasonable character, consecration, spiritual development, one and is certainly in keeping with our Christian and technical training. It calls for the "mission- traditions. It has saved the Church in more than ary spirit" in the highest sense. But it is espe- one crisis. Why should not our young Christian cially in these sections that money is not available students and graduates give one or two years of for the employment of trained workers. How, free service in recognition of the privileges they then, can the situation be met? have enjoyed? Has the Christian Church less The experiment of the Sebago Lake Regional claim on its youth than the Mormons whose young Parish suggests one way of meeting the situation men are called upon to go out without scrip or which is, perhaps, worthy of consideration. It purse or remuneration to serve for a year or two involves, in the first place, sending out to our col- as missionaries? Has the Christian Church less leges and technical schools a call for volunteer right to such service than the State that drafts its service on the part of men and women of excep- young men for military service and training? tionally fine Christian character, technically Moreover, there are many educated Christian peotrained for some specific task. There is need for ple who are economically independent who might nurses with public health training to do educa- well practice their profession without salary.
tional work, serve as visiting nurses, and in case But how are these people to be maintained who of emergency to care temporarily for the very have not the means of their own? This leads to
370· THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [July-August
the second suggestion which has been tried out on is a project that ought to appeal to many people of a small scale in our Sebago Lake Regional Parish. larger means.
A staff of workers can live as a group or colony, The life of a group living as a family is an inunder good leadership, on a very small allowance. teresting experiment in many ways. It calls for The funds usually provided for two salaries will the exercise of. the finest Christian virtues. It maintain a staff of four or five. There is the pos- also provides the very maximum of social and culsibility, also, in rural regions of doing a little subsistance "farming." People in the country can tural satisfactions.* often give produce where they cannot give money. Evep so, funds are likely to be needed from be- • The Director of the Sebago Lake Regional Parish will be glad nevolent minded people outside the region. This to correspond with people who wish to consider giving themselves for volunteer rural service. It Is hoped that the Parish may become a training field for those who enter such service. .
Saving ~ Whole Rural Community* The Life and Work of John Frederic Oberlin T HE biographer says: "The story of Oberlin The soil was poor, the roads were bad, th€ peo- is that of a man who stayed in a remote valley ple were sick and ignorant – the only school- and did his work so well that the world made teacher was a man whose job had been pig herda path to his door. ing but he had become too old and weak for that so they sent him to care for the children. "John Frederic Oberlin was Franco-German. He never came to America; but an American col- Oberlin took a census which showed five villege was named for him. lages, 100 families, and 400 inhabitants.
"His salary was less than that of a teacher in Service. Oberlin said in his first sermon that our grade school; put, more than a hundred years "minister" meant "-servant" and he had come to after his death, the New Standard Dictionary lists serve. He told the congregation that men serve him as a 'philanthropist.' God by doing good to their neighbors. "Dear friends, one especially please-s God by good works. "He founded the first 'infant schools' on record. To do good works one does not need to have "He was a pioneer in scientific 'agricultural ex- money. Everything that is done for the public tension.' good or to ease the burdens of man or beast, when "In an age of intense religious animositie-s both it is done for love of God, is a good work which Protestants and Catholics worshipped together in rejoices his heart." his church. "He shielded Jews from persecution, and per- Road building. "Such a work, especially," sonally indemnified them for injuries -suffered in Oberlin continued in that fi:r:st sermon, "is the rehis parish. pair and good upkeep of roads." "Although in peril of his life during the French Revolution, he was given 'honorable mention' by He raised money in the city to buy gunpowder the National Convention for his work as an edu- to blast the rocks; he asked villagers to work with cator. him and when only two or three came, he started "He was nominated for the Legion of Honor the job alone. before the fall of Napoleon, and was given this decoration by Louis XVIII. Others joined him; a good road was made; a "He was awarded a gold medal for his work in bridge built and the Valley of Stone was connected agriculture and community betterment. He re- with the outside world. ceived messages of endearment from the Tzar of Russia." The other villages asked Oberlin to help them build roads. Work in a Country Church Schoolhouses. Oberlin bought a lot for a new Oberlin went from a city to live in a small vil- school building; raised the money to buy the malage and work in a rural community. He planned terials. to remain there 30 years. He worked as a carpenter and finished the job • From "Good News-Well Told," a pamphlet published by the in two and a half months. National Christian Council of the Philippine Islands. The facts are taken from Dawson's book entitled, "John Frederic Oberlln-A Prot- Next he built schoolhouses in the other four estant Saint." villages.
SAVING A WHOLE RURAL
Sanitation. Oberlin concluded one of his ser- the villagers, continued to dig. When the trenches mons thus: were four or five feet deep he lowered young trees "My friends, remember what I have told you. into them, mixing and pressing lightly around The pestilences which from time to time have car- their roots the kinds of soil believed to be best ried half the people of this valley to their graves suited to their rapid growth. He alsO" procured are not caused by witches. They are caused by slips of a few pears, plums, cherries, and some filth. Some of you, showing love to God by a re- nuts, and turned one of his gardens into a large gard for the common welfare, have heeded what nursery. Then he waited. The mountaineers had I have asked everyone to do and are keeping your never seen trees grow so fast. At last their premises free from filth that is a public nuisance. curiosity got the better of them. Of their own Others, showing an obstinacy that fills Satan with accord, they came to express their astonishment joy, have continued in their old and detestable and to ask him how they could raise such trees ways. What shall I say, then? Shall I leave them ' for themselves."
to start another pestilence, and let them learn Next Oberlin gradually introduced scientific from the Angel of Death when that messenger agriculture. comes to their door? Indeed, they well deserve "He was interested primarily in the character such teaching; but alas, when calamity comes the of the inhabitants of the Valley of Stone. He had good must suffer with the bad. No-I must try seen a vision of perfected humanity' in the char- again to save you. I cannot command you. But acter of Jesus unfolded in the Gospels. His con- see, dear friends and compatriots, what I hold in suming passion was the desii'e to lift all men to my hand ! Yes it is money – money that came that level. But it did not take long for a man who through the sale of grain from my fields. I offer had trained himself both in medicine and theology it as prizes to our countrymen whose yards, upon to see that bodies enfeebled by a degrading desti- inspection, are found to be free from filth." tution cannot go far on the road to spiritual per- An educational system. Oberlin changed office fection. Oberlin heard a voice that said: 'I was of teacher from standard of a pig herder to that hungry, and you fed me.' He must feed these peoof highest honor in the village. He wrote new ple. 'God is immensely rich!' It is not necessary textbooks; he organized "infant schools," the first for any child of his to go hungry. Wherever there kindergartens in the world. Thus he established is a need, there is also a supply. Apply the Golden in his rural parish the best school system in Rule and the scientific method, and everyone will Europe. have enough and to spare."
A demonstration in farming. When the people Then Oberlin's wife taught the people how to saw these things, they began to believe that their spin. In one year the small Valley sold to one manufacturer about 12,000 pesos worth. leader knew what he was doing. "The mountaineers were ready to admit that "Visitors to the Valley of Stone discovered that the inhabitants were more intelligent, honest, and Oberlin could lay a stone wall, clear a road, build polite than were any other peasants they had ever a bridge, construct a school, and teach them to seen. The schools and the church had done their read and write. But there was one thing a peas- work! A distinguished Swiss patriot, who had ant, living in the eighteenth century, would not founded a ribbon factory at Basle, was attracted believe that a city man could do. He could not to the Valley of Stone by the fame of its minister. teach them anything about farming. He urged his two sons to move their ribbon fac- tory to this place. . . . "Oberlin knew this feeling on the part of the peasants. He was wise enough to respect their prejudices, where these were deeply rooted. He "The factory was located in the Valley of Stone would not start by telling them about new meth- without further ado. (In 1812, Legand's entire ods and undreamed-of possibilities. But there establishment was removed to the Valley of was nothing to prevent his setting out some trees Stone.) The prosperity of the region was then as- and plants in his own gardens and fields. sured."
"One day there was much merriment in the vil- Called to America, Oberlin decided to remain lage of Waldsbach. Two fields, noted for the bar- in his Valley. He lived there sixty years (1767- renness of their soil, belonged to the parsonage. 1826) and won the whole Valley to Christ. Prot- These fields were crossed by paths much fre- estants and Catholics worshipped together in his quented by the peasants. The passers-by noticed, church. .
on the day in question, that the minister, with the This remarkable life of a Christian preacher help of a servant, was digging deep trenches shows how effective witness may be borne to through the barren fields. What did he expect to Christ through service that helps to elevate men grow in that place? . . . intellectually, economically and socially as well "Oberlin, disregarding the sly amusement of as spiritually.
BELLINGHAM PREACHING AND PRACTICING AMONG BEDOUINS OF
Medical Work Among Arabs in Iraq* -·of/ifJ.!,;;;1====B=Y=W=.=B=EL=L=IN=G=HAM=====~lll>o- -THE vast expanse of the Shamiyah Desert, gists, geologists, also search and journey with .. which lies west of the River Euphrates in high hopes of adding a little more to our knowl- Central Mesopotamia (the Kingdom of Iraq) edge of the almost unknown.
extends far into the Nejd (in Arabia). It is There are a very few who are called and sent bordered by the Syrian Desert to the north and to heal the sick and to preach the Gospel among by all the mystery of Arabia to the south. the widely scattered tribes of Nomad Arabs.
A trip into that supposedly empty desert would Nothing can turn them aside from their objective seem rather reckless to the ordinary individual; once the "call" is upon them and so long as their a sojourn over a period of years~whatever one's trust is in the Risen Lord. To them the way is objective-would appear nothing short of mad- old yet ever new with new and exciting dangers ness. Yet people do travel there, though one often and difficulties. There are the unpleasant sensawonders what attractions those great arid wastes tions in the burning sun at midday; terrible footh.ave to offer, and why people endure untold hard- soreness, thirst, fevers, loneliness-all new with a grim unexpectedness. The aches and pains, the ships, wandering about its vast empty spaces. sufferings and anxieties experienced along the Some travelers seek something new by way of wayside in the journeyings of a missionary are adventure: they experience queer itchings in the never fully told. Nor need they ever be told, for blood known to many as wanderlust. Organized they are forgotten mid blessings derived from parties of explorers, anthropologists, archreolo- ministering to the greater sufferings of those to * Condensed from 'The EvnngeHcal Ohristian, Toronto. whom they are sent. For those sick bodies and [372 ]
MEDICAL WORK AMONG ARABS IN IRAQ
sicker souls to whom they journey know not the women; they are moving off at the sight of uscomforts and love of the Risen Saviour. single file, along a well-worn track, carrying skins of water. The water in the water-hole is dirty But come with me-or rather with us, Christ and stagnant, but oh, how precious – water is and myself-if you would know something of the Life !.How sweet on the desert! "Let us hurry desert. We will take you into its unquenchable and tell them of the sweet water of Eternal Life." life as we live it, and as it really is. It is only a thought and cannot be done, for sud- denly we think of the. unwritten laws of the desert The journey requires a little over three hours and content ourselves and follow on, not daring by either camel or horse and is just as uncom- to mention them more than once to our Arab comfortable on either. Leaving our little home of dried mud, dwarfing itself in the distance, we THE MISSIONARY IN ARAB DRE.SS sway off into the wilderness, soon to lose sight of everything one connects with mankind. There is panion, who in the roughest voice he can muster, not a structure, mechanical contrivance or human is bidding them ,move from our path.. "It's easy being within sight. On every side is sun-scorched for us to go aroun~," we protest with a feeling of desert, dry, empty, silent, uncanny and bare but pity. .But t~y h~ve scrambled aside. One has for the presence of a few clumps of camel-thorn fallen over, and we pass on trying hard not to and ourselves. The sun beats down with a pitiless hear the oaths muttered by the Arab at our side. glare, and the surface of the desert becomes so hot that it will fry an egg. 'Perspiration oozes from The tents of the other Arabs are not to be seen. every pore; a gentle breeze from the south lifts The path winds and, twists through the thorns for up particles of sand that adhere to every inch of another four miles and we cross a rift in the desour uncovered skin. Even the thought of water ert, and there, to our relief, are the tents, black as makes us thirsty, but we refrain from drinking– the lean goats moving around. Our thoughts we shall only perspire more freely if we do. Our Arab companion comforts us with an Arab prov- flash to Genesis, arid we think of Jabal, Abraham erb: "Don't drink-less thirst; don't eat-less hunger?" So we sway along to the rhythm of the and Jacob, who were plainsmen dwelling in tents. gurgling water in our waterskin. To talk is a Surely they must have used tents like these even fatigue, so we rock and think, think and sway, Oh, why were camels made to walk so oddly? It's such an uncomfortable ache we feel across the belt. The glare hurts our eyes. We wish we could talk; we wish we could drink. Oh, if only there were one shady tree where we could rest. If only we could see something new or other nomads in the distance. Why, oh why, do people waste so much water over the simple washing of hands? A thousand and one thoughts flash on through the mind-we straighten up-relax, close our eyesmeditate-. We shall not get lost, Christ is at our side and even if there is no track we are comforted somewhat for our Arab companion is with us. On and on! .
Over a ridge and dpwn into an indentation. There is more thorn now:, and there-away in the distance-camels-"El Hamdu lillah"-unto God be praise. Further ~n are flocks of sheep and goats that 'appear to be grazing on sand for we see no grass. We begin to wonder what the black hundles are that move, for from where'we sit they appear to be framed between the camels' ears. It's a water-hole-no need for the Arab to tell us. The camels smeUed it long before we crossed the ridge and had we been unconscious from thirst the camels would have taken us there even if they themselves did not want to drink. They are wonderful, in spite of being awkward at times.
But there! we see that the black bundles are
in those long ages past. There they stand in all is in God. "God is great," they mutter, and now the stark loneliness of the desert. is the time to tell them of God's greatness. They love a good story and will listen with patience; Someone is running to meet us; a shout goes but in like manner we have to listen to their up, others follow. Several barking dogs race to stories, with patience equally as great, or they will show their teeth, but the first to greet us are the not listen to our next. Usually their stories are flies. We attempt to speak. Several flies are in about the prophet Mohammed and Jimree, and our mouth, but we soon get used to it. what they lack in propriety they soon gain in amusement. The Arab has perfected the art of The Arab at our side mutters: "Allah Wakeil" telling a story; much gesticulation, gasping and (God our Trustee), and touches the camel's neck. repetition goes with everyone. The following is With a series of grunts it kneels at an alarming typical of the kind that tickle their imaginations, angle, head down and forelegs first; we hold tight and this, by the way, is believed by them to be until we get a jolt from behind and know then she true. is properly settled. We alight with relief and have the feeling that it is good to he on mother One mullah, such a good mullah he was, never was there earth. But before the feeling has rushed around a mullah like him. Never! our aching limbs we must give our greetings with "Peace," which is answered by "And on you be He was always most careful in his ablutions, and always peace." washed his hands before going to pray. And as was his ha0it he always held out his hands, always held out his A dozen or more dirty palms are thrust into hands he did. But the sparrows belonging to the mosque ours and in our pockets with impunity. The bag knew, and at prayer time always flew down to rest on his with the medicines is in the safe-keeping of the hands and cling to his fingers to drink the drops of water Arab, who freely clouts one and then another of that gathered at his finger ends, until not even a drop rethe besieging crowd. A score of questions are mained and his hands became dry. asked in as many seconds about our health and welfare, and what we have brought. We are then At the end everyone gasps, and the teller, to led to the Sheikh's tent where some measure of confirm it, will swear by his Prophet that it is not peace is assured. Greetings and questions are re- false. peated and a dusty rug is placed at our disposal. So we relax. A new dung fire is lighted right at Finally we tell our story, a guest's, privilege. our feet; coffee beans are roasted and pounded. Then comes our time for medical treatment and We ask someone to bring our water but sour milk more Gospel. These Arab nomads suffer from alis brought in a filthy container instead, with flies most every ailment it is possible to imagine-sore swimming on its surface and every inch of its ex- eyes, open sores, the only covering of which are terior covered. To brush them off would send the flies; infected wounds; cuts, burns, skin dismore diving into the beverage, so instead we blow eases and internal complaints too numerous to them to the far side and take sucking drafts of mention. Very seldom do they wash and never the milk until our thirst is quenched. If we should with soap. They are so poor that one cannot be weak in the stomach and complain about the imagine how poor until they are seen-no money, flies, we may hear comments to the effect that we no stores. They live mostly on dates and the have been given both food and drink and that meagre supply of milk from their flocks. Perhaps they were sent by' Allah. twice a year they take wool, hair and skins to the town, which may be a handred miles away, and But we have come to preach the Gospel, but preaching, in the ordinary sense of the word, there they exchange their pJoduce for clothes and cannot be done, so we shall have to win them by cheap luxuries. tact. If we can first attend to their sadly-neglected bodies they will then listen with eagerness Those diseases for which we have no cure we to the wonderful healing power of the Great Phy- commend to God in prayer and He honors the sician, for they never forget a kindness. faith of His servants. The men and boys are treated first; then we go to the women and girls. First we must have coffee and discuss the latest It is pitiful. But a half can never be told. We news; then follows a general talk. They know leave messages of comfort and promise to come why we are here but it's beyond them to know again, if God so wills. "Inshallah" they repeat why we are not afraid. Government officials visit from their hearts. them on rare occasions, but always with an escort of several armed police. After giving our treatments we return to the Sheikh and ask permission to go. He presses us "Are you not afraid of being stabbed and to stay the night, but we have had the experience robbed," they often ask, for they love talking of before. We pick off a few lice that are visible on such subjects. We tell them briefly that our trust our dress and make excuses. We return home as the. coming night chases another passing day to
HANS EGEDE-MISSIONARY TO GREENLAND
the west, to bathe in four gallons of water. If Their trust is in a dead prophet while ours is in that is not available-be patient, Brother! Christ the Risen Lord. bore our sufferings on Calvary and made one sacrifice once and for all; therefore no sacrifice is too When next we visit the spot we find the water great for us to make for Him. We think of the hole dry and the desert empty and bare. All is Arabs we have left behind, and our hearts ache. quiet. They have gone, Gone! GONE! BUT WHERE???
Hans Egede – Missionary to Greenland Last year was the 250th anniversary of Hans Egede's birth. We are indebted to Dr. O. M. Norlie of Luther College, and to the News Bulletin of the National Lutheran Church for the following sketch of this interesting and inspiring Lutheran missionary of long ago.
H ANS EGEDE, the Apostle to Greenland, Gardar, Greenland. Then, for a long and dreary was born January 31, 1686, at Senjen, stretch of over three hundred years, nothing is Northern Norway, 250 years ago. This said about Greenland.
busy world will do well to pause a moment to It was Hans Egede who brought the question up listen to a brief tale about his life and labors. He again. A graduate of the University of Copenwas a hero and saint whose monument is the hagen at 21, he at once married and accepted a ChuroCh of Greenland, of which every person in pastorate in the fishing town of Vaagan, Lofoten Greenland, except two, is a baptized member. Next to Australia, Greenland is the largest island Islands, Norway. While there he read about the in the world. It is more than one-fourth as large Greenland settlements and the Church that had as the United States. It is the most northern once been planted on that remote island. He beland in the world, and perhaps the coldest, for its gan to think about it and to talk about it, and, interior is covered with an immense shield of ice after much careful and prayerful consideration rising from 4,000 feet to 11,000 feet. Its mon- concluded that he ought to go there as a missionstrous fjords discharge numberless icebergs, some ary to his countrymen. He laid the matter beof them ten miles long and a mile or more deep. fore the bishops of Trondheim and of Bergen, but The habitable portion is a thin fringe along the their replies, which were delayed a whole year, southwestern and the southeastern coasts, an area were just honeyed words. His parishioners at first thought his views interesting, then they proof 46,740 miles, or 5% of the total island. tested, later became angry and finally regarded him as deranged. His wife, Gertrude Rask of The first settlers in Greenland were the ancient Bergen, at first did not share with him his desire Norsemen. GunnbjflSrn, Ulf Krage's son, the sages to go to such a desolate and unknown field, but say, was driven by a storm to the coast of Green- through prayer she became convinced that God land in 876 and wintered there. Erik the Red willed it and never afterwards wavered in het made a settlement there in 983, and called the support of him. To this day she is reckoned as land Greenland, hoping to attract settlers. At one of the noblest missionaries in all the annals one time there were six thousand Norsemen liv- of nineteen hundred years of mission work.
ing there. In 1715, Egede wrote a pamphlet defending his In 999, King Olaf Trygvasson of Norway sent idea as to the need of mission work in Greenland and resigned from his pastorate in order to arouse Leif Erikson to Greenland to Christianize it. In- interest for the mission cause. People regarded cidentally he made a voyage of discovery and him as a madman. Church people would not listen found Vinland, and his name is best known as the to him anymore. He turned to the merchants. discoverer of America in 1000. In the Norse He went to Bergen to enlist the merchants in an sagas and the Vatican archives are found occa- expedition of trade with Greenland. It was all sional notices of the Church which Leif established in vain for they dared not make the venture. in Greenland. Thus, in 1112, Pope Paschal II ap- Now, fortunately, the King of Denmark-Norway, pointed Eric Knutsson Bishop of Greenland. In Frederick IV, had started a mission college and 1121, Bishop Eric left Iceland for Vinland. The had sent two missionaries, the German Pi~tists bishops after him are mentioned in the Icelandic Ziegenbalg and Pliitschau, to be missionaries vellums by name in regular succession down to among the Tamils around the Danish trading set- 1409. In a letter of Pope Alexander VI, dated tlement at Tranquebar, South India. The sending 1492, the year of Columbus' discovery of America, of these two to India is considered as the beginthe sad condition of neglected Greenland is reviewed and Matthias is appointed Bishop of
ning of modern Protestant missions. Egede be- ing venture rather than a missionary enter,prise, took himself to the King, who at first refused to and for a year they had not been able to do any consider the Greenland project, but later prom- trading with the natives. In fact, they could not ised to give an annual amount of money to it and even buy provisions and as their supplies were gave Egede public endorsement. With this back- .getting dangerously low, were firmly determined ing, Egede began to get a more respectful hear- to leave for home on a certain day. But, on the ing and by 1721, after thirteen years of agitation, day set for leaving Greenland, three Norwegian he had a trading-colonizing company organized boats came into sight. They brought supplies and and a ship purchased for the voyage. With his reinforcements, and took home such of the colfamily and forty men on board he set sail from onists as were discontented. And so the work Bergen on May 3, 1721, and arrived off the south- went on. At length through the children Egede west coast of Greenland on July 3, 1721, two was permitted to do some small acts of kindness months later. As the natives seemed fearful and among the Eskimos. Fear of him waned and he fled at the approach of the newcomers, he occupied became a welcome guest. He was a hard student a little island off the coast, which he called and made good progress in their language and HaabetsjiS (Island of Hope). This island was to began to understand their ways. At last, on Janbe his headquarters for seven years. uary 10, 1724, he gathered some seventy of them in one of the larger houses and for the first time The Greenlanders, Egede found to be, I).ot de- preached to them in their own language. scendants of the old Norsemen, but an Indian tribe called Innuits or Eskimos. The Norsemen Four years later Egede moved his colony from had disappeared, and their sixteen large churches the little island to the mainland and named the and their houses were all gone. As stated, the new station Godthaab (Good Hope). It is still natives were timid and afraid and unapproach- one of the chief towns of Greenland and the seat able. They had had experience with strange of the Greenland Lutheran Theological Seminary, ships, with whalers and merchantmen who had which trains the native ministry of today. Other often come to rob and kill as well as to barter. stations were added as time went on: one at On one occasion, according to Egede's "Dagbog" Christianshaab in 1734 by Hans Egede, several (Daybook) a whaler came and set fire to an by his son, Paul, later on, as at Frederikshaab in Eskimo village, came again the next year and re- 1742, at J akobshavn in 1749, at Claushavn in peated the crime. No wonder they were afraid 1752. The king gave Hans Egede the title of of Egede and fled to the hillsides when he came Bishop of Greenland, later applied to his son, Paul ashore. In fact, the first year he was on the Island Egeqe, and other successors. of Hope the village on the mainland near by was emptied of its inhabitants. It was mainly through But though Egede had won the confidence of his children, Paul and Nils and the two daughters, the Eskimos, there were many hardships. Buildwho played with the Eskimo children, that ing material and many kinds of food had to be imfriendly relations were gradually established. ported from Europe. There was often danger of starvation and real famine. There was sickness Egede set to work to learn the language, which and even plague. The opposition from the native was not then written. He started to translate the priesthood was deep-rooted. Some of the colonists catechism and portions of the Bible into their and traders that had come over were not morally tongue. It was a difficult undertaking, for their what they should be. In 1727 the trading comvocabulary was very meager. How, for example, pany which Egede had organized dissolved, as it could he render "Lamb of God" to a people who was not a paying venture. This was a hard blow, had never seen a lamb and had no word for it in but Egede asked his king in· faith to send him their language? There were other obstacles too. more workers, and he sent him two new mission- The native priests did not welcome the new re- aries, Ole Lange and Heinrich Milzong. In 1731 ligion. The people, like ignorant heathen else- a ship came to port with the sad news that Fredwhere in the world, were prone to superstitious erick IV, the friend of missions, both in "Greenbeliefs and practices. One superstition was that land's icy mountains" and· on "India's coral sickness was due to witchcraft. So, when some strands," was dead. Egede got orders to return one got sick, the thing to do was to find the witch to Norway. The royal support was withdrawn. that was causing the trouble. Usually some poor, But the Greenlanders urged him to stay, and Gerhelpless old woman was seized, tortured to death, trude, his wife, agreed with him that it was their her heart taken out, her body sawed to bits and duty. So they stayed on. The new king, Christhrown into the waves of the sea. There was tian VI, joined the Pietist movement and became no hope of curing a sickness until this had been friendly to the mission cause. Count Zinzendorf done. Such superstitions died hard. was present at his coronation and witnessed the baptism of two Greenland boys that Egede had Again, the expedition had been at base a trad-
HANS EGEDE-MISSIONARY 1'0 GREENLAND
sent to Denmark to be trained. This gave Zin- and enlightened people, due to the solid foundazendorf an idea, which his Church, the Moravian Brethren, then and there began to .put into action. tions laid by Hans Egede and his son, Paul. The idea was to bring the Gospel to the heathen. Zinzendorf pleaded with King Christian VI to When Hans Egede came back to Norway he was support Egede, and from then on Christian was a staunch friend of the Greenland mission. Zinzen- engaged in speaking about the work of his misdorf went a step further. He himself would send missionaries to Greenland to help out. He sent sion. The University of Copenhagen established three good men to start with who made their first station and headquarters at a place they called a Greenland Seminary and made" him the director New Herrnhut, some distance north of Godthaab. Strange to say, their coming was in many ways a of it, a position he held until 1747, when he asked hindrance to Egede's work, for they opposed him, notwithstanding that he was always kindly and to be relieved. In his retirement he lived at Stubhelpful towards them. The worst hardship that befell the mission during Hans Egede's stay was bekj~bing on the little island of Falster, Denmark. the smallpox plague in 1735. A boy came down with this dread disease, which spread rapidly from There he died on November 5, 1758, at seventyhut to hut and laid waste whole villages so that there was not a man left to bury the dead. Some two and was buried beside his dear wife in the three thousand died of the scourge, including Gertrude Rask Egede, the beloved and faithful Nikolai Cemetery. The Eskimos to this day call wife of Hans. Then, at her death, broken down by untiring labors and sorrow, he asked that he him the "Unforgettable Father." " might return to his homeland for a season of rest. He preached his farewell sermon on July 28, 1736, A DOCTOR'S NIGHT AT FATEHPUR* vona.mth.e. s.a.d"text Isaiah 40: 4-"1 have labored in (By one who sleeps on the Hospital roof) But had he labored in vain? Although after The birds have hushed their sweetest bedtime songs, fifteen years of work he had baptized only twenty For dusk has quickly faded into night. people, he had prepared the soil and had /'lown much good seed that was to bear abundant fruit. The monkeys, crooning, moaning in the trees, Said one native to him: "You have done for us Are soon to hush, until the break of light. what none of our own would have done. You have stayed by us in our sickness and fed us out of A traveler on his way to cheer of home, your store. You have buried our dead who other- Goes singing down the now-deserted road. wise would not have received burial and would have been devoured by dogs and ravens and foxes. Anon come jingling bells and trotting hoofs- But above all you have told us about God and the An ekka driver clicking-on his load. Saviour and Heaven, so that we can die in joy and have a sure hope of a better life in the world When time has come for sleep, a jackal howls, to come." And then the pack let out blood-curdling cries His work was continued by his son Paul Egede, 'Til all the dogs awake and start to bark; who spoke the Eskimo like a native and was a It seems as though they echo round the skies. truly great linguist and administrator. He wrote in the Eskimo language a dictionary, a grammar, And from the distance comes the rhythmic drum Luther's Catechism, the New Testament, the Of tom-toms, of some Hindu wedding feast. Church Book. He extended the missions along the whole west coast of Greenland over one thou- And long into the night their frenzied beats sand miles. The Church in Greenland has ever Grow faster, when all else from sound has ceased. since been a living Church, although like the churches in the homeland it was at low ebb dur- Then wearied from their play, 'tis silent night ing the period of Rationalism. The first heathen And all sleep on, but those who guard the townin Greenland to be baptized, a Protestant, was in 1725, the last was in 1856. Heathenism has been The chaukidars, who call abruptly out, driven from the land. They are a God-fearing While others answer, walking up and down.
And then-sometimes-that sleep disturbing cry: "Oh, chaukidar, oh, come unlock the gate,"
And heavy wheels come crunching down the path. The prodded oxen stop, and then I wait.
And muffled voices soon are heard below, The lights flash out, with tasks soon under way, Inevitable footsteps to my roof Of nurse who calls, "A patient's come to stay."
And then below, the night becomes as day, And we all work to save that woman's life, The baby's too, if haply it still lives 'Spite villagers with ignorance so rife.
And just before the dawn there comes a lull, The woman resting, sleeping after pain; Before the birds their morning chatter start, There's stillness and some peaceful sleep again.
Upon my sleep there breaks a glorious hymn; It is the nurses at their start of day.
"So soon, another day in which to live?" Oh yes, to praise and pray, and work and play. GERTRUDE J. SMITH, M.D.
• From The Missionary lAnk, New York.
Martyrs of
1- 1Ilf By the REV. MURDOCH MacKINNON, D.D. Il~- THREE generations ago Erromanga, a large tions of war. Now we have built a vessel to carry island in the South Seas, was in the grip of the Word of Life, a more excellent thing, and no heathenism. Domestic life was practically vessel has ever been built in this historic dockyard unknown; the tribes were at war, and victories with more pleasure than John Williams V."
were celebrated by public feasts at which the The report of this happy event stated that as bodies of captives were served as a delicacy. But the vessel struck the water the Scottish pipers, the cries of little children and the groans of without direction beforehand, struck up the Scot-'
strangled widows were wafted hither by the warm tish air, "Off to the Isles," amid a hearty burst of breezes from the South, and found response from cheers.
the heart of Christendom. Eighty years ago Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon "I am received with the utmost respect," writes arrived at Erromanga on the mission vessel, the Dr. H. A. Robertson, in one of his recent reports. John Williams, and for upwards of four years "Peace and goodwill prevail all over this fair they lived and worked there. Three months later, isle." he had translated the Ten Commandments. Mrs.
The secret of this change may be deciphered Gordon began by teaching two small boys, who from a tablet erected within "The Martyrs' Me- afterwards became faithful Christian teachers. morial Church," Erromanga. A part of the in- Kindness and unselfishness never yet failed to scription reads thus: disclose hidden worth in the human heart. The younger people listened to the story of Jesus and SACRED TO THE MEMORY the love of God; the old people heard of the cross of the Missionaries who died on this Island of Calvary and the Home of "many mansions." They were intensely interested, and the work GEORGE N. GORDON seemed to prosper. ELLEN C. GORDON But heathenism dies hard, especiaiIy when the Killed by the people of Unepang greed of civilized men allies itself with it. The May 20th, 1861 cruelties and falsehoods of the sandalwood traders JAMES D. GORDON. outstripped anything that benighted Erromanga Killed at Potnuma, March 7th, 1872 could produce. The influence of the missionary tended to make the dishonesty of the trading more difficult. Hence the trader prejudiced the people George N. Gordon and his devoted wife were against Mr. Gordon, saying, "He brought the the first European missionaries to live on Erro- measles to you for did he not tell you that God's manga and to John Williams belongs the honor judgment was coming? He also caused the earth- of having been the first to suffer martyrdom quake and your other misfortunes."
there. He had carried on successful work for The poison had the desired effect. A plot was over twenty years in other islands of the South laid and speedily executed by nine savages, Lovo, Pacific, but no sooner had he and his friend Harris a chief, being party to it. What are one unsus- landed on Erromanga than the murderous people pecting couple against Erromangans with toma- fell on them. Thus they consecrated the island hawks. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon sleep on the banks with their blood, and the little streamlet flowing of the Williams River but no heathen celebration, red that day spoke of peace to the dusky sons of no cannibal feast disturb their dreams. The the South. Christian young men who laid them to rest vowed The launching of John Williams V at Grange- that they would win Erromanga for Christ or mouth, England, a few years ago, forms a sig- perish with their missionaries in the attempt. .
nificant commentary on the saying that "the blood The mother of George Gordon, of Alberton, of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." A rep- Prince Edward Island, had still another son, and resentative of the shipbuilding company said: the heroic spirit which she communicated to her "We have built vessels for commerce, for pleas- children was not crushed. By the grace of God ure, and, I regret to say, vessels to carry muni- she was ready to give this other son to Christ in [378 ]
SIXTY YEARS IN THE CONGO BELGE
so great a cause. J ames Gordon was preparing to them and the Spirit of God worked directly ort for the ministry, and when he heard of his broth- their hearts. He who called Williams called his er's death, he said, "Now it is my turn, I must successors. The Gordon brothers were nature's go." He sailed from Halifax on the famous Mis- noblemen, tall, handsome, athletic. They were sion ship, Dayspring, and in 1864 arrived at the men of intellectual power, with a genius for lanscene of his brother's labors and martyrdom. He guages. They were eloquent, persistent, fervent. gave himself to the work with enthusiasm, pre- They were men of prayer. senting the Gospel to the people in its simplicity and power. Progress was evident on every hand, The Church lives by spiritual conquest, and the and the Word that was sown in weakness was be- Gordons were bent on conquest in the name of the ing raised in power. But the spirit of heathenism Christ and in the power of the Cross. Their death was not yet appeased. It called for another vic- seemed premature and the sacrifice great, but tim. Disease broke out and the missionary was Erromanga is now a Christian island and today again blamed. Nerimpaw's two children died sends out missionaries. The heart of our people after Gordon had given them medicine. (The was stirred and the church at home was wakened hundreds of other children whom he treated, re- out of sleep. covered.) Enough! While he was translating the Acts, and had reached the account of Ste- The foreign missionary not only extends the phen's martyrdom, Nerimpaw's tom a haw k Church abroad, but also is used to save the Church plunged deep into his head, and he too "fell at home. In an age when the world is too much asleep." in evidence, it is inspiriting to hear of these brothers, who gave themselves to the service of There is nothing that calls forth the heroic Christ for the sake of redeeming men. The one spirit like a manifestation of heroism. The Gor- was the first missionary to live, and the other the dons had heard of Williams and as growing boys last martyr to die, on Erromanga. The Church had listened to the voice of John Geddie. The re- that gave the Gordons has other heroes awaiting ports of his work in Aneityum appealed strongly the call of the Master. The Christ who has saved Erromanga can save the world.
Sixty Years in the Congo BeIge By the REV. THOMAS MOODY Missionary of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society AFTER Henry M. Stanley crossed equatorial Congo, with one thousand mISSIOnaries superin- tending the work. The church members in all .L'. Africa and came out at Bauana in August, Belgian Congo number over 250,000, in addition 1877, the English Baptist missionaries to Christians under instruction who number 275,- started for the Congo in 1878. The missionaries 035. More than ten thousand village schools enof many other societies have also entered until roll over 350,000 boys and girls. they have practically occupied the Belgian Congo Many of the mission stations have had very for Christ. great blessings. Sona Bata, of the American Bap- From that day to this the progress of the work tist Foreign Mission Society, where I spent the last few years, was opened in 1890. After several has been wonderfully blessed of God. The mission- revivals we had an exceptional turning to God of aries have gone in with the idea of preaching the the natives in 1921 in which for ten years in suc- Gospel of Christ to the natives and giving them cession over a thousand people were baptized each the Word of God in their own tongue as soon as year and were received into the church on confesit was possible. As a result today the Christian sion of faith. At present there are 10',309 memchurches are in every part of the Belgian Congo, bers connected with this station, with 303 village a large number being self-supporting, self-propa- schools and 7,874 pupils. Besides the church gating, self-sustaining, indigenous churches and boarding school there is a school for medical aswith schools, from the common bush school to the sistants and nurses. The Sona Bata field covers schools for the preparation of teachers and 10,000 square miles with 100,000 people and 2,000 preachers to carry on the work. A large amount villages. We have preached the Gospel in one of the work is done entirely by the African teach- half of their villages but the other 1,000 we have ers and preachers, the oversight of the mission- not entered. When I went out in 1890, there were aries, often being limited to one or two visits a less than 5,000 church members in all the Belgian year to the churches in charge of the natives. Congo and now they number 250,000.
At present there are some forty different Protestant missionary societies working in Belgian
GIFT REVEALS THE GIVER-A
"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3: 16.
This verse tells of the greatest Gift the world has ever known. Other passages from God's Word march in procession before the mind : "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, b.ecause that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." 1 John 4: 9.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15: 13.
"Without shedding of blood is no remission." Hebrews 9: 22. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him."
Hebrews 7: 25. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, . . . he hath declared him."
John 1: 18.
The mind clings to the thought, God's Gift, even Jesus, reveals God to me; then is it not true that my gifts reveal me to God?
Jesus, God's Gift, reveals to the human heart far more of God than mere paper and ink can ever convey. Four characteristics of God the Father are definitely revealed in His Gift and are all suggested in the words of John 3: 16.
1. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S LOVE "GOD SO LOVED . • . that he gave his only begotten Son." "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S VISION "God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his only begotten Son." "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
3. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S WISDOM "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him SHOULD NOT PERISH." "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
4. GOD'S GIFT REVEALS GOD'S POWER "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in hi1n should not perish, but HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE." "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life."
If Jesus, the Gift of God, reveals to us God's love for us, God's vision of the needy world, God's wisdom in providing a way of escape from sin, and God's power to save, surely our gifts also reveal us to God.
Take a. backward look at your gifts of the past year, to test yourself by them. Center your thoughts on the gifts which you plan to bring in the coming year as gifts to Him, week by week and month by month. Ask yourself: What do my gifts reveal of my love for Him who gave all for me, of my vision of this sin-stained world, of my knowledge of the way of salvation, and of my faith in God's power through Christ to save all men everywhere. If you are not sure that the revelation made through your gifts is in line with what you feel in your heart, will you sacrifice even more, until you are confident that, seeing the gifts, God will know the depth of your love. Then you will know the secret which Jesus sought to disclose, but which has been kept from many of us: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." -Adapted from Janie McCutchen, in "The Presbyterian Survey."
[380 ]
A Brahman Christian-Nehemiah
The Father of the Author of Uln the Secret of His Presence"
I T WAS a great victory for the Christian mis- the fame of Pandit Goreh, had an interview with sions when Nilakanta Sastri, the Indian pandit him at Benares and took him to Europe as his and scholar, abandoned the Brahmanic reli- tutor in 1854. ,In England, the Goreh was allowed gion of his forefathers and accepted Jesus Christ. an audience with Queen Victoria along with the Nilakanta was born on February 8, 1825, in a Maharajah. He also attended theological lectures village near Jhansi. He belonged to a high class at Islington. This stay brought him into contact konkan family and his father, though born in with some of the great men of the Church of Eng- Poona, migrated early to the north. Soon after land and he had the privilege of meeting with Prof.
Nilakanta's birth the family moved on to Benares, Max Muller at Oxford.
the citadel of Hinduism. Here Goreh was brought For thirteen years Goreh worked as Headmas- up in the lap of luxury as an uncle became Dewan ter of a school under the Church Missionary So- of a State and he was given the best of education ciety., In 1861 he was ordained a Deacon and at that time. He studied Sanscrit under learned sent to start a mission at Mhow in Central India Shastris, specializing in the Vedas, the Nyaya and and later to Chanda in Central Provinces. At grammar. He had a strong prejudice against Cawnpore he came in touch with the Brahmo Christianity as he thought it a "religion fitted for leader, Keshub Chandra Sen, and in the course ignorant Mlechchas only." But Goreh began an of discussion discovered to his surprise that earnest study of the Bible to pick holes in it and Keshub had not read books on the evidences of strengthen his position as a st,aunch advocate of Christian faith. This interview made Goreh Hinduism. The Sermon on the Mount captivated take a special interest in Brahmo Movement and him and drew him near to Christ. His interest write pamphlets to win them over to the Christian steadily grew and contact with missionaries con- faith. He criticized Brahmo Movement as a com- vinced him that Christ's religion is the only satis- promise between Hinduism and Christianity.
fying faith. His father and uncle implored him In 1883 Goreh wrote his important work in not to desert them and their religion, but Nila- Marathi entitled, Is there any proof that Chris- kanta stood firm in his conviction. He challenged tianity is a divl~nely given religion? to meet cer- the pandits of Benares to debate the truth of the tain religious difficulty of Pandita Ramabai who Gospel of Christ. Though his deep affection for was not then a Christian. Later he published a his father made him hesitate to embrace Chris- series of his lectures entitled, Christianity not of tian religion, he finally was baptized on March man but of God. Among his many other publica- 14, 1848, by the Rev. Robert Hawes at Jaunpur tions, and one of the most useful to missionaries, and was given the Christian name of Nehemiah. was-The genuineness of the Holy Gospels. His It was not easy to bring his wife to the new health gradually failed and he passed on to his faith. After his baptism she was supposed to be Rest on October 29, 1895, at the age of 70. It widowed and was kept in privacy. Later, by great has been remarked of him, "The intensed devotion efforts, the husband and wife were brought to- and self-denial of the Brahman missionary, his gether though she remained Hindu for some time. genuine humility and modesty, as well as his pro- Finally, she saw the light revealed in Christ and found erudition, set off the eternal mode of his was baptized with their only daughter, Ellen life, his poverty, his emaciated look, his plain Lakshmi, shortly after joining the Goreh Church. mendicant-like attire-made him to be regarded Unfortunately the mother died soon, leaving the by the people generally, European and Indian, as orphan girl who was the father's pride and joy. a Sadhu, the beau ideal of a Christian missionary."
This daughter has immortalized her name through By his example, and the vigor and persistency her great hymn, "In the Secret of His Presence." of his advocacy of the Christian Gospel, he was She passed away recently at Cawnpore, after a able to convert several men who afterwards be- long period of distinguished service in the cause came his colleagues in the great task. Christian of Christ. evangelism to be truly effective and fruitful in Nehemiah Goreh was an excellent writer and our present day calls for Christian Indians of a used his profound knowledge in Sanscrit in trans- rare type like Nehemiah Goreh with intense de- lating some work to justify the ways of Christ to votion, deep conviction and self-denial.
his fellow-countrymen. Maharaj Duleep Singh, By T. D., in "The National Missionary himself a convert to the Christian faith, heard of Intelligencer."
[ 381 ]
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO The Place of Missionary Edu- ary interest and motivations that outlook. Circulation of the right sort cation in Church Enterprise will withstand winds of criticism of books will help. and droughts of spiritual aspira- Shall missionary education be tion. There is a lack of qualified teachers integrated into religious educa- of missionary education. Three things tion? "This," says Bulletin Dr. T. H. P. Sailer and a com- are needed by these teachers: Mis- No. 5 of the Professional Ad- mittee consisting of Leila Bag- sionary information, knowledge of visory Section on Missionary ley, Genevieve Brown, S. F. missions, and contagious missionary Education of the International Mack and J. L. Lobingier (chair- interest. A s'U!bje'ct like missions Council of Religious Education, man) have gathered together the needs not only the material that can "is a perennial subject." Among results of the discussion of the be found in the teacher's quarterly, the bulletins of this Section, topic at a meeting of the Profes- but a broad background. Few teachprevious issues of which dealing sional Advisory Section, in Chi- ers have this. Methods other than with specific, interdenomina- cago, and supplemented them those in Sunday school classes and tional methods have been re- with suitable new material for group meetings will be needed. . . . viewed in this Department, the the pamphlet. Here are a few present one is far and away the high lights indicative of the Without leaders of this type missionmost comprehensive and schol- motif, method, trend and sub- ary education will be integrated only arly and deserves careful study ject matter: in name but not in fact. The most on the part of pastors, Sunday ideal curriculum on paper will be deschool superintendents and de- The principal aim of education is vitalized if presented in a perfuncpartmental heads, as well as tory way. Therefore the first move leaders in men's and women's to expand our interests and help us should be to concentrate on securing organizations in the local church leaders and improving their quality. and denominational executive to see things in a broader perspective. boards. It goes deeper than any Has missionary education a real mere "ways of working"-down Missionary education should not seem contribution to make to work that is to the undergirding religious already being done in religious eduand educational principles which to be a competitor with issues that cation? Let us not seek to introduce render mere patterns secondary are more immediately important, but missionary applications, illustrations and relatively inconsequential in and talks because missions must be that the trained person can work an aid in broadening our vision so gotten in somehow, but because it out his own methods on any really enriches experience. Chrisgiven subject – whether it be that we shall see thin~s more as God tianity is essentially a world religion "Rural Missions" or "The Mos- sees them. The essential thing that . . . and is needed by the whole lem World." world. . . . The material should not missionary education contributes to be lugged in by the ears but help to The claims of this new Bul- add significance. . . . The five min-' letin to citation in a methods religious education is a sense of uni- utes a Sunday or 20 minutes a month department are valid in that talks to a whole department or school very fact and also that in its versality, with a knowledge of the should not seek merely to add variety latter portion it dips deeply into or furnish information, but to make specifics for every department needs of all mankind and a growing religious education more vital by supof church endeavor. It is a plying the elements that are needed large-sized, twenty -three – page participation in the meeting of those but too frequently omitted. pamphlet that will challenge the understanding of simple folk as needs. . . . Missionary education The new courses of study for the well as the most intellectual church school are inserting specifically workers who desire to dig more rests on the assumption that Chris- missionary lessons or short units. deeply and discriminatingly into tianity has something of supreme . . . The present arrangement offers the human soil of all age inter- a great opportunity. Well qualified ests in order to implant mission- value for all mankind, and that this teachers can arouse such interest in the subject that outside work will be will not be transmitted without spe- undertaken. This may lead to church schools of missions, independent dis- cial effort. It holds that Christianity cussion groups on missions, campaigns of missionary reading and special is a universal and not merely a na- projects. The only way to secure time is to make the subject so attractive tional or racial religion, that what- that people will give time.
ever efforts are worth making to pro- The best way to deal with such a situation (where the atmosphere of vide religious education for ourselves local churches is depressing to the missionary spirit) may be to trans- and our communities are equally de- plant individuals temporarily to other climates such as summer conferences sirable for other groups throughout where they mary catch the heOJ1Jenly the world. . . . Without the knowl- edge of Christ for personal guidance or social cooperation, their (the ma- jority of needy mankind) welfare be- comes a major concern of a Kingdom- centered curriculum. – The attitude of the pastor and other church leaders will be very important (in securing an adequate ideal of a basis for this new curriculum). The issue may be faced in meetings and discussion groups. Delegates may be sent to summer conferences and in- stitutions where they will get a larger [382 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
VtstOn. Where this is not possible it 3. Do I carry these brotherly Methods Briefs for Primary may be best to concentrate on a small, ideals into my daily rela- Teaching select group. Under these conditions tionships with people of the temperature may be raised as it other racial, national and Mexico: On table covered would not be for the staid majority. social groups? with serape or other colorful Manifestly, missionary education 4. Am I adding an intimate woven scarf, arrange pottery, will never be effectively integrated knowledge of a race or unless people will bestow brains and people to my intellectual plain or painted gourds, clay pains on the process. At the founda- assets each year? tion of the whole matter must be the hats used as pin trays, cans of effort to bring people to care deeply 5. Do I feel that other people string beans, Mexican pictures for the thorough integration of mis- have a contribution to cut from magazines, etc. Make sionary education. Churches which make to my life, or do I posters of cut-out pictures to iltry to operate machinery without suffi- feel that missions implies lustrate talks. Tell how the rovcient steam will surely be disap- a one-way relationship? ing vegetable pickers live in povpointed. erty and squalor, children- 6. Does my conception of home working hard like their elders- Then follow "Practical appli- missions inc 1u d e the do not even know the meaning cations of integration for church Christian solution of such of "home." Adapt stories from organizations"; some "Practical problems of our national "The Laughingest Lady," by questions for discussion" such life as social and economic Elinor Cowan Stone; "From as: the use of costumes, curios, justice, race relations and Every Tribe and Nation," by stunts, etc., for entertainment or the alcohol problem? Belle M. Brain (using the story, decorative purposes, employ- "Dona Carmen, a Living Episment of conventional methods, 7. Am I endeavoring to secure tle") and denominational leaflets outlining a year's programs for for missionary education on the subject. Have the chila women's association so as to its normal, integral place dren cut small adobe houses integrate their work into the in the worship, the in- from bogus paper and make a whole program, best plans for struction, the offerings Mexican village on sand table or linking up the Sunday school, and the activities of all in window, adding trees, a donetc. ; "factors essential to in- departments of the local key, chickens and children. Posttegration"; some practical cur- church life? ers may be made of children riculum suggestions as to form, feeding donkeys or chickens, material and methods; "Over- 8. Am I increasingly seeing picking beans or carrying hamhead counsel and cooperation"; and using opportunities pers of them, and donkeys bear- "Integration from the viewpoint for the disseminating of ing panniers loaded with beans. of the denominational program" ; missionary knowledge and Women may be making pottery. questions proposed to executive interest through the loan- Have offering taken up by darkboards of the Presbyterian, the ing of missionary books haired boy in white suit with Congregational and Christian, and magazines, the choice wide, bright sash tied over the United Lutheran and the of hymns at meetings shoulder and under arm, the Methodist Episcopal churches where I preside, the em- gifts being received in highare given with summaries of the phasis in my pub lie crowned beach hat with little replies; and a very concrete prayers, the collecting and balls on edge of wide brim. He specific section devoted to plans sharing of pictures, sto- may be assisted by girl with for children's, young people's ries, pageants, p I a y s, straight black hair, wearing red and adults' programs in mission- curios and costumes? or yellow dress and bright scarf ary education. This last is well tied over hair. Chicken sandworth the price of the pamphlet, 9. Have I read at least one wiches, small servings of string which is only 25 cents. Send book the past year in the beans with oil dressing, sliced orders to Miss Leila Bagley, 810 general field of missions? hard-cooked eggs or sman bowls Broadway, Nashville, Tenn. of chile con carne, both of the 10. If I work with children or latter served with crackers, may Measuring Myself-A Mission- young people have I read be used as refreshments. "Jesus ary Efficiency Test at least one book on mis- Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the sions in my specific field? Little Children of the World" 1. Do I have thoroughly Chris- are appropriate songs. tian motives for my mis- 11. Am I sharing my resources sionary activities? Are with the missionary cause Indians: Give local color with they definitely based on in a systematic manner? pottery, baskets, beads, mocca- love for God and love for sins, tiny totem poles, etc., ar- man? 12. Have I made any actual con- ranged on table covered with tribution to the cause of Indian blanket, and with bright 2. Am I cherishing more broth- missions during the past posters made from cut-out pic- erly ide a I s concerning year other than my finan- tures. Feathered headdresses other peoples each year? cial contribution? may be made by the children Can I see the worth of the from craft paper or even com- individual regardless of -United Christian Mission- his race or culture? ary Society Leaflet.
mon brown wrapping paper, from "The World's Children for for Indian and South American Jesus." Refreshments of pop- studies (which were used in the ornamenting with feathers and corn balls or plain popcorn, United Study Course last year) drawings with colored crayons. candy in shape of pumpkins or may be had from denominational Large or small wigwams can be grains of corn. One may some- missionary literature headquarmade from the same paper. times find little candy turkeys. ters or the Missionary Education Color long strips of paper first Movement, 150 Fifth Ave., yellow, then orange, then brown South America: Keynote, a N. Y., at 75 cents each. "Stories (several children working on large map of country with inter- South of the Equator" will be same strip), making all strokes found very helpful. lacing letters, A, B, C, for Arin same direction. Soak paper gentina, Bra z i I and Chili, Groups not adhering to the mounted down front. Leader current United Study courses two or three minutes in water, may form their plans from such open carefully over bucket, drain points out location and tells suggestions as the foregoing; off water and crumple between something about each of three while workers using the new fingers as fine as possible. countries, then says she has a Spread flat on folded news- bag of gifts from South Amer- topics of "Rural America" and papers, coat with orange shellac, ica from which the children, "The Moslem World," noting the coming up one at a time, may principles involved, may be aided using large, flat bristle brushes select something. For this a in working out their presentawhich may be cleaned in alcohol, going-away bag has previously tions to little folks at the age the shellac being diluted with been paeked with a bone button, when eye-gate, ear-gate and a-lcohol if too thick. When dried bone-handled toothbrush, leather hand must be made teammates. coin purse, little red shoe, billthis paper looks and feels like fold, band from sewing machine, The suggestions are from skin and makes a fine wigwam. leather-covered boo k, jacket, Annye L. Allison's work among Large one very effective made chipped dried bee f, gelatin, juniors. over framework of poles, tied together at top and fastened to coffee, chocolate, cocoa, Chili The outlines raise the quesfloor. Fasten paper securely to pepper, mixed spices, orange, tions of the Church's responsipoles at bottom and lace together bility in relation to social condiwith raffia or twine, using large lemon, grapefruit, Brazil nuts, tions, to what extent such re- silver spoon, glass set in lieu of sponsibility can be formulated raffia needle not too sharp. Have a diamond, ostrich feather, into a universally applicable sys- monkey fur, rubber bands, children draw on 9'xI2' paper eraser, comb, phonograph rec- tem of Christian social prinfigures of Indians, wigwams, ciples, what our personal and shocks of corn, fish, pumpkins, ord, bright feathers, sea beans, group responsibility is, where toy snake and other appropriate we obtain our criteria and data deer, bears, turkeys, ponies and objects wrapped in tissue paper in arriving at judgments, and large Indian heads. They may to look like gifts. Have each how we can implement these string popcorn or macaroni principles in terms of social ac- gift opened, laid on table and tion. The programs are inbroken into small pieces, with explained. When bag is empty, tended primarily for the monthly disks of construction paper in meetings of the women's or- give talk on the country, discuss- ganization, but have additional lieu of beads, to be worn with ing the things it needs from us suggestions for their more exthe headdresses. They also en- – Bibles, religious literature, tensive use in general group joy making posters of wigwams churches, Sunday schools, hos- meetings. Pastors would find pitals, etc. English books not them heJpful for the midweek or cliff dwellings, trees, corn, church services. pottery, rugs, baskets, etc., these available because the language to be drawn, painted or done in is mostly Spanish. Names of *** paper-cutting. Let them bring missionaries may be given, prayer offered for their work "Prayer in the land of the fir such things as arrowheads, bas- and Bible verses found begin- tree and pine. kets, beads, shells, etc., from home. Indian nature writing ning with A, Band C. Prayer in the land of the fig always interests them and they tree and vine. like to learn the signs. Have The results of an imaginary dark-haired boy wearing head- trip to South America were vis- Prayer where the waves dash loudly and cold. dress and blanket collect offer- ualized by the writer in an iming in basket or jar. A box for provised moving picture – pic- Prayer where the lion stalks fearless and bold. some Indian mission may be tures pasted on strip of paper packed. If a victrola is avail- with explanatory cap t ion s, Prayer in cathedrals whose able, play such selections as names of missionaries written spires tower high. the "Love Call," "Marcellina," etc. Use selections from "Hia- and verses chosen for each Prayer in kirks and cabins watha," "Lady Yea r dIe y' s country, the ends of this long close by. strip being fastened to two Guest," "Joc's Coals of Fire" broomsticks turned by boys to Prayer where two are gathered (from "The Rules of the Game" show the entire reel. The leader to pray. by Lambertson), and various read all script aloud for the benstories of mission work among efit of the little folks unable to Everywhere, eve r y w her e, prayer today." Indians. Close devotional part read for themselves. Textbooks of meeting with Indian stanza The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "I Was a Stranger" the curt 'Move on, you!' of the transient bureaus and camps in sheriff at the county line, or ac- operation-295 bureaus and 190 "For I was hungry, and ye tual arrest and sentence to the camps. With the reduction in gave me to eat; I was thirsty, workhouse or the chain gang, relief spending in 1934-1935 and ye gave me drink; I was a have been and still are the pen- came the order to the states "to stranger, and ye took me in; alties too frequently exacted close intake at the transient cennaked, and ye clothed me; I was from the victim of unguided mi- ters and camps and to liquidate sick, and ye visited me; I was in gration. Having no responsible the entire program as of Novemprison, and ye came unto me. agency to direct him to oppor- ber 1, 1935. Then shall the righteous answer tunity for personal employment, him, saying, Lord, when saw we he drifts or is shoved in this di- "During the 20 months of life thee hungry, and fed thee? or rection or that. ' of the transient program, state athirst, and gave thee drink? and local authorities had been And when saw we thee a "Not all those who move from completely absorbed in adminisstranger, and took thee in? or place to place are mentally or tering ERA, CWA, and various naked, and clothed thee? And physically competent to under- other related activities under when saw we thee sick, or in take to fend for themselves in a 'emergency' legislation. No prison, and came unto thee ?" new field. But men are not al- thought had been given to an Matthew 25: 35-40. ways at fault for having no adjustment of the old poor laws money saved on which to sup- to meet new conditions." "Move On, You!" * port themselves after months in the lumber camp, or on railroad "By March, 1936, many states "Traditionally the American construction, or following the had become thoroughly alive to people have regarded the stran- crops. Often enough the wages the fact that it was not enough ger who asked for alms as a for which they work are grossly to ask for federal funds with ne'er-do-well whose own fault it inadequate to meet their needs. which to meet the needs of tranwas that he found himself in Compelled as they are to take sient relief, but that there must such sorry straits. Let him help the only jobs they can get, there be a sharing of responsibility himself ! Was there not oppor- are times when they need help between national and state govtunityand success for every man from the society which tolerates ernments and that the states to take care of himself if he these conditions." must face the fact that their 'had it in him'? own laws of legal settlement The depression years of 1930 were, by their rigidity and lack "The man who takes to the and 1931 saw a tremendous in- of uniformity, creating some of road' today in quest of work crease in the numbers in those the very problems of which all carries with him, unaware, the illegally "riding the rods." Still states complained." ball and chain of the settlement more were "thumbing a ride." laws of Old England. If work is The budgets of private agencies Three interstate conferences not found and, need develops, he which had been aiding these have been held. suddenly finds himself in an transients were steadily declinalien community, unwelcome, ing and the numbers needing "In all these conferences the with no legal claim for aid, with help were steadily increasing. Committee on Care of Transient limited private charitable re- A National Committee on Care and Homelesst kept up a drumsources available to him, and of Transient and Homeless was fire on the objective of federal, with suspicion directed toward composed of individuals from state, and local responsibility in him as a dangerous character. national agencies concerned with this field, together with em- The hospitality of the police some phase of the problem of phasis on the basic remedies of station, the 'two meals and a transiency and homelessness. 'surer direction and guidance' flop' in a municipal lodging Through the efforts of this com- for men in search of employhouse or second-rate mission, mittee the Federal Transient ment. Unification of the laws Program was formulated. of legal settlement throughout • Excerpts from "After Five Years," pub- the United States was urged, as lished by the Committee on Care of Tran- By 1934, forty-four states and was the vesting of responsibility sient and Homeless, 1270 Sixth Avenue, New the District of Columbia had York, price 10 cents, t The Council of Women for Home Mis- [385 ] sions Is represented on this Committee. in the state governments to de- was a desire to express the spirit Kingdom of God under the captermine settlement. The federal of the Preaching Mission-unity tion, "Thy Kingdom Come." Dr. and state authorities were asked of effort for the Kingdom of Lyman said that to Jesus the to prov'ide the necessary funds God. Kingdom meant living the will with which to meet the relief of God and that His was one life needs of the unsettled person. The four organizations, The lived in harmony with God. An Council of Women for Home ideal was held before this great "Each of these conferences Missions, the Women's Commit- group of city women to leave the appointed a continuing commit- tee of the Foreign Missions Con- distracting small things and live tee charged with carrying out ference, the National Council of lives in harmony with God, decertain recommendations of the Federated Church Women and voted to the interests of His conference and with bringing the Women's Cooperating Com- Kingdom. What could not be the resolutions of the conference mission of the Federal Council accomplished by this challenge to the attention of the proper of Churches, combined to bring to seven hundred women put authorities. together the church women of into action? metropolitan New York. Nearly "The Council of State Govern- 700 sat down in fellowship. The second speaker of the day, ments, meeting in its Third Gen- While the greater number were Rev. Joseph R. Sizoo, D.D., lately eral Assembly in Washington in from metropolitan New York, come to New York from Wash- January, 1937, with representa- including cities and towns in ington, D. C., brought rich extion from 45 states, adopted a New Jersey, We s t c he s t e r periences from his contacts with series of resolutions favoring County, New York, and Long varying groups. All he found 'uniform and reciprocal state Island, there were guests from going back for satisfaction of laws to iron out some of the con- Poughkeepsie, New York; Stam- heart-hunger to the Christian flicts in the field of social se- ford and Norwalk, Connecticut; faith. Dr. Sizoo had as his topic curity.' It recommended a stand- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; "For Such a Day as This," and ard requirement of one year to Washington, D. C. ; the Bay pointed out how Christian womgain settlement; a provision for region and Southern California; anhood in such a time must meet retaining the old settlement un- Atlanta, Georgia, and Toronto, the heart-hunger of the world til a new settlement was ac- Canada. for the Gospel. He said we quired; relief and service dur- have got to develop a new kind ing any period of inquiry as to The luncheon was planned of heroism. settlement; authority vested in the state public welfare depart- under the chairmanship Of Mrs. Dr. Robert M. Searle, as secment to determine settlement; retary of the New York Federafunds available to the state for Augustus Trowbridge, who was tion of Churches, offered the inreimbursement of local commu- vocation, and the benediction nities for service rendered to also the charming presiding was pronounced by Rev. William transients; and approval of the officer. By her long-range plan- Adams Brown, D.D., Chairman 'Uniform Transfer of Depend- ning Mrs. Trowbridge was able of the Committee on Universal ents Act.' These resolutions, to bring to the luncheon group a Life and Work. bearing as they do the stamp of cable message from India from approval of the official delegates Dr. E. Stanley Jones as follows: In closing we quote from a from 45 states,constitute the "Personal gratitude your signifi- letter of Dr. Brown's received crystallization in government of cant move toward unity. Light after the luncheon, for it exa sense of social responsibility in that direction. Follow it." presses what so many feel: for the non-resident." Another cable message of bless- ing on the undertaking from I do not know when I have attended May Luncheon for Church Maude Royden and a third mes- a meeting which seemed to me more sage from across seas, from vibrant· with thrilling possibilities. Women Lady Astor, "All we who profess It was not merely the fact that the the Christian faith will unite large company assembled was an ir:.- On May 10 at the Hotel Bilt- when we understand and apply dication of the resources of far-reachmore, New York City, a really Jesus' message, 'Now are we the ing and intelligent service which the significant luncheon took place. Sons of God,' and follow His Church possesses in her consecrated There had been several May Day command." President Mary E. womanhood, but still more the fact luncheons sponsored by one Woolley was prevented by the that your meeting together, instead interdenominational organiza- one hundredth anniversary of of separately, was an indication of tion for the missionary women Mount Holyoke College from be- your recognition that whatever difof metropolitan New York but ing present. In her place at the ferentiation of function may prove this luncheon sponsored by the guest table was Mrs. William wise from the point of view of effecfour interdenominational or- Adams Brown. tive administration, the cause is at ganizations . t h r 0 ugh which heart one. Dr. Mary Ely Lyman, just rechurch women have been work- turned from receiving an hon- May this cause which is one ing, symbolized a new epoch. orary degree from Mount Hol- be served whole-heartedly by The thought back of this effort yoke, brought a strong message every woman who has taken the on what church women can con- name of Jesus Christ upon her, tribute toward bringing in the and may she give herself entirely to Him in "Such a Day as This."
EMMA JESSIE OGG.
~ Our World–wide
I A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO EUROPE the influence of a book by the restore the crucifixes to their original headmaster of a Jewish girls' places on the walls. The Bible in Spain secondary school whose study of anti-Semitism has led him to In his May Day speech Hitler In the latest report of the realize that the only solution to is reported to have declared: "I British and Foreign Bible So- the Jewish problem is to be will not tolerate that the German ciety, reference is made to the found in Christ. Two hundred people's authority shall be mentriumphs of the Bible in Spain Jewish families in Bucharest are aced from any quarter. . . . during the present conflict and prepared to become Christians, That holds good above all for distress. Although the civil war but the State church refuses to the churches." was raging in Spain for half the encourage the movement. . year with which the report As to the children of Chrisdeals, a circulation of 211,000 -Watchman-Examiner. tian people he said: volumes was achieved. The Bible Society's depot in Madrid Religious Education in Sweden We will take their children and was kept open during the siege will educate them to become new Gerand the Society's agent remained The Lutheran Church is the mans. We will not permit them to at his post. State Church in Sweden and in lapse into the old ways of thinking. all high schools and colleges re- We will take them when they are ten Evangelism in Belgium ligion is a required subject. It years old and bring them up in the includes Bible study, church spirit of the community until they are Within the past few months, history, comparative religion eighteen. They shall not escape us! the Belgian Gospel Mission, and missions. School work befounded by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph gins every day with a religious -New York Times. Norton, has opened seven new service lasting about fifteen mincenters, making a total of sixty- utes, with a view to training What of the Waldenses? six in which the Gospel is reg- pupils to do serious thinking on ularly preached. M. Vansteen- religious and ethical questions. This oldest evangelical church berghe, one of the directors of in the world, a church that has the Mission, was converted from Teachers of religion are re- withstood more than 30 organatheism in England during the quired to be members of the ized persecutions, today has 250 war, through the reading of the State Church. Great demands churches and missions in Italy. Bible while in a hospital. are made as to the teacher's per- Because of retrenchment in sonality; he must preach by his other churches, the Waldenses M. Vansteenberghe tells how character the same ideals that are carrying more responsibility one center was opened as typical he teaches. for Christian witnessing in Italy of all the others: A brushmaker, than ever before. Last year living near Ypres, heard the -The Christian Advocate. they provided over 88 per cent Gospel at a meeting last June, of the money spent upon their was converted, and straightway The Cross in German Schools Missions throughout Italy, their asked if a hall could be opened H 0 s pit a 1s, their Children's in his village. With his small An order to replace the cruci- Homes, their Homes for the life savings, he enlarged a brick fix in classrooms in Germany Aged, their College at Torre Pelshed attached to his house, so with pictures of Adolph Hitler lice and their Theological Semthat it is capable of seating forty has resulted in great excitement inary at Rome. Their congregapeople. On the opening day, and open resistance. The Liv- tions are larger than ever, and sixty crowded in, and others ing Church says: Italians in increasing numbers stood outside the door listening. are joining their churches. The unyielding attitude of Roman -Life of Faith. Catholic parents forced the authori- It is clear that an evangelical ties at Konnersreuth to restore the agency, such as the Waldensian Jews Turn to Christ crucifixes to the classrooms in that Church, is more needed in Italy city. Upward of 100 irate townsmen than ever before. The Barbican Mission to the marched to the home of the school Jews, London, reports that sev- superintendent and chanted in unison AFRICA eral hundred Jewish families in their demand for restitution of the Rumania are prepared to accept Christian symbols. The intervention 11 Duce and the Moslems Christ. This is largely due to of the police, with drawn revolvers, failed to intimidate the townspeople. A New York Times corre- The upshot of this demonstration was spondent in Egypt declares the an order from the local authorities to majority of Moslems are unal- [387 ]
terably opposed to Mussolini's Protestants Not Wanted Tea With Tracts claim to be "defender of the in Tripoli Moslem faith." Sheikh Musta- Dr. Burkitt of Nairobi in pha el Maraghi, rector of the The medical mission for Mos- Kenya Colony, Africa, is a dithousand-year-old Azhar Uni- lems and Jews in Tripoli has rector of a tea plantation and at versity in Cairo, and recognized been closed by Italian authori- the same time carries on Chrisas the ecclesiastical head of Mos- ties, and the missionary doctor tian work. He is promoting an lems throughout the world, says: was ordered to leave the terri- East Africa Colportage Society "Only a Moslem who believes in tory. For half a century the for the distribution of Scripture the religion of Mohammed and North Africa Mission has main- portions and evangelical booklets lives up to the laws of the Koran tained this healing and preach- among the blacks from many can be the defender or protector ing center, the only evangelical tribes who pass through on their of Islam. No other person, no witness in the whole of Libya. way to mines and plantations. matter of what race or religion Complying with Government re- They eagerly read anything they or nationality, can be our de- quirements, the purpose of the can get in their own dialects. fender." mission was described as: "Ex- Dr. Burkitt has an attractive plaining the way of salvation depot in Nairobi which he hopes Their religion forbids Moham- through the Lord Jesus Christ to duplicate in other centers of medans from being ruled by non- in obedience to His commands, East Africa. -So S. Times. Moslems, and those of that faith and also endeavoring to show the in the Near East are not at all love of God in our medical con- WESTERN ASIA interested in Mussolini's pro- sultations." nouncement. After Fifty Years A' government ordinance of Cairo's College for Girls Two reports from North Syria August 26 authorized the mis- prove that progress may appear The American College for sion to continue under three con- over a stretch of half a century, Girls at Cairo, administered by ditions: (a) No religious prop- which cannot be seen from year the American Mission in Egypt aganda. (b) Nurses to have to year. The first is that of for the United Presbyterian Italian diplomas. (c) Premises Rev. D. M. Wilson in regard to Church of North America, is the to conform to Hygiene Inspec- Tripoli, written in 1853; the lineal descendant of the first tor's regulations. The doctor other, written fifty years later girls' school in all Egypt. The was unaware of this Ordinance by Rev. F. W. March, who died cornerstone of the first building until it was read to him at the last year after 60 years in Syria. was laid February 25, 1908. The police station; after which, original college building fund charged with disregarding its "We mention schools not bewas raised through the personal terms, he was ordered to leave cause we have any, but to state efforts of its founder and first and the Mission was closed. the reason why we have none. president, Miss Ella O. Kyle, Near the close of the last year supported by a committee in -Moslem World. our school in Tripoli was broken Pittsburgh and individuals in up by the Greeks…. At none both Egypt and America. The Good News from Nigeria of the villages is there any proslargest single contribution was pect that a school would open the $30,000, a gift from Mr. John D. H. G. Farrant, field secretary way for a preaching station; and Rockefeller, Sr. It is the most of the Sudan United Mission, to sustain a school for the sake advanced Protestant missionary gives an encouraging account of of the influence of the school school for girls in North Africa, present conditions in northern alone, under any native teacher occupying a strategic position in Nigeria. Although a few years we can. employ, we regard as a a city that is the largest in the ago a missionary would be able waste of missionary funds. . . . continent, and that is, at the to give the names and histories Since last spring the Christians same time, the intellectual and of all the converts, today that have lived in constant fear of spiritual center of the Arabic- would be impossible. By far the their Moslem neighbors, indeed speaking Moslem world. greater number of converts of a large part of the Christian recent years have been won, not population fled in midsummer The student body numbers by Europeans, but by Africans. to the mountains where many of mor~ than 400; courses include It is the aim of the Mission to them still remain. . . . If asked the whole gamut of a girl's edu- "blacken" the work as much as whether there be signs of a cation, from the Beginners' De- possible. Thirty men with their brighter dawn our answer would partment through the equivalent wives and families are being be very unsatisfactory." of an American Junior College trained at Gindiri for evangeliscourse. Among graduates are tic work. Two centers in the "The Tripoli field has eight found doctors, nurses, lawyers, heart of one Moslem district, organized churches, most of musicians, teachers, office work- which had not been available for which include groups of villages, ers, an artist of note, Egypt's missionary effort during thirty so that the eight churches take sole aviatrix, and a host of effi- years, are now occupied. The in all the church members of the cient wives and mothers. opening of a new leper colony at whole field. Each church has a Maiduguri means the possibility native preacher. There are 23 of reaching 1,000,000 people. outstations including 25 schools -The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
which are visited regularly. In suggested that since the mission- threw herself on the body of her the eight churches are 767 mem- aries had discovered the source dead husband prepared for crebers. . . . During the year, 31 of disease, doubtless they would mation. God knows what else persons have been received on provide a new and safe fountain. she did in the name of Christ the profession of faith. The eight "Unfortunately," said the mis- Great Physician." churches working together as a sionary, "our mission has no Presbytery have established a money for such projects, nor Physical Training for Women Home Mission work; a commit- have we as individuals." tee composed wholly of Syrians The Physical Education Colhaving been appointed to receive Finally it was agreed that if lege for Women in Bengal is an and disburse funds and direct the missionary could provide the experiment financed in Canada. the work. They have raised cement for a sealed fountain, the It has made a beginning with 9,000 ps." headman would provide the 16 pupils, Europeans and In- labor. Now the 2,000 people of dians, from various parts of In- -Syria News Quarterly. the Moslem village get clean dia, women of good educational water and the Christians are standing who think it worth American Mission Press welcomed as friends. while spending time and money to obtain this extra qualification. The year 1934 marked the -Monday Morning. Even for girls, education is no centenary of the American Mis- longer confined to books; they sion Press in Beirut, Syria. The INDIA AND SIAM are the healthier and happier Press was founded in 1822 on for the change. Calcutta has the Island of Malta for service Seeing Below the Surface had a physical education college in the Near East, but it was not for men for a few years, and its until 1834 that it was actually "World travelers who visit influence is already felt throughmoved to Beirut, where it has port cities, stay in good hotels out the province. The girls' colnow completed over one hundred and follow guides may have an lege will soon be as well known. years of missionary publication interesting time, but they learn and printing for Arabic-speak- little of human suffering and its A recent demonstration of the ing lands. Its literature now amelioration," writes a corre- College was largely attended by goes to some twenty-five differ- spondent of the Christian Evan- prominent people of Calcutta. ent countries. gelist. -Indian Witness. Many missionaries and in- "My saddest experience has digenous workers have aided in been to note the look of fear, as New Methods in Rural Work various ways. A zealous young well as suffering, in the faces of Swiss has recently printed at the teeming thousands-a look born Evangelistic work in rural Press a useful leaflet, "How to of ignorance, disease and under- areas seems to be taking a new Read the Bible." Dr. N. Nucho, nourished bodies; a ghastly look turn, and promises well for Director of Hamlin Memorial of futility because there is no building up the Church. In gen- Sanatorium, has distributed in physician, no hospital, nurse or eral, the emphasis is: the past several years thousands medicine; and worse yet, no of copies of a tract on "Tuber- courage that comes from the (1) Seek to concentrate evangelistic culosis and Its Prevention," Spirit of Christ. In most orien- effort in villages and seek to build largely at his own expense. tal countries, as well as in Cen- up the old Christian communities; tral Africa, there is probably no (2) oDtain a mediating leadership; -Syria News Quarterly. more than one trained physician (3) make a decisive and deep im- to every 200,000 people. pression on chaudhri leaders by liv- Disturbing the Village ing with them; (4) aim to make them "A few years ago I spent sev- the firebrands that will set the villages When a missionary came to a eral hours with a medical mis- aflame, and (5) get them to take re- Moslem village in Syria, it did sionary in India. This delicate sponsibility for follow-up work. not take his trained-nurse wife woman gave herself and her long to tell him that much of the service to people in their filth, It is a new experience for old disease rampant in the town was ignorance and abysmal super- converts from the sweeper class due to the public fountain, where stition and suffering, packed in to live in the same tents with the women dipped hands and poverty like rabbits in a warren. city folks, and "break caste" by jars to draw the family water She dressed wounds many times eating with them. It is also a supply. after having taken out the mag- new experience for them to work gots. She cleansed the fly larvae to schedule and obey the call of "It is the will of Allah that from the festering eyes of little the bell, and in the evenings to there should be sickness," said children and bound them with get the exer_cise afforded by the village headman when it was healing lotions. She gave con- games of football. urged that he take steps to rem- solation and sedative to a dying edy this condition. "You stran- man who had hold of the tail of -Indian Witness. gers are disturbing our village. the sacred cow which had been Please go away and do not come brought into the house to help Andhra Christian College back." in his dying moments. She com- forted a wailing widow as she The United Lutheran Church On second thought he shrewdly of America and the Church Mis- sionary Society of Great Britain have worked out a plan of coop-
eration in Andhra Christian Fruit of Leper Work and shot them. Their bodies College. The first C. M. S. pro- were dumped in a lime-filled fessor will join the staff on Dr. and Mrs. J. W. McKean, trench, and the village was looted July 1. Lutherans will provide now living in retirement at and burned. A smaller group a dormitory for C. M. S. stu- Claremont, California, were mis- was slain near Canton, and Candents. sionaries in Siam for thirty ton authorities are also said to years, establishing the first or- be engaged in making a round- It is hoped that the American ganized work for lepers in that up of all lepers. Lutheran Church Mission, the kingdom. About 2,000 lepers American Baptist Mission, the have since entered the asylum at Military authorities had long English Methodist Mission, the Chiengmai. There are 450 there threatened to end the little Canadian Baptist Mission and now and nearly all have become Happy Valley colony in their efthe American Methodist Epis- active, praying Christians, mak- forts to wipe out the disease. copal Mission will also coop- ing regular contributions to the work out of their very limited Mission to Chinese Buddhists erate. allowance for food money. The Christian Mission to Bud- Women Elders in Siam A recent letter from Chieng- dhists is now fifteen years old. mai Leper Asylum includes this Its first headquarters were in The Leper Asylum, Chieng- statement: "Mr. Pia begs to Nanking, but in 1926 the center mai, Siam, has the distinction of hand to Dr. McKean two ticals was moved to Shatin, near Honghaving the first women elders in and to Mrs. McKean two ticals kong. The influence of this work the Presbyterian Church. Nang to be used in God's work." (A extends to every large monastery La and .Nang Kan Gao were tical is worth about 50 cents.) in China and even reaches elected to eldership in April, Japan, Malaya and Formosa. 1925. At that time Siam formed -Monday Morning. Since the beginning of the mistwo presbyteries of the synod of sion over eighty Buddhist and New York. These two saintly CHINA Taoist monks of "lay-devotees" old women went about the duties have been baptized as Christians of their high office with a hu- "The Bread of Life" and some have become pastors mility and joy touching to be- of churches. In addition, there hold. A cracker manufacturer of are several thousand "Tao Yu" Hongkong encloses in each tin -interested men and women. There had been good reason of his wares, shipped throughout for their election. Many leper China and the Netherlands In- Until recently this work has women were so crippled they dies, a small paper on which is been supported by funds from could not come to the chapel, and printed in four languages- Norway, Sweden and Denmark, missed the comfort of the weekly Chinese, Javanese, Malay and but it is expected that the Anservice. These women therefore English-the text, "Jesus said, glican Church will help next asked that two of their number I am the Bread of Life." year. The plan is to form a be made elders to comfort, teach brotherhood of converted Budand administer sacrament to When a representative of the dhist monks, already accustomed helpless shut-ins. The two most British and Foreign Bible So- to celibacy, who will live together loved were Nang La and Nang ciety called on this man recently and be available for special evan- Kan Gao. Nang La had been a he showed him a drawer full of gelistic· work among educated wretched beggar. Her near letters which he had received, Buddhist lay folk in the cities, relatives did not care for her asking for more information and among the hills of Yunnan. and at the progressive signs of about this Jesus, "the Bread of leprosy drove her away from Life." In reply, he always sends .-Chinese Recorder. her home. Her only recourse a copy of St. John's Gospel, with was holding out her twisted a personal testimony to its in- Results from Small Efforts hands for alms. Then she found fluence on his own life. Christ and began to "serve the During her stay in China, Lord with gladness." -Alliance Weekly. Muriel Lester says the most re- markable piece of work she saw Nang Kan Gao lived in He~then 'Cruelty was the transformation of a vil- Chiengmai where her husband lage in twelve months. Two was an elder in the church and Presbyterian missionaries re- missionaries lived so close to the she herself was a great Bible port the execution of 80 mem- Chinese in fellowship and so student and ardent Christian. bers of a leper colony in Yeung- close to our Lord in spirit, that Her husband died and Nang kong, Kwangtung Pro v inc e, by using only their spare time· Kan Gao carried on alone. China, by civil and military au-_ and spending almost no money When it was discovered that she thorities. These lepers lived in they were able to evoke from the had leprosy, still in its early a little cluster of huts known as peasants of a neighboring village stage, she immediately started Happy Valley, and existed by sufficient confidence, communal on foot to Chiengmai. Because their own efforts, aided by the ambition and initiative to set up the disease was caught in its missionaries. A lone survivor three schools, a library and early stage, it was arrested. told of hiding in a sewer of the reading room, a daily clinic, a village while soldiers bound his -Siam Outlook. associates, carried them to a hill
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
public exhibition of agricultural Better Conditions for Women "I told her that the baby produce in which five or six other villages cooperated, and a A Woman's Life Improvement seemed well and strong, a finegroup of voluntary actors, stilt Association is being sponsored looking little fellow-I thought walkers, conjurors, to enliven by the Kiangsi provincial gov- she was doing a good job. She the long days of the New Year ernment. For six months the holiday. Association will investigate the said no, he was spoiled. She living conditions of women in couldn't feed him properly, she A leading medical man had Kiangsi. Then plans will be couldn't train him properlybeen helping the peasants near the grandparents wouldn't allow his hospital set up a credit and worked out for the promotion of it. Every time she tried to cormarketing cooperative. Amazed the welfare of women. From rect him, they interfered and at the resourcefulness and re- July, 1937, to June, 1942, is to scolded her! I tried to sympaliability that was forthcoming be the period of enforcement. thize with her, but I told her it In the first year a home econom- was her job, and a tough one. he summed up his whole ex- If only there were any hopes of perience of China: ics' school will be established. training the grandparents !" The second year will see the ex- "There is no country like it. tension of the program to ten JAPAN-CHOSEN Here one gets such big results more districts: the third year to 20 more districts; the fourth from such small efforts." year to 25 more districts; and Intensive Rural Campaign -The Christian Advocate. the fifth year to 27 more dis- In experimenting with ways Mui Tsai Slavery tricts, thus finally covering the and means to carryon its cam- whole province. Special stress paign for "100,000 new men and boys for Christ in ten years," For some years the British will be laid on needs of farming the Brotherhood of St. Andrew Government has been trying to and working women. Physical is giving a full half of its energy education, civic training, indus- this year to stirring up activity end the practice called Mui Tsai, trial and farming production, whereby young girls are sold useful social activities and set- in rural evangelism. An Insti- ting up of good habits will all tute for training rural workers into service – to work for the receive attention. will be held in Tokyo, August purchasing household without pay and without the right to -China Critic. 16-21, when a well-planned, leave. Yet in spite of legal en- practical demonstration course actments, ways and means have How Would You Answer This? will be conducted by rural workbeen found to continue the prac- ers in such problems as evantice, which cannot be considered What is the proper way to de- gelism, woman's work, young anything but a mild form of cline taking a baby to bring up? slavery. The recent findings of This is what a missionary in men's work, church school meththe Royal Commission appointed Hainan would like to know, and ods, and health and occupational to investigate this matter make here is why. schemes. Only three rural work- ers, lay or clerical, from each of clear such a conclusion to any A young Christian mother the ten dioceses, will be invited has been much interested in the to participate in the first instiimpartial investigator. feeding and care of her baby, and came to the Mission at in- tute. The Onabake Mission was The Manchester Guardian gets tervals with questions. She had chosen as being best suited for to the heart of the problem when asked for a book on "Care and demonstration purposes, being it says: Training of Children." Let the missionary finish the story: located five miles from the rail- If it were possible to discover what way station, in the midst of a girls are Mui Tsai, the present legis- "She was the fi'rst mother I countryside completely population in Hongkong and Malaya, properly enforced, would be sufficient to lated by small farmers. This abolish the practice. The difficulty, had known to intimate that she little mission was made possible as the Commission and all other in- was not fully qualified to bring through a gift of $1,000 secured vestigators have realized, is that the up any number of children. But by Bishop Dallas, following his possessors of a Mui Tsai naturally claim that the child is something else I had not seen her for several visit to Japan last year.
-an illegitimate daughter, a child left weeks, when she came up one -The Living Church. in their care by relations, or, gen- Sunday after church. When I erally, "an adopted daughter-in-law" went downstairs to greet her, More Japanese Deities -that is, a girl child adopted until she said, 'I've brought my baby she is old enough to marry a son of to hand over to you, so you can To Japan's national pantheon, the house. The only practical meas- bring him up properly,' and she which is said to include "eighty ure that has ever been suggested to myriads of gods," 1,148 new stop this is to register. all adopted pushed him into my hands, con- deities were added in solemn daughters-in-law and, if necessary, all tinuing, 'I don't know how. I ceremonies last April. They children transferred from their par- want you to teach him and feed were soldiers of the empire who ents' care. The Governments in Hong- him and train him-it wouldn't had died during the past year. kong and Malaya have always resisted be hard for you. It's hard for this on the ground that such measures me. I'm not equal to it. Oh, The ceremonies in form and would logically lead to the registration and supervision of every girl in meaning have no Occidental the colony. I'll pay you,' she added.
counterparts. The rites were Even before the tent meetings ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO carried out in darkness. Against the local congregation had felt the black background of the the old church building inade- Demon Possession in shrine the white-robed Shinto quate, and had taken up a sub- South Seas priests and military officers who scription, at great sacrifice, of assisted made striking, ghost- one hundred yen. A wealthy A missionary in the South Sea like figures. Three thousand Christian woman in Taiku Evangelical Mission, working in members of the families of the who had grown up in that village the Solomon Islands, thinks that dead and the highest officers of gave another hundred. Follow- those who scoff at the reality of the army and navy were present. ing the Sunday service all joined Satan and demons, would revise in a parade. "A couple of hun- their theology if they could be First, the chief priest of the dred strong we marched a half in a heathen village for a few shrine invited the spirits of the mile to the river-bed," writes days. He tells of a notorious departed to enter the sanctuary. Mr. Adams, "We each, men, old witch doctor whose mind was Rites were held to felicitate the women and children picked up a incapable of grasping spiritual new deities on their elevation. stone according to our strength. ideas. When he was convicted In solemn procession, with a mil- We marched back to town, while of sin and he accepted Christ his itary band playing a funeral an- non-Christians lined the streets mind cleared, and his joy was them, a small portable shrine, to see the strange parade. We unbounded. But Satan did not conceived to contain the spirits deposited the stones in the easily release him. Next day a of the new deities, was carried church courtyard, and then held man hurried to the mission, crythrough the courtyard to the a brief service dedicating these ing: main temple. All lanterns and first offerings to the future place other lights were extinguished of worship to the one and only "Come quick! Old Mae-hui during its passage. When the true God and His Son. It was shake-shake too much; old fell a ark was placed in its proper a witness of solidarity among devil come back." niche the shrine lights were relit Christians." and offerings of fruit, vegetables The old man was found graspand wine were placed before the Stages of Growth in Korea ing the rafters of his low dwellnew spirits. ing, shaking the building with The figures tracing Presby- great power, and crying out in Those deified in the recent terian Church growth in Korea an unearthly way. Prayer was ceremony brought the total so since 1900 are significant. The offered and soon Mae-hui called worshipped to 130,967. first decade of this century saw out, "Lord Jesus, save me from a growth of 1,1000/0 in adher- this devil's power." Immediately -New York Times. ents, but in the second decade he fell exhausted to the floor and slept heavily for a few hours. A Witness of Solidarity the increase was only 3 %. Dur- He soon recovered and has gone on since a happy Christian. Edward Adams writes from ing the third, the figure advanced Taiku, Korea, of results that fol- to 26%, while in the six years of NORTH AMERIOA lowed a week of tent meetings this fourth decade there has ten miles from Taiku, where a been the almost unbelievable in- Oommission on Unity church had been established ten crease of 75.5%. years ago, but they were ten Largely as an outgrowth of years of struggle for bare exist- Baptized membership has not the National Preaching Mission, ence. A little farther into the kept pace with this. While it a new "Commission for the mountains are two more groups was 1,000% between 1900 and Study of Christian Unity" will -about three miles apart-very 1910, the next decade shows carryon. "a continuous educamuch in the same condition. Too 76%, the third 33%, and the six tional program," both as to the far from the main currents of "conditions that create the de- Christian activities, and with the years of the fourth 24 %. There mand for a greater unity" and strong and overwhelming back- as to the various proposals by ward pull of a hostile society, it were no native pastors in 1900; which unity may be achieved. has been a discouraging strug- there were 40 in 1920; then an The educational program would gle. A native pastor, four lay increase of 3500/0 in 1920, of strive to produce attitudes favorworkers, two women and two 127% in 1930 and 29% in 1936. able to an advance in unity, and men made up the Gospel team. readiness to give open-minded For three days the tent was filled These figures reflect the great consideration to whatever plans (500-800 people) morning, noon revival that followed loss of in- seem most promising. and night. Workers took turns dependence; the period of conin addressing the multitudes solidation that followed, a period Some of the conditions behind· with time out only at meals. By that has now passed and the the demand for greater unity Sunday night 140 decided to ac- Church seems to be entering an– are: cept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. other forward movement. Mis- Two evangelists ~tayed to do fol- sionary work in Korea began in Overchurching in local areas. low-up work, and the next week 1884; Christians now number Inefficient use of resources. 20 more decisions were made. 520,000. Since the total popula- The meaninglessness of our divisions tion is 20,500,000, each Chris- tian must win 40 others! when transplanted to the mission fields, where new churches are -Christianity Today. being created.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The lack of moral authority in a British Army by a man named been studied very little, if at all. Church which appeals for unity Jackson at the time of the Amer- The results of their research is in the world at large, when it ican Revolution. Today one can then compiled, and used by gov- find albinos, mulattoes, as well ernment agencies, universities, has such insufficient unity within itself.
Progress in Kentucky's as combinations of these, and Bible translation societies and negroid and Indian features. scientific research societies. Mountains Little was done concerning This offers opportunity for their physical, mental or spir- Rapid changes are being made itual needs until the Episcopal service and discovery seldom in the Kentucky mountain com- Church began work there sev- surpassed in the realm of scienmunities. Many county seats eral years ago. Two years ago, are connected by good roads; tific research, as there are hunrivers once crossed only by fords Rev. Albert Chillson took hold dreds of extremely interesting have been bridged. Many good of the work. He found malnu- languages about which very schools have been erected. trition was widespread, high mortality among children and little is known, and long-sought 'rhe College at Berea operates destitution in general. Mr. Chill- secrets about the relationships a "book car." One who travels son gained their confidence by of people and streams of migrain it writes: tion. The Institute's headquar- repeated visits, and when he ters are at 506 Commonwealth During my almost six years of trav- proposed a religious service in Building, Philadelphia, Pa.
eling I have seen six new school build- the near-by schoolhouse on Sun- The Mormon Program ings replace old ones. In three in- day afternoons they responded of Today stances a two-room building has taken amazingly, both in numbers and the place of a one-room school. With It is well to know just what the new buildings, conditions have im- in their participation in the serv- the Mormons are up to in these proved. The better light and freshly ices. So far, only a beginning United States: painted walls seem conducive to clean- has been made. liness. In one school a small kitchen 1. Nearly 2,000 emissaries at work, has oeen equipped for serving hot -The Living Church. without salary. lunches.
Transportation of pupils to Saving the "Shreds" 2. Using deceptive radio talks mis- leading many.
county high schools is becoming Said Horace Mann in a lecture 3. Using millions of copies of perimore common. For the Cumber- on education: "The ash e s, odicals and tracts, all craftily written land National Forest the govern- to lead people to believe things utterly shreds and wrecks of everything contrary to the Bible. ment has already purchased are of some value." A California 300,000 acres, and plans even- reformatory is acting on this 4. Having a great building era; theory, and results are in sharp while it has already seven so-called tually to buy a total of 1,338,000 "temples" costing an average of acres, in seventeen counties of contrast to most misnamed "re- Kentucky. formatories" from which youtps $770,000, it is building soon a $525,000 plant in Los Angeles, another in Idaho, a new meeting-house in Chi- There are still very many commonly come out worse than cago costing half a million, besides its regions in which "the roads run when they entered. two $100,000 ones there; has another planned in Philadelphia; owns Manup the creeks, and the creeks run At the Preston School of In- hattan Congregational Church, New down the roads," many regions dustry, as this institution is York.
in which one must abandon all called, the boys are "cadets" in- 5. Has doubled its numbers twice thought of a car, and travel on stead of "inmates." Its cluster and one-third since the census of 1890 mule back or in jolt wagon to of buildings, with campus and and teaches that it is to rule the one's destination at some settle- world. ment or schoolhouse. athletic field, resembles a pleas- ant little college. Bars and 6. Has nearly all its Senior high- WILLIAM J. HUTCHINS. school students in its "Theological armed guards are only for a few Seminaries" one hour daily. "Jackson Whites" in sullen and vicious ones. The 7. Has millions of yearly income, rest have classes and military from tithing and large secular busi- ness interests, with which to do all New Jersey drills, learn trades, and are made this. 8. Has enough control over its peo- An isolated, backward group to feel that society is not against known as "Jackson Whites," liv- them, but on their side to aid ple to keep its proselyting force filled; ing in New Jersey, a few miles them to b e com e physically~ every young man expected to serve from the most heavily populated morally and mentally fit for use- two years or more. section of the United States, pre- ful citizenship. sent an ethnological puzzle. To -Light on Mormonism. -Evangelical-Messenger. Economic Freedom for Indians the original Indian settlers were Linguistic Research Hundreds of Navajo Indians added at least two other strains; met early in April in the Navajo Hessian deserters who in fleeing Each summer there is held an capital, Window Rock, Arizona, from their British masters had Institute of Linguistics, for the to draw up a new constitution.
settled in the hills and a part of purpose of training practical They desire a Legislature instead the 3,500 women, some white, linguistic investigators, and to of the old Tribal Council, which some black, imported under con- locate them among indigenous is claimed not to be representa- tract as camp-followers for the tribes whose languages have tive of all the people. Some of
the delegates were draped in torial officials, as well as mis- Fellowship will take part. The blankets, and some, college edu- sionaries, are deeply concerned campaign, lasting five or six cated, appeared as business men. over the situation. years, is designed to reach the All discussions were in the The Alaskan Native Brother- entire population of 16,000,000, Navajo tongue. hood, a Christian organization, which includes 3,000,000 of non- Seventy years ago this tribe has appealed to the missionaries Spanish – speaking Indians. A numbered 8,000; today there are for help in applying such restric- large circulation of the Scrip- 50,000 members. Their reser- tions to the traffic in intoxicants tures will be a feature of this vation includes 16,000 acres in as would afford the native people great effort.
Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. some measure of protection, and -Christianity Today.
Their land is rich in coal and save them from the moral de- oil. They own a million sheep, struction with which they are In the West Indies threatened. Victories over tempand their blanket business is ap- tation are being won by Alaskan The Presbyteries of Puerto proaching a million dollar indus- Rico and Cuba have been contry. Their constitution will be church members, who are sub- ducting evangelistic campaigns j ected almost daily to the sever- far more extensive than ever besubmitted to the "white fathers" est tests of the genuineness of fore. It is estimated that about at Washington. their Christian profession. 2,000 new members will be re- -Alliance Weekly.
Canadians Plan Federation Point Barrow Hospital Burns ceived as a result. These mem- bers have been trained for the Plans for a Canadian Federa- The hospital at Bar row, most part in the Sabbath schools. tion of Churches, fashioned Alaska, erected in 1921 by the The campaign has been carried somewhat after the Federal Presbyterian Board of National Council of Churches in the Missions, has been totally de- on by the pastors after weeks of United States, have been sent to stroyed by fire. The patients preparation. the heads of the Anglican, Bap- were removed safely, but meditist, Presbyterian and United cines and surgical equipment The Presbytery of Cuba or- Churches, the Salvation Army were destroyed. The loss is cov- dained two new ministers this and the Disciples. This proposed ered by insurance. Until July 1, year. They were members of federation would provide for 1936, when the operation of this the Sabbath school years ago, "the setting up of some coordi- hospital was transferred to the received their training from the nating council, so that in mat- Office of Indian Affairs of the ters of common interest we may U. S. Government, it provided mission schools of Cuba, and have the means of expressing the only health service available their seminary training in the ourselves, through one voice, to some 2,000 Eskimos. which could speak for the Prot- Evangelical Seminary in Puerto estant Church of our country." Emergency quarters h a v e Rico. One of them has estab- been fitted up, and medical sup- It is hoped thus to formulate plies and surgical equipment lished a church in what was fora united front of all Protestant have been shipped by dog team merly a garage, the only buildbodies on social questions, such from the Kotzebue Hospital. ing available when he was comas war and temperance, and for Mrs. Fred S. Klerekoper, wife pelled to move from a rented national evangelical work. of the missionary at Barrow, building, because of the annoy- who is a fully trained, registered -Advance. ance of a public cafe. The gar- age has been transformed into a nurse, will respond to emergency very attractive church audi- calls. Encouraging reports. have torium. The young minister and been received from the Klere- kopers regarding the progress his wife represent the new gen- Liquor Evils in Alaska of church work in the Barrow eration of Cubans, well prepared area. With characteristic devo- intellectllalIy, thoroughly identi- "The repeal of the Prohibition tion, the congregation continues fied with their own people, and Amendment was a major calam- definitely committed to the ideals ity for Alaska," says Dr. John of the Kingdom of Christ. M. Somerndike, Secretary for Alaska under the Presbyterian -The Presbyterian.
Board. "Ketchikan, for example, to carry forward the local pro- New Deal in Dominican with a population of less than gram of community worship and Republic 4,000, has 65 saloons where service. -Monday Morning. liquor is dispensed. Similar conditions prevail in every Alaskan LATIN AMERICA Long before the present gov- ernment used the term "New town and city. It is claimed that Evangelism in Mexico nearly two-thirds of the ship- Deal" it was a reality in the ments of Alaska steamship lines A cooperative effort in wideconsist of liquor. Its devastat- spread evangelism is being ar- Dominican mission field, and sixing effects are seen especially ranged, in which, among others, teen years of united action on among the native population. the National Bible Society of the part of United Brethren, Methodist and Presbyterian forces have proved its value. Immorality and every form of Scotland, the Scripture Gift Mis- Operating under four departvice follow in the wake of this sion, the Evangelical Churches ments – evangelistic, medical, evil. Government and terri- and the Latin America Prayer educational and social, the Board
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
for Christian Work in Santo Do- Need for Nationals in its annual feast and bull-fight. mingo has moved forward in a The constant noise and din of unified program w h i c h has The general situation in Cen- the drunken band all night long reached every stratum of Do- tral America directs attention to made sleep well-nigh impossible. minican life, and has become a the need for national Christian With the governor's permission vital factor for improvement. workers. Efforts are being made I was able to preach in the pub- There has been a substantial in- to send Christian workers into lic plaza as well as sell books, crease in the number of evan- several new Departments in before the bull-fight began. We gelicals. English Wesleyans are Guatemala, EI Salvador, Nic- had a good congregation and the now incorporated in this union aragua and Honduras. Foreign people were quite keen to listen church, and this year there was missionaries will take part in the to our message. held in Samafia the centennial advance, but the importance of celebration of the founding of the Bible Institutes at Pana- "The governor is a slave to the Wesleyan Methodist Church jachel for Indians, and that at drink. His wife asked if we had in that district among the Eng- Guatemala City and at San Jose a cure for this curse, and turnlish-speaking colored people, who in Costa Rica for Spanish-speak- ing to the two boys with me, I had migrated there from Penn- ing students, is increasingly ap- said, 'Senora, there are two of sylvania, New Jersey and the parent. Moreover, travel be- them. Ask them,' and Matias Carolinas in 1824. In 1837, tween the republics becomes Arela warmed my heart with his England sent a pastor who more difficult by the application splendid testimony. He was a founded a church with 60 char- of measures chiefly designed to known drunkard, but is now a ter members. The oldest mem- exclude foreign competitive im- free man through Christ. ber is 96 years old. Hanging on migration. News from Costa Rica the wall of her home is this indicates that the Government is "A seven hours' horseback motto, painted by her husband: taking drastic measures to limit journey took us to Copapata, "Childron United you stand de- the number of incoming mission- and here we saw the nucleus for vied you faull. Childron when aries; and the Minister of For- a growing work. We visited this you see remember me-E. eign Relations of Colombia has other small towns and made con- Anderson." Thus the idea of also announced that no more tacts with some who are really unity is foretold. -Advance. missionaries are wanted in Co- keen to know the way of salva- lombia. His veto is particularly tion. I always think of the town Woman's World severe against any further in- of Santa Rosa as the place where crease of single women workers. Satan's seat is. The ]ileople are The Presbyterian Board re- exceedingly bitter against us ports great progress in the West -World Dominion Press. and are very fanatical Catholics. Indies during the last few years In 1931 we held meetings there, in the organization of women's Belated Eft'orts in Guatemala but owing to continued persecu- tion the Indians stopped roming. societies in the churches. There Roman Catholics are making However, on this visit we had are now 18 church societies in every effort to regain lost ground the joy of baptizing five from Cuba, with 491 members, re- in Guatemala. Their efforts are the town itself, who professed porting more than 700 meetings commendable in many ways: a faith in Christ as Saviour. So during the past year. On their better type of clergymen; more keen were they that we hold a own initiative they have con- active rural work; better educa- convention there, that we did so. ducted seven Sunday schools and tion for children; certain im- Some fanatical women turned distributed 7,000 pieces of litera- provements in the quality of up, hoping to disturb the meetture. Each society has estab- their press; and even a strong ing; but we sang hymns until lished a "wardrobe," collecting party within the church, work- they went off in disgust. They and distributing used clothing to ing to purify the church, or at repeated the experiment the folthe community. Miss Edith M. least to remove the objections lowing day, but a terrible hail- Houston, worker at large, re- that laid it open to'complaint and storm drenched them and they ports that while visiting in the favored the advance of the made a hasty retreat. Not once home of one of the members of Evangelicals. Meanwhile, the were we disturbed again. Later, the societies, she found the evangelical cause continues to a son of one of these fanatical woman of the house examining grow by leaps and bounds. women who had attended the her coat and murmuring, "It meetings for the first time exwould make three little pairs of -Guatemala News. pressed the desire to know the pants." She lost no time in res- Lord. cuing her coat from the modern In Southern Peru Dorcas. Afro-Cuban Cult Alex. Jardine, writing for The Many of the societies have Neglected Continent, tells of a According to the Literary Diprayer groups, meeting once a new Christian group at Macu- gest there is in Cuba a cult month with the sole purpose of sani, southern Peru, who had whose rites sound like a page praying for the evangelization sent a special reque>st for an from pagan Africa. Kidnapof Cuba. -Monday Morning. evangelist to visit them. Mr. ping white children and human Jardine responded and says: sacrifice are a part of the cere- "We found the viUage occupied
monia!. Forty of their witch (66.79 %) are of the opinion aries in fourteen different fordoctors were arrested last De- that religion is losing ground. eign countries. Of the 2,728 cember and twenty others are churches in these foreign counalready serving long terms in World Religions tries, 2,000 are self-supporting. the Government prison. The total membership is 204,894. World Dominion has recently Rumania reported 6,050 bap- This cult originated at Sabee, published tables as authentic as capital of the West African slave are available of the percentages tisms, which was the largest coast kingdom of Whydah. It and numbers of the religions of number reported for the year. claims 500,000 votaries in Cuba, the world: of whom 100,000 are whites. – Watchman-Examiner. Catholic …….. 350,000,000-17% Gospel Bus in Chile Orthodox ……. 150,000,000- 7% Asia's Children in Sunday Protestant …… 230,000,000-11% School For the past three or four years the Presbyterian mission Of the non-Christian religions India has the largest Sunday in Chile has taken an active part school enrolment in Asia, with in the work of distributing the the Confucianists form 17 %, Korea a close second. There are Scriptures throughout r u r a I Hindus and Moslems 12 % each, 285,000,000 children in Asia areas by means of a gospel bus. under fourteen years of age They have made long trips with Buddhists, Animists, Shin- (excluding Asiatic Russia), out through the country whenever toists, Jews and others making of which number 2,800,000 beweather permitted traffic away up the remainder of the 2,040,- long to Protestant communities from the central highways. 000,000 in that class. -that is one in a hundred. Only Hundreds of New Testaments about one-quarter of these chilhave been left in the homes of Lutherans Go Forward dren have been touched by the country people, many of whom Sunday school. Some have been never leave their thatched huts. The American L u the ran receiving religious instruction in In each place the missionaries Board of Foreign Missions in day schools, but such privileges take the opportunity of telling adopting its budget on April 22, in day schools are rapidly disthe story of Christ, reading from removed a 10ro cut in mission- appearing. -Alliance Weekly. the Bible itself, training new ary salaries, and voted to send Christians, and opening new during the year one new or re- Women's Missionary Magazine avenues of interest. placement missionary to each foreign field, and also to make After years of discussion and -Presbyterian Banner. to each field a special contribu- planning, the Women's Mission- tion of $1,000 during the year ary Magazine of the United MISCELLANEOUS ($500 for British Guiana) for Presbyterian Church issued its buildings or general work. Ar- first number in August, 1887, Is Religion Losing Ground? gentina gets $1,500 because of with 2,300 advance subscrip- special needs at Eldorado. The. tions. Mrs. Sarah Foster Hanna In the January Fortune ap- total financial advance for the had the honor of first advocating peared the results of a survey on year is $30,000. such a magazine. Mrs. W. the status of religion in the Clark Hutchison, of Xenia, Ohio, Other indications of renewed was its first editor, and served United States today, based on progress are the building of a for 27 years. She was followed 4,500 interviews secured by For- church in Kobe, Japan, and three by Mrs. George Moore, who tune's investigators. new buildings at Zorzor, Liberia. served for 21 years. A fund The erection of new buildings at raised as a memorial to her sup- An equal number of men and Tsingtao, China, will proceed as plies illustrations for the magawomen were interviewed in all soon as the Luther League of zine. It is now under the capable major geographical areas, in America has attained its objec- editorship of Mrs. J. P. White, both rural and urban communi- tive of $10,000. formerly a missionary in Egypt.
ties. The various economic A special effort to cancel the o Lord our God, thy mighty hand levels were represented as fol- Board's debt is making headway. Hath made our country free; lows: prosperous, 10%; upper The treasurer was able to report that indebtedness had been re- From all her broad and happy land middle class, 27 %; lower middle duced to $80,000 by last March. The regular budget of the Board May worship rise to thee; class, 38%, and poor, 25%. is $471,727. The question: "Is religion in Fulfill the promise of her youth, Baptist Gains Her liberty defend; , America today gaining or losing .More than 17,000 persons, the By law and order, love and truth, ground?" The consensus of largest number in one year in judgment: the history of the Foreign Mis- America befriend! sion Society of the Southern Religion gaining……….. 24.8% Baptist Convention, were bap- The strength of every state increase Losing……………….. 49.90/0 tized by the Society's mission- Same ………………… 17. 20/0 aries and native workers last In Union's golden chain; Has no influence ………. year. The Society has mission- Don't know…………… 1. 3% Her thousand cities fill with peace, 6.8% Her million fields with grain- The virtues of her mingled blood Of those definitely believing In one new people blend; that religion is either gaining or losing, more than two-thirds By unity and brotherhood, America befriend! AMElN. -Henry van Dyke.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Christianity in the Eastern Conflicts. Eastward. The Story of Adoniram tions and achievements of the A Study of Christianity, National- Judson. Portrait. 8vo. 240 pp. next thirty-seven years fill the ism, and Communism in Asia. By Round Table Press. New York. volume. Judson's first wife died William Paton. 224 pp. $1.50. 1937. after fourteen years in Burma Chicago, Willett Clark and Co. and he later married Sarah 1937. There is no more fascinating Boardman. After a few years she too entered into rest and This is a very timely book. or more stimulating reading Judson married a third time. Mr. Paton is a secretary of the The dangers and the difficulties International Missionary Coun- than good missionary biog- overcom~ in pioneer mission cil. Last year he made a trip work for Christ present a very which took him through the Far raphies. They contain stories different story from that of East, India, and the Near East. most modern missions. Those The letters which record his im- of adventure in new fields, sac- were the days of giants and of pressions are among the most heroes and heroines. informing documents of their rificial service, love and rokind that this reviewer has seen. mance, information about new The biographer is a graduate At the insistence of his friends, of Brown University and now Mr. Paton put the substance of peoples and strange lands and professor of missions in Berkthose letters into book form. eley Divinity School, California. Here, then, is a record of what customs, and the study of char- He naturally sympathizes with a thoughtful observer has seen acter development under many Judson's change to Baptist of present conditions in the adverse conditions and toward views, which was the immediate most populous parts of Asia. high ideals. The life of Adon- reason for the founding of the Mr. Paton's concerns are pri- iram Judson, pioneer mission- American Baptist Missionary marily missionary. He is, how- ary to Burma, is such a treas- Union. The biography is vivid ever, interested also in the set- ure house. He has furnished and sympathetic, revealing the ting in which missions must material for many biographies, way God works to build up His work. These chapters contain, histories and historical novels Kingdom "in spite of dungeon, therefore, pictures of trends in in the past eighty-five years. fire and sword." politics, economics, and thought This is a well written life his- tory, documented, with clear The Israel Promises and Their Fulwhich affect the life of the purpose and abundant human filment. By Samuel Hinds Wilkin- Church. interest. While not a spiritual son. 195 pp. 88. 6d. John Bale, interpretation, it is a sympa- Sons, and Danielson. London. 1936. The book does not end with a thetic record. travelogue. The author has What is the teaching of the properly added an interpreta- The subject is too well-known Bible regarding the future of tion. The second half of the to require extended comment. the Jews? The answer would book he terms "Reflections." Going out with his young bride, seem to be simple enough. It is Mr. Paton states what he be- in 1812, as one of the first in fact far otherwise. There are lieves to be the Christian mes- American foreign missionaries, in general two main views held sage. He discusses the relation he found they were not wanted by Christians. One follows the of Church, community, and state by the British East India Com- Jewish interpretation of the in the Far East. He describes pany that controlled foreign re- ancient prophecies concerning the present condition of the lations with India. Moreover, Israel that there will be a recon..; younger churches as he has seen Judson and his wife decided stitution of the Jewish nation in them. He also gives space to that they could not work as Con- Palestine under the Messiah the relation of the Church to the gregational missionaries but when the Jews will reach the changing social order. Mr. must work as Baptists. This highest pinnacle of earthly do- Paton is always soundly evan- cut them off from home support minion and glory. Some Chrisgelical and always sees below for a time. Forbidden to work tians maintain that this will be the surface to the significance in India, after they had come realized at the second coming of of the transient scene. 12,000 miles and were five months away from home, finally K. S. LATOURETTE. after trying Mauritius and Pen- ang, the J udsons found a "crazy old vessel" to take them to Ran- goon. The trials, horrors, hero- ism, joys and sorrows, priva- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the Rl!VIIlW publishers on receipt of price.
[ 397]
Christ. The other view holds that have taken place. Arabia, terest. Dr. Corey is one of the Syria and Palestine, Egypt and recognized leaders of the foreign that the old covenant was abol- Africa, Turkey, Iran, India and m iss ion a r y enterprise, and the Farther East are then con- writes out of long and rich exished by Christ and under the sidered specifically in illumi- perience, first as secretary and nating chapters. While Islam is now as president of the. United new covenant the Church is the still considered an almost impos- Christian Missionary Society of sible field for Christian advance, the Disciples of Christ. His legitimate heir of the promises this book gives an encouraging knowledge of missions is wide record of the progress made. and accurate. He shows the made to Israel. Instead of an The Moslem attitude to Christ is wider range of world missions, changing but Mohammed's fol- "beyond statistics." His clarity earthly dominion and glory, the lowers are becoming more ma- of literary style, wealth of facts terialistic. The weakness and and illustrations, and cogency Church has come into possession strength of Islam are clearly of argument make delightful shown. The absolute necessity reading. So good a book should of a spiritual Zion and a richer of life through Christ might be have an index. more positively stressed. Mosspiritual inheritance. lems who become Christians ARTHUR J. BROWN. know that there is no hope in One of the ablest exponents of Mohammed. The Young Moslem Looks at Life. By Murray T. Titus. 8vo. 181 pp. the latter view is Philip Mauro, Christ and the W orId Today. By $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, paper. Wm. E. Doughty. 12mo. 126 pp. Friendship Press. New York. 1937. whose volume, "The Hope of Methodist Book Concern. New York. 1937. Moslems are an interesting Israel: What Is It?" has had a people. They follow one of the Dr. Doughty was for some most positive religious systems wide circulation and a potent in- time a secretary of the Laymen's in the world and are exceedingly Missionary Movement and later missionary-minded. Many Mosfluence. It is because of this in- of the Near East Relief. He is lem youth are wide-awake and a man of missionary vision and are in training for leadership. fluence that Samuel Wilkinson a clear and convincing speaker In the first chapter of this study and writer. This little volume book for young people in Amerhas written his book to counter- describes the "New Age" in ica, the author introduces Mo- which we live – with its good hammed Bey, a young Moslem act its effect which he regards and evil; "The Changing World" of Kashgar, who desires to see that offers a challenge to Chris- the world by making a pilas harmful and misleading. tians; the "New Destiny" that grimage to Mecca. The book is faced by the Church and the describes his experiences and As director of the Mildmay various nations and races; the reactions and shows that while "World Mission" of Japan, India his eyes were opened to many Mission to the Jews, of London, and other lands; "America in weaknesses in Moslems, his ex- the New Age" and its vast op- perience at Mecca overwhelmed Mr. Wilkinson brings to bear on portunity; the "New World So- him with Islam's greatness. ciety" seen as the Kingdom of the problem a deep interest in God and "Christ's Summons" to Dr. Titus then goes on to show a new departure, calling for a clearly the main facts about Mothe Jewish people and the re- new crusade. hammed and his religion, the practiC'es of Islam and the results of a life-long study of the It is a book of facts, carefully sults seen in the family, in poli- selected and interpreted to show tics and religion. He closes with Scriptures concerning the m. the author's views as to why and a Moslem view of Christianity how the world should be made and Islam's challenge to the He undertakes to establish on over to conform to the spirit and world. Young people will do purpose of Christ. The facts well to read it. They will then impregnable foundations the in- are impressive but we believe have deeper appreciation of that the Bible leads us to expect Christ and Christianity. violability of the promises con- the complete fulfilment of Christ's purposes only when lie What Is the Moslem World? By cerning Israel and the certainty returns to reign. Charles R. Watson. 8vo. 207 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, paplr. of their plenary fulfilment. His Beyond Statistics. By Stephen J. Friendship Press. New York. 1937. Corey. 188 pp. $1.00. Bethany book is a very valuable contri- Press. St. Louis. Mo. 1937. Few men know the Near East Moslem world better than Dr. bution to the study of the sub- Here is one of the best of re- Watson. He was born in Egypt cent missionary books, small in of missionary parents and has ject, but we wish that its mes- size, but large in value and in- been a missionary there for twenty years. In this adult missage had been less controversial and less limited in its scope by the arguments which he seeks to meet. These books by Philip Mauro and Samuel Wilkinson are keen and interesting ex- amples of diverse Biblical inter- pretation. J. S. CONNING.
Mecca and Beyond. By Edward M. Dodd and Rose Wilson Dodd. IlIus. 12mo. 222 pp. $1.00, cloth; 50 cents, paper. Central Committee on the United Study of Foreign Missions. Boston. 1937.
Mecca, the "Forbidden City" to Christians, is a name to conjure with for Moslems. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd have both lived among followers of Mohammed in the Near East and have been in touch with them ever since they left Persia (Iran). This popular and well-written study book is good reading for it deals, not with abstract, but with concrete facts and incidents. First the authors view "the Moslem and his world" as a whole and show the remarkable changes
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
sion study book he has given the the churches and missions are well told, always attract children main facts about the lands and included, with 2,298 mission- and at the same time educate peoples where Islam holds sway. aries. The information is un- them and develop their human He points out many peculiarities avoidably and unfortunately in- sympathies. A child naturally of the Moslems and the "grip- complete. has no racial prej udices and can ping power of Islam." He also Bust., Until Seventy Times Seven. By be deeply interested in the way May Wyburn. Illus. 12mo. 192 presents the main facts as to the children of other lands live and contact of Christians with Mos- pp. $1.25. Loizeaux Bros. New talk, work and play. Here, by lems. Where Dr. Watson fails, York. 1936. means of captivating pictures we think, is in dealing with the The Water Street Mission, on every page, with attractive New York City, has long been verses and stories, the reader is weakness of Islam, its increased introduced to children from antagonism to Christ as known known as a place where modern Greenland, China, Japan, India, to Christians, and its supreme miracles are wrought. The story Africa, the Philippines and from of lives and natures transformed Palestine. Here are friendly, need for the Gospel. In looking and regenerated there have a attractive stories for very young to the future he calls on Chris- perpetual thrill and will never children, suitable for use in the grow old. Here the widow of home and Sunday school, as well tians to make better use of their as by teachers of young children resources, to understand the the former superintendent, a in day school. true man of God, gives some of task and its difficulties, to use these wonder tales of city mis- Kill or Cure. By Muriel Lester. 135 more strategy with a united ap- sion work, under the subtitle of pp. $1.00. Gokesbury Press. Nashproach to the problem. Mission- three Biblical names of three ville, Tennessee. 1937. aries to Moslems know that un- superintendents – J ere m i a h failing faith and prayer and lov- This is an avowedly "peace (McAuley), Samuel (Hadley) tract," by the woman who has ing sacrifice are required, but and John (Wyburn). These men been called "the Jane Addams" that the fruit must come from of England and who had become the Spirit of God opening blind are worth knowing and the eyes and bringing new life to dead souls. stories of their lives and the In the Jungles of New Guinea. By harvest that resulted from their internationally known not only Missionary R. Hanselmann. lllus. seed-sowing and watering fur- for her remarkable Christian Pamphlet. Lutheran Book Concern. nish good illustrations for ser- Columbus, Ohio. mons as well as excellent read- service in the tenement district ing. Here is a place where men New Guinea is still unknown were truly converted. They of London but for her eloquent to most Americans, in spite of knew it and others knew it by the fact that it is an immense the way their light shone before advocacy of world peace. In island and has great wealth and men and glorified God. Read interest for explorers, anthro- these "wonder tales" and pass this little book she convincingly pologists, scientists, exploiters them on to others as a witness and especially for missionary- of the redemptive power of shows the utter futility of war minded Christians. Christ. and the urgent need of develop- Mr. Hanselmann, a Lutheran Just Like You Stories. For Boys and missionary in the Mandated Ter- Girls. By Mrs. Henry W. Peabody. ing attitudes and methods for ritory, gives here his impres- Illus. 186 pp. $1.50. M. H. Leavis. sions of the flora, the fauna and Boston,. Mass. 1937. preventing it. Some readers the natives. A little is told about his experiences with them Eyegate is one of the most ef- may feel that she carries her and the effective work of the fective means of entrance into Lutherans. the mind and heart and soul. pacifism to extremes, but they will respect her sincerity. Dr.
Stanley Hunter adds an inter- esting biographical sketch of the author. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
About the Old Faith. By Henry W.
Frost. 12mo. 128 pp. $1.25.
Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. 1937.
The Evangelical Handbook of Latin Wise guidance in a child's read- In these days of new man- America. Paper. Quarto. 119 pp. ing is therefore one of the most made cults and of militant un- 48. Committee on Cooperation in belief there is need for short, Latin America, New York and the important avenues of learning. clear studies in revealed truth. World Dominion Press, London. And yet multitudes of children 1937. today, even in Christian homes, Those who are experimenting in With excellent maps, statisti- are having their tastes vitiated, new creeds need to avoid the cal tables, general information, their standards lowered, and toadstool variety of philosophy and directory of missionaries in their future endangered by the that carries death. each of the Latin American silly, distorted and often degrad- For half a century Dr. Frost countries, this volume gives val- ing reading they find in news- has tested the brand of faith uable up-to-date information. papers and books. Dr. May which he presents here in simple Everyone interested in the Lazar, research assistant of the outline. It has, m 0 reo v e r, progress of missions in these Board of Education, New York proved its value for two thoutwenty-one countries (including City, warns against many fairy- sand years and continues to islands in the West Indies) tales and "series books" that bring life and strength today to should have this Handbook for distort their ideas about life. those who follow it. Here is an study and reference. Most of True stories of children, when elementary volume for students,
rather than an advanced treatise Immensity. God's Greatness Seen in With Christ in Africa. By Rev. D. A. Creation. By Clarence H. Benson. McDonald. Illus. 158 pp. 28. 6d. on the Christian faith. Dr. Frost Illus. 8vo. 140 pp. $1.50. The Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd., bases everything on the Bible, Scripture Press. Chicago. 1937. London, Edinburgh. Obtainable in though in many cases the refer- America from Zondervan Publishences are lacking. His general The wonders of God's uni- ing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. verse can be grasped only faintly $1.00. 1937. topics are: The Godhead, Christ, Man, Sin, The Scriptures, Fun- -its magnificence, its order, its "The persons who say, 'Let design, its harmony in immen- the Africans alone; they are damental Doctrines, The Church, sity and in minuteness. There quite happy,' have never lived Christian Experience, Christian is fine opportunity for unending close to African life." For Privileges, Christian Services, forty years (1892-1931), Rev. Vital Topics, The Unseen World, study for it is a study of the D. A. McDonald lived among the works of God. Mr. Benson here people of South Africa, daily Prophecy and the Final State. gives glimpses of the wonders adding to his evidence that "The For most purposes the studies of astronomy and the lessons we dark places of the earth are full learn as to God's character and of the habitations of cruelty." are too analytical. There is no purpose. The author is director The story of his life and work argument but rather a series of among the peoples of Kafraria numbered statements to set forth of Christian Education Courses and North East Transvaal rethe author's interpretations of in Moody Bible Institute, Chi- veals a genuine understanding and appreciation of the Zulus the Bible teaching. There are cago, and is author of "The and Vendas among whom he almost no extra Biblical illustra- Earth, the Theater of the Uni- faithfully and victoriously contions or examples of the way verse" and other volumes. Here ducted his business of "life- is a book that makes infidelity changing." these truths work out in life. impossible to an honest, intel- Young people who wish to know From the point of general in- ligent thinker. It is also fasci- terest the effectiveness of the what the Word of God says will nating reading and furnishes an book is somewhat hampered by find Dr. Frost's studies illumi- immense amount of material for nating. Missionaries will also sermons. Every chapter is linked up to Bible passages and find them of real value to clarify the closing chapter is on the their own thinking and as a text- book for use with converts.
Except Ye Repent. By Harry A. "Star of Bethlehem" – not yet a too exact emphasis on the Ironside. 8vo. 191 pp. $1.50. clearly identified. names of obscure places and American Tract Society. New York. people. But the genuineness, the 1937. Pioneering in Kwangsi. By W. H. Oldfield. Illus. 8vo. 208 pp. whimsical naIvete and the splen- The number of strong and Christian Publications, Inc. Har- did Christian vitality of the man convincing evangelical preach- risburg, Pa. 1936. make his narrative a real testi- ers seems to be diminishing Kwangsi is one of the larger mony to the joy of courageous rather than increasing, so that and generally unevangelized Christian living.
volumes of sermons, like this, provinces in southwest China. FLORENCE LERRIGO.
are prizes worth having. Dr. Here The Christian and Mission- Ironsides, pastor of the Moody ary Alliance has done and is do- Cross of Christ. By George P. Pier- Memorial Church, Chicago, is a ing a remarkable work among son, D.D. $1.50. 173 pp. Amer- ican Tract Society. New York. powerful evangelical and pop- Chinese and aboriginal tribes. 1937. ular preacher and a clear ex- The courage, sacrifice, and perpositor. This series of sermons severence of these missionaries This timely little volume is , on Repentance won the $1,000 have produced some remarkable well worth a young Christian's prize offered by the American results. (See the article by Rev. examination and p ray e r f u I Tract Society. They are worth A. C. Snead in this issue of THE study. Dr. Pierson, for forty years a missionary in Japan, it – short, evangelical, Biblical, REVIEW.) practical, arresting, adapted for The Rev. W. H. Oldfield, one places the Cross where it should present-day needs. This series of the pioneers, describes vividly be, at the center, and he focuses takes up the meaning of repent- the land and people, the material the divine light of God's Word ance, Christ's call to repent, the progress in recent years and the upon it from all angles-"from teaching of various apostles and work of the Alliance in its vari- above, from the background, Biblical writers on the subject ous stations and outstations. It from its very self, from either and the results of preaching re- is a story of faith, of courage, of side, from the foreground, from pentance today. Ministers and adventure and of achievement. below, and from the ensuing missionaries will do well to study There are still millions who are centuries." In doing so he brings this volume carefully and to unevangelized and one can travel forward the essentials of the preach on the same subject hundreds of miles without see- Christian faith that need emoften. It is too much neglected ing a Christian chapel. Some phasis and restatement at the and too superficially treated. of the best work is being done present hour.
"Except ye repent, ye shall all by Chinese Gospel Bands that Dr. Pierson is well qualified likewise perish," are the words are trained and then go out to for this work not only from a of Christ to religious leaders of evangelize their fellow country- scholastic standpoint but also His day. men. from personal experience. After
from Princeton Uni- The Deeper Life. Max I. Reich. 115 of this Course
versity and S e min a r y, he pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdmans. Young People's Society may preached these truths in Japan Grand Rapids, Mich. , converted into a School for and America. A. H. P'ERPE1'UO. Bible Training. Four Point Project Program. Based New Book. on Missionary Heroes Course No.1. 1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE Theodore L. Conklin. 30 pp. Board But, Until Seventy Times Seven. S. of Education, American Baptist Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part I, The Bible-The May Wyburn. 192 pp. $1.25. Asso. New York. God of the Bible. Part II, The Christ of the Bible Loizeaux Bros. New York. -The Holy Spirit. Part III, Man-Sin and Redemp- God's Methods for Holy Living. tion. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. Christ and the World Today. Wm. Donald Grey Barnhouse. 93 pp. E. Doughty. 126 pp. Methodist 50 cents. Revelation. Philadelphia. Send 15c in stamps for current issue. Book Concern. New York. The History of Sin. Happy Though HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS.IN(; My Servant Moses. E. Ray Cameron. Poor. History of Temptation. Men 187 pp. $1.50. Revell. New York. Whom God Struck Dead. The 1502 N. Third St., Hlrrisburg, PI. Marks of, Sonship. When Winter Then and Now in Kenya Colony. Comes. Donald Grey Barnhouse. Bishop Lauress J. Birney, retired, Willis R. Hotchkiss. 160 pp. $1.50. 16 page leaflets. 10 cents each. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Revell. New York. Revelation. Philadelphia. died in Pasadena, California, on May 10 at the age of 65. He was born in James Hudson Taylor. James J. Living in the Ministry of Song. Tom Dennison, Ohio, and after graduation Ellis. 96 pp. 18. Pickering & Jones. 180 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering from Boston University School of Inglis. London. & Inglis. London. Theology, served several pastorates. He was elected Dean of Boston Uni- Pioneering in Kwangsi. W. H. Old- Obituary Notes versity in 1911 and in 1920 was ele- field. 208 pp. Christian Publica- vated to the Bishopric, with China as tions. Harrisburg, Pa. (Concluded from page 337.) his special mission field. Mr. Frederic F. Helmer, editorIal Christendom and Islam. Their Con- secretary for North America for the tacts and Cultures Down the Cen- China Inland Mission, died in Toronto, turies. W. Wilson Cash. 205 pp. Canada, March 19. Mr. Helmer had $2.00. Harpers. New York. filled various positions in the C. I. M., among others Publication and Prayer Church Unity. F. H. Knubel. 86 pp. Union Secretary. He remodeled 75 cents. United Lutheran Pub. China's Millions and founded Young House. Philadelphia.· China.
OBJEOTIVES AND PRINOIPLES FOR YOUTH We earnestly commend the following personal and social objectives for. the enlistment of youth: .
I surrender my life to Jesus Christ and His way of living and I enlist in His service.
I believe that it is the purpose of God to make Christ known in all the world so that all human relationships will be controlled by God's law of love. I propose to live, so far as He enables me, as if His Kingdom were now recognized.
I will faithfully observe a "quiet time" each day for meditation and prayer and the study of God's Word.
I will regard my lifework as my share in extending God's Kingdom. I will choose my life- work in accordance with what I can discover to be God's will, and not for personal selfish gain. I will practice restraint and self-denial in all my personal nabits.
I will keep my friendships on a high level, not conforming to lower standards of the world, but helping to lift the standards of my group to the best that I know, as God has revealed His way of life.
I will serve Christ through the Christian Church, doing all that I can to make it the effec- tive instrument that it must be if God's world is to be truly Christian.
I will oppose the war system as murderous and selfish, and will work ceaselessly for the establishment of peace based on righteousness and love.
I will refrain from the use of alcoholic liquors, and will work to rid the world of the degrading liquor traffic.
I will treat those of all races as my brothers and sisters made in the spiritual image of God.
I will give myself to the creation of better economic and social conditions wherein every member of society shall have opportunity to earn a livelIhood for himself and those dependent upon him and wherein every member of society shall have sufficient to meet his economic needs.
I will use my leisure time only for such recreation as is wholesome and will enrich and uplift personality, and will refrain from amusements which injure or degrade myself or others.
I will give of my time, as far as possible, to working for the building of a Christian world -in personal work, public speaking, writing, and circulating literature, and in every possible way evangelizing for Christ.
I will give sacrificially of my earnings and other possessions to support the enterprises which are working to build a Christian world.
I will conscientiously seek to obey the Will of God as revealed in His written Word and will put Him first in all things-that Christ may have the preeminence. -Adapted from "The Evangelical-Messenger."
THE SPECIAL uMOSLEM NUMBER"
OF THE MISSIONARY ~'WORID This October Issue will contain articles on CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD Why Take Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Gospel for Mohammedans W. Wilson Cash Present.day Trends in Islam Edward C. Dodd Moslem Reactions to Christ • James Haldane My Experience with Moslems Frank C. Laubach Christ and Moslem Homes . Eleanor Calverley What Christ Has Done for Me • S. Khoobyar A Sermon by a Former Moslem Saee'd Kurdistani and others—with maps and illustrations ORDER COPIES IN ADVANCE FOR YOURSELF AND MISSION STUDY CLASSES 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streel:s, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor READ THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor SOME ARTICLES IN THE JULY NUMBER Patience (Editorial) George Swan The Arabic Version of the Bible Paul Erdman The Bible and Moslems • J. Christy Wilson The Bible in the Balkans • James Oscar Boyd The Koran as Magic Bess Allen Donaldson Moslem Chronology in China Isaac Mason Shi'a Standards of Hyderabad • • Kate Greenfield A Statistical Survey Carlo Gasbarri Why Not Canonize Mohammed? Mounir R. Sa'adeh Egypt Tastes Independence Pierre Crabites Book Reviews ••• Current Topics••• Survey of Periodicals __-+)0 SUBSCRIBE NOW ~~-._ 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHA!.!., MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, !.ondon, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1937
JUNE,1937
Rural America Number Challenge of the Rural Community Mark A. Dawber The Forgotten Man of the Back Road Ann Mitchell Neglected Fields in Rural America William R. King Farm Tenants and Sharecroppers Chas. M. McConnell Twenty"Five Years Ago and Now Ross J. Griffeth Keeping the Fountains Clean Henry W. McLaughlin Case Workers in Rural Areas Hilda L. Ives As a Farmer's Wife Sees It Nina B. Hewitt A Rural Pastor's Job Mark Rich One Solution-The Larger Parish Ellsworth M. Smith Cooperation in a Rural Community Edward D. Hamner A Church of the Countryside Coe Hayne Ministry of a Rural Colporter John C. Killian Importance of Pioneer Sunday Schools John M. Somerndike 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
MEETING OF SUMMER CONFERENCES AND .The
THE REVIEW SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS A weekly religious newspaper in The annual meeting of The Mission- Council of Women for Home Mis- its lo6th year of continuous pubary Review Publishing Company was sions and Affiliated with the lication under the same name. held at 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, Committee on Women's Work, on February 18, 1937. A financial re- Foreign Missions Conference It is conservative and evangelport for the calendar year, 1936, was ical, gets its news by telegraph presented by the Treasurer, Mr. Wal- June 19-26-Lake Geneva, Wis. Mrs. and keeps abreast of the times. ter McDougall, showing a deficit of T. A. Freeman, 427 Greenwood $1,394.88. The representative of the Blvd.; Evanston, Ill. It goes into every state of the Evangelical Press, Rev. David Fant, Union, the District of Columbia, stated that the renewal of subscrip- June 20-26-Boulder, Colo. President, and U. S. possessions. tions to THE REVIEW are over 80%, Mrs. Henry F. Hoffman, 741 Adams an unusually high proportion. The St., Denver, Colo. It goes to Asia and Africa, South Secretary, Mr. Delavan L. Pierson, America, Canada and New Zealand reported that the special numbers on June 21-27-Winona Lake, Ind. Miss and into twelve countries of Euthe American Negro and Missions in Minnie Rumsey, N. Mayflower Road, rope. Africa, published during the year had Lake Forest, Ill.. had a very gratifying sale and that Subscription Price, • • $2.50 special numbers on Rural America and June 26-July 3-Eagles Mere, Pa. Ministerial Rate, • $2.00 Moslem lands are planned for the Miss Muriel C. Post, 907 Lindlay coming year. Ave., Logan, Philadelphia, Pa~ 50c. extra—Canadian postage $1.00 extra—foreign postage The following members of the July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. Miss Board of Directors were elected to Amy O. Welcher, 796 Prospect Ave., THE PRESBYTERIAN succeed themselves: Hartford, Conn. 1217 Market: St:reet:, Philadelphia, Pa. Robert E. Speer, President; A. L. July 10-17 – Mountain Lake Park, Warnshuis, Vice-President; Walter Md. Chairman, Mrs. J. M. Knight, . . ceeded to his father's title in 1913 and McDougall, Treasurer; Delavan L. 207 Roane St., Charleston, W. Va. Pierson, Secretary; Wm. 1. Chamber- was president of the Friends of Arlain, D. J. Fant, Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, July 17-24-Mt. Hermon, Calif. Mrs. menia Society. Wm. B. Lipphard, Eric M. North, N. J. Forsberg, 1144 Eddy ~t., San Samuel M. Zwemer, Samuel M. Cavert. Francisco, Calif. …
A special committee was appointed, July 19-23 – Bethesda, Ohio. Miss Rev. Charles L. Goodell, D.D., Secwith Dr. John McDowell as chairman, Mary I. Scott, 310 Tomlinson St., retary Emeritus of the Commission to consider and report on the subject Moundsville, W. Va. on Evangelism of the Federal Council of the future of THE REVIEW. of Churches of Christ in America, August 15-22 – Chautauqua, N. Y. died on April 27 in New York City at Respectfully submitted, Chairman, Miss B. Louise W ood- the age of 82. Dr. Goodell was widely DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary. ford, Candor, N. Y. After August known as an evangelist of the air and 1, Chautauqua, N. Y. gave his Sabbath Reveries every Sun- Dates to Remember day morning for eight years. He was August 19-25 – Kerrville, T e x a s. a highly honored minister of the June 3-8 – T r i e n n i a 1 Convention, Chairman, Mrs. T. M. Cunning- Methodist Episcopal Church and World's W. C. T. U., Washington, ham, 618 West Sydamore, Denton, served several successful pastorates D. C. Texas. in New England and New York. He was born in Dudley, Mass., July 31, June 21-25 – Council on Christian Obituary Notes 1854, the son of Warren Goodell. He Evangelism for Our Day. East was graduated from Boston Univer- Northfield, Mass. w. J. W. Roome, the well-known sity in 1877 and came to New York State in 1896. Dr. Goodell was the June 23-30 – Alliance of Reformed African traveler, died in Tangier, author of m4ny devotional books and Churches Throughout the World Morocco, on March 31, in the 72d year Holding the Presbyterian System. of his age. Mr. Roome was for 30 served a nation.-..wi.d.. e p…arish. Montreal, Canada. years an architect in Belfast, Ireland, but retired at the age of 50 to devote Dr. Adolph Deissmann, well-known June 25-28-Conference of Missionary his remaining years to missionary Christian theologian of Germany, died Workers and the Annual Meeting service. He was secretary of the in Berlin on April 5 at seventy years of the National Fellowship of In- British and Foreign Bible Society for of age. He was born in Langenscheid dian Workers. University of Wis- East and Central Africa for 12 years in 1886 and after occupying chairs in consin College of Agriculture. Mad- and during that time crossed the con- several universities became Professor ison, Wis. tinent 13 times by various routes, of New Testament Theology in 1908 traveling more than one hundred thou- and was retired by government order July 5-16-New Jersey Summer sand miles, largely on foot or bicycle. in 1935 after he had signed a protest School of Christian Work, Blairs- He visited many parts of Africa never to Reichsbishop Mueller's policies and town, N. J. Write to the Mission- before visited by a white man, and interference with the Church. Dur- ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth made an ethnographic survey of many ing the World War, Dr. Deissmann Ave., New York. parts of the continent locating about sent some stirring messages to Amer- 3,000 tribal units. Accounts of his ica declaring that "the gangerous July 8-13 – International Christian journeys and impressions received ulcer of hate which poisons interna- Endeavor Convention, Grand Rap- were printed in a number of Yolumes, tional relations must be burned out." ids, Mich. including "Through Central Africa He was the author of several well- for the Bible," "Through the Land of known books, including one in Eng- July 11-16 – Anniversary, First Con- Nyanza," and "Tefaro Tales from lish on "The Religion of Jesus and ference of American Methodism. Africa." In recent years, Mr. Roome the Faith of Paul." Old St. George's Church. Phila- was chairman of the Unevangelized delphia. Fields Mission. He is survived by his (Concluded on ad c01Jer.) July 12-26 – World Conference on wife whom he ..m. a.r..rie..d. last January. Life and Work. Oxford, England. Lord Radstock, well known in mis- July 14-17-Nat.ional Council of Fed- sionary and evangelistic circles, died erated Church Women. Lake Ge- at Mayfield, Wooston, Hampshire, neva, Wis. England, on April 2 at 77 years of age. Grandville George Waldegrave, August 3-18 – World Conference on the eldest son of the third Lord Rad- Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Scot- stock, was born on September 1, 1859. land. He was graduated from Cambridge University and was associated in evan- Sept. 28-30 – Annual Interdenomina- gelistic work with his cousins, Rev. tional Missionary Institute, Wom- Sir Montagu Beaucham, M.P., and an's Interdenominational Union of Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd. He suc- Philadelphia and Vicinity. First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
"The April REVIEW is a good num-
THE MISSIONARY ber all through. The REVIEW looks REVIEW OF THE WORLD well, reads well and is better than DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor ever." DR. A. E. ARMSTRONG, VOL. LX JUNE,1937 No.6 Secretary of the Board of For- Publication and Business Office– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. eign Missi01l8, The United Editorial and Executive Office– Church of Canada. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at *** Post Omce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Personal Items Act of March 3, 1879. The Rev. Kenneth W. Moore, of When the good work 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Trenton, N. J., has been elected Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Treasurer of the Board of Foreign calls you East … sail Published monthly, except August. Missions of the Presbyterian Church, All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. U. S. A., to take the place of Mr. p&O British agents – Marshall, Morgan Russell Carter who retired on May 1, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, having reached the age limit. Mr. This year marks a full century of P & 0 London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Carter has given 27 years to unselfish service to the lands beyond Suez! 10 shillings a year. and effective service. Mr. Moore is a Whenever you are called to the other Princeton Universityand Theological side of the world, choose this tradi- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Seminary graduate. He has been in tional route. Cross to England by LISHING CO., INC. the Statistical and Publication De- Cunard White Star •.. and there partment of the John A. Roebling's embark in a great liner of the P & 0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sons Company, and President of the and British India fleets, led by the ROBERT E. SPEER, President Kenneth W. Moore Company in the new 22,5oo-ton Strathnaver, Strath- A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-Pre8ident field of pUblicity. aird and Strathmore. Regular service WALTER MCDOUGALL, Trea8urer to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary *** Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Australia, East and SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT The Rev. Paul Braisted, recently a South Africa, Mauritius. Low rates. missionary of the American Baptist WILLIAM I. CluMBBlILAIN Foreign Mission Society in India and Convenient through bookings can be arranged D. J. FANT Burma, has been elected the new sec- by your local travel agent or any office of retary of the Student Volunteer MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Movement. Mr. Braisfed married CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE Miss Ruth Wilder, daughter of Dr. WM. B. LIPPHARD Robert P. Wilder, and went to India GENERAL AGENTS ten years ago. For the past two ERIC M. NORTH years he has been teacher of Bible at 25 Broadway and638 Fifth Ave., NewYork SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Mt. Hermon School for Young Men. Both in India and America he has had Editorial Chat close contacts with students and is deeply evangelistic and missionary- We take pleasure in presenting our minded. special "Home Mission Study Number" on Christ and Rural America. *** It is an exceedingly rich and important theme. The changes in recent Dr. John R. Mott has recently reyears call for a fresh study of the turned from a six months visit to In- dia and the Near East. He addressed needs and opportunities in neglected the sixth biennial meeting of the Near areas. East Christian Council at Alexandria, Egypt, March 10-17. This council is The subject is so vast and so varied a coordinating agency for thirty-seven that we have not been able to cover missions working in nineteen countries all in one issue of THE REVIEW. Other in the Near East, extending from articles will appear in July and later, Morocco to Iran. including: *** The Murdock Trail, by Alvin E. Magary. Archie T. L. Tsen, President of the Board of Missions of the (Chi- Some Interesting Rural Churches, nese) Chung Hwa Sheng Kung Hwei, by W. H. Thompson. will visit the United States this sum- mer. Mr. Tsen retired from business Student Volunteer Service in Maine, several years ago to devote himself by Louis C. Harnish. entirely to volunteer work for mis- sions. Woman's Work in a C 0 u n try Church, by Mrs. James D. Wyker. *** Frederick Oberlin and His Rural W. E. Doughty, formerly a secre- Parish. tary of the Laymen's Missionary Movement, and later an official of the Problems of the Rural Church in Near East Foundation, has received Canada, J. R. Watt, and others. from King George II of Greece the Order of the Redeemer in recognition Pastors and mission study class of his twenty-five years of service to the Greek people. leaders will be wise to order their copies early, before the edition is ex- *** hausted. Dr. C. T. Wang, the new Chinese *** ambassador to the United States, was formerly secretary of the Y. M. C. A. Also, will you call the attention of in China and later was the Secretary friends to THE REVIEW. Speak of it of State under the Nanking Governto your pastor and in missionary ment. meetings. Here are some comments recently received: [273 ] "For several months I have been getting your magazine from our college library and reading it with great enthusiasm and deriving much inspira- tion. I find that I can hardly get along without subscribing and having the copies to keep and enjoy by re-reading." GRACE ROBINS.
Birmingham, Ala.
FAITH OF GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK
An address of the Generalissimo, sent to the Central Conference of Eastern Asia of the Methodist Episcopal Church in session at Wesley Church, Nanking, Good Frida.y Evening, Miarch 26, 1937. Read in Chinese and in English translation to the Conference by Col. J. L. Huang, Director of the New Life Movement.
I have now been a Christian for nearly ten years and during that time I have been a constant reader of the Bible. Never before has this sacred Book been so interesting to me as during my two weeks' captivity in Sian. This unfortunate affair took place all of a sudden and I found myself placed under detention without having a single earthly belonging. From my captors.I asked but one thing, a copy of the Bible. In my solitude I had ample time for reading and meditation. The greatness and the love of Christ burst upon me with new inspiration, increasing my strength to struggle against evil, to overcome temptation and to uphold righteousness.
I am, indeed, grateful for all my fellow-Christians who continually offered prayers on my behalf. I was deeply conscious of a strong spiritual support for which I extend my hearty thanks to all Christians, and to which, before you all today, I testify that the name of God may be glorified.
The many virtues of Christ I cannot possibly enumerate. Today, being Good Friday, I merely wish to explain some of the lessons I have derived from the trials of Christ. His utterances from the Cross are our spiritual inheritance. Entreating forgiveness for His enemies, He cried: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Truly great is the love of Christ! In all my meditations I found these thoughts returning and providing me with rich spiritual sustenance.
To illustrate, I am going to recount some of my experiences in Sian. Before I went to Shansi on my second trip I was alreaqy conscious of perverted thoughts and unusual activities in the army there. I had previously received reports of intrigues and revolutionary rumblings that were threatening to undermine the unity of the State. My immediate associates tried to persuade me to abandon the journey, but I replied: "Now that our country is unified and the foundations of the State established, the commander-in-chief of the armies has responsibilities for direction and enlightenment from which he dare not withdraw. Furthermore, I have dedicated my soul and body to the service of the State, and there can never be any considerations of my personal safety.
According to the record of the New Testament, when Christ entered Jerusalem for the last time, He plainly knew that danger was ahead, but triumphantly, on an ass, rode into the city without anguish, without fears. What greatness! What courage! In comparison, how unimportant my hfe must be. So why should I hesitate?
My fondness for my troops has always been as great as the love between brothers and this love drew me into the heart of the rebellion. Such disregard of duty in the face of danger caused deep concern to the government, worried the people and, for this, numerous prayers were offered by Christian friends. In the mldst of it all my understanding increased and my love mUltiplied.
Following my detention my captors presented me with terms and demands, with tempting words of kindnesses, with threats of violence and torture and with a public trial by the "People's Front." On every hand I was beset by danger out I had no thought of yieldmg to pressure. My faith in Christ increased. In this strange predicament I distinctly recalled the forty days and mghts Christ passed in the wilderness withstanding temptation, His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the indignities heaped upon Him at His trial. The prayers he offered for His enemles upon the cross were ever in my thoughts. I naturally remembered the prayers offered by Dr. Sun Yat-sen during the imprisonment in London. These scenes passed vividly before me again and again like so many pictures. My strength was redoubled to resist the recalcitrants and with the spirit of Christ on the Cross I was preparing to make the final sacrifice at the trial of the so-called "People's l<'ront." Having determined upon this course of action, 1 was comforted and at rest.
Following the settlement of the Sian affair, the rebels knowing their unwise and treasonable actions, were naturally afraid. Remembering that Christ enjoined us to forgive those who sin against us until seventy times seven, and upon their repentance, I felt that they should be allowed to start life anew! At the same time I was greatly humbled that my own faith had not been of such quality as to influence my followers and to restrain them.
Ever since training the cadets and launching the expedition, 1 have repeated to my followers these two principles: (1) On detecting the slightest selfishness on my part, or discovering plans contrary to the interest of the country and the people, anyone may accuse me of guilt and put me to death; (2) Should my words and actions betray lack of truth and good faith, or indicate departure from the revolution¥y cause and principles, any of my subordinates may take me for an enemy and put me to death. I honestly believe that these two sayings were prompted by sincerity and grew out of my religious faith. They are in line with the spirit of Christ, and the forbearance and magnanimity of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
The life of Christ reveals a long record of affliction and constant persecution. His spirit of forbearance, His love and His benevolence shine through it all. No more valuable lesson has yet come to me out of my Christian experiences.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a Christian, and the greatest thing he received from Christ was love-love for the emancipation of the weaker races, and for the welfare of the oppressed people. This spirit remains with us and reaches to the skies. I am an ardent follower of the revolution, and although my faith in Dr. Sun at the outset did not appear to have any religious significance, it was similar to a religious faith. For this reason I have become a follower of Dr. Sun and his revolution based on San Min ·Chu 1 (The Three Principles of the People).
Today, I find that I have taken a further step and have become a follower of Jesus Christ. This makes me realize more fully that the success of the revolution depends upon men of faith and that men of character, because of their faith, cannot sacrifice their principles for personal safety under circumstances of difficulty and crisis. In other words, a man's life may be sacrificed, his person held in bondage, but his faith and spirit can never be restrained. This is due to confidence brought about by faith. On this Good Friday these reflections are ours. For such is the importance of faith in the revolution, and in religion.
[274 ]
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1937 Topics of the Times RURAL AMERICA FOR CHRIST ers and dairymen, and small town tradespeople, but the mountaineers, the miners, the lumbermen, Those who make the greatest noise often receive and the ranchmen. The races include not only the most attention, but this does not prove that descendents of the Pilgrims, Dutch and other importance is in proportion to commotion. Mark early settlers, but more recent immigrants from Twain used to tell of the Mississippi stern-wheel Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia and other European steamer with a very loud whistle; steam was so countries; also Negroes, Indians, Mexicans and low that every time the whistle blew the steamer's Orientals. Many religious beliefs are involved- engine had to stop. American cities with their Jewish, Protestant, Roman and Greek Catholic, hustle and noise, their rapid transit, their fac- Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Islam and various tories and scare-line newspapers, usually receive philosophical cults, as well as atheism and rank more attention than the quiet rural districts but paganism. These present foreign mission peo- this does not prove that cities are more important pIes and problems at home.
to national life than are the country towns and Third: Rural America is important because the farming communities. farms and country districts form the basis of our For the coming year (1937-8) the Home Mis- material prosperity. From the earth come all sion study topic is to be "Rural America." Until things that sustain life and that are used in manu- recently the farmers and rural villages have been facture – the food, the cotton, the minerals and unorganized and without any powerful mouth- oils for physical needs and for great buildings and piece so that they have received little attention. industrial enterprises. The land is the great God- Today the Secretary of Agriculture, the Farmer's given source of wealth.
Unions and Cooperatives, such men as the late Fourth: Rural America is important because Kenyon L. Butterfield, and the Agricultural Mis- of the character and influence of rural peoples.
sions Foundation, have brought the rural prob- Here are the pioneering spirit of sacrificial toil; lems forcibly to public attention. the prophetic vision looking toward the future; The study of Rural America is of great im- here we find greater independence of thought and portance for many reasons: First, because of its action, rugged individualism and homespun phi- size. One-half of the people of North America losophy. Here too, in the past at least, have been live on farms, in rural districts or in towns and manifested true faith and sterling honesty. The villages of less than 2,500 population. Although rural districts have always been the great feeders the largest amount of taxes do not come from of the cities, not only in food supplies but in pop- rural districts, neither the Government nor the ulation. From the country come the ambitious Church can afford to overlook the importance of and stalwart youth to supply brain and brawn for the 50,000,000 people who live outside of our cities industrial, commercial, political and professional and their residential suburbs. It is estimated that activity. Abraham Lincoln and many other na- 25,000,000 American children and youth live in tional leaders came from the country; so did Sam- the country districts. These are bound to be a uel Colgate and countless other industrial giants.
great factor in the life of the nation. Three hun- D. L. Moody, America's greatest evangelist with dred years ago all American life was rural; there a world-wide influence, was a lad from the small was no truly urban population. town; so were the majority of metropolitan Second: Rural America is important because preachers and famous missionaries. It is not of the variety of its people, languages and prob- wealth and comfort, but character, hard work and lems. The occupations include not only the farm- opportunity that produce great leaders.
[275 ]
Fifth: Rural America is important because the religious liberty, and has refrained from saying future of the country is inseparably linked to that any missionaries have been or will be exrural life, for good or for evil. If the farmers' cluded on the ground of religion or nationality, families, and the small town and roadside popula- many missionaries-Swedish, British, French and tions, are neglected physically, intellectually and American-have already been asked to leave and spiritually they will starve or will poison the city others are being refused permission to return. and national life. Keep the sources pure and The Italian Government is also rendering some virile and the nation will feel the benefit; allow missions homeless by taking over their property. these sources to become corrupt and the nation It is even reported that Ethiopian Christians conwill decay. nected with Protestant societies are being ar- rested and exiled. Already the Vatican is send- Sixth: It is important to study Rural America, ing large numbers of Roman Catholic missionaries because this field has been grossly neglected. Peo- to bring the Coptic Church and the Ethiopians ple in many thinly populated areas have been al- under the sway of Rome. most or wholly without religious privileges – as among the mountains, mining settlements and It seems clear that Italy does not desire the scattered farm lands. In other cases villages and presence of alien and Protestant Christians in towns have been overchurched but undernour- Ethiopia. The reasons given by the Italiansished and have lived religiously at a poor dying charges of espionage, unfriendliness toward rate. There is great need for Christian readjust- Italian occupation and undue sympathy with ment and for cooperation between urban and Ethiopians – are evidently excuses to rid the suburban churches that have wealth in the midst country of non-Catholics and non-Italians. Natof plenty, and the rural parishes that are weak urally the Christian missionaries cannot view with and starving for leadership and material equip- complacency the wholesale killing of Ethiopians, ment. Let city churches assist rural parishes. without trial, but as ministers of Christ they do not engage in political activity. Italy does not Seventh: But the greatest reason for the study give the missionaries the right to defend themof Rural America is in order that the supreme selves against these charges before an impartial need of the rural peoples may be supplied – the tribunal. need for a clear knowledge of Christ and His Way of Life; the need for Christian training for chil- Full and correct information is difficult to obdren and youth; the need for effective leadership; tain on account of rigid government censorship the need for well-directed social life and Christian and because the few missionaries who- are still in activity. Addis Ababa believe that silence is "golden" at present. If any are permitted to remain it seems The careful and prayerful study of the needs that the privilege may be granted to a few of the and opportunities of rural America, and the ap- Protestant missionaries, including some United plication of these studies in practical lines of ac- Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventists and tivity, should mean great blessing to America in thirty-five of the Sudan Interior Mission. both civic and rural life. Jesus Christ himself was brought up in a small village and spent most The real reasons for the Government's objecof His earthly life ministering to rural people in tion to Protestant missionaries seems to be Galilee. As a rule His parables were drawn from (1) that they are subjects of countries unfriendly the fields. Most of His early disciples were from to Italian occupation; (2) that they are true the country, and when they were scattered by per- friends of the Ethiopians and desire for them edusecution they went forth to preach the Gospel in cation and freedom, rather than exploitation or the towns and villages and by the wayside. extermination; (3) that Italy wishes to have undisputed, autocratic sway of Ethiopia, with It is clearly important that we make an earnest control over all educational and medical work; study of Rural America, with especial reference (4) that the government prefers to have Italian to discovering the ways in which Christ may have subjects as religious and secular teachers. a larger and more controlling influence on the fifty million men and women and children in our The latest authentic letter to come out of rural areas. To this end the mission study books Ethiopia from a reliable missionary source (dated have been prepared, Rural Life Sunday is ob- April 5) reveals some of the hardships and disserved, and for this purpose we offer this special couragements encountered and the Christlike issue of THE REVIEW. spirit with which these are met. This personal letter is, in part, as follows: CLOSING DOORS IN ETHIOPIA These have been most difficult and trying days but God's Conflicting reports come as to the outlook for grace is ever sufficient and He overrules all. On March 8, Protestant missionary work in the new Italian we received word from natives that our station (in the incolony. While the Government officially promises terior) had been plundered, one building burned, others torn down and used for firewood, and that "everything
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
had been stolen, so that not even a scrap of paper was to Nanking. While Generalissimo Chiang could not be pres- be seen on the place." While the losing of some things ent in person, he sent Colonel J. L. Huang, Director of the especially seemed hard we have committed it all to God New Life Movement, with an address to be read both in and praise Him that our lives have been spared. While Chinese and in English translation. Col. Huang was the our earthly possessions have thus been reduced to a mini- first person to fly from Nanking to Generalissimo Chiang mum we know that "all things work together for good to in Sian after his detention. In some ways it is a more those that love God and that are called according to His remarkable document than the speech on leaving Sian, for purpose." in this the Generalissimo bears open testimony to his Christian faith and describes the spiritual experience While we have felt for some time that for us this might which came to him during the crisis. (See page 274.) be the end of the work here, we have had no definite word to that effect. Permission was at first given for workers Things have been happening with bewildering rapidity to return to their stations, where the Italian army was in this ancient land. The "strange interlude" at Sian in occupation, and we looked forward to getting back to tested the mettle of the government and people. It showed — even if only for a short stay, to strengthen the the growing strength of the Central Government and re- Believers, encourage earnest seekers, and commit the work vealed Chiang's great hold upon the loyalty and affections into their hands. But on Easter Sunday we received word of the masses. Both Chinese rebel factions and the Japto come on to Addis as soon as possible. It would have anese military party were surprised at the steadiness of been difficult to go back to our station and say good-bye to the Government through the crisis and at the popular those whom we have learned to love. support evoked for Chiang. The good coming out of the serious trouble is increasingly apparent. There is hope While our work in Ethiopia for the present seems to be that the Central Government will come to some kind of ended, we are as'Sured that God's work is not finished. an agreement with the communist army which will pre- Pray for the little native church in this land, that those vent further war between the people of the same nation. who have been "called out" may be kept by the power of Many civil leaders and some military leaders in Japan God. His Word has been sown and His promise stands seem to have a new respect for China. Much needed resure that it shall not return unto Him void. Although so organization of the central and provincial government many of the Believers are only babes in Christ, God has upon a broader and surer basis is being quietly carried promised the Holy Spirit to make real the things of Christ out. The Generalissimo has the nation behind him as to His own; Please join us in claiming the fulfilment of never before in the great task of hUilding a modern State. these promises for the glory of God. He is facing his great responsibility and opportunity with humble faith in God and with ever-greater appreciation It is distressing to think of the dark days ahead of the life and example of Jesus Christ, and of the meanfor the Evangelical Church in Ethiopia but it is ing of the Cross. Why should not China and America encouraging to hear that even now some of these work together to help build a Christian world, a world of young Christians are undertaking to carryon the justice and peace? evangelistic work. Hardships and suffering and the necessity of depending wholly on God may be Various explanations have been offered for counted on to strengthen faith in the faithful and Chiang Kai-shek's release from his abductors. to develop character in those who have the Word The chief human factor was his Christian wife, of God and have received spiritual life. Mayling Soong Chiang, a graduate of Wellesley College. Mrs. Hugh W. White, a missionary in THE HOPE OF CHINA Yencheng, wrote in the Sunday School Times: All who have read the accounts of the capture Much prayer had been made for him, and many Chinese, and release of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek by not Christians themselves, realize that this [release] was the Chinese rebel forces at Sian last December, an answer to prayer. We hope and pray that the incident have new hope for China and the Chinese. In the may be greatly used to the furtherance of the Gospel. face of foreign invasion and domestic strife, with complications from famine and flood and the usual The North China Daily News gives the followand unusual problems of a great unorganized na- ing interesting sidelight: tion, it is clear that character, courage and intelligent, unselfish patriotism are what Chinese must On Christmas morning, Dr. Kung was praying as on have if China is to be saved. These character- other days. When he opened his Bible he found chapter 16 istics are promoted by Christian faith, such as is of the Acts, which tells of the release of St. Paul, and read evident in the Generalissimo and his devoted wife. verse 35: "And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go." Dr. Kung continued A letter recently received from Rev. Frank W. reading verses 36 to 40. He marvelled at the appropriate- Price, of Nanking, tells the story in part. He ness of these verses and felt strangely comforted at their writes: message. He then told his friends of his conviction that the Generalissimo would be released. The same afternoon news of General Chiang's freedom reached the Finance Minister.
When the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek was released Madame Chiang Kai-shek's own story of the from his captivity in Sian, on last Christmas Day, he gave Generalissimo's capture and release reveals clearly a parting message to General Chang Hsueh-liang and her courage and faith in God. It will be rememother officers which, many think, will go down in Chinese bered that her mother was a highly respected history as the great utterance of a noble and magnani- Christian and her brother, T. V. Soong, and her mous statesman. It is already being printed in many sisters, Madame H. H. Kung and Madame Sun school textbooks.
On Good Friday a special Christian service was held in
Yat-Sen, are also Christians and prominent in toward Christian work in the country remains to government affairs. be seen. Men must find the light their souls crave, and Christ is the answer to Burma's needs. When Madame Chiang reached her husband in his captivity, he said: "Although I urged you not "When a big mining company builds a new road to come to Sian, I felt that I could not prevent it. through the hills to take their tin ores to market," When I opened my Bible this morning my eyes writes Rev. H. T. Marshall of Rangoon, "along lit on the words in J·eremiah 31: 22, "Jehovah will that same new road follows not only the worst of now do a new thing; that is he will make a Western life, with the products of distilleries and woman protect a man" (Chinese rendering). breweries, but Christian messengers in modern autos with the Word of life." Today a fellowship Madame Chiang not only prayed, with assur- with Christ is exemplified by His followers in ance that her prayers to God would be answered, Burma. but she comforted her husband saying: "God is with us. I am here to share your fate and to die Through the new Life that has come to them, with you if God so wills, and if He wills it other- Karens are now taking charge of the work which wise to live and work with you for the sake of the before had been under foreign misilionaries; the nation." people take part in meetings where formerly only the clergy officiated. Jungle women, usually so Madame Chiang also impressed upon the cap- shy that they could not utter a word in public, tor, General Chang Hsueh-liang, that he must re- now stand up without self-consciousness and tell pent of his act and must seek the guidance of in a straightforward way what new life in Christ God on all occasions. means to them. The progress of the work, the spiritual outlook and the effects of the Gospel on China's hope is in the development of strong conduct are very encouraging. National leader- Christian leaders and citizens who put an intel- ship, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, gives ligent desire to know and do the Will of God above these people release from old strangling customs personal ambition, and the good of their country and develops them into forward-looking Christian above self. It will not be forgotten that Chinese workers. "One supposedly Christian village," Christians, without the use of force, were used to says Mr. Marshall, "that six months ago was full bring about the release of the Chinese Generalis- of carousing and superstitious demon worship, simo. now realizes that God wants to use them to help reach neighboring villages; a large delegation re- THE NEW BURMA cently spent a whole forenoon in prayer and then started out to bring the Gospel to those whom six On April first Burma ceased to be counted a months before they would not have tried to part of India and became a separate dominion of reach." the British Empire. This means a new Burmese government with a British Governor General, a Burma needs national leadership that is Godnew Burmese House of Representatives and Sen- controlled and directed; Christian natives must ate, new Burmese stamps and coins-though the be the real evangelists of the country. The rupee will continue to be the medium of exchange. Church must be guided and filled by the Holy It is expected also that these changes will bring a Spirit if Burma is to experience the moving power new spirit of independence and self-expression. of God to make aNew Burma. May there also be a new spirit of progress and a new desire for righteousness and peace. THE GENERALISSIMO'S MORAL LAW There is much, however, that has not changed, These rules, by General Chiang Kai-shek, for with Burma's altered political status. The pre- Chinese soldiers are printed on a little card and vailing religion is still Buddhist with a strong distributed under the auspices of the Officers' mixture of animism, and the priests have a Moral Endeavor Association: strong hold on the populace. There is still poverty and ignorance among the masses. There is 1. Thou shalt not covet riches. great need for education and economic improve- 2. Thou shalt not fear to die. ment, but particularly the Burmese must have 3. Thou shalt not advertise thyself for vain glory. Christian standards of life if they are to become 4. Thou sbalt not be proud. a strong people. 5. Thou shalt not be lazy. 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery nor gamble. In the new government, Christians are taking 7. Thou shalt not smoke. an active part. One of the six cabinet ministers 8. Thou shalt not drink wine. is a Karen, a fine Christian young man. Several 9. Thou shalt not borrow money. other Christians are in the House of Representa- 10. Thou shalt not lie. tives. Thra San Baw of Tharrawaddy and Dr. Ma Saw Sa, the leading Burmese lady doctor, are Christian senators. What attitude the new government, with its Buddhist slant, is going to take
Challenge of the Rural
By the REV. MARK A. DAWBER, Philadelphia, Pa.
_.<t!if Superintendent, Town and Country Work, Methodist Episcopal Jil.- Church; Author of "Rebuilding Rural America"
THE changing conditions of life everywhere lowed to degenerate, industry is itself in peril. It are making new and stern demands upon the would therefore seem wise to realize that the na- institutions of society. Government, busi- tion's economic life is all of the same piece. Our ness, agriculture, education-all are being called civilization has become so interlocked and inter- upon to meet the exigencies of a changed and con- dependent that all parts must work well if any of stantly changing world. Religion and the Chris- it is to work well. Therefore, the reconstruction tian Church are no exception to this rule; rather of agriculture and the stabilizing of the economic it would be a fair statement to say that perhaps life of rural people is of vast importance not only the Church is being tested today as no other in- to rural people, but to city people. Now the stitution. The conditions are widespread and church has much at stake in this consideration.
there is no avenue of life that has not been touched The church is always the first institution to suffer by these forces of change. No group of people or as the result of economic collapse. Much of its community anywhere is so remote that it has support comes out of the surplus and in times like been able to escape the impact of the changing those through which we are passing, the church conditions of our modern life. Rural communities has suffered out of all proportion. But it is not are tremendously involved. In fact, we make bold in the interest of its own selfish life that the to declare that in comparison the changes that church must be concerned, on the contrary. The have taken place during the past decade are such urge and the implication of the Gospel it preaches that rural America is now more seriously affected are the major reasons for its interest and the dy- than are the urban centers. What is the meaning namic for its activity to help obtain economic of this for the church? justice and social security for the farm families'
The changed rural community constitutes an in America. This is a challenge that now comes imperative challenge to the church today. We are out of rural life with the urgency of immediate conc~rned that the rural church shall face this need and with a sense of national importance that challenge. The obligation rests upon it to estab- the Church cannot afford to ignore or avoid.
lish the new rural civilization that is now emerg- The Challenge of the Enlarged Community ing, upon solid foundations of spiritual truth and to instill into it that quality of life, without which Anothli!r vast change that comes out of modern no worthy or enduring civilization can be estab- rural life is that of a new geographical area that lished. now constitutes the working community of rural America. Most of the present church buildings The Challenge of Economic Justice and their parish lines were the product of the old The first important challenge of rural America agricultural community life. The range was that is that of a very drastic change in its economic of horse and buggy on a mud road. Some eight life. The economic dislocation that has befallen to ten miles radius was the extent, and, in many urban America was inevitable. A short-sighted cases, less than that. Some fifty families was a industrial leadership, satisfied with the joyride of good basis of support. The school, the economic a false prosperity had concluded that it could last life, the social organization, and the total institu- forever. This leadership seemed oblivious to the tionallife including the church were the reflex of fact that these so-called values were mere paper a fifty to sixty family community. It was the day values; the moment these values were challenged of the self-sufficing agriculture, the little red they collapsed like a pack of cards. The deflation schoolhouse, a simple satisfying social life that has reacted of course, upon agriculture; but it was developed around the farm home. This has must be remembered that the plight of agricul- all been shattered. The economic range is now ture during the peak of our industrial prosperity unlimited, but at least it can be said, that it has is, in a very important way, the explanation of the been enlarged to include the county. Because of collapse of industry. Agriculture is the founda- the economic changes, farmers are county con- tion of industry, and whenever agriculture is al- scious. The schools for the most part are con- [279 ]
solidated and take in several of the old-time com- new Christian statesmanship if it is ever going munities making them one in educational purpose to arrive. and spirit. The social life is mostly expressed at the county seat town. The movie and the dance But with all our material progress, good roads hall dominate. This changed scale of rural life and rapid transportation, there has come accomis a real challenge to the church in rural Amer- panying problems of poverty and neglect. The ica to reconstruct itself to meet a new and en- automobile and the hard roads have been a boon larged community of interests and sometimes a to millions, but there is a sense in which they have confusion and conflict of purposes; to reorganize also proved a bane to others. They have put milthe parish boundaries so as to include the larger lions of people on the main highway and the geographical unit as a single parish; to find ways beaten track, but corresponding millions have and means among the several differing denomina- been removed from it. There is a new religious tions to adjust their differences and to unite in neglect in rural life. Those who are living on the some constructive forward looking, adventurous dirt road and in the marginal sections of rural program to make a single impact of religion in America are more isolated and neglected than the interests of a larger and more Christian king- ever, so far as religious privileges are concerned. dom building type. In the old days when all the people lived on dirt roads and the means of transportation was a horse In saying this we are not unmindful of the diffi- and buggy, all were in the range of parish visitaculties that this presents. To bring together town tion. The preacher also had his horse and all and country people in some common purpose for homes were almost equally accessible. Now few spiritual advancement is no easy task, but that it preachers have a horse and hence the people livmust be achieved is now clearly evident to all those ing on the side roads, that in the winter are deep who in recent years have been giving time and with mud, are seldom, if ever, reached with a thought to this matter. An intelligent engineered religious ministry. This is also true of the chilalignment is now necessary to any future rural dren and young people where the small schools progress. Good roads, automobiles, radios, tele- are still maintained off the hard roads. They are phones and other instruments that have conquered a most neglected group, and where these conditime and distance, require that some similar prog- tions obtain, there is a religious destitution and a ress shall take place in those forces and agencies growing paganism that should be a matter of deep that govern human relations. Some progress is concern for the church. The situation as here evidenced in the reorganization of the economic stated is not confined to anyone part of the coun- 'and the educational life, but much remains to be try. It is not a condition that is isolated to the done. But the religious life of town and country traditional backwoods' sections, but it exists in for the most part, is a standing rebuke to the the most highly developed eastern states. Maine church and a stern challenge to readjust itself to and Vermont are equally in need with Arkansas a more scientific demand and the enlarged com- and Georgia. This is a condition that calls for a munity that have come in the trail of recent social new missionary passion and a new consecration change in rural America. To revise and reor- on the part of the church and its rural ministry. ganize our systems of society, local government, political, educational and social institutions of The Challenge of the Rural Home rural life is a difficult task indeed; when we come to the institutions of religion the difficulty is in- The rural community is also presenting a new creased many times, and in this realm of read- challenge to the church at the point of the changjusting the church of rural America to these new ing farm home. Drastic changes in the methods demands of community life, will require the in- of agriculture are breaking down the family type sight and courage of a new and greater statesman- farming and hence destroying the farm home type ship than that of yesterday. In this, of course, we of community. The trend toward mass produc- are dealing with human nature, with all its weak- tion and single commodity farming is one of the ness and frailty, and we are fully conscious that danger spots in our present system. Capitalistic a thing is not always going to be achieved because large scale agriculture should be discouraged. It it is logical or right; the temptation is very great does not make for the larger prosperity of all, but to cling to the habits and ideas of yesterday, and it has resulted in the disintegration of the farm to huddle around vested interests the moment family and the destruction of the community there is a suggestion of change. Nowhere is this spirit. As a further result we now have the poor- temptation greater than in the institution of reli- est social order in rural America in those states gion and the rural church has some added diffi- where we have the richest soil. Here we find the culties at this point that are in a class by them- tenant farmer and the sharecropper or transient selves. But the fact remains that rural progress and migrant labor. Here we find our weak in the church and elsewhere must wait upon this churches, our poorest homes, and our most prolific sources of crime. The cure will be found in the 1937] THE CHALLENGE OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY discouragement of the capitalistic competitive man race. We are also slowly but surely learriing , profit-seeking agriculture and the encouragement that a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the family-type of farm ownership and opera- of things, but in seeking the satisfaction of his tion.· Observation would suggest that the best mind and spirit, without which things, in them- social order and the most satisfying rural com- selves, have little or no value. They become a munities are those in which dwell a large per- stumblingblock to the highest progress. Rural centage of family home farmers. Farm owners life is in particular peril at this point just now.
are the most reliable citizens. They support Farmers have been more naturally a religious peo- schools and churches, and elevate the moral and ple. But the emphasis upon material development spiritual standards of the community in which in recent years has gone far to create a materi- they live. Home ownership integrates and sta- alistic conception of life in rural America.
bilizes the moral and spiritual characteristics of We need a culture that will bring to rural life the people. It makes for a more reliable and a worthier sense of its rightful heritage, that will trustworthy citizen and nowhere is this so true create in the minds of rural people an apprecia- as on the farm. tion of those more permanent satisfactions that Other forces also are operating to break down can be achieved by a rural culture. But we :need the home life of rural America. The fact that also to decide as to what are the earmarks of such many rural communities have not organized to a culture. It must be distinctive and characterprotect themselves against the dumping of the istic of rural environment. It must be something road houses and dance halls into the country, that grows out of the soil and the people who have where they would not be permitted in the county their roots in the soil. We must refuse to accept seat towns, is a matter for serious consideration. a culture that is imposed from without. But this Other changes could also be cited that would go rural culture of which we have been writing must to illustrate and explain this tragic condition of also be part of a social and spiritual vitality that the rural home. These all constitute an unprece- will prevent the city from either dominating or dented challenge to the rural church. It must draining the countryside. Any true rural culture stake its life in its defence of the family farm must spring from life in the country. Therefore enterprise. Human values are the primary values. the social and spiritual development of any life The end in view is a satisfying life and not the must be closely related to the common task. Life quantity or even the quality of goods. The farmer in the country is simpler than life in the city is more important than the farm. To restore the and should be kept so as far as possible. It is family farmer to agriculture and to give dignity nearer to nature and to God. Life on the farm, and restore the sacred meaning to the farm home, under the open sky, the changing seasons as they would achieve not only an economic society that is come and go, the growing things, the soil, the now essential to permanent social stability, but trees, the stock, flowers, birds, grass, mountains spiritual gains would result that cannot obtain and running brooks – these surely have the posunder any other system. The rural church would sibilities of a great and worth-while culture that render the Kingdom a great service in giving voice has vast social and spiritual implications. But to this imperative need of reestablishing agricu1- this social expression and spiritual impetus must ture on a family farm basis and in conserving be rooted in the things of rural life. Too much of those home values that are basic to a Christian rural religion has been a thing apart. It has failed civilization. to build itself upon the foundations of these na- tive values in rural life. Now the time has come The Challenge of Spiritual Need when those who believe in rural America, who live There is another important challenge that comes on the farm and appreciate its possibilities for a out of these several considerations of the chang- full and satisfying life, must band themselves to- ing life of rural America. It is that of a vital cul- gether for a courageous forward movement to ture and a new social and spiritual vitality. Much achieve this social and spiritual vitalizing of rural attention has been given to the production side of life. Most of the satisfactions of rural life are rural life. Agriculture has been developed to a still to be achieved by this appreciation and culti- high point of efficiency. Science and invention vation of these simpler worthwhile things. Life have made possible a basis of economic produc- grows rich only in worthwhile friendships and in tion way beyond the wildest dreams of living man. those lasting values that are alone to be found in But science and invention, while able to satisfy human relations and in man's relation to God.
man's wants, offer no help in assisting man in de- The rural community is calling for a leadership ciding what he should want. We have made two that will go forward with such a program. It is blades of grass grow where only one grew before, the outstanding and urgent obligation of Ameri- but we have not found a way to make that extra can statesmanship, but it is above everything else blade of grass serve the best interests of the hu- a clear clarion call to the Christian Church.
Forgotten Man of the Back
-sf I By ANN MITCHELL, a Country Neighbor I Je- ~==========================~ W E HEAR much about "the forgotten will pay tuition for any boys and girls who wish man." I know him! He lives next door to attend the one in the town, nine miles away. to us, here on the back road. His farm It is twelve to the high school from our four was once one of the finest in the county. His corners, and there is no trolley or bus available. grandfather cleared the land, building literally What good is tuition without transportation for miles of neat stone wall, planting a maple grove a boy who cannot afford even a Model T and the and an apple orchard, and putting up buildings of gas to run it? The bright children are through which he could be justly proud. His father car- the grades at twelve or thirteen (the dull ones ried on successfully for a while, but lost his cour- have to go until they are sixteen!). When a boy age when the new "Black Road," instead of pass- has been out of school for four or five years he ing his place, followed the river, four miles to the feels quite like a man of the world and ready to south, and later the lake shore, five miles to the establish a home of his own. The critical years north. Electricity and other "advantages" fol- of adolescence spent in loafing about an idle farm, lowed the improved highway, while his dirt road hanging around lumber camps, spending on movies and dance halls the money earned by do- ing odd jobs here and there-what a poor prep- aration for successful living!
Jim married at nineteen, and Jimmie Junior was born just six months later, on Addie's seven- teenth birthday. Before Jim was thirty there were seven children, and he had seldom had steady work on which he could depend from month to month. He would have liked to bring the old farm back to its former prestige, but how could he? It takes so long to put any farm project on a paying basis, and some capital is absolutely THE CAMP THAT JIM BOUGHT necessary. There was no money for plowing and harrowing, for fertilizer and seed. There was no became more neglected each year. How could he money to buy really good stock, and if Jim had hope to compete with men to whom modern im- been able to secure a horse and cows and chickens, provements were easily available, and whose there was no money with which to buy feed for produce could reach the markets so much more them. So there was. nothing to do but take the quickly and safely? Better to put down the fields odd jobs by which he could earn enough to buy to grass, work his horses on the rapidly spread- bread for the family (often bread without butter, ing network of state roads in the spring, do odd to say nothing of jam!) and let the big barn stand jobs for the summer colony during July and empty and the fields run out. By the time he in- August, hoping to get a job in the woods in the herited the place all the buildings were in bad con- winter. He managed fairly comfortably, but his dition. There was no money for repairs!
son, our friend Jim, is not faring so well. And When we came to the corner six years ago the no one seems to care! Apparently everyone-Road paint was gone from the dignified old house-it Commissioners, Board of Education, Public Utility looked as bad as the abandoned one we had ac- Commissioners and, until recently, even the quired! Sills were rotting, kitchen floor wearing Church Board have forgotten Jim and his prob- through, walls shabby and soiled, furniture lems. broken, and everything dejected looking and down We boast of our "New England traditions"! at the heel. Even the pump had given out, and There are five colleges in our state, and several Addie was drawing water from the well with a fine academys, but Jim was through school when bucket on a worn rope. What wonder that she he was thirteen years old! Our village, like many used it sparingly, and that her clothes were al- another in this section, has no high school, but ways a "tattle-tale gray"! They used kerosene [282 ] lamps and wood fires. The children went to a friends along the back road – people of fine old one-room school with an old air-tight stove-all American stock, everyone. People with kind the (in) conveniences of grandmother's day, in hearts, most of them; men who mean well; New England in nineteen thirty-one! women who carryon bravely and cheerfully under almost unsurmountable difficulties. But they have Jim's home is typical of many in this regionback three or four miles from the state highways. THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT Of course grandmother married young, lived on a dirt road and raised a large family with just such had no educational opportunities, no economic seprimitive equipment, but it does not matter so curity, no social standards (they are unmoral, not much where you are as the direction in which you immoral!) , no proper health care. And the chilare going! Our grandparents were pioneers in dren – many of them so neglected that they are the vanguard of progress, and were helping to growing up to be a menace to society! build a new world. Jim, and the many others like him, are bringing up the rear and are slipping When We Came to the Back Road farther and farther back as time marches on! When my family and I came to the Back Road They are living in old neglected homesteads, in six years ago, we had been driven from a suburban shacks covered with tar paper, in lumber camps. home by the "depression," and for some time were Always and everywhere there are the children! too deeply absorbed in our own problems to ap- preciate our neighbors. We thought that we were There's Jack; he inherited no farm, and lives poor, but when we gathered up the pieces after on waste land at the other end of nowhere with "the crash" we found that we had enough to make his gentle little wife and nine children. (The the old house comfortable and give it something tenth will arrive this summer, and I suppose the of its early charm. We were able to make over town will have to pay the doctor's bill, as usual!) the big barn into a hennery and to stock it with Jack has lost what pride he had and does not hesi- good birds. Going back to grandmother's day tate to "call on the town" – more often than is was for us a real adventure, and we are making a necessary, some folks think! They call him a success of things in spite of poor roads, lack of worthless fellow, but the shack he made out of electricity and other conveniences. When we betwo old henhouses, a pile of weathered, unplaned gan to look about we found ourselves faced as boards and rolls of black paper is somehow attrac- never before with the problem of stewardship. tive! The small rooms are neatly lined with cor- Of course we plunged with enthusiasm into the rugated pasteboard, and he has planted little ever- work of the newly formed Larger Parish which greens in the door yard. The children are bright was seeking to reach the back roads with its proand clean and mannerly, but the two oldest, thir- gram, but-that was not enough! It is one thing teen and fifteen, are "through school" and have to live in a neighborhood where everyone is more gotten in with a pretty rough crowd! than comfortable and to feel that you are truly Christian if, while enjoying your own pet lux- Bob is a clever workman, but "awful easy go- uries, you give (conveniently!) to the work of the ing" and his wife is just plain lazy, so folks say! local church. It is quite another thing to live next Their house, which started to be a nice little place door to a family like Jim's and feel truly Christian on the hill overlooking the lovely lake, is filled to while enjoying even pet comforts, to say nothing overflowing with children – his and hers and of luxuries, and we like to feel that we are doing theirs! Poor Sally! She certainly has had no our share in building a church program here that chance! Married at fifteen~because she had. to is adequate. The personal ways in which we have be! – divorced at seventeen, married again at been able to help are so small and so obvious that eighteen to a widower with three small children; it seems hardly worth while to tell of them, but I now, at twenty_six, she is herself the mother of sometimes wonder if it is not here, after all, that six and has the other three to care for, and abso- we are getting at the real heart of the problem! lutely nothing to do it with! Sharing, cooperating, working and playing to- gether-is not that the way out? Then there are Harry and Laura. They have a new camp of two rooms, each ten by twelve feet. He was seventeen and she sixteen when they were married six years ago; now they have four adorable children. Laura keeps the tiny home as neat as a pin and the children are well cared for, but her face is very sad! Harry likes a good time, and is tired of a wife who is always either carrying or nursing a baby and can never go with him to dance halls; so-he is "running around" with a girl from the Creek!
These are only a few of our neighbors – our
Of course it takes understanding and patience buy grain for Jim's stock-he has some nowand tact, and most of all appreciation and real and he takes care of our cows to pay for it. Addie affection. Addie and her friends initiated me into wanted a small flock of hens, so we let her pick the mysteries of old-fashioned housekeeping. I twenty pullets from among our birds; she is sortdid not know how to cook with a wood fire, to care ing our eggs to pay for them.' One year we gave for kerosene lamps, to rub clothes clean on a washboard, to make good country butter! In return I three of the neighbors seed and fertilizer; in rehave introduced them to the world of literature turn they helped with our garden and haying. and music, and the charm of afternoon tea! At Sara, down the road a piece, needed a bed that we first my cups had to travel up and down the coun- were not using and I needed help with housecleantryside, as no one else had enough to go round! ing. We have been able to keep a small fund in We have now our Woman's Club with four charter the savings bank for emergencies-a fund which members; our neighborhood suppers and parties, would have seemed absurdly inadequate in the our Sunday-night sings. At first standards dif- days before "the crash" but now it gives us a comfered so much that it was hard to find a common fortable feeling of security. Last year we found language; I have to remember always that we do that Ed was going to lose his farm, as a threenot try to reform our friends, we only love them! hundred-dollar mortgage was proving impossible. Sometimes it is hard not to feel discouraged. Two In the "good old days" we would have said that years ago when Jim Junior was only eighteen, it was "just too bad, but what could we do about and without a sign of a job, he married a slip of it?" As Back Road Christians with an emergency a girl of seventeen, and last year his sister, Emma, fund we felt that we had to do something about who is not bright, had a baby without being mar- it! We bought that mortgage and told Ed that ried at all! Though we lived right next door, we he could take his time to pay it. The amazing could not do anything about it, except to keep on part of it is that with the fear of foreclosure reloving and standing by! moved Ed has straightened his shoulders and tightened his belt and has gone to work with new Most of these country people are self-respecting will. This spring he has paid not only the interand proud. Many of them would starve before est but twenty-five dollars on the principal! they would accept "charity" but-they are glad to share. When we came up here we had many more Jim Junior and his Ruthy lived with the old things than we needed! What right had I to two folks, but she was not happy. When he had a coats, when the woman at the corner had none? chance to buy a "camp" for thirty dollars he came Extra curtains-why lay them away for future to talk it over. Such an edifice would not add to use when they would transform Abbie's shabby the beauty of the neighborhood, and the logical parlor? Garden surplus, cracked eggs, skimmed place to put it was almost in our door yard; but milk-it is so easy and happy to say "I find that building lives is certainly much more important I don't need this. Can you make use of it?" Our than architectural style! We advanced the money car-often in the early days-was the only one on and now the young people are making the tiny the hill that could be relied on for the trip to town. place into a real home. They are paying for it This presented more of a problem. But when I little by little, sometimes in cash and sometimes explained that it was God's car and I only had the in labor. privilege of driving it, folks smiled indulgently, but found it easy to accept its favors without Bob has an old car, but had not been able to pay "loss of face." We long ago lost count of the the tax and register it this year. When he had a neighborhood trips it has made-taking people to ch~nce to work in the woods beyond walking dischurch services and farm bureau meetings in the tance we let him have money to put the Ford on village, to clinics in the city thirty miles away, to the road, and he is reducing the debt a bit each and from the hospital, and out for supplies in pay day. emergencies. It is understood that our linen and sick-room equipment are available in time of These are a few of the "emergencies" in which illness. If there is something that we can borrow, our fund has helped out. It has also paid doctor's our friends are just delighted! bills, provided glasses for weak eyes, even bought tires for a Model T, and neighborhood needs have For a while, before a P. W. A. project started been met without injury to anyone's self-respect! near us we were the only family at the Corners who had any steady cash income. During that Understanding, sympathy, affection-only as period we bought groceries for all, and found some work on our place that the others could do to pay we have these, the qualities of true neighborliness, for their share. That was the beginning of a can we appreciate the problems, the handicaps and system of sharing resources which has been in the possibilities of others. When we do really apsuccessful operation for three or four years. We preciate what the other fellow is "up against" we feel that we must share our resources, material and spiritual. When all are willing to share there will be no "forgotten man" on the back roads, but everyone will have a fair chance to make good!
Fields in Rural
By the REV. Wm. R. KING, D.D., New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council I T IS difficult to answer directly and specifically building and then rested back comfortably upon inquiries about unchurched communities, neg- the illusion that the field was occupied, Gospel lected groups, and overlooked areas. There is privileges were provided and the field was no a lack of clear understanding as to what is meant longer neglected. That general notion has perby "neglected fields." Shifts and changes are sisted until the present day. Denominational constantly taking place in communities and among executives still claim that a field is not neglected groups, and there is a lack of accurate and up-to- if there is any semblance of church or religious date information, although we have been actively service no matter how occasional or how inadeengaged for the past ten years in making surveys quate the religious program and the church minand accumulating information along these lines. istry may be. This is one of the greatest diffi· A large amount of data has been gathered and culties in the way of comity adjustments today. published in articles, pamphlets, and books, as a Denominations will claim and hold on to a field, result of surveys which include about twenty-five even though there be only an occasional service states. Some studies have been intensive, reach- and no community ministry whatever. ing down into counties, communities and indi- As a matter of fact, any community that has not vidual parishes. an adequate, efficient and effective church min- What is a "neglected field"? There is quite a istry is "a neglected field." A district cannot be difference of opinion among church leaders upon classed as "occupied" without a proper evaluation this point. Some seem to think that if there is a of the character of the religious program that is church building with an occasional service by some being provided. By any adequate evaluation of itinerant missionary or circuit rider, that field is church ministry we must confess that there are not neglected. This is a general opinion among vast numbers of fields in rural America that are some denominational administrators. It is an in- being neglected by the Church. This fact has been herited attitude from the past. When the country abundantly established by the surveys and studies was new and home missions meant church ex- that have been made during the past decade. tension and the planting of churches in new communities, it was generally accepted that a field was It is not too much to say, speaking generally of occupied if it had an occasional ministry and par- the rural church of the present day, that most ticularly if it had a church building. The ques- rural communities in America are neglected by tion of program and efficiency did not enter the Church. By and large in America the rural largely into the consideration; it was a mere church is not functioning adequately and effecmatter of being on the ground. ,It was somewhat tively. It is distressing to ride through the coun- tryon the train, or especially by automobile, and like homesteading in the early days when the observe the little one-room, unpainted, unkept, pioneer went into the new section and drove down neglected churches which give every indication of his stake and entered his claim. He felt that the neglect, inadequacy, and decay. Many are actually farm was his. It mattered not how much or how dead or in a rapid decline. It is estimated that little improvement he had put on it or how well they are passing out at the rate of about 1,000 a he was occupying the land. He had preempted year. The "little church at the cross-roads" is it; he had established his claim; he was able to very largely a thing of the past. In these days say "This is mine." Therefore, it was "occupied" of new highways and automobiles, the rural farmland. In the same way, in the great West churches are, as a rule, no longer at the cross- especially, the churches were established in the roads. They are not on the new routes of traffic early days. Ambitious denominational superin- and are no longer located in strategic places. tendents and pioneer missionaries went into these Many of them are out of the way, inaccessible, new territories and drove down their ecclesiastical and no longer "by the side of the road." The stakes, preempted a corner lot, brought a few pea- very location makes it almost impossible for them pIe together and organized them into a church. to render an effective service. Possibly they erected a little one-room church The new day has brought improvement in rural [285 ]
homes.· It has brought electric lights and many First, there is the United Parish Plan or what other luxuries of our modern life. It has brought is generally called the Larger Parish Plan. The the new consolidated school. It has obliterated concensus of opinion of the best informed and distances and eliminated time but the little, dilap- wisest leaders of country church work is that the idated, country church still stands as a relic of a only hope, and the only possible way to provide past and as an indictment against the present an adequate ministry to these neglected rural statesmanship of the Church. fields, is through some form of interdenomina- Surveys made in recent years in New England, tional cooperation.
for example, show a rapid decline of country These places that are being over-looked and churches throughout the whole of that region, and neglected are not wanted by any denomination.
general inefficiency which is alarming. These They are not looked upon as worth while for they surveys divide the communities into three classes: are liabilities rather than assets. They are too those inadequately churched, the communities ade- expensive and too unprofitable. Even the new quately churched, and those that were over- sects that are springing up so rapidly, and are churched. In New Hampshire, for example, 33 making such remarkable headway in these hectic towns or townships were classified as inadequately days, are overlooking these rural communities and churched. These, for the most part, are towns are centering their efforts upon the towns and with small populations and open country commu- cities, rushing into communities that are already nities. In many of these communities it would not overchurched, watching for every possible oppor- be possible to support a church but, nevertheless, tunity of establishing themselves in the centers of the question of neglect and absence of religious population.
privilege exi&ts. In Maine, 131 towns were classi- If anything is to be done for the neglected rural fied as inadequately churched; in almost all cases fields, it must be done on a much more generous the populations were small. The total population and much more unselfish basis than heretofore.
of 131 towns was only 38,000, in no instance was They must no longer be exploited for denomina- any more than 1,000; the average was around tional interests. They must be served unselfishly 300. In all of these communities the churches in the interests of the neglected people and of the were weak and inadequate, and most of them Kingdom of God. There must be interdenomina- functioned only for part of the year. In the tional planning and strategy if there is to be any- other New England states the same general situa- thing like an equalization· of religious privileges tion obtains. Vermont perhaps presents the most throughout rural America. Everyone in every distressing exhibit of neglected rural churches in community, however small it may be, has a right New England. to the ministries of the Church, but these rights There are many sections in the mountain areas will never be secured so long as rural America is of the South and in the Ozarks and in the inter- regarded as a battlefield for warring Christian mountain region of the West, where rural com- denominations and rival sects. It is a question of munities are either without any church at all or Christian statesmanship and loyalty to Christ and have very weak and inadequate churches. There concern for the establishment of His Kingdom.
are also racial groups of people in the rural areas Will we be big enough and brave enough and un- who are neglected; for whom no ministry is be- selfish enough to build an adequate church in every ing provided. This is perhaps the most difficult rural community in America?
problem of all to meet. They are, as a rule, scat- A second solution 'for the rural church problem tered and few in number in anyone locality, thus is a trained rural church leadership. The greatest making it difficult to gather them into a church weakness of the Church in rural America is the organization, or to absorb them in any existing lamentable lack of an effective program, an edu- body. But they are neglected so far as any reli- cated ministry and a trained Christian leadership. gious privileges are concerned and are presenting This is not a pleasant thing to say. It sounds to the church one of its rural problems. harsh, critical and unappreciative. But it is one The results of these surveys and studies, made of those "stubborn facts" that cannot be ignored over wide areas of the country, present a very in any proper evaluation of the rural church.
discouraging picture of the rural church in Amer- There are, of course, many exceptions. There are ica. This is the biggest problem facing American some educated and successful rural pre3:chers. Christianity today. There are some outstanding, well-functioning Three Possible Solutions country churches. But they are like hens' teeth- not enough to be very 'effective. It must be said What can be done about it? This is not an easy also, in all fairness, that the great majority of question to answer. As I see it, there are three rural preachers are men of fine character and possible solutions of the rural church problem. commendable consecration; many of them have
FARM TENANTS AND SHARECROPPERS
useful natural gifts. This is true of many moun- specially-trained, high-grade pastoral leadership tain preachers in the Southern Highlands. They have a gift of oratory and leadership and enjoy if it is to survive. the respect and confidence of the people. They are devoted and consecrated. They love their The third sQlution Qf the rural church problem Lord and have a passion for souls. But they are uneducated and untrained; many of them cannot in neglected fields is a real-to-goodness interderead and write. Very few of them have ever had a high school course; still fewer have a college nominational comity. Overchurching in small training, and iewer still have ever attended a theological school. communities is a glaring disgrace to American Some of the denominations have tried to help Protestantism. Every denomination wants to these untrained men by means of summer schools, conferences, and short courses. The Home Mis- be in the most. promising communities. No one sions Council has sponsored about a score of summer schools for rural pastors for many years. wants the "byways and hedges." The selfish ag- Home mission boards have used circulating libraries, special scholarships and other devices to gression of denominations in crowding into almake up to their rural pastors what they need in special training. A few theological seminaries ready occupied fields and the willful tenacity with are beginning to give special courses for young men preparing for the rural ministry. But these which they cling to these overchurched communimethods are all inadequate; they do not meet the need. The rural church must have well-educated, ties is the "scandal of Christianity." Unless this can be overcome, I see no hope for the church in these little rural fields. Something has been done in comity and much is now being done to correct the evils of overchurching and competition, but much more must be dQne and done quickly if the neglected rural fields are to be given a worth while church ministry.
I submit these three things as the only possible ways of reaching the neglected fields in Rural America-the United Parish Plan, a trained lead- ership, and an effective comity.
J Farm Tenants and Sharecroppers By CHARLES M. McCONNELL, -.~ Boston, Massachusetts }at– Interseminary Commission for Training for the Rural Ministry FARM tenancy is one of the major issues be- A committee of forty members appointed by the fore the people of the United States. Sociol- President of the United States has just reported ogists refer to it as "our greatest social their findings on farm tenancy. humiliation." Another writer, with a theological bent, has called tenancy "the besetting sin of An issue which is rated with such importance American agriculture." A governor of Arkansas by national leaders cannot go unnoticed by the recently broke into The New York Times with Church. There are some moral issues involved in this statement about tenancy: this system which must not be ignored or allowed to go unchallenged by churchmen. No easy-going I recognize the seriousness of the tenant farmer or tolerance can stand in the way of drawing up an sharecropper problem. For decades it has been developed indictment by the Church against the evils of a and in recent years has grown to such proportions and system which has created widespread poverty, such serious condition that the problem must be settled if oppression and human wreckage. But along with Arkansas is to have peace among its citizenship. The any challenge to the evils of tenancy there must plight of the sharecropper may be exaggerated in some go a positive, constructive and statesmanlike reports but the thing itself-the system-is eating at the church program to solve such moral problems that vitals of the South's economic structure. tenancy creates. In this field the words of the Church must "become flesh and dwell among" the Strong words are these from one whose admin- farm tenants in the uttermost parts of America. istration was marked by bitter struggles between sharecroppers and planters, and who should know The nature and extent of farm tenancy must be "the system" thoroughly. Political leaders have understood before the Church can propose the begun to consider the problem of farm tenancy simplest remedies. A farm tenant is any person and two leaders of Congress have gone on record who hires the farm land which he operates as a by saying, "The tenancy problem is the paramount farm. Two million eight hundred and sixty thouchallenge before the 1937 session of Congress."
sand tenant farmers operate forty-two per cent of ants. Security of tenure is by no means guar- the farms in the United States. These tenants anteed by an uncertain title, for rent is some- are distributed over rich lands and poor lands times easier to raise than interest on a mortgage. with startling unevenness. Contrast the 4.5 % of Furthermore there is no relief from farm tenancy farm tenants in Maine with the 72.20/0 of farm in sight that will catapult the whole mass of farm tenants in Mississippi. Iowa, with the highest tenants into owners. A proposal was recently percentage of its land under cultivation, has 47.3 % made to set up a revolving fund of $50,000,000 by of farm tenants. The 6,288,648 farms of the the United States Government and the Secretary United States with their total population of 32,- of Agriculture quickly pointed out that such a 200,000 are operated by a tenant population fund for the use of tenants in the purchase of land slightly under one-half the total and a land own- would require two hundred and thirty years to ing population somewhat above the one-half mark. eliminate the tenants now on the land.
To get at the real problems of farm tenancy we The Church can recognize tenancy as a present must delve deeper into the system and unearth the necessity and go ahead ministering to tenant and meaning of sharecropping in rural America. The landlord alike without regard to their relation to sharecroppers work the land for a share of the the land. Ministers can well add the words, "both cash crop and need to have furnished for them to tenant and landlord," to St. Paul's list of those farm tools, work animals, fertilizer for the cash to whom he was indebted, found in the first chapcrop and generally the food they consume during ter of Romans. In the most extreme cases of the crop growing season. The South is the home strain between tenant and land owner, the minof this sharecropping system and cotton is the crop which is shared. None of the cotton grow- ister can at least recognize the fact that the sysing states fall below sixty per cent in farm ten- tem is in part responsible for the poverty of each. ancy. The Census Bureau of the United States But the land itself needs an advocate to plead its has defined a tenant plantation as a continuous cause. Tenancy has robbed the soil of its basic tract of land of considerable area under the gen- fertility to such an extent that erosion, impov- erishment and soil destruction have resulted over eral control or supervision of a single individual or one seventh of the once productive crop area of firm, all or a part of such tract being divided into the United States. {(The earth is the Lord's" and at least five smaller tracts which are leased to not the landlord's is an appropriate text for a tenants. This landless, debt-ridden and depend- sermon to farmers. ent tenant, white or Negro, operating a twentyfive or thirty acre plot of cotton land on a tenant Sharecropping in the South is the hot spot in plantation, is in a class of farm tenancy by him- this whole tenancy system. The Church, both self and is the central figure of farm tenancy in local and general, is involved in the system. The the United States. local congregation is in an area where three- fourths of the entire population live upon the The Church and the Sharecroppers land: No other section has such excessive over- Before considering the evils of this sharecrop- churching and at the same time so many comping system and making a wholesale criticism of munities (ten per cent) unchurched by Protestant farm tenancy we must separate the system from bodies. Nearly seventy per cent of the country its evils. Tenancy is often called the agricultural churches have nonresident ministers. Ninety per ladder on which an energetic young man might cent of the white rural Baptist and Methodist ascend from hired man to tenant and to land- churches have once-a-month services. The large tenant class-72.2% in Mississippi, 63 % in Arowner. Census data give ground for this ladder theory for 24 % of all farm owners were formerly kansas, 66.6 % in Louisiana, and so on through tenants, and 20 % had been both farm laborers the cotton belt-are largely not being reach~d by and tenants previous to their status as farm the churches. Although 59.5% of the farm own- owners. There are thousands of farm tenants ers are members of the church only 33.50/0 of the who are living on land which they do not own and tenant class are so counted. Nevertheless the are rendering a good account of their steward- Church is the most important institution in this ship. Tenancy offers the only opportunity for area for the South is greatly devoted to the countless farm families to have access to the land. Church. Much depends upon the leadership in Among the membership of rural churches there this crucial hour and no mission field offers such are many tenants who assume their share of the a challenge to the Christian churches of America.
church's maintenance and live on a high level of We have on our hands a situation which is not life. Nor can all the poverty of farm life be laid sectional nor secular. It strikes at the very roots to tenancy. There are farm owners whose stand- of the economic and social and religious structure ard of living is far below that of some tenants and of America. We will let Erskine Caldwell de- whose income is far less than that of many ten- scribe the poverty of his own people.
FARM TENANTS AND SHARECROPPERS '289
In parts of the South human existence has reached its cotton houses they came seeking refuge and a lowest depths. Children are seen deformed by nature and chance for "life, liberty and the pursuit of hapmalnutrition; women in rags beg for pennies; and men piness." They would have readily waived the last are so hungry that many of them eat snakes, cow dung, of these rights for the bare chance to live. In and clay. These are the unknown people of today, the brief this project, after one year, reports thirtytenant farmer of the South. These are the people who one families of white and Negro sharecroppers hide their nakedness behind trees when a stranger wanders living cooperatively, law abiding under the laws off the road. There is hunger in their eyes as well as in of Mississippi which forbids the teaching of racial their bellies. equality but says nothing about forbidding its practice. The income of the thirty-one families Missionary aid is not a big factor in the has been doubled and an equity in the farm churches of the South for the twelve leading Prot- earned, while the standard of living has been estant denominations in this area put aid into this higher than any of the families have hitherto field in about the same proportion as they extend known. it to the Colonial region. For more will have to be done along this line among people so poor that And the churches have had a part in this enterfood, clothing and shelter are denied them beyond prise which a few courageous and statesmanlike the mere existence line in some sections. The more prosperous areas of the Church should at least help support an adequate ministry. But one rural secretary of a home mission board is on record with this far-sighted policy, "The difficulties in trying to maintain a rural church under such conditions are almost beyond description. That a ministry to such a group is a primary missionary responsibility is evident. The point we would press is that the Church must do more than merely provide a ministry to these depressed, dispossessed and discouraged people. It must find a way to bore into the basic problems of this poverty and to deal with the causes of the conditions which make the abundant life impossible."
The Delta Cooperative Farm Photo by Rothstein A SHARECROPPER'S FAMILY IN TANGIPAHOA In this, as in other fields, an ounce of creative PARISH, LOUISIANA activity is worth pounds of speculation, exhortation, criticism or fervid theorizing. The trial and men have fostered and carried on in the face of error method will once more have to be invoked. odds too heavy for timid souls. Sam Franklin has Fortunately for the South, and for the churches been the spearhead of this advance into the north and south, there is an effort being made in strongholds of a system which is gnawing away Mississippi among the sharecroppers which bids at more than the vitals of the South. Over in fair to turn up something of a solution even after Arkansas, Sam Franklin went onto a plantation only one year of trial. "The Delta Cooperative to talk with the widow of a murdered union man Farm" came into existence in March 1936. It and was accused by the landlord of "interfering was almost forced into existence by the desperate with labor," which is some kind of a crime in needs of the sharecroppers who were being de- Arkansas. When F:ranklin remonstrated at benied not only the necessities of life but their rights ing ordered off under threat of death the landas American citizens guaranteed under the Con- owner ended the conversation with this choice bit stitution. A farm of 2,138 acres along the Mis- of language, "I'd shoot you if you was Jesus Christ sissippi River near Hillhouse was bought by funds himself." Sam Frankljn is a Presbyterian minprovided by Dr. Sherwood Eddy and his friends ister, a former missionary to Japan. As director and was put into the hands of a board of five of the Delta Cooperative Farm he is also the mintrustees for a cooperative farm for sharecroppers. ister of the church on the farm which ministers Evicted sharecroppers, whose only offence was to the sharecroppers. Church boards of home membership and activity in a labor union known missions, local churches, labor unions and a host as the Southern Tenant Farmer's Union, had of others who are concerned about the evils of brought upon them the wrath of landowners and sharecropping have aided and abetted this worthy riding bosses on tenant plantations. These were and most important enterprise. invited to live on the farm and join the cooperative enterprise. From roadside colonies of evicted sharecroppers, from hiding places in woods and
Twenty–Five Years Ago and
By PROFESSOR ROSS J. GRIFFETH, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana Secretary of the National Rural Church Commission, Disciples of Christ T ODAY, in Madison Township, Morgan ways; automobiles; Indianapolis less than thirty County, Indiana, there are three church minutes drive; Public Enemy Number One? buildings, all of brick, well built. Two stand This is the picture of one rural community in idle almost all the time, with only an occasional which are to be found a fairly stable population, feeble effort at holding Sunday school to break the many well educated people, above-the-average eco- silence of one. Sporadic emotional outbursts in nomic prosperity, several aggressive workers in the second are reminiscent ghosts of revival meet- cooperative enterprises, a small group of church ings from the long ago, but now the effects of re- leaders who have become increasingly conscious vival efforts are shadowy, swiftly gone. Two of the plight and the importance of the rural other church buildings which once served the church. Such a picture, with different highlights, countryside are only memories in the minds and is repeated in many hundreds of American rural hearts of the few remaining septuagenarians communities.
whose residence extends so far back. The one How did this condition come to be? Trace the church which has regular services-Sunday morn- broader outlines of American history that, during ing only – is served by a minister who lives in the last twenty-five years, have led to the present Indianapolis, drives out Sunday morning and back situation; then glance at some of the measured to the city in the afternoon. factors that have contributed to the development Madison township is strictly rural. It has no of present-day rural church problems; finally, restore, no industrial enterprise save a canning fac- lieve the gloom by considering the work of two tory that cares for the local tomato crop. One or three rural churches in which important strides blacksmith shop with the ubiquitous gasoline have been made toward solving local problems.
pump, and one other gasoline pump furnish the Rural Progress Since 1912 only strictly nonagricultural pursuits, and even these are operated by farmers. What picture do we have of the church and its Approximately one hundred and thirty families community twenty-five years ago? Turn back the with less than six hundred individuals, make up pages of memory, but do not trust memory too the population. Sunday school attendance aver- much. You may be romancing.
ages fifty-five, and church attendance is about the The last large area of cultivable land within same. The church roll has on it eighty-six resi- the boundaries of the United States had been dent members, about sixteen per cent of the pop- claimed twenty-five' years ago. Some of it was ulation but some one hundred fifty of the people well settled; some only partially. The pioneer are touched by the church in some way. In so far spirit that had driven men out to make new geo- as the other four hundred are concerned, except graphical conquests was beginning to turn them as a landmark, the church is nonexistent. toward subduing the last virgin prairies and for- A consolidated school across the highway from ests. Here and there a voice of warning was the active church provides education through the raised in protest against the careless exploitation first eight grades. Twenty-nine young people at- of loam and woodland, but these voices were gen- tend high school in a near-by town, the home of erally unheeded. What did professors in .agricul- the once Public Enemy Number One, John Dil- tural colleges know? Was not the wealth of the linger. Only one of the twenty-nine high'school continent inexhaustible!
youths attends church regularly; a half dozen Itinerant evangelists at irregular intervals others come at infrequent intervals. brought emotional revivals to hamlet and country- What is the relationship between these factors: side. Now and again greater evangelists sent the the open country; closed churches; a nonresident populace of metropolitan areas to their knees- minister; inadequate religious training for for a time. Preaching was generally doctrinal.
youths; a satisfactory school system; paved high- The Church was seldom conceived of as having a . [290] social program for the community, but worked expanded, overmechanized. Land speculation valiantly to meet, in its own way, the needs of the brought economic disaster to many thousands of people as they were then understood. farmers. Land prices, averaging $108 per acre in 1920, fell to $76 per acre in 1926. Thus the The earlier pioneers had built churches as well equity of many who dreamed of one day calling as homes. No landscape of the prairies was with- rich farms their own, vanished, and these found out its church steeple. "The church in the wild- themselves to be tenants on soil owned by the wood" was an ever-present fact and an inescap- mortgage holder, or else they sought employment able factor in the life of each community. in the great city.
TENANT'S HOUSES IN ARKANSAS (Near Dyess Colony) The church, in both rural and urban areas, faced new problems, new forms of vice, new so- Twenty-five years ago the United States seldom cial and economic problems. Young people went looked beyond its own borders. Weekly news- to college or to industrial centers. The rural papers, and less frequently issued farm papers, church was all but stripped of its maturing leadbrought news of the larger community to the rela- ership. Urban churches could not provide for all tively contented countryside. Woodrow Wilson, who were thus transplanted. On the basis of sevwhose primary interest was in domestic problems, eral local surveys, it has been estimated that in was elected President. The policies, which in 1913 moving into Indianapolis, more Disciples of Christ he characterized under the title, "The New Free- failed to identify themselves with an urban church dom," aimed to bring a larger measure of privi- than there were in all the Disciples churches withlege to the citizens of limited or average means. in that city. They did not take account of Europe, the Far East, or African rubber plantations. Rural Amer- Under these conditions, secularism grew apace. ica had its problems, to be sure, but Wall Street Economic problems in rural areas left the church appeared to many to be only the major expression helpless. The depression came to rural America of Satan; banking reform, antitrust legislation, nearly ten years before October 29, 1929. In and farm loans at four or five per cent interest, 1919, wheat sold at $2.14 per bushel; in 1921 the seemed adequate to meet all needs. price was $1.19. There was no corresponding change in taxes; no lowering of the farmers' ex- Automobiles were few and expensive. Prac- penses. The church shared in the economic distically impassable roads seemed an insurmount- aster. While in 1925 and 1926 the United States, able obstacle to their general use. Telephones, taken as a whole, reached its all""time high in givhowever, had reached out into the back country ing to the church and to missionary enterprises, and had broken down some of the rural isolation. Rural mail delivery was becoming significant. In FARMER'S HOME' IN DYESS COLONY, ARKANSAS many communities the kerosene lamp appeared to be the final achievement in rural lighting. Farm the rural church was, at that time, struggling to machinery operated by other than anImal or man live. Trained ministers had migrated to the city power was beyond the thoughts of most tillers of and few were being trained to meet the needs of the soil. rural fields; and, tragically, few seemed to care.
Then came the World War. Agriculture ex- Then came the industrial depression. Boys and panded to feed hungry armies. Farmer lads were girls who, in the previous decade, would have gone torn from the soil to taste of travel, the devasta- to the cities, remained on farms. But mechanized tion of international strife, vice such as always farming, farm surpluses, ruinous prices (wheat marches with armies seeking to kill, and to rub brought the farmer twenty-five or twenty-six shoulders with sophisticates from bright light dis- cents a bushel in Oklahoma in 1933) made these tricts or crowded slums. young people an economic liability rather than an With the war over, agriculture was over-
asset as in pioneer days. The rural church was million, who took with them youth, vigor, ambition, and almost powerless to help in the crisis. To farm- up to thirty-five billi'On dollars of wealth. ers, ministers seemed to be a luxury. Thousands of churches said, "We shall do without a minister These facts lead to certain conclusions: until times are better." The income of churches fell off, as did that of individuals, only the (1) Cities cannot live without additions to their churches suffered most. Communities that once populations from rural areas; maintained, even though with pitiful inadequacy, two, three, four, or five, church buildings, could (2) The future city church cannot grow unless scarcely keep one going. The church of the open the rural churches prosper; country, in numberless cases, closed up or ceased to do more than give feeble evidences of life. Vil- (3) The cities, which have received vast lage churches fared little better. amounts of wealth from farms, must help, in a financial way, the rural congregations so that they Today the picture begins to brighten. Is it twi. may again be effective; light or dawn? Vigorous Christian leaders are determined to rehabilitate the rural church; they (4) Both rural and urban churches must, in are determined to make it dawn. As we behold the future, cultivate their fields more intensively what seems to be the opening eyelids of the morn- and reap a larger harvest of souls from a stable ing, let us take note of certain facts that must be or declining population, or they must perish. considered in any program of reconstruction. Tenantry and the Rural Church Rural Churches and Changing Life The President's Committee on Farm Tenantry Our survey of the larger American scene has reported on February 16, 1937, that "Tenancy has barely hinted at epoch-making factors that have increased from 25 per cent of all farmers in 1880 dynamited the life of a people and made debris of to 42 per cent in 1935. Because of debt, the aconce well-ordered thoughts. With old thought tual equity of operating owners is far less than patterns shattered, it is necessary to form new these figures indicate" (p. 3). What does this ones. The past must be pondered if we are to mean to the church? erect rock-founded structures for the future. Robert E. Hanson, graduate student in Butler Professor E. C. Cameron, whose invigorating University, College of Religion, who has just compublished articles, inspiring teaching, and dy- pleted a study of rural Churches of Christ in Innamic deeds were arousing numberless Christians diana, found that 69 per cent of rural church to meet the challenge of needy rural fields, and members were farmers. The other 31 per cent whose early death last December brought sorrow was composed of business men, professional men, to all whose hearts beat in sympathy and with and persons in other occupations. Of the farmhope for rural Christians everywhere, has writ- ers, 67 per cent owned their farms, 29 per cent ten: were tenants, four per cent were hired hands. No definite figures are available for comparison, but Until the last few years we had assumed that the people it is certain that the percentage of farm owners of our nation would one day number two hundred million. who are church members is higher than the per- Upon the basis 'Of this continued expansion, our Chambers centage of tenants who belong to church. Furof Commerce envisioned growing cities, new and larger ther, the financial support of the church rests in public buildings, an ever-gr'Owing demand for industrial large measure upon the farmer who owns his products. Educational leaders prepared for larger enroll- land. The tenants, because of insecurity, find it ments in grades and colleges. Churches were built t'O care difficult to feel that any investments they make in for congregations expected to become large as a matter of the local church will be of continuing service to course. Our national life was permeated by.an optimistic them. and invigorating, if a little slap-dash in style, phil'Osophy of expansion. According to figures published in Wallaces' Farmer, on February 13, 1937, 34 per cent of all Since 1932 we have been brought up with a jerk. On Iowa farmers had been on their farms less than the basis of the 1930 census, and other data, Dr. O. E. two years and 25 per cent more had been on their Baker, Senior Agricultural Economist, Department of farms from' two to five years. Thus, 59 per cent Agriculture, figures that our p'Opulation will reach a top of Iowa tenant farmers had been on their Jarms of one hundred thirty-two million in 1945, and then dr'Op five years or less. It is difficult, if not impossible, to one hundred twenty-seven million in 1960, and under to build significant churches or important comone hundred million by 1990.· munity programs with such shifting populations. To bring stability in the church tomorrow, the There is ample evidence that all cities 'Of 2,500 popula- tenant farmers must be helped to purchase their tion and above are not having enough births to keep their farms today. population at present levels. The surplus births which feed our cities and continue our populati'On growth occur Indiana has often been used for surveys of one in rural districts and mainly bel'Ow the Mason-Dixon line. kind and another, especially church surveys. As- suming that Indiana is typical of rural America, Following Dr. Baker again, from 1920 to 1930, nineteen milli'On farm boys and girls went to the cities; thirteen million returned, leaving a net gain to the cities of six
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO AND NOW
and the Disciples of Christ are typical of Indiana, in the community. On June 6, 1937, Mr. Hugh here are miscellaneous facts discovered by Robert T. Miller, of Columbus, Indiana, son of John C. E. Hansen that tell the plight of the rural church Miller, himself a minister until conditions beyond in America. his control kept him from the work, will serve as representative of his family and formally give to Only 30 per cent of the rural churches have full-time the trustees of the Nineveh Church of Christ the ministers. family farm of eighty acres. The house is to serve as the parsonage. The present minister, G. F. Only 53 per cent of the members of rural churches are Powers, will share the rural life of his parishactive. ioners by planting a garden, keeping chickens and a cow, and living close to the soil. He will not do Forty-eight per cent of the rural Sunday schools make extensive farming so as to hinder his ministerial no provision for leadership training. One-third more have work but will further his worK by sharing the life had but a single leadership training course. of his people.
Only 48 per cent of the rural ministers live on the field The congregation at Stilesville, Indiana, decided they serve. that it needed something more than a one-room meeting house. With Albert Reitzel in charge, Eighty-seven per cent of the rural ministers have had seven men, with four teams, dug a basement in little or no training which especially fits them for work two and one-half days. Harvey McClellan arin the rural field. A RURAL CHURCH IN MORGAN CITY, INDIANA The Way Out ranged for the needed sand and gravel. Under Are the rural churches today capable of serv- the direction of Theodore Mullis and Robert Rhea, ing the communities in which they are located in the cement floor and walls of the basement were such a way that the moral and spiritual founda- completed in l~ss than four days. Bernard O'Rear tions of the communities will be made secure? and Chester Gregory, using volunteer groups of The answer, of course, varies from place to place. men and boys, built the structure over the base- Thousands of rural churches have closed their ment. Schuyler Arnold attended to the finishing doors. Economic necessity, loss of leadership, work. In one way or another, every member of population shifts, have all done their share to the church and Sunday school was used. The chilmake the abandoned rural church an all too fa- dren enjoyed sharing in the clean up. miliar sight. Fortunately there is an increasing number of communities where planned movements The formula for making the individual rural toward unity have eliminated wasteful competi" church effective is simple. The main elements tion between rival denominations and have made are: devotion to Christ; a vision; the willingfora finer community spirit. Here are the things ness to see it through. The church does not so some Indiana churches are doing to make the much need expert leaders as devoted leaders who church effective. will act as well as dream.
Rev. Lee Tinsley, fifty years a minister, chair- What will the rural church be twenty-five years man of the Indiana Rural Church Commission, from now? That depends upon what we now Disciples of Christ, has made the church a com- start to make it. munity center. Whenever the farmers think of holding any kind of meeting, they think of the Little Flat Rock church. When Sunday comes, their automobiles know how to stop at the church. Each year a Rural Church Week is observed, and each day of the week some group is stimulated to undertake a larger task within the church.
Nineveh, Indiana, has but one church now. Another passed out of existence many years ago. From this continuing church have gone out two Superintendents of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana, several ministers, missionaries, college professors, and many public school teachers, as well as to other callings. The church was founded in 1832. About thirty-five years ago, a beloved minister, John C. Miller, who lived on a farm a half-mile from the church, went to his eternal reward. The children held the farm and continued to make substantial contributions to the budget of the church although they no longer lived
the Fountains
By the REV. HENRY W. McLAUGHLIN, Richmond, Virginia Director of the Department of Country Church and Sunday School Extension, Presbyterian Church in the United States FROM over the hills of yesterday come the Ills and the Cure memories of a fountain by which stood great oak trees. Near this spring my grandfather There are many things in the world today which selected the location, and erected the two-story log are calculated to give us grave concern. The conhouse in which I was born. Here I used to play flicts between labor and capital, the constant inunder the watchful eye of my grandmother. As crease in the manufacture of implements of war, in Wordsworth's lines- the international jealousies and misunderstand- ings, the enlarging use of intoxicants, the increase We lay beneath a spreading oak, of crime, and the breakdown of family life-all Beside a mossy seat; are indications of modern trends which threaten the peace and happiness of the world. If we And from the turf a fountain broke should permit ourselves to dwell upon these mod- And gurgled at our feet. ern trends, we would all tend to become pessi- mists. Indeed, I would be a weeping Jeremiah if I One of the chores, when I was a lad on my fa- did not believe that there is a remedy for society. ther's farm, was to keep this spring clean. The good health of the family depended upon it. Never In the World War, President Woodrow Wilson was there a case of typhoid fever in our family, called our American youth to arms and across the save one, and that contracted away from home. seas four million strong. He called them with the That spring, the sole source of the family water slogan – "We must make the world safe for desupply was but one of many thousands of sources mocracy." What we need in our new emergency of the Ohio River and its tributaries. in America, where the dangers are from within rather than from without, is a democracy which In Psalm 104, the 10th verse, we read: "He is safe for the world. If we are to have such a sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run democracy, our citizens, the self-sovereigns, must among the hills." be intelligent and trustworthy. We are spending millions of money to make our citizens intelligent. We are beginning to appreciate our great rivers Never has the world seen such another adventure as means of transportation and sources of power. in education as is found in our great public school There is, however, a very vital relationship be- system-from the little one-room school houses to tween the springs that run among the hills and the great universities. We are discovering, howthe rivers. If the springs should dry up, our river ever, that crime grows apace, and that educated beds would become stagnant pools. criminals are a greater menace than those who are illiterate. Education alone will not guarantee A few months ago I visited Habersham and us a democracy which is safe for the world. All Hall Counties in North Georgia. There I saw our citizens might be as highly educated as Aaron those beautiful crystal springs that burst from the mountainside and form the source of the Chattahoochee, and I was reminded of the song of one of our Southern poets, Sidney Lanier- But oh, not the hills of Habersham, Burr, and yet democracy would fail. We might And oh, not the valleys of Hall have miraculous power to transform the machines Avail: I am fain for to water the plain. of war into implements of peace, or alcohol and Downward the voices of Duty call- narcotics into water and harmless drugs as a re- Downward, to toil and be mixed with the main; cent play by H. G. Wells shows, but unless there The dry fields burn, and the mills are to turn, were so-me power to change the charact~rs and And a myriad flowers mortally yearn, motivations of people and to make them trust- And the lorIdly main from beyond the plain worthy, their selfish civilization would prove a Calls o'er the hills of Habersham, failure. Calls through the valleys of Hall.
As the fountains among the hills are the sources We believe that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus of the rivers, so are the country communities to Christ is the one dynamic that can change men society as a whole. and can rightly motivate them. As the Apostle [294 ] Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel: for of today will have six times as many descendants as 1,000 it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone city people. The rural people, like the meek, seem very that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the likely to inherit the earth, or at least to acquire the use Greek." What the Gospel will do for the indi- of it. vidual, it will do for society. Our need in America, where we have so many ills and so many nos- It will be noted (see graph) that in the cities, trums offered as a cure, is that we as a people be- largely of American stock,there are only 225 chilcome Christian not merely in name but in reality. dren under five years of age for every 1,000 But no nation was ever made Christian by at- women 15 to 45 years of age; while in the rural tempting to make it Christian in the cities alone. The crying need of the hour is to make the people NUMBER OF FARMS of America Christian at the sources. We cannot have clear and beautiful rivers from muddy springs. We cannot have a Christian America unless the sources of society are Christian.
The Sources in Rural Life The country communities are the sources of so- nonfarm population, which consists of the dwellciety, because here a large number of children are ers in cotton mills, mining, lumber and other vilborn and reared. According to Kolb and Brunner lages, there are 471; while on the farms there are in their "Study of Rural Society," in the cities 545 children for every 1,000 women of child-bearthere are only four families out of every 100 ing age. In some of our Southern counties there which have four or more children. On our Amer- are almost as many children under five years as ican farms 40 out of every 100 families have four there are women from 15 to 45 years of age. Dr. or more children. Or to put it another way, in Baker calls attention to the fact that it requires our cities there are only 38 people out of every 370 children per 1,000 women to maintain a sta- 100 under 20 years of age. In our villages there are 48 out of every 100 persons under 20 years of ro tionary population. Roughly speaking,there are age; while on our farms there are 52 out of every 100 under 20 years of age. 25 less children born in our cities than are Dr. O. E. Baker, Senior Agricultural Economist ro necessary to keep the population stationary, while of the United States, in a recent address, said: on our American farms there are 50 more than In our large cities today ten adults are having about are necessary to keep the population stationary. seven children. If the birthrate remains stationary, these The rural communities are, therefore, the main sources of society. NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE PER 1.000 WOMEN 15 TO 45 YEARS OF AGE IN"UNITED STATES.APRIL 1.1930 The Rural Work Commission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has issued a report CLASS OF POPULATION NUMBER OF CHILDREN PER 1.000 WOMEN showing that church membership and Sunday 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 000 school enrollment run very much lower among the o rural people than in the urban districts. From their Report No. I, and other sources of infor- URBAN mation, we gleaned the facts tabulated below. Note that we are giving the urban and rural pop- All CITIES II ulations of the sixteen Southern states and the OVER 100.000 — — – – 293 District of Columbia; we also give the church POPULATION II membership, nonchurch population and the per- centage of church membership both in the urban ALL CITlES ABOUT 310 CHILDREN PER 1.000 WOMEN and rural areas; likewise totals in the sixteen WERE NECESSARY rONA/NTAIN POPULATION Southern states and the District of Columbia. 2.500 TO 100.000 – – – – 341 STATIONARY IN 10&0 Clean Fountains and Pure Rivers POPULATION IIII Our rather extensive studies reveal the fact that RURAL if you answer three questions about the people IIIII who live in the communities that lie within the RURAL NON-FARM (MOSTLY VILLAGE)— 47 t POPULATION LESLIE COUNTY IIIII EASTERN KENTUCKY – 91 5 (95% ON FARMS) • PORTLAND (ORECON). SAN FRANCISCO. LOS ANGELES. KANSAS CITY, ST LOUIS, NASHVILLE. AND ATLANTA seven in turn will have only five, and these five only three and one-half children. In three generations, or a century, these cities would decline to about one-third their present population, unless they received accessions from outside. A century is not a long span in the history of a nation. In the farm population, on the other hand, ten adults are now having thirteen children. If the birthrate remains stationary, these thirteen in turn will have seventeen children, and these seventeen would have twenty-two children. It appears likely that a century hence 1,000 farm people
trade area of a city, you can tell almost exactly the purpose of purifying the water supply alone. what will be the crime record of that city. Should they not be interested even more in purify- ing the fountains from which flow their popula- What proportion of the people dQ not own their homes? tions? Shall the new generation now being reared What proportion of the people are not members of any on our American farms, many of whom must church? inevitably flow to the cities, go there as Christians What proportion of the people are not enrolled in any or as potential criminals? That question must Sunday school? be answered by the churches of America in this generation. Where non-home ownership, and non-church membership, and non-Sunday school enrollment Christ not only shows the way of righteousness, run high, in the communities constituting the but furnishes the power by which men may walk sources of society, the cities which are fed by these in that Way. He offers the only dynamic that sources have a high crime' record. The annual can rightly motivate living and banish selfishness. cost of crime is a tax on our American people of Therefore, the only hope of society in America something like $120.00 per capita. But it is not and in the world is through the power of Christ. the cost of crime that is the worst feature. Crime Only when He has been enthroned in the hearts is but a symptom, as pain is a symptom of cancer. of men, only when we seek first the kingdom of Think of all the sorrow, suffering, wretchedness, God and His righteousness can we settle our diffidegradation, depravity, sin that lies back of this culties, and solve our economic, political and socost of crime. Think of the people who are at the cial problems. Only thus will crime be abolished; very sources of society, with lost souls because only thus will we learn war no more and make they have been neglected by the Church. Our pure and happy the home life of the people. cities are tremendously interested in keeping pure their sources of milk and water supplies. Some Keep the fountains clean! of our cities are spending millions of dollars for URBAN RURAL Percentage Percentage Nonchurch Church Church Population Members Church Nonchurch Church Members States Populations Population Members Population Members Alabama …………. 744,273 345,867 398,406 46.4 1,901,975 871,303 1,030,672 45.8 FAlrokraidnasas…………………….. 282,878 182,672 200,206 47.7 1,471,604 759,778 267,747 492.,031 35.2 438,435 1,033,169 29.7 Georgia ………….. 895,492 427,573 467,919 47.7 708,433 799,026 433,712, 365,314 54.2 2,013,014 260,633 447,800 36.7 ………… Kentucky •• 0 ••••••••• 833,532 1,815,563 974,869 1,268,061 922,611 1,090,413 43.8 Louisiana 338,850 1,859,119 656,657 617,792 1,197,771 34.0 MMMiiassrssyiosluasrinipdpi……………………………… 809,847 1,670,971 821,621 500,636 332,896 60.0 1,770,248 536,372 731,689 42.2 North Carolina ……. 371,080 523,270 451,599 53.6 2,326,429 896,538 1,574,359 235,096 421,561 35.8 OSToeknulanthheossmCeaaero..li..n..a……………………. 2,389,348 1,367,685 TWVeierxsgatisnVi.ai.r.g..i.n…ia………………………. 785,537 170,844 168,006 50.2 1,720,018 629,665 1,041,306 37.6 . District of Columbia . 491,514 967,323 891,796 52.0 3,435,367 486,869 1,636,314 613,955 1,156,293 34.6 1,237,701 392,321 417,526 48.6 1,014,684 1,345,745 42.9 282,264 539,417 34.8 … ….. 221,694 149,386 59.7 298,819 1,275,540 18.9 651,834 715,851 47.7 409,750 486,788 45.7 608,283 1,111,737 35.3 1,060,075 1,329,273 44.3 1,220,291 2,215,076 35.5 418,268 367,269 53.2 754,179 882,135 46.1 227,684 263,820 46.3 304,299 933,402 24.5 . ……. …….. 238,871 247,998 49.0 14,640,161 7,070,571 7,569,650 48.2 26,598,399 9,978,251 16,630,150 37.5 POPULATION, CHURCH MEMBERS AND NON-CHURCH MEMBERS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES Here it will be seen that while about 36% of the population of these states are in urban communities, and 64510 live in rural districts, only 37% of the rural population is included on the church rolls. There are over 16 million people in rural areas who are included in the non-church population, or nearly twice as many as in the cities.
Workers in Rural
By REV. HILDA L. IVES, Newton Center, Massachusetts Executive Secretary of the Associated Commissions for the Development of the Rural Churches in New England EVERYTHING has its good and its bad side. it will not be done in great areas of rural Amer- The sun can scorch and destroy, even as it ica. There is no one else to do it.
can invigorate and call forth life. A Christian ministerishould not prescribe treat- So the rulfal community, near to fields of slum- ment for the syphilitic man, but he should know bering seed, waiting the touch of the sun, close to the early and late symptoms of the disease. A forests vibrant with song, in the midst of flower- minister should not treat the mental case, but he ing and fragrant meadows, also contains homes should know the symptoms of a disordered mind of squalor, of stark unadornment and of menacing -the signals of danger in hypersensitive person- conditions of life. alities. A minister should not set bones but he The slums of a city rend the heart. People should be able to put on a tourniquet in times of underprivileged and poor, through little fault of accident and give first aid in the innumerable their own, are herded together in surroundings emergencies of farm life when no other help is that suggest no handiwork of God. There are at hand. The minister must 'Je the spiritual con- hot pavements, crowded tenements, cluttered tact man: one who will astablish contact between yards, many with no blade of grass! These are the person in his need and tIie social reliefs and man made-both the slums and the setting. Slums the scientific helps of the modern age. He must in a rural community are paradoxical. God and especially be a man who will establish contact with life and beauty abound everywhere; man alone the dynamic resources of the Living God through is degraded, unlovely and not free. Jesus Christ, for the renewal and the regeneration The meadow shack, the home of a rural squat- of body, mind and spirit. ter, the isolated cabin jammed with family life, After one hundred years and more of continued the temporary homes built around sawmills or work the rural church of the United States has logging operations in the woods, are not only an failed to reach four-fifths of its constituency. It insult to the sun, to bracing winds and to ov~r- must dare to face its failure and the reasons for shadowing mountains and hills, but are an insult it. May it not be true that the churches, with to God Himself. their emphasis on preaching and teaching, have As one thinks of "case work" among families opened the hearts of very limited numbers to real in the cities, families that must be rehabilitated religious experience of God? Jesus' approach to and restored, there comes to mind innumerable the hearts of men was constantly through the philanthropic agencies equipped with personnel alleviation of hunger, pain and acute mental and and means to meet human need. Witness the physical distress. He found people and went Community Chests of the cities with budgets that about doing good. The Samaritan woman by the reach into the millions and with concentrated well did not seek Him. He first spoke to her wealth to tap. But as one surveys the villages and as she drew water. He recognized and knew the hamlets, the available philanthropic resources her moral problem of having had five husbands are few and the trained social workers for the and of living with a man who was not her hus- most part are many miles away. band. The man of Gadara out of the tombs did These very facts create an unparalleled oppor- not seek Jesus. Jesus met him "whom no man tunity for the rural ministers of Christ. A King- could bind and who always day and. night was in dom of Service is waiting for them-a service to the mountains crying and cutting himself with rural folk in their deepest need. But this service stones." The multitude at the pool of the sheep is only possible for a ministry that is trained to market did not come to Jesus. He went where detect and understand these needs, with knowl- the blind, the halt and the withered were gathered edge of how to ameliorate existing conditions and and told an impotent man, who for thirty-eight with spiritual power to transform and restore life. years had been waiting for help, to arise and take If the minister of Christ cannot give physical, up his bed and walk.
moral and spiritual first aid, one thing is certain: A fair critic of the rural ministry must realize [297]
how inadequate is the preparation of the average tive hearts-a wedge that opens the heart with- minister for vital case work. Run over the cur- out its conscious knowledge and allows the warmth ricula of the theological seminaries if proof of and glow of friendly understanding and interest such a statement is needed. There is, however, to enter. It is true, probably, that the majority encouragement in an awakening to the need. A of people feel real hesitation in asking a minister bulletin of the Andover Newton Theological for practical and material assistance unless they Scho,ol at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, has this are loyal to the church which he serves. For the heading: "Supervised Clinical Experience for same reason they very often do not reveal to the Students of Pastoral Psychology" under Professor minister in his calls of friendship, their most per- Philip Guiles. The report of the Investigating sonal problems, or their most devastating de- Committee of the American Association of The- spairs, unless he tactfully shows that he knows of ological Schools as regards Clinical Training for their difficulty and desires their happiness and Theological students contains the following para- welfare. A minister who serves in life's emer- graph: gencies, when all human reliances are set aside The Council for Clinical Training and the Earhart by pain or poverty, can gain an entrance into a Foundation are the only two organizations offering a care- man's heart and inner life that can' come in no fully conceived plan of training on an interdenominational other way. He becomes associated with the whole basis. Therefore this study has been confined to them. healing plan that can be worked out in coopera- The Council for Clinical Training has taken as its aim, tion with other experts. It is one thing for a "To provide for students for the ministry opportunities minister to enter the ward of a hospital, and find to obtain clinical experience in dealing with the infirmities of mankind." Training is offered to a limited number of there a parishioner injured or ill and then work qualified students from theological seminaries of recog- out a way to sustain him by friendliness, counsel nized standing irrespective of denomination. It consists and prayer; it is another thing to be called as a of directed case work and study of the social resources of Man of God at the moment of dire need. the community; actual work with patients in the hospitals and clinics; participation in the medical ward rounds and I remember a call that came once from a young conferences with regard to these patients; and, finally, mother on an isolated farm. The message over seminars in which general physician, psychiatrist, psy- the telephone said, "Come at once please, Ma is chologist, and social worker discuss together with the theological students the patients with whom they are awful sick." I hurried to the farm home which working. was set far back on a rough country road. Rural Up to the present, the work has been confined electrification was too expensive for such areas of to patients in hospitals. The scope and influence the country. The little son had walked six miles of this work must be extended to many other types to reach a telephone to call me to his mother's aid. of institutions, and into the parishes of ministers I overtook him, as I drove along the road; he was that are eager for such education and help for a hot, distressed little figure knowing something their people. very bad was happening to his mother. To be a little boy and to have something wrong with one's Thousands and millions of suffering souls in the cities seek the clinics, hospitals, family welfare mother is like pending doom. societies and temporary shelter without the guid- As I entered the home I could see the high color ance or sympathetic friendliness of a minister of God. The deep and deserved loyalties of these of fever on the pallid face, the intense suffering people are given permanently to these social work- from pain. A doctor was on his way, but fifteen ers, these doctors and these nurses. The Church miles could not be covered in a very short time. should realize what its ministry has lost in not Here was my chance as a case worker to give being called upon as the helpful servant in the courage, tenderness, God-to prepare the way for emergencies of human life and the ministering possible hospital treatment; to tell of the friendfriend in time of greatest need. The rural min- liness and goodness of doctors and nurses so that ister need not be so handicapped. If he is worthy they might not seem to be strangers; to assure the of being a trained case worker for Christ, his mother that every care would be taken of her fields are already before him-white unto harvest. home during her absence; and to let her know that I would stand by her through thick and thin. Naturally I put my hand on her hot feverish head Someone may well ask, "Cannot the minister and prayed that the cooling healing touch of the gain the deep loyalties of the people on the spir- Master- might make her whole-that touch which itual plane apart from the other ministries of drew its life from an unswerving faith 'that no relief?" The answer is that a head-on, direct ap- permanent harm could ever come to a child of proach to the religious needs of people who do not God, the Father. .
feel, to any marked degree, the need of God, and There are several qualities that must belong to who do not want anyone's help to find Him, is not a Christian case worker. His parish must know the Christian touch on human hearts. The min- that all confidences are placed in a spiritual safe ister must find the entering wedge into unrecep- which holds them in'violate. The case worker
CASE WORKERS IN RURAL AREAS
must consider as sacred the disclosures of to forgive to the number of seventy times seven. wounded hearts. A Christian case worker has really to love the The Christian case worker must not be afraid unlovely. He must believe that every human soul to face facts frankly with a friend. I remember is precious in the sight of God. So the search to the case of a girl who had lost her position in a reach that soul of man becomes a spiritual advencommercial firm. Word came that she was dis- ture of trust and of love. A soul may be growing couraged so I went to seek her out. As she came by the grace of God; it may be struggling in the to the door to talk with me, I knew almost in- midst of sin; it may be buried deep; but to a stantly the truth about her condition. Her body Christian case worker, the soul of a man must be revealed definite disease in an advanced form. reached. One would never dare believe that a At my request we withdrew to a stone wall some soul could be awakened apart from God. Only distance from the farmhouse where her mother those case workers who by closest communion could not hear the conversation and I spoke sym- with Christ, and in closest contact with human pathetically of her loss of position and of the en- need have opened their lives to the creative life suing worry that had come to her. She gave no of God, can be used to permanently change human sign of telling the truth about herself. The time life. Social workers, uninspired by God, can be had come when I must tell her the truth so I said counted upon to achieve few real transformations quietly, of moral and spiritual life.
"You must be your own fine self. You must be A case worker must use the increasing wealth in the future strong and well. I know you are ill. of valuable publications prepared by national and You have an infection of syphilis. You haven't state social agencies. A pamphlet placed in the known, have you, how to get help? Of course you hands of a person in need can be read and reread. have been afraid. But you can be made well. In this way the quiet study of a problem can be Will you let me help you?" extremely helpful. * She burst into tears and said, "I haven't known what to do. I didn't dare to There is a question when and how prayer should tell anyone the truth." be used in pastoral visits. Only a sensitive case "Have you been close to your little sisters?" I worker can judge. One thing is sure, I believe, that prayers that throb with deep understanding of the asked. human heart, its aspirations, its denials and its "Yes, I have," she said, "I have been sharing the agonies, are life-giving to others. Prayers that share another's joy or ecstacy or pain in naturalsame bed with one of them." ness and sincerity are always welcomed and re- "Well, we'll now be sure that they are safe, too," membered. A Christian case worker should not ask if a person wants a prayer-that creates a I replied. "Have you seen a doctor?" self-conscious situation. He should never pray if "Yes," she answered. "I was better for a time he could easily be prevented from praying. He should only pray when he must. Then God speaks after my visit to him, so I didn't go back to him -not he himself. And when God whispers to man, as he suggested." man never forgets.
"Does the man in the case know of your con- The rural case worker will find that human lives will share dark secrets of sin, hidden fears and dition ?" baffiing problems of conduct if his service has "Yes, he told me that he was -ill and that I had been lowly and sacrificial. He will find that hu- man lives will be unwilling to receive suggestion better look out." of change in life's conduct or surroundings if "Is he standing by?" trust has not been established from heart to heart. "No, he left me some weeks ago, and is paying This analysis of the need of trained case workattention to a school-teacher in another town." ers for rural America applies equally to the rural "We will have to face facts with him too," I world. There are great mission fields in foreign lands whose social, health and religious needs said. "You must help me to help all who may should arouse the whole Christian Church to an have been hurt by your mistake." immediate sacrificial crusade for the alleviation of this human suffering. Out of this experience came a deep and abiding • The materials of such agencies as the Social W()rk Publicity friendship. C()uncil, the Child Welfare League of America, the National Recrea- A Christian social worker must have infinite tion ASSOCiation, the Nat()nal Probation ASSOCiation, the American Public Health ASSOCiation, the American S()cial Hygiene Associati()n, patience in dealing with cases that may need ad- the National Committee f()r Mental Hygiene, the Family Welfare justments and counsel, not only for years, but Association of America, the United States Children's Bureau and the, throughout life. The Apostle Peter's loyalty was Foreign Language Inf()rmati()n Service are heartily recommended,- not developed, even in his early intimate contact H, I. with Jesus, into a dependable, never-failing virtue. Life's strains and stresses often bring to the surface old weaknesses and sins that in hours of strength seem to have been conquered. Jesus Himself showed the need of continual patience and forgiveness when He said that one must be ready
a Farmer's Wife Sees
–tEtI~i ; ; ;v; ; ;e; ; ;fm; ; ;o; ; ;o; ; ;t= ; ; ;!JI ~- ==;;;;;B;;;;;Y;;;;;N=IN=A;;;;;B=.;;;;;HE=W;;;;;I;;;;;TT=,;;;;;R;;;;;i;;;;;ve;;;;;f;;;;;to;;;;;o;;;;;, C OMING from a farm home I have always greet the trees and plants by name, like old been farm-minded. After having lived in friends. Heaven bless the man who allows fruit- small villages, except for about three years bearing bushes and trees to grow that the birds in the capital, my home is now in the midst of may live. A fine sense of these blessings naturally farms with a magnificent Green Mountain view leads to the worship of God.
to west and north. There are few really pros- One little community that we know has "left perous farms in this area, and very few active their low-vaulted past" and has "built new temples Christians. Poverty, debts, privation and attend- nobler than the last" until they have become an ant miseries abound. earnest, organized, active Christian church with Throughout the country we are reaping the re- such an interest in serving others that their gifts for benevolences were higher per capita than any suIt of banishing religion from public schools. We other church in the district. They outgrew the have a crop of young folks whose ignorance of dance hall, remodeled an old store into a comforteverything concerning the Bible or religion is colossal. Social evils abound, such as could not able and commodious church, and' finally, to rid obtain were there a wholesome ~espect for the the place of drunken brawls and other wicked- Mosaic Law. nesses accompanying the dances, the church bought the dance hall and converted it into a par- Nine-year-old brides are not found in this vi- sonage and Community Hall supervised by the cinity, but far too many brides come to the Manse church. There was some grumbling, but the several months too late. One couple came to be community as a whole realizes the benefit. Some married bringing their baby! Incest, sodomy, of the dearest saints we know live there in that fornication, adultery are undisturbed by officers rural hamlet where now they practice cooperative of law. It is rumored that two families living in buying and selling. When Christ is given a a double house have swapped mates but not names. chance, life can be transformed and become "more Nothing is done about it. Would not a general abundant." respect for God's laws make a difference? Think of the lynchings, kidnapings, assaults and murder Farmers are peculiar creatures. They need the of young girls, one of the most recent having been influence of Jesus Christ. There is far too much perpetrated by boys of five and nine years! Why? of "each man for himself"; too little neighborly Why? How can little boys play that way? Why? helpfulness; too, much work; too little play.
Do not parents need to be educated for their re- Recreation is too far away. The whole family sponsibilities? will pile into the old Ford and drive to town to see the movies instead of helping to plan neigh- As though we could not produce enough trouble borhood good times. for ourselves, gangs of city criminals come and rob our banks, steal our chickens, our cars and Too many farm folks never know when Sunday our apples; , yes, and our beans, cucumbers and comes. They never hear a sermon, unless by sweet corn. Forgery frequently comes into our radio. They never accept the challenge of Malachi courts. Even counterfeiting has been discovered. 3: 10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the store- It is hard to catch these thieves, for in a night house, that there may be meat in mine house; and they can go so far in automobiles. Can anyone prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, estimate the moral ruin brought about in cars if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and parked in lonely spots with curtains drawn? pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be When tares are sown what shall the harvest be? room enough to receive it."
There is a pleasanter side of the picture. Some It seems sensible for farmers to provide a house country people see God's handiwork in the for hired help; to allow the "help" to raise a few smallest blade of grass, the tiniest blossom, the calves, pigs or chickens; to furnish land for his majestic mountains, the splashing brooks, fields garden. But comparatively few such homes are of waving grain. We can see the blue sky-more seen. I wonder that the Federal A-Z does not intensely blue beyond an expanse of green field or endeavor to place some of the unemployed this above a spreading elm. It is no small pleasure to way. Government money might well be used [300] among our farmers. Our farm daughters would center where no minister ever calls, each thinking be safer than they are now with the lusty, young, those people are in the other parish. There is a often unprincipled hired man living in the farm- wide field for the Home Department of the Church er's home. Neighbor-ownership of expensive School with a faithful visitor to operate. farm machinery like tractors, harvesters, silo fillers, spraying apparatus, would be a good thing. In one parish an interesting experiment was made last summer. A friendly, energetic, city Some farmers suffer from specializing on one minister wanted a vacation in the country, to live product such as milk or potatoes, or apples. When in the parsonage and preach each week. He and the crop fails or the market is uncertain, the his family went to this little village and had a family suffers real privation. He either borrows good time visiting the people. The sermons money to keep going or skimps along somehow. pleased them. He could lead the singing. The The old-time diversified farming produced a liv- church was lacking young people. A canvass was ing. If crops failed there were the pigs, calves made and nearly two hundred were found within and chickens to help out. This region depends the bounds of that parish! Spiritual life was upon the maple sugar crop for certain income quickened; interest in church affairs was reevery year, though it varies greatly. newed; financial support was promised, even by people who never before would help – all this What the Rural Church Needs during the vacation season of one preacher and his family! If Christ were lived by preachers and It is customary for people to look to the Church laymen, it would not take long to work a treto correct all sorts of errors. But the rural church mendous change in many a rural settlement. is rather helpless. Its members are farm people who have had no training in religious education Many a country church thinks it cannot do and social service. It is hard to find anyone will- things for lack of equipment, while probably right ing to try to teach in the Sunday school-and it is in the dooryard stands a vacant house whose worse to have some teachers than none at all. We owner would gladly allow it to be used for a social need farm girls and boys who can be trained for center or sell for small price. It woud be helpful social and religious work, and who will come back if church activities were reported in local newsto the home town and become leaders. We need papers. A church news reporter or publicity preachers who can live on next to nothing- agent should tell every week what is coming and preachers filled with the Holy Spirit like the early what has been done. A woman in a little village circuit riders, full of zeal and devotion, who can do church near me takes pains to send such items to pioneer work, unhampered by family cares. Many the daily paper. More such news and less of a rural hamlet will never more have preaching crime would tend to make newspapers better unless something of this sort be done. Fine old reading. New England Meeting Houses are going to ruin because the people think they cannot pay a min- Many a community does not realize its reister's salary. sources; does not utilize the talents of its people. We cry for leaders while perhaps people with We need Ambassadors of Christ who have the leadership ability are living near and wishing for skill to present the work of the Church in such a something to do. In these days of musical trainfascinating way that the congregation will know ing in public schools, it is to be regretted that that the larger work was in the mind of Christ rural churches suffer from inadequate choirs. when He said, "Go … preach … teach … heal." We work hard during the week and easily Strong advocates of righteousness and religious doze off to sleep in a church service. The education are found in many rural churches. The message must be vital, searching, deep, command- women's missionary societies, the Christian Teming attention. It need not be marked by flowery perance Unions, the Anti-Saloon League and other oratory, but must be delivered with sincerity that organizations do valiant service. Their meetings, can be felt. The average adult gets more good their study and social gatherings furnish a means from Bible truths when expressed in language a of real growth. Horizons are broadened, interest child can understand than from a dissertation in the less fortunate of the world is awakened. crammed with seven-syllable words. The average They learn the physical, religious, moral, mental rural congregation contains few college graduates. and spiritual needs of others and then do some- thing about it. It is astonishing how the small Rural communities suffer when they are served sums we give in local societies help to roll up by a preacher from a larger town, miles away. the millions that are used "For the love of Christ Things close to home loom larger than the rural and in His name" for His "brethren" all over the parish so far from sight. We need circuit riders to come around to such places in regular routine. world. Do not forget the no-man's-land surrounding Christian citizens often forget their civic reevery organized parish – sections far from the sponsibilities. Many never go to town meeting. The worst example of the result of such laxity is
the present burden of the liquor traffic. Having In towns the nearness of people makes a differrid the country of it once, the Church could have ence, and the constant presence of distracting kept it out if they had not become careless. Why things helps one over the critical period. But we must some terrible calamity occur before right country folks have to receive our comfort (if we action is taken? We have not yet become the have any) from communion with God and medi- Church Triumphant therefore we should continue tation upon His Holy Word. to be the Church Militant. Perhaps if we were more militant the nations would be less militant. Christ told his disciples to preach, teach and "Without vision the people perish." heal the Jews first, that is, among his own people. What a Christ-like thing it would be for young The rural community is handicapped because doctors from our S~ate universities to serve their the people are so far apart, and it is so hard to own first. Older physicians well established in hold meetings, yet telephones could be put to large towns, find it nearly impossible to drive out better use than they sometimes are. We fail to into the coufitry to attend the sick. The price of utilize the advantages we have at hand. The such service is almost prohibitive, quite so to many Grange, the Home Demonstration Groups, the families. This is one of my pet "visions": that Four-H Clubs, and Ladies' Aid ought to be more townships should vote in the next meeting a sum helpful in religious and civic matters than they large enough to secure the residence of a doctor are at present. and a nurse. With these two on call, the health and happiness of our country people would be There are many, many people suffering agony, greatly improved. hopeless and helpless, hidden away on isolated farms. Oh, how country people need Jesus Christ He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what to sustain and comfort when illness or tragedy doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love enters the home! Many a time my heart has been mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. wrung by the sorrows that rural neighbors have had to bear alone-alone so far as human help is *** concerned. Everybody has all he can do. No time to call on the sick. If death comes, funerals The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the are largely attended, but in the days following lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and while going about the routine of work, there is with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the little to lift the gloom from the mourner's heart. first commandment; and the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The Country Pastor's Job By the REV. MARK RICH, Ithaca, New York I Field Representative of the Rural Institute fit- for Religious Workers D URING the past generation the country pas- The rural pastor has a tremendously significant torate has not been looked upon as a field job. His first task is that of a messenger of good for very fruitful service; country pulpits will. This follows the example of our Master as have often been used as a stepping stone to so- He walked in Galilee, teaching humble folk in called positions of wider influence in the cities. country places. The rural pastor is a herald of Neither seminary, training school, nor denomina- brotherhood and unity, not a promoter of divitional administrators have usually considered sions and discord. This needs to be emphasized town and country fields of first importance. City because it is possible that churches and pastors life has been exalted, rural life discounted, and may stir up a spirit of ill-will. Consider two inthe country church thought to be second rate in stances: comparison to the city pulpit. Not long ago two women from a struggling open As a result of this attitude surveys, field studies country church came asking help. Four miles and casual observations point to one appalling fact from their church lay a little village of seven hun- -the rapid decline of the country church. But dred inhabitants cradled in a lovely valley. There the situation is far from hopeless. There are are four churches there, each served by a minmany signs of awakening interest and of a new ister, three of whom are resident. appreciation of the task of the country minister. "Why do you not share pastors with the
THE COUNTRY PASTOR'S JOB
churches in this village?" I asked. "They can help the people of all faiths, especially during the you more than anyone else." terror of the Revolution when he was the only "Why," retorted one woman, "the churches in pastor to remain in the valley, that a new bond the village are so busy quarreling among them- of brotherhood was established. An English vis- selves that they have no time for us." itor noticed that on the communion plate in Ober- An outstanding agricultural leader, a layman lin's church were wafers, leavened and unleavened of staunch Christian character, one day spoke out bread which were taken by Catholics, Lutherans of deep conviction regarding two churches in a or Calvinists according to their conviction. Good- village. will in the enobled valley was one of the finest "It's all a man's reputation is worth," he said, among all the worthy contributions of this man.
"to become affiliated with one of the churches." So it is with every rural pastor, who draws men A cannon which stands on the village green sep- into a common brotherhood in Christ. This is the arating the churches is symbolic of the iII-will unique job of the rural minister.
they stir up in the hearts of some people. Merely to have one church in a village, instead Unfortunately these are not isolated instances. of four, does not insure spiritual vitality and right Such results come from too many competitive relationships among the people. But, it has been country churches. They are so involved in the proved that the active promotion of unity is a way things which keep them apart that they have no to keep right relationships.
time for the main business of reaching people with A country pastor has also the opportunity of the Gospel. That is the malady which is afflicting interpreting spiritual reality to people who live hundreds of American churches. In seeking to on the land. The church is an agency for the ex- save themselves they are not only losing their pression and transmission of spiritual truth. Jesus lives but failing to save the community. A pastor taught truth about God, about the right relation or a church which promotes discord is not of of man to man, and of man to God, in ways that Christ. were understandable to his hearers. Sometimes At its best the Christian church brings God's one wonders how people>ever came to think that message of goodwill and unity. A lover of rural preaching an involved theology is the way to build life and an ardent church worker recently bore a church. Theology ought not be removed from testimony to this fact when she said to a large life, but a large proportion of sermons, both con- gathering of her fellow church members: "This servative and progressive, are far removed from parish has made it possible for us to call one an- the interests and understanding of the hearers.
other friends." The country preacher, following his Master, Not many months ago I visited a saintly aged ought to explain the eternal truths in terms which minister in a tiny hamlet. Once two churches, are comprehensible. For this task, he will find decadent and hopeless, served the farmers of the much material in the everyday life of country narrow valley. His first entrance into the com- people. But to understand these things the min- munity was welcomed by members of one church ister himself must be rooted in the soil. A num- only. The others were indifferent, or hostile. One ber of prominent rural church leaders and mis- woman vowed that no minister of the other de- sionaries are saying that no missionary should go nomination would ever darken the doorstep of to the foreign field and no pastor to a rural church her house. Some would not even attend a funeral without an agricultural college background. How service held in the other church. far much of our preparation has missed the mark!
Later the woman repented and the minister was A rural minister should know something about invited into her home for Sunday dinner. Now the work in which his people are engaged. In a the two congregations are worshipping together dairy region he could at least know the difference in happy fellowship. Why this change? Simply between a Holstein and a Guernsey cow and be because the pastor has the spirit of Christ in his conversant with some of the basic problems facing heart. He would not stoop to littleness, to bicker- the dairy industry. He ought to thrill at the sight ings or ill-will. He represents the attitude and of an elm tree, appreciate flowers, the glories of task of the truly Christian minister. rural life. He must be one who understands.
An Ideal Country Pastor If the rural pastor finds spiritual reality in the country he can help interpret it to the people, and John Frederick Oberlin, perhaps more than any will find receptive hearts. Many a farmer finds a other represents the ideal country pastor. Trained deep abiding joy in his work. Of this he may be to a doctor's degree at the University of Strass- but half conscious and one of the jobs of the pastor burg, he gave himself for nigh 60 years to the is to help him develop this appreciation.
needy people of the Valley of Stone in the isolated Perhaps the least part of a country minister's Vosges mountains. Like his Master he went about task is the pulpit. The ministry of John Fred- doing good. Oberlin had so endeared himself to erick Oberlin did not consist in oracular announce-
ments. After his sermon he might implore his conventions. Some recognition is craved by every people to build a road, to clean up their houses or man, including the rural minister, but he will to plant a tree in the name of God, but he never probably have to do with less than do some others. ended with that. On Monday he took his pick and shovel and set the example in building roads or in But the rewards outnumber the disadvantages. planting trees. To get rid of disease or to build a An alert and consecrated rural minister can have the satisfaction of doing a creative piece of work. YOUNG PEOPLE'S RURAL WEEK-END CONFERENCE IN The rural church is today in a condition of flux. GROTON COMMUNITY PARISH-SIX CHURCHES OF THREE Old forms are being sloughed off and new forms are emerging. He who builds today is setting the DElNOMINATIONS ARE COOPERATING IN THIS patterns for the future and the pioneer does not LARGER PARISH ask for monetary rewards. He is happy to blaze the trail on which future generations will travel. school and provide a consecrated teacher was quite The rural minister can have that satisfaction as much a ministry in the name of Jesus Christ today. as was preaching. Another reward arises out of the fundamental There is much to make a man's heart bleed as importance of work in the country. The 1930 he observes the rural scene in America today. census reveals the fact that the rural population One finds much poverty, underprivileged children, is still the source of population supply for Amerhosts of families untouched by any church and no ica. The farm population is producing fifty per man's lands abandoned by one denomination after cent more children than are necessary to maintain another. And the sturdy farmers, whose families the population level in the country. Today's rural will inherit the prosperous fields, need a faith and minority is tomorrow's overwhelming majority. hope that will make the citizenship of the coun- Boys and girls trained in the country not only tryside spiritually clearsighted. make the country life of the next generation but exert a profound influence on city life for good or Dr. Kagawa of Japan says there are three prin- ill. The country pastor who is farsighted sees ciples to be observed by the farmer: (1) he should that he is moulding national life for good at its love the soil, (2) he should love his neighbor, and very source. Other men must build with the (3) he should love God. In these three principles timber he seasons. lie the secret of good living on the farm. Helping people to practice these things sums up the task The country minister also finds deep satisfacof the rural minister. The farmer who finds these tion in the relationships of rural life. He knows has found the abundant life. members of "his flock" by name. They belong to What can the pastor who gives his life to the him and he to them. When a man remains in a shepherding of his rural flock expect in the way community over a period of years he comes to have of reward? It is certain that he cannot expect a wide influence which compares with that of the large financial returns. A salary of two thousand larger city parishes. The rural minister can find dollars and parsonage is munificent in the coun- deep satisfaction in the rural way of life. The try, but even that is small compared with the head of a great farmer's cooperative recently said emoluments that the larger city churches shower that farming was about the only occupation in upon their ministers. No, the rural pastor cannot which a man can retain his spiritual freedom. If expect luxurious comfort. this be true, the conscientious rural minister is pursuing a calling in which he can find spiritual Nor is the rural pastor likely to win as much values. After all, a man's influence arises out of renown as do some of his urban brethren. He can- what he is rather than what he does. A rural not expect to have his voice speak from the pages pastor, in a particular way, can be a follower of of the metropolitan dailies nor to take prominent Jesus Christ who went about country ways revealpositions on the platform of his denominational ing the love of God by doing good.
Happily, there are some evidences that the tide is turning. Some are saying that if America is to be saved she must be saved through her rural people and if the city church of the future is to be strong she will gain her vigor through the li~e blood flowing from the country. Believing that, the country pastor has the opportunity of mold- ing the spiritual life of the nation.
Solution – The Larger
By ELLSWORTH M. SMITH, New York Field Representative of the Town and Country Department, American Baptist Home Mission Society RURAL churches in America are going out of limited to business, politics and recreation. Here business at a rate estimated by some as high we have most of the causes of death. as one thousand per year. When one real- Usually these churches represent two or more izes the importance of rural Christianity, not only denominations. The lines have been sharply to the people of the countryside but to the nation drawn and, though there is toleration and a cer- as a whole, when one remembers that usually half tain amount of polite gesturing, there is no help- the workers of a city church received their initial ful cooperation.
religious impulse in the church of the crossroads, At this juncture leaders of the denominations this statement of death rate is tragic. involved go to the area and meet their church peo- Of course, some of these dying churches are not ple. They hear their statements of resigned hopeneeded. Some have ministered to racial or na- lessness. The denominational executives have tional groups that have shifted to other localities. been putting into these churches all the money Others have failed to adapt themselves to modern they could afford and no more is available, but needs and have been replaced. Still others have they have a suggestion to offer. Larger Parishes been in competing situations. An illustration of have done seeming miracles elsewhere, so they this last statement is the recent death of two , talk to the people about this new plan and find a churches in a village of three hundred fifty peo- considerable though wary response. The people ple, leaving an active total of five churches still would be willing to have another meeting to concarrying on! sider it, though they do not believe that anything Many churches that die are, however, desper- can be done. ately needed. Of this large group are those in the One of the denominational leaders gets in touch remote open countryside, localities from which with the others involved and together they agree the people will not onen go to the town or village, that for the perpetuation of their various interests for religious privileges. These breakdowns are a Larger Parish is perhaps the only solution. A due to a variety of causes, not the least of which mass meeting of the people of all the churches is are the disappearing of neighborhood conscious- called and at this meeting several things happen. ness in the open country, and the increasing difficulty of carrying the financial burden, particularly People of ,each community meet friends whom they have not seen for a long time. They realize where agriculture is not prosperous. Others of that. they are all in the same difficulty and this these churches have failed to meet needs and have not been replaced, or adapted. Other causes for gives them comfort. They listen to the counsel of their denominational leaders and see real posthe disappearance of needed churches have been inadequate leadership and a spiritual hopelessness sibilities. The descriptions of the things accom- plished in Larger Parishes rekindles enthusiasms. due to lack of vision. And lastly, some have died because of sheer loneliness. , Pamphlets are distributed. Sample constitutions show that denominational connections are main- To each of these needed, but dying churches, the tained intact and that each church has equal Larger Parish offers a partial and often the only representation and fair treatment. The very sight solution. of the leaders of different denominations on the What Is a Larger Parish? same platform, earnestly recommending this bold Consider a situation in which the churches of cooperative venture, creates a new spirit. A date an area of six near-by communities are ready to is set for another meeting to organize and adopt close their doors. Finances are down, the separate a constitution. communities have exhausted themselves in "going it alone"; the last ministers they have had have Discussions are held in each community and in been inadequate to save the situation; the finan- each church. The term "Larger Parish" is on cial resources of the area are not what they have everyone's tongue. Correspondence flows between been; fellowship betwpen the communities is these localities and state offices. In preparation for the organization meeting each church elects [305 ]
two delegates who shall become their representa- isters are their pastors. Regular staff meetings tives on the proposed Larger Parish Council. for reporting and planning are held each week, Finally the great day arrives and the entertain- with regular Council meetings each month. The ing church is crowded by representatives of the Council holds an annual meeting of the Parish several churches besides a number of people who to report to the people. The churches hold an- have not shown any interest in religion. Each nual meetings for their regular business and to church announces that it is ready to go ahead, the elect Council delegates, no one of whom may serve constitution is voted on section by section, and more than two consecutive terms of two years adopted with modifications. The names of the each.
representatives of the churches are announced Each church draws up a budget to cover local and an early date is set for their first meeting in expenses and after all these, budgets have been the home of one of the delegates. accepted by the Council, they are included in the How the Plan Works total Parish budget. This total includes the sal- aries of staff workers, their transportation allow- At the first meeting of the Council there is much ances, office costs, and other general items decided to be done. Delegates-at-Iarge are elected, also a by the Council.
chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and Parish Building a Program treasurer. The amount of money that can reason- ably be expected to be raised is agreed upon and The program of the Larger Parish is detera tentative budget is drawn up. A canvass of mined by the needs and interests of the cooperevery family in the area is placed in charge of a ating churches, of which each has a committee committee and another committee is appointed to made up of Council delegates, and all of the active find a staff of two ministers. leaders in the church and community. This puts Since the churches of the Larger Parish include the church in a position to build itself solidly into all in the area, everyone is asked to contribute, the entire life of the community and demonstrates whether a church member or not. Pledges are a community purpose without which the organiza- paid through local churches. When the returns . tions may find themselves at odds with one an- are in and it is known how much the denomina- other. The general committee meets with the en- tions will contribute, the total working budget is tire staff at frequent intervals to talk of commu- adopted. nity and church needs and to plan a program.
The Council finally votes to call two young men, The genius of the Larger Parish is that it visions and often this action is ratified by all the member a complete program which will serve all the needs of the people. The Council, with the staff, seeks churches, the calls are extended. The new staff workers become ex-officio mem- to coordinate the many projected activities into a bers of the Council and one of them is elected complete Parish program. Director. The program is discussed and a line Individuals subscribe to the total Parish work of action is adopted with schedules for meetings, through the churches in their own communities, including church worship, church school and and these contributions are sent by the local treasyoung people's meetings, on a regular basis in urer to the Parish treasurer, who pays all bills each community, no community having more than on the O. K. of the Council chairman. Even the one set of services. The abilities and interests of missionary funds may be handled this way, keepthe two ministers are taken into consideration and ing all the records in' separate books but in one each minister accepts responsibility for certain office.
types of activities. The Director of the staff may The Larger Parish puts a strong emphasis on be responsible for planning the worship and young people's work to meet the local needs and preaching program, the pastoral calling and men's interests of separate groups. The program of work, while the second man may be director of each society may be distinct, but there is set up a young people's work, recreation and the Christian Young People's Senate which meets at regular in- education program. The Director of the staff is tervals with the director of young people's work.
held directly responsible for the general carrying The entire league of societies holds occasional out of the entire program. The two members of joint socials and inspirational programs.
the staff share in the particular work of each, Each church school has its own organization, though each man plans the program in his de- but the superintendents and active workers meet partment and endeavors to see it through to a together in a Central Committee on Christian satisfactory completion. Education, to discuss the administration of the The staff members live in the same community schools and to direct a program of leadership in order that they may confer daily and may avoid training for the entire parish.
the danger of sections feeling that particular min- The staff Director is the editor of the weekly
ONE SOLUTION – THE LARGER PARISH
Parish Calendar, which lists news of all the special financial arrangements with doctors, the churches and their announcements, and is distrib- hospital and for higher education for promising uted in the services. A monthly Parish news let- young people; a yearly survey of the area with ter is distributed by mail or through young people Christmas calls by the entire staff at every home to every home in the area, regardless of church (this usually requires a month!); AND THROUGH memberships. The young people's league edits ALL OF THIS PROGRAM-IN PREACHING, TEACHING, and publishes a mimeographed booklet at inter- CONVERSATION AND EXPRESSION – A CONSTANT vals to promote fellowship, and finances it through DEMONSTRATION OF THE MEANING OF THE SPIRIT small charges made at joint socials. There are OF CHRIST IN ALL OF LIFE!
contributing' editors from each society and young Now that this Parish has been organized and people serve as mimeograph stencil cutters, crank running for several years, what are the results?
turners, "printer's devils" and delivery boys. Not only has church membership doubled, mis- The program of the Larger Parish develops as sionary giving increased fourfold, church schools fast as local leaders can be found and trained. filled to capacity, nearly every young person a Over a period of years the projects worked out in- clude an amazing variety of things. A list of these activities will prove quite convincing: church worship and preaching, church schools, young people's meetings and week-day religious educa- tion every week; pastoral service reaching every- one in the area and with special attention to the aged, the shut-in, and those who are ill or have special problems; organized church school classes with outside activities for all ages; young peo- ple's socials, community socials, men's clubs, boys'
clubs, girls' clubs, 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts, Friendly Indians; basketball, baseball, volley-ball and bowling teams; banquets for classes, Mothers and Daughters, Fathers and Sons and the young peo- ple's league; book clubs, music clubs, dramatic clubs and many other kinds of hobby and special interest groups; camps, conferences and leader- The Trego Larger Parish-Wisconsin ship training schools; junior choirs singing weekly in their own churches and on special oc- This map, from "The Larger Parish Plan," by Malcolm Dana, casions as a joint junior choir; an adult choir, shows the district inclnded around Trego, Wisconsin. Five weak special musical programs and vespers; pageants churches united to. pool their resources and to join in a program to serve the whole community in the name and spirit of Jesus Ghrist. Kingdom interest took the place of denGminational interests of a religious nature and several plays; commu- nity clubs for the adults and young people; the church member, finances adequate and steady observance of special days, such as Thanksgiving, even during the depression, but the Christian Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, "Religious Edu- religion has become the big thing in the life of cation Days," Rural Life Sunday, etc.; outdoor the community and individual and social redemp- services for the churches and particularly for the tion has become a glowing reality. To bring young people's societies; an Easter Sunrise serv- all of this wholesome activity and spiritual direc- ice; missionary societies and church aid societies; tion in a steady continuing church program out of church suppers; a special Lenten program in- the desperation and hopelessness of the previous cluding a series of evangelistic meetings in each situation has been the accomplishment of a de- church, church membership classes for all ages, voted, courageous and kindly group of average and special calling for church members; Holy Christians working through a type of organiza- Week services; sex education and marriage coun- tion known as The Larger Parish. There are selling; vocational guidance and testing; coop- many variations of the plan, variations in name, eration with the schools, the public health service, in number of churches and in number of staff service clubs, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., and workers, but the above description is in all essen- Grange; participation in all the denominational tialparticulars, the story of a particular Larger activities, materials and promotional programs; Parish, its life history to date.
A Church of the
By the REV. COE HAYNE, New York –tEl Department of Publicity, Literature and Research, American Baptist Home Mission Society T HE church at M-, New York, is in the open the paneling and the lady of the parsonage was country. Not more than ten houses are head varnisher. The cost totalled a sum far less within half a mile of the knoll upon which than the estimated cost of $600 had the job been stands the beautiful old edifice with its towering done by a contractor. spire and colonial fa~ade. From the hills and valleys beyond come the people to worship. Since Some of the men thought that a quick and effi- 1803 this Baptist church organization has had a cient way to improve the appearance of the woodcontinuous existence. During one hundred and work was to spread thereon a liberal coat of paint. thirty-four years the Gospel has had a witness in Not so thought the women. Beautifully grained this countryside by reason of the Christian loyal- wood, worth a fortune, to be smeared over with ties of successive generations of farmer folk. paint! The men today are glad they had not their way. The lady of the parsonage on scaffold and When Pastor Peterson came to Martindale De- stepladder worked day after day with a small pot ten years ago, one of his first activities was to brush and an oak stain to obliterate the scars on survey the field. He found ninety-one houses the woodwork before the varnish was applied. within the legitimate limits of his parish. In these All are pleased with the job.
houses lived 270 people. The next nearest church The countryside has beauty. Why not promote was located four miles away. An acquaintance beauty in the sanctuary of a church of the counwith every person, whether Jew, Catholic or Prot- tryside. Cleanliness, quiet tastefulness in decoraestant, or nonreligionist, living in these houses, tion, sunshine, good cheer-all these blessings are became the pastor's pleasant duty. His kindly, possible in the house of worship, all are especially neighborly attitude became proverbial in the desirable for people who enter the sanctuary dicountryside. The people looked to him as their rectly from a world of outdoor beauty. pastor and friend. True sympathy was the golden commodity this rural-minded minister had in his Something happened to the people when their possession to dispense to those who sought his church was made beautiful. It had been the fellowship. In their joys or sorrows he loved custom to hold all social activities, such as plays, them. During one year a couple, deprived of a dinners, festivals and sales in the sanctuary. This fourteen-year-old boy who had been killed by a one room was the only place for such gatherings. truck, received many messages from Pastor Peter- The pastor and the lady of the parsonage were son, and interviewed with him to help them recon- glad to find many in .the church who had a feeling struct life anew. that the sanctuary ought to be preserved for wor- There was much to be done to make the old ship services. church attractive. The shabby walls of the sanc- Any record of the doings in this parish during tuary did not at all assist in creating a worshipful attitude. The plaster had been falling from the the past ten years would be incomplete without ceiling and it was evident that the new pastor mention of the help that has been given to the stood in danger literally of being bombarded out pastor by his wife and daughter. During an illof his pUlpit unless something was done about it. ness of her husband she was constant in her visits Estimates for installing a metal ceiling were se- in homes and at the meetings of the women and as a teacher in the Sunday school. The "parish in cured and it was thought that the proposed cost automobile" owned by and maintained by the pas- was within reach of the people. The Ladies' Aid tor and constant use for parish work is driven Society assumed the responsibility of decorating by the lady of the parsonage. The daughter has the walls and revarnishing pews and woodwork, been a leader in the young people's movements in recovering the cushions and putting up new the county.
shades. The women used the scaffolding erected On September 29, 1930, Pastor Peterson felt by the workmen who put on the metal ceiling. impressed to pray as follows: "Dear Lord, I ask The president of the Ladies' Aid Society designed Thee for a building in connection with the church.
[308 ]
COOPERATION IN A RURAL COMMUNITY
equal to the need for such a building to take care telephone freely to send out messages. He has of the social life of this community for which this memorized hundreds of Bible verses which he church is responsible in Thy sight!" The pastor finds are a help at every turn in his work. Four claimed the promise of our Lord as recorded in years ago he expressed his Christian faith in the Mark 11: 24, "Therefore I say unto you, what following: things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall receive them." o Jesus Christ, my precious Lord, By the following spring the people were ready O'er all the earth be Thou adored. to build. The old sheds were taken down and a For Thy great love, so full and free, fine social hall erected at a cost of about $2,400. Is sweeter far than life to me.
All community gatherings of a helpful nature This verse was printed in a county weekly newsmay be held in this commodious building, but the paper and the next week a poem of three verses character of all gatherings is determined by the was accepted for publication. The editor asked church. Among the activities made possible are the pastor to furnish more of these Christian monthly community birthday socials. Those who poems and as a result they have appeared every have had or will have birthdays during any cur- week during the four years. At present eight rent month, sit at a special table. This draws other country newspapers print his poems. This people who are not connected with the church. service, "unto Him," has widened immeasurably his ministry and some of his verses have been set It has been the practice of the pastor to use the to music.
Cooperation in a Rural Community By the REV. EDWARD D. HAMNER, Oakwood, Texas Pastor of Blackfoot, Montalba, Oakwood, Slocum and Tennessee Colony Rural Christian Churches SMALL town boosters like to advertise the is not merely a theory, but a supreme necessity multiplicity of their institutions. Some think for rural America. it an honor to have many churches. Yet in most small towns and country communities, the The average rural community, capable of supfewer the churches the better for the community, porting one church with a vital Christian profor few rural communities are so populous that gram, is keeping up a skeleton existence for two one church would not be far better than two or or more churches, none of which are doing much more competing churches. A vast majority of except through a "weakly" Sunday school and rural churches are in communities where there part-time preaching. The cooperation between are other churches and few are without competi- these churches will depend in part upon their re- spective polities. Little is possible between tion. churches when each insists that it has the only An efficient rural church must operate with two true doctrine "once and for all delivered unto the saints." Between churches with broader views factors in its favor: a limited area, and adequate but loyal to Christ and recognizing their own numbers. The limited area is necessary because limitations and imperfections, a large measure of of the many who, at least under present condi- cooperation and ultimate unity is possible. The tions, have no way to go long distances to the nature of cooperation will depend upon why we church services. The factor of adequate numbers cooperate. is necessary in order that efficiency may be maintained and the program supported. Doctrines differ as to the form of baptism, the use of ritual and instrumental music, the rules of With a divided church – that is, where two or membership and form of government. Many and more denominations attempt to minister in the varied are our differences of faith and practice, same area, the result will be either limited num- yet, fundamentally, bers, when the constituency is divided among the competing groups; or, if sufficient numbers are Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, maintained, the area will have to be so widened Our comforts and our cares. that inefficiency results. And so, Christian unity
It is because of "the tie that binds our hearts in pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not Christian love" that we seek "the fellowship of destroyed. " kindred minds." We cooperate because of common aims, and hopes, and despite those things Though it is because of a careless habit that we which divide. Some have assumed that coopera- often omit the third verse of many hymns, we tion is impossible between people who believe dif- ought to omit the third verse of "Onward Chrisferently; others have shown that even those with tian Soldiers" until the harmony of our efforts extremely different views of the Bible and of some makes it possible for us to sing honestly Christian doctrines may have happy and profitable fellowship. People with different tastes eat We are not divided; at the same table, those with varying ideas of All one body we, style buy from the same shops, and members of the same family like different types of cars – so One in hope and doctrine, there is no need for us to despair because of dif- One in charity. fering ideas and tastes as to worship, organization, and doctrines. Christians may love each What Unity Is Possible? other, and work and have fellowship together despite these differences. If all of life were cut to With this spirit and this goal, what cooperation the same pattern it would be drab indeed. Is not is possible, and what unity is desirable between this true of Christianity? churches in a rural community?
Not merely because of common interests and Some steps must be taken before others are loyalty do we cooperate; but because our ultimate possible. Efforts to unite the churches of a comaim is not mere cooperation, but unity. Our co- munity when no cooperative spirit has been deoperation is the first step toward a closer rela- veloped would be worse than useless. There tionship. It is to our shame that the Church must be simple beginnings-forward steps-first of Christ is so divided. The Apostle Paul wrote: achievements, before real unity is possible. "Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love." But we have made In communities where summer finds many peoarticles of faith so great that they have divided ple away on vacations and evening services slump, us, and have even caused some professed followers churches have found it advantageous to hold union of Christ to hate each other, and to contend one Sunday night services. In one village of less than with another, instead of loving each other. Why 1,000 population the pastors of the six -churches cannot faith, hope, and love operate together? (think of it!) worked out a plan whereby each A vigorous and healthy Christian love need not pastor preached two Sunday nights during the diminish faith. three summer months, each preacher in the pulpit of another church than his own. Attendance was Our Lord prayed ". . . that they all may be better than the combined attendance would have one . . . that the world may believe. . . ." If been if each church had held its own services, and our ultimate aim is to bring about the unity for there was the added advantage of fellowship towhich He prayed; our cooperation should be such gether, and the inspiration of numbers. Union as will contribute to this end. fifth Sunday night meetings, and the exchange of pulpits, have similar values. The rural church is less able to survive denominational competition than the urban church be- Union revival meetings prove helpful if propcause of the two factors-distances and numbers. erly conducted. Especially where money is scarce Moreover, competition is destructive; it breeds a home-force meeting, with the pastors of the coan ugly spirit among neighbors, and like scattered operating churches alternating in the pulpit, has fire it accomplishes far less than united effort. proved satisfactory. . When an outside preacher is brought in, he must be very carefully selected, Cooperation ought not to be the pseudo-friendly as an evidence of even slight sectarian bias will gestures of hostile groups, sparring for advan- react adversely. A charitable spirit shown by all tage, but should be marked by honest efforts to parties is essential to the success of such ventures. come closer together, and to accomplish together For example, in one village union meetings were what we cannot do, or cannot do well, apart. Nor abandoned after a near conflict between two local should we become discouraged if plans go awry, preachers when one of them insisted, perhaps in if others show a less cooperative spirit than we fun, in calling the other's church by a disliked desire, or if plans occasionally back-fire. In the nickname. A spirit of love is essential in Chriswar against the world, the flesh, and the devil, the tian coope_ration. church of Christ may lose some battles, but it is not defeated. "Weare pressed on every side, yet The churches of rural communities often coopnot straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; erate in "singings" and in taking a religious census. In one community three churches are working together on the "Lord's Acre" plan of finance. Each church has a committee of three members to operate for that church, and the three committees together form a community committee
to create wider interest in the plan. This com- churches represented have separate organizations munity, needing a community hall for social gath- which work as circles, and alternate in presenting erings, banquets, boys' and girls' work, and clubs, united programs. Each group supports its own hopes that its Lord's Acre projects will provide denominational work.
such a building. Nearly one hundred years ago, pioneers from Among the most practical Christian work which Tennessee settled in a rural area of Texas and can be done by the churches of a rural community built a school and church building. There have are cooperative efforts to rid the community of been organizations here from time to time of at liquor, campaigns against vice or corrupt govern- least five different denominations, but always the ment, and community-wide go-to-church cam- people have cooperated at least to the extent of paigns. Rural churches may also unite in local having a common church building. At present charity work, the doing of which is, after all, as there is a union church building, with union Sun- much a cardinal Christian virtue as a govern- day school, union young people's society, and fed- mental responsibility. erated woman's missionary society, but with two Benefits of Cooperation church organizations, each maintaining its own part-time pastor. The church property is main- Such cooperation as we have suggested will de- tained by a joint fund consisting of five per cent velop a spirit which will in time make possible of the income of each of the two churches. An- even closer relationship. Opposition to coopera- other union church cares for its building main- tive efforts will often come from people who are strongly sectarian and when actual union takes place there is almost sure to be some disagree- ment. Wisdom, tact, careful planning, and above all the spirit of Christian love under all circum- stances are needed to produce harmony. Opposi- tion should not be ruthlessly brushed aside, or disdainfully ignored, but should be melted with the warmth of Christian love. We "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."
Union Sunday schools can be maintained in many rural communities. In one community, the union Sunday school died when a narrow-minded minister set out to oust all teachers not of his A CROWDED COMMUNITY CH UR CH , ANDERSON particular sect. After several years another min- CITY, TEXAS ister of the same denomination, but with broader tenance through the treasury of the union Sunday sympathies, made progress by preaching Chris- school; and with special calls for funds for intian unity and inviting people of the other surance, paint, and other additional expenses. churches in the area to share in the teaching work. An agreement may be reached not to argue The ultimate goal of every rural community over points of doctrine on which the churches should be to have one church, adequately serving differ. all the community. Community churches of vari- ous types are proving a success. When any unity Young people, not having sectarian loyalities of seems possible, that type should be chosen which long standing, work well together. The union seems most appropriate for the particular comyoung people's society, whether strictly nonsec- munity such as the federated church, the denomtarian or a denominational society for aU the inational community church, or the nondenominayoung people of the community, has been a pioneer tional community church. Whatever the form of in Christian cooperation and unity. In one com- unity, the success of such united groups will demunity the older young people have a Christian pend much upon the wisdom and the Christian Endeavor Society in one church, while the young- spirit of its leadership. er ones have a B. Y. P. U. in another church. A fine spirit was evinced in the omission of a pro- Christianity is like a wheel. Christ is the hub; gram in the quarterly which the other churches the denominations are the spokes. The closer we did not accept. Another union young people's so- are to Christ, the closer we are to one another, and ciety uses the literature of one denomination for people who have the spirit of Christ can work tosix months, then changes to that of another for gether in harmony, even though many of their an equal period. ideas differ.
A federated woman's missionary society has "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for been organized in one rural community. The two brethren to dwell together in unity."
Ministry of the Rural
By JOHN C. KILLIAN, D.D., Philadelphia -.~ Secretary, Colporter Department, American Baptist Publication Society D URING the last twenty years stupendous filled with Bibles, books, and tracts. The story changes have come to rural life. Millions of Christ was shared with those he met by the of people have moved to the city; thou- roadside, and those he visited in the homes. The sands of farms have been abandoned. The farm Bible was a strong force in recognizing God on enterprise has become dependent upon world the frontier. Many strong Sunday schools and markets which in turn has introduced a new churches today date back to that early visit of the struggle in economic security for rural dwellers. colporter. Following this the Chapel Car was In areas which the colporter-missionary serves, launched, with a church and parsonage combined.
the problems have become greatly intensified. Thus the missionary and his wife were able to There is an austere poverty among many rural reach the people more effectively in the new and people, and because of the long years of independ- growing towns along the railroads.
ence this sturdy stock has greater hesitancy to ap- Horse and wagon were needed to extend the ply for welfare relief even when that is available. services to groups settling in areas far from the Year after year of crop failure and dust storms railroads. With the passing years this equipment have dimmed their hopes and left upon their faces has changed, to Chapel Autos and now to the the seared scars of dreams for better days. They latest model of automobiles, where the mission- have been driven backward in the vain attempt to ary can speed across the barriers of desert and mask a keen sense of inferiority. The barrier of sagebrush to some home or outstation seventy or isolation has been widened between them and the perhaps a hundred and fifty miles away from his people of the distant town with whom they base. This modern car can often be seen parked mingled previously. In these sections, off the by a small cabin, or perhaps in the midst of a beaten highway, one can see the old cars which cluster of homes squatted irregularly upon the have been jacked up and unused for three and dusty sands, or in front of a schoolhouse. The four years, waiting in hope that the next crop will latest venture in equipment is a modern all-steel enable them to secure the needed license. In one trailer.
section I saw seventeen cars owned by farmers, Today colporter work is varied, though it re- but fifteen of them had been upon blocks for sev- tains some of the earlier methods. The great need eral years. now is to give support and encouragement to The change in the rural church is pathetically those organizations and to develop native leader- parallel. The inability of a small, decreasing ship through preaching and Christian education.
rural group to maintain the church as formerly During the years of financial depression, nine- has meant, in many instances, a lower standard of teen churches in areas of need in one state alone leadership or closing the church altogether. The would have been closed, but for the work of these great vast area of western prairie and desert, as colporters. Because of the new comity policy of well as rural sections in some eastern states turn some larger denominations many of these to the mission boards for help. To our shame be churches now serve the entire community and the it said, that when this group of Americans need missionary ministers to all groups. In drought- encouragement, our response is so inadequate. stricken areas where more than two-thirds of the Yet, those who have ministered in these fields have church members are on relief, and they were un- labored heroically and have reaped a hundred fold able to keep a pastor the worker has been a great harvest. blessing. .
In the early days of colportage a hundred years In another field the missionary worked in the ago,* the missionary traveled about on foot carry- areas surrounding the town. Outstations were ing his handbags suspended around the neck, formed and members were lined up with the town church, which could not have kept their own pas- t or WI't ht the al'd f th ese newly 'Interested • The work of the Colporter-Missionary Department of the eAm1HeZr2- groups. OU ican Baptist publication Society was started in 1840. (Sinc 0 this work has been done In cooperation with the American Baptist Home Mission Society.) [312 ] THESE AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVEl NEVER BEEN REACHED BY CHURCH OR SUNDAY SCHOOL In one fine community strong factions had de- ing had dawned when the last of the revelers veloped, weakening the church almost to the point drove away noisily; then a strange stillness preof death. The last group holding the fort were vailed. A few hours later I met with a group of unable to support a pastor and the others were about fifty people who had gathered for worship. quite unwilling to cooperate. The State Secretary Repeatedly they expressed their gratitude for the offered to send a colporter-missionary acceptable missionary that had come to them, for now they to all when they agreed. The result reads like had new courage and felt that they would be able a miracle. Disaffected groups gradually returned, to contend against the forces of evil and to rear and in less than one year the fine church was their children in the fear of God. again self-supporting and reaching out into needy areas. The blessing of a live church is that it Picture another town nestling on the edge of a transforms the community. One of the business drab desert waste of sagebrush and cactus. But men of a town where the missionary served, the town is not drab. It is a blooming oasis. Here writes: the missionary's wife was a great lover of flowers. Her first attack against the unloveliness of the You have made {)ur community a better place in which town was made on an old dump heap on the corner to live, you have helped to make our neighbors and, in near the parsonage. A transformation followed fact, our customers, better people with whom to deal. and it became a veritable old English garden with tall delphinium, fox glove and Canterbury bells. In another town the Superintendent of Schools Then the town began to change. A new day has states: come to the church which has grown steadily in strength and membership. The story is well told I have observed a marked transition ·from the early in aletter: Western-town ideas of drinking, gambling, and unc{)uth society toward intellectual refinement and Christian ideals, How grateful we are to have had your colporter and and an outlawry of the former evils. his wife here these years! Their home and the church are the center of all that is worth while in the village and Recently I stopped on Saturday night in a for many miles around. Each summer when I have rewestern town on the edge of the desert where a turned to the valley and noted the steady change for the new man had been sent to reopen the church. better in people's personal appearance, and in their poor That night the town was all astir. Ranchers had little door-yards, I have been astounded. come miles to attend the opening of another saloon. The town was literally ablaze with gam- These phases of the colporter work give a bling dens and saloons, twenty of which could he glimpse of the well-rounded and effective procounted from the hotel window. Sabbath morn- gram. While the form of missionary service may
have changed through the years, and while the men to any religious approach made his work alservices needed now in a community more often most impossible. His efforts met with continued pertain more to the reviving and reorganization failure to win the men. One day he chanced to of Sunday schools and churches, the work of the enter the cookhouse, and noticed that the cook was colporter-missionary still remains a distinct effort very angry, and stormed out that his assistant had to reach the isolated and to carry the message of deserted. If the men did not have their hot-cakes Jesus Christ into the home through house-to-house they would be angry. The missionary said, "Give visitation. Isolation and poverty have built bar- me a start, plenty of batter, and two griddles, and riers to fellowship with other Christians. It is a I will help you out." When the men heard that great joy to ride over the dreary wastes and then the "Sky Pilot" was going to cook the breakfast, come unexpectedly upon a new cabin home and they chuckled, but they ate until it hurt. He kept discover that some folks are disciples of the Great them supplied and won the hearts of those men Galilean. so that the workwas made easy.
One worker tells of a place where a few homes Another worker, in ministering to the suffering, were clustered among the hills of Wyoming. In changed the front seat of his car so that it could the stillness of the evening he heard the sound of be turned back and made into an ambulance. He an organ, and a voice singing the old familiar writes: "I have carried the sick one hundred miles hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee." He discovered to a hospital, and have taken the dead to a a woman of about seventy years of age, seated at morgue. I have laid back the top, placing the an old organ. Over fifty years ago she had moved casket across the body of the car, and driven A MODE,RN ALL-STEEL TRAILER THAT CARRIES THE GOSHIDL TO OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACES from Ohio to the far west and for years had driven many, many miles to the cemetery. In these days an old lumber wagon more than ten miles each of drought, depression, and grasshoppers, I have Sunday to play the organ for the Sunday school been able to serve in this way."
in the little log schoolhouse. During the last three In the rural sections the missionary comes to years the services in the schoolhouse had been dis- the people as the voice from the world outside.
continued, except when a visiting preacher passed One writes, "I called at a ranch where the people through, but this woman had kept up the Bible had lived for twenty-six years, but I was the first school. preacher who had ever entered their home. In To become identified with the people one must another ranch, they told me that I was the first truly become "all things to all men." One worker preacher who had called there, and they had lived found it helpful to study osteopathy and medicine, . on this large ranch for 16 years. They appre- so that he might relieve physical suffering. The ciated the visit so much that after dinner all the wide territory which he covered was without a men were called together and a service was held."
physician, and the people were generally too poor All the homes are neither along the back roads to go the long distance for medical aid. It was a nor cabins among the hills. Many ranches have joy to stop at some home where a severe headache dwellings that are models in every way. From had been working its ravages. upon an individual, one of the prosperous families a gift came to, the and with a slight adjustment, bring instant relief. worker with these words: "When we were poor He would often trek over the mountains to isolated and beginning life in the West, you were our cabins in the lone hours of the night when the call friend; now we are able, and we want to remem- came for help. ber your work."
One missionary who was sent to work in a log- In these days the missionaries are redoubling ging camp found that the cold indifference of the their efforts to identify themselves with the young
IMPORTANCE OF PIONEER SUNDAY SCHOOLS
people, great numbers of whom are in these rural stars they talked for another hour of the real areas. Many have missed the opportunity for verities of life, and there they yielded their hearts education. Others have gone off to a denomina- to Christ and resolved to follow His way. tional college for perhaps a year, and have been compelled to leave, with their dreams uncom- In one of my trips west, I visited a settlement pleted. Again, many have graduated from col- of Russian people, and attended a service with the lege, but have found no opportunity for work, and colporter, who mentioned the fact that during the have been compelled to return to the ranch home. last two years he had baptized twenty-one young To these young people, with their ideals in jeop- people. At the close of the service he asked those ardy, the colporter-missionary and his wife are a who had been baptized to come forward and stabilizing influence. twenty young people responded. A splendid group with great potentiality! In one of their homes, in One young missionary and his wife tell of a the absence of the mother, a child of twelve previsit to a home where there were three young peo- pared a most tempting meal for us, one that would ple who had great hopes. After they had dis- have been a credit to an experienced housewife. cussed things of common interest, the afternoon had worn away into evening, and the missionaries As objects on the western prairie are clearly started to leave. The young people followed them silhouetted against the sky, so the colporter-misand stood by the car, as though reluctant to sionary in his life of "ministering" seems to stand part with this voice which had awakened again a out in clear relief as a follower of Jesus Christ. great longing in their hearts. Under the prairie Like a golden thread running through all their work is their passion for the souls of men.
Importance of Pioneer Sunday Schools By JOHN M. SOMERNDIKE, New York Secretary for Sunday School Missions, Board of National Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
THE Sunday school has been characterized as their children should learn religion. More than they crave "the most flexible, adaptable and far-reach- the Gospel for themselves, they believe in it for their little ing institution ever designed for the conver- ones. It is frequently possible to enlist rough men who sion of the world." As an evangelizing agency its know no Scripture and profess no religion in the support effectiveness has been abundantly demonstrated of an active school for the children on Sunday, because of in the results achieved during the past fifty years the universal belief of all serious men in the necessity of by Sunday school missionaries. They have religious training for the young. adapted the Sunday school to the spiritual needs of unchurched rural communities and neighbor- One hundred and forty thousand children in hoods in a manner that has made it one of the nearly three thousand rural unchurched commumost potent factors in establishing Christian nities and villages are receiving Bible instruction standards of community and family life in new and training in Sunday schools which have been rural localities. They have also made the Sunday planted and fostered by Sunday school missionschool the pioneer of the church, and in hundreds aries. In almost every case, they represent the of places have blazed the way for the organized only Christian organization in the community, in church and the settled pastor. localities where churches cannot be maintained. They provide the means of character-training for A few years ago, the ·late Dr. Warren H. Wil- boys and girls who know no Christian minister son, whose leadership in matters pertaining to and who never have an opportunity to attend a rural church work was recognized by all evan- church service. But the great need is only pargelical denominations, paid this tribute to the ef- tially being met. More than four million children fectiveness of the rural Sunday school: of school age living in scattered villages and ham- lets on the western plains, who are receiving their The beginning of the reconstruction of a country place education in the "little red schoolhouse," are yet is often the founding of a Sunday school. The limitations unreached by any Christian teaching. Two and of Sunday school work are well known, and you will find one-half millions of Negro boys and girls living these limitations if you do Sunday school work; but it is on plantations or in sawmill and turpentine camps well to go ahead to the limit before you try another and children of the sharecroppers, poor and negmethod. Country people are religious. They ',believe that
lected, are similarly underprivileged so far as operation. Many community Sunday schools that spiritual advantages are concerned. In the "hol- are organized will never develop into churches, lows" of the southern mountains and in rude but the results of their work in shaping the lives cabins hidden away in the fastnesses of the "Great and characters of boys and girls after the pattern Smokies" tens of thousands of boys and girls are of Christ and preparing them for Christian citigrowing into manhood and womanhood without zenship more than justify the comparatively small any opportunity to come into an appreciation of expenditure of the missionary funds of the Church life at its best through the teaching of the Word for the support of this work. Out of these comof God and the principles of Christian living, munity Sunday schools have come young men and which is their rightful heritage. women who have dedicated their lives to service in the pastorate, in mission fields, and in other While the Christian forces of America are not forms of Christian activity both in our own and wholly to blame for these conditions, neither can in other lands. they disclaim the responsibility for their correction in an age that recognizes the importance and After three days of visiting homesteaders who significance of Christian child nurture. Science, were pioneering a new country in northern New education, and law are busily at work in formu- Mexico, the Sunday school missionary conducted lating ideals and programs, in creating public the first religious service ever held in that region. sentiment, and in promoting legislation for the Nearly one hundred people crowded into the little purpose of developing the children of this gen- log schoolhouse. The cold north wind whistled eration socially, morally, and physically. Shall through the cracks as the building had not been the Christian agencies of our nation be less zeal- "chinked"; neither was there a floor in it. About ous or less progressive than they in providing for half of the congregation sat on the ground as there the soul-culture of that portion of the nation's were not enough benches for all. There was not children who are denied their full heritage of an organized church within a hundred miles. He Christian knowledge and life through no fault of preached the first sermon that had ever been their own? preached in all of that country, At the close of the meeting, the group voted to organize a Sunday Recently a Sunday school missionary, report- schooL The work prospered, and the entire coming the development of a community Sunday munity cooperated in carrying forward its proschool in a pioneer settlement in Wyoming, wrote: gram. Several months later, responding to an in- vitation to conduct an all-day preaching service Someone wrote me recently and asked if this type of in this community, the Sunday school missionary pioneering work was as important now or as necessary as found himself at the close of the morning service it was in the earlier days of the settlement of the western surrounded by an earnest group of leaders in the plains. I answered by telling him the story of. our com- community pleading for the organization of a munity Sunday school at Poison Creek. These people are church. Within a few months they had the joy all homesteaders and most of the men work on the North- of being called together for the formal organizawestern Railroad in the summer but have no winter work. tion of their congregation and for the dedication They have from fifty to sixty in attendance every Sunday. of a little white frame church building which had Some of the children from eleven to thirteen years old had been erected through funds procured from indinever been inside of a Sunday school. The parents had viduals interested in developing this type of no Bibles and were ashamed to have me know it and we pioneer mISSIons. Arrangements were made to ordered ten to be used in the school. The men take part conduct regular preaching services in addition to and are as interested as the women. The women said in the Sunday school. Soon a minister was placed the beginning: "This will not bea school just for women in charge, and a comfortable manse erected beside and children, and if the men don't come there will be no the little frame church. The need of high school Sunday schooL" So the men do their part in teaching, training for the young people having developed, singing, and planning. Very soon I am going to have a the Sunday school missionary's advice was again communicants' class and I believe over half of the group will join our church . . . they wanta real training class a sought and through his influence with the county before they join, and I am glad to be able to give it to them. I am hoping in a year or so to organize a church educational authorities high school teacher was at this place. It will be the only one within seventy-five appointed. The little log school did not provide or one hundred miles and will give the pupils in my other sufficient facilities for high school work and under community schools a church to join. the leadership of the Sunday school missionary the community set to work to build a high school, Poison Creek Sunday School hauling the logs one by one from a distance of ten miles back in the mountains. The story of Poison Creek Sunday school illustrates the conditions of spiritual need that pre- "When I think of this community," writes the vail in thousands of communities and neighbor- Sunday school missionary, "I think of a dream hoods throughout our land and can be remedied realized; of a prayer answered; and a happy most economically and successfully through this type of pioneer missionary service. Its catholicity in not requiring any subscription to a denominational creed or form of government wins local co-
community of Christian people working and wor- work in the Southern states in planning for the shipping together for the building of the Kingdom organization of all our fields on a similar basis. of God." Parishes have already been established in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Creole work The planting of a Sunday school is only the be- has progressed with remarkable success under this ginning upon which a community consciousness missionary parish policy. In the southern mounof the necessity of maintaining and developing tains there are the Leslie County Parish and the Pikeville Parish in Kentucky, the newly estab- GOING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL THROUGH A SNOWSTORM lished parish organization in Rhea County, Ten- IN THE DEiSERT nessee, and the Hughes River Parish in West Vir- ginia. The parish program includes the following: This is one of the difficulties met by missionaries in min- istering to scattered populations Organization of Parish Council. Sunday school held regularly throughout the year. Christian influences is to be built up. It has al- Vacation Bible School. ways been the policy of Sunday school missions to Week Day Bible Instruction in cooperation with public put forth every possible effort to assure the growth of new Sunday schools and to integrate schools. them into the life of their respective communities. Young people's work and other age-group organizations. The churches that have grown from this work and Leadership training. the three thousand community Sunday schools Adult education. that are permanent organizations under the fos- Promotion of family religion. tering care of Sunday school missionaries bear Evangelistic services. impressive witness to the achievement of this pur- Parish institutes and rallies. pose. This effort toward permanency has found Financial cultivation for local support and benevolences. expression in the policy recently inaugurated of combining the community Sunday schools within Enlisting the Women given areas into missionary parishes. Under the leadership and supervision of the Sunday school One of the most significant developments of remissionary an intensive program of religious edu- cent years is the promotion of a movement to cation and evangelism is carried on. Even though enlist Christian young women who are teaching there is no church organization in the area, all the rural public schools in giving Bible instruction to elements that enter into an educational service for their pupils. No elaborate machinery or prothe Christian teaching and training of children cedure has been set up and no salaried officials or and youth, including adult education, are capable offices have been created for the purpose of superof successful adaptation. Practically all of pio- vising it. Growing out of our knowledge of the neer Sunday school missionary work in New Mex- fact that the children in thousands of "little red ico and Arizona is now organized according to schoolhouses" throughout the United States are this plan. In New Mexico the work is represented being taught by young women, many of whom in ten missionary parishes, comprising nearly one have received training in Christian families and hundred community Sunday schools. During the past year two new parish groups were organized A PRAIRIE CHURCH — THE RESULT OF SUNDAY in Arizona and one in Colorado. In each of these SCHOOL WORK parishes, one or more groups have been organized into congregations. Too weak to provide any sub- This church is forty-five miles from the railroad. The pastor stantiallocal support for a pastor, they are served lives fifty miles away. The nearest other church is 4·0' miles by Sunday school missionaries in the same manner as the communities which have a formal churches, it was proposed that wherever pracchurch organization. ticable, and as an expression of their own desire to render a service to Christ, they designate one A forward step has been taken in the Negro hour each week after school sessions during the school term for Bible instruction. To guide them in this work a series of six books under the title
of "Manual of Week-Day Bible Lessons" was pre- of two hundred thousand such children, taught by pared, containing material for Bible instruction more than nine thousand school teachers who used for children through the six years of their ele- these Bible lessons last year, to receive the knowlmentary school attendance. A book for pupil's edge thus imparted to them, in connection with handwork on each lesson for each of the "Man- their public school training? uals" is provided for their use. The Vacation Bible School likewise has been The response of rural school teachers and of adapted to the rural communities of our land as a county and state superintendents of education means of supplementing the instruction provided throughout the United States has encouraged be- by the community Sunday school. 'Upwards of lief in the possibilities of this movement. More two thousand communities were blessed by such than four millions of children are enrolled in rural schools last summer. More than one hundred and district public schools. Many of .these children thirty thousand children were enrolled in them. live in neighborhoods where there is not even a Sunday school. They do not, and many could not, Still there is need for the extension of Sunday attend the Sunday school in the nearest town, be- schools, supplemented by the Vacation Bible cause the I'nearest town" too often is from ten to School and by week-day Bible instruction in all fifty miles distant. Unimproved roads and lack parts of rural America. It is a great and pressing of suitable conveyance makes traveling difficult. need. The Church as well as the nation marches Can we fully realize what it has meant to upwards forward on the feet of the children and youth. They can and must be won for Christ.
The Church in the Heart -_.~.g~f~~B~Y~M~BRy~SM~.~RRS~.U~RT~UH~TCH~.~CM~.U~ML~ULL~'L~,A~AS~shh~llaan~dn~,dK~'a~nKs~aas~n_sa~s~I~JIie~- ~==========================~'
T HIRTY years ago it was a common thing, father said that if I wanted to we would postpone especially in Western Kansas farming dis- starting home until after church on Sunday morn- tricts, for a community to organize a Sunday ing. I've always had my books but I think I school to meet in the neighborhood schoolhouse. missed the music most of all." Some intelligent, Christian woman, usually with a family of children, who had some ability in Sunday school and preaching services in rural drawing together the neighborhood, would start schoolhouses are practically a thing of our pioneer the Sunday school. Occasionally a minister from past. Automobiles have made distance such an a neighboring town would come and preach after unimportant matter that those who can manage the Sunday school. drive into the town churches. But distance is still a problem to our people who live in the ranching A comparatively small number of rural districts and to our wheat farmers who, in passchurches were built in western Kansas outside of ing through the depression and drouth in the the towns. It has been said that Kansas people, "dust bowl" find gasoline money a real item. with their Puritan heritage, do not have the church habit that might have been expected. My husband and I live on a western cattle ranch where our nearest neighbor is four and one- When my grandmother came to a western cattle half miles away, with four gates in between. ranch, comprising some thirty-five sections, the They who refer to the west with its "wide open nearest neighbor was fifteen miles away and was spaces" have never taken into account the barbed reached only over a rough prairie country in a wire gates that a good cow man builds. For the buckboard or on horseback. Once when, as a first year, on Sunday mornings, I prepared breakchild, I was complaining because I couldn't go to fast for from two to five cowboys, attended to my Sunday school, she remarked: house work, drove twenty-two miles to Sunday school and church and returned home in time. to "My dear, you will have to learn to have Sun- prepare a late Sunday dinner for my men. It was day school in your heart. When your grandfather necessary for me to go alone to church for cattle and I first came to Kansas it was almost two years feeding and ranch work go on without considerabefore I was inside of a church. Grandfather and tion of Sunday. I soon felt that in the hurry I I drove to Dodge City, fifty-two miles, in a buck- was losing a measure of serenity. So like my board to buy lumber for a new barn. I felt grandmother I turned to church in my heart. 'home' again after a long absence when grand- II Effective 'Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I============================~I~ Building Your Program for Include among your program to-Use pamphlets are provided the Coming Year specifications these pointers, il- for the adult books, while an As stated last month the De- lustrated by such "effective ways abundance of concrete plans and partment Editor finds it impos- of working" as have been con- devices are included in the books sible in the nature of things to tributed lately to this Depart- for young children, which acobtain "Tested Methods" bear- ment: counts for the slightly higher ing on the new themes to include in her copy sent for publication 1. No appetite tickling condi- prices of the latter. A leaflet on ments, no blurbs of coloring, no "Mission Study – Aim sand previous to the appearance of mere entertaining features will Ideals," by Mrs. Charles P. the study books and their pres- build or maintain vitality for Wiles, says: entation at summer conferences; earnest missionary endeavor. One of the striking features of secand as her stated function is not ular education is the way in which to provide raw material but While variety and attractiveness education is being adapted to national in catering greatly increase the needs. Personal hygiene, domestic tried-and-proved-good blueprints effectiveness and are, therefore, science, industrial and agricultural desirable corollaries to solid sub- education and many other civic needs and specifications for its use, ject matter, it is fatal to major are being studied systematically inspecific helps for the home mis- on these or to make them para- stead of being left to the uncertain mount in importance. Using the and spasmodic influence of home and sion topic must be delayed until community. Short courses, part-time the September issue, while those current study books as adapted by qualified educators to the age work, etc., all indicate what the State on the foreign may appear on interests insures this worthful- is willing to do for the sake of effi- riess of subject matter, although ciency. These are a challenge to the schedule in October. You are Church to cultivate her own special invited to send in your own other themes may be substituted. fieId with equal diligence. . . . The plans for handling "Rural Amer- The advantages of falling into reason why many Christians are lukeica" and "The Moslem World," step with other Christian work- warm on the subject of missions is as well as any other subjects you ers simultaneously considering that they have never visualized the may desire to substitute. the same things, and also of world and its stupendous needs. . . . Regardless of the specific For the great work confronting us, availing oneself of leaflet and theme, c e r t a i n fundamentals mag a z i n e literature supple- every Christian needs convictions clear should be adhered to by the pro- mental to the current topics is and deep. Convictions such as these cannot be secured by an occasional gram builder. And while care- not to be disregarded. THE RE- missionary sermon or address or even ful adaptation to the age inter- VIEW and various denomina- a missionary m.eeting once a month. tional missionary pUblications ests of the various groups is im- keep these united study themes Secular education treats no subject perative, is there so much differ- that it takes seriously in this manner. ence between the gray matter, … "Every member of the Church of Christ a student of present-day needs the motivations and the reac- a,nd opportunities" sh01l,ld be our camtions of men and women that sex in the spotlight each year. In paign motto. corrals are necessary? If so, ensuing issues of this Depart- It is not always possible to semissions must be considered as ment fresh plans from outstand- cure formal study on the part of a thing apart in general educa- ing workers will be presented a group. Mrs. Katherine Brention and even in modern busi- for aiding pastors, Sun day ner says in Woman's Home Misness life, where the sex like the school leaders and directors of sions that at one meeting the color line is in process of era- other church groups in their task leader gave out questions on a sure. Of course there are cer- of "making the whole church chapter in the study book at the tain differences of function in missionary minded." beginning, telling the member- field activities that must persist 2. Handling worthful ma- ship to listen closely and they because of dyed in the wool hu- terial in sequential study rather would hear the answers before man physiology; but in local than disconnected programs they were through. The church mission study and endeavor and makes all the difference between bulletin announced that another in the authorship of plans, shall ephemeral and permanent ef- meeting would have a Mail we line up as "boys" and "girls," fect. This is not so difficult as Order Program. At the meet- "men" and "women" when a it seems. New recruits in this ing an improvised post office union of forces would make for endeavor may not know that contained a postmaster who re- greater efficiency? practical supplementary How- ceived from a uniformed mail [319 ] (not male) man a bag of letters National Motion Picture Service, Personal Growth Material included as and post cards, the former con- 723 Seventh Ave., New York, can a constituent in each of the above entaining parts of the chapter furnish a limited range of travel deavors. Every member receiving a under consideration addressed pictures free from rental fee. book is asked to outline for herself a to members who would share Various denominational m iss ion plan for growth by choosing from the them with the membership, the boards have also prepared good given list such things as she is willing postmaster himself adding a films on the current studies and to undertake for her development, touch of humor by stopping his other topics. Send for catalogues keeping tab on her work by marking distribution to read some of the and price lists. points on a "Check Your Progress" postals aloud. Other mail con- schedule. Among the possible choices sisted of copies of Woman's A great variety of visual and in building a plan of life are (1) Sug- Home Missions con t a i n i n g dramatic material is listed in gested Means, such as observance of marked passages, some of which every denominational catalogue. the daily quiet hour, reading books on were to be read at the meeting Next month we shall present religious thought and experience, and the rest taken home for con- this topic in further detail, also serious study of sections of Scripture, sideration. Mrs. Brenner says: deal with act i vat ion sand membership in a prayer group, mem- personalizations of missionary orizing Scripture passages, hymns and The leader had all mail listed and themes. devotional poetry, participation in a called for letters and various items in prayer retreat, etc.; (2) Reading for order. The enigmas and shorter clip- A Plan for Personal and pings were read first so that those Personal Growth, the books listed inreceiving letters had a chance to read Kingdom Growth cluding "Victorious Living," "Ways them over. Clippings were pasted on of Praying," "The Meaning of postcards, also enigmas, answers to In the "teaching mission" Prayer," "The Upper Room," "Pracwhich were to be read. Some of the which inaugurates the three- tising the Presence," "Skyward," mail was left unaddressed till the year campaign leading up to the "Paul's Secret of Power," "Disciplemeeting so that everyone received celebration of the Seventieth An- ship," "Challenge and Power," "The something. A parcel post boy brought niversary of the Woman's For- Transforming Friendship"; A Checka large package by special delivery, eign Mission Society of the ing List of Observed Results, such as which contained doughnuts, sugar and Methodist Episcopal Church, the increase of peace, joy, patience a package of coffee addressed to mem- mentioned last month, an initial with problems, absence of personal bers of the entertainment committee. plan is the issue of a personal resentment, willingness to do hard Special music also came to the ones notebook entitled "My Record," things without recognition, love of who were to sing. We hope that many with a seven-pointed star as a fellow men regardless of color, realnew subscribers will be added as a companion. These are to be ization of answered prayer, consciousresult of the meeting. (It should be placed in the hands of as many ness of God's presence, eagerness to stated that Woman's Home Missions women as possible, both within share His riches, commitment to His features the current study topics.) the organization and among the leadership in missionary endeavor at unenlisted in the church at large. Visualizations, and dramatiza- From the keynote of the Cross home and abroad. tions, if kept in subservience to on the front cover, the book elabthe subject matter, are not mere orates its contents as "Personal Means suggested for Membership trimmings and appetizers but Growth Material," calling upon Education (a choice to be made as adaptations to normal human the world-wide membership of before) include planning and presentneeds. Pastors and mission the Society to unite in a climb to ing a missionary program, reading study leaders who have not yet higher levels of personal reli- the mission study textbook for the learned the superior values of gious living, of understanding current year, regular reading of the moving pictures in presenting and intelligent service, and of in- missionary magazine and of current their messages, are missing a formed and effective leadership. international news, promotion for great opportunity. For the bene- participation in a forum on world fit of those who are not regular The objectives under each one are trends, reading from the membership readers of THE REVIEW, we will outlined as (1) Personal Growth education list of at least one item repeat addresses given once be- through prayer circles, use of spe- each on world peace and alcohol edufore. "Movies" in either 16mm. cific growth material, significant wor- cation, cooperation in the promotion or 33mm. sized films may be ob- ship services, devotional reading and of missionary education in the local tained from: meditation, retreats: (2) Education church. of Members through study of the Beacon Films, Inc., 25 West 45th St., "giving projects"; study of "Valorous "Leadership Development" suggests New York. Ventures"; reading of the mission- ary magazine, group study, etc.: as means: Reading and study of a Holbrook-Smith Production, 33 West (3) Development of Leaders through specific list of materials (which fol- 60th St., New York. ' enrollment in the leadership training lows as. a citation of outstanding courses, in which shall be enrolled books) and of training courses; at- Pilgrim Press, 14 Beacon St., Boston. every junior and young people's lea<!er tendance upon district and branch Division of Visual Aids, Presbyterian in 1937-38, plus at least one from each meetings; coaching conferences, re- woman's society auxiliary; enroll- treats and schools of missions; study Board of Christian Education, ment in Board of Education courses of psychology, public speaking, social Witherspoon Building, Philadel- for those having completed the W. F. trends and world affairs as opportu- phia, Pa. M. S. courses; emphasis on reading nity offers; attendance upon insti- Y. M. C. A. Motion Picture Bureau, for leadership development; attend- tutes for peace and alcohol education; 347 ;Madison Ave., New York, or ance upon training centers inclusive cooperative leadership in local church 19 South La Salle St. (Room 10), of coaching conferences, retreats, dis- Chicago. trict and branch meetings. affairs. The Religious Motion Picture Founda- Following each of the foregoing tion, 140 Nassau St., New York. Following these objectives is the The Japanese Tourist Bureau, 551 lists is a schedule for checking con- Fifth Ave., New York, and The scientiously the person's observed progress, as in the case of the first section on "Personal Growth"-and, a heart-searching list it is! "I am will- ing to follow as well as lead"; "I will accept minor responsibility as gladly as conspicuous leadership"; "I can work harmoniously with others"; "I have surrendered myself, my time, my talents, my means to the work of the Kingdom, subject to the guidance of God"; "I have become a tither";
EFFECTIVE W Ay,s OF WORKING
"I do not drink nor serve alcoholic by "Taro" and "Ume" – two orange and a little red crayola, beverages and I support efforts children dressled in kimonos- adding a suggestion of a foreagainst the liquor traffic"; "I have ground. We prayed for the chilbecome. thoroughly interested in mis- who invited us to a tea where we dren who worship idols because sionary work" -these and other met their mother. She let us go they do not know the true God queries, considered prayerfully in out to her garden and pick iris one's quiet hours, can hardly fail to (some I had made). Then we unless we send missionaries to be used of God in stirring up the learned how to make small paper teach them, and Taro and Ume Christian conscience and bringing out lanterns from the colored bor- taught us to sing "Jesus Loves one's increased endeavor. ders of wall paper, and these we Me" in Japanese just as they sing it in mission schools. The star contains on one side the strung all across the front of the seven points of emphasis for the three room. As we had no sand table we years, and on the other a suggestion worked out a Japanese scene in for membership development. One of We next decided to take a jin- a box standing on its side with the points on the star indicates the at- rickisha and climb Fujiyama, a the front open – grass, cherry tempt being made to tie up all the larger poster of which hung on and evergreen trees, pool, curvunits of work on the field – the or- the wall. Two broomsticks, run ganizations of women closely linked under one of the kindergarten ing bridge, iris" wistaria, sacred with the local auxiliaries in all of chairs simulated the jinrikisha, mountain, houses and people. their endeavors. We dressed the ladies in more of which was manipulated by two the flowered wall paper and Are not there points in this plan of the boys. Only one child could worth "borrowing"? go at once, but the children were made raincoats and hats for the good about taking turns, and we coolies out of fringed tan paper. Missions in Terms of the Child's World learned much about the sacred The jinrikisha was made out of mountain. heavy black paper. Then Taro By ANNYE ALLISON, and Ume taught us some of the Richmond, Vi.rginia Next day we again visited favorite flowers, and trees of Taro and Ume, going by a dif- Japan and explained flower ar- When my primary children, ferent path which led across one from six to nine years of age, of the curved bridges that are rangement. We covered oatwere going to study Japan I meal boxes with marbled wall planned the course in the form StO common in Japan – three of paper and arranged some of the of a trip, collecting pictures, the chairs placed side by side flowers in them. making posters, paper flowers, and their seats covered with models of houses, fans, lanterns, paper. Here we learned how to We made posters of Japanese etc., before the class began. make small folded fans with children under blooming cherry On the first day they were told more wall paper border. These trees and boys sailing kites. to go into an adjoining room and we decided to wear in our hair. Then we drew lanterns on 9×12 buy their tickets, then take their inch cream drawing paper, made seats, in the train for Se'attle, the The day following Taro and three-panel folding screens with seats being their own small Ume told us about the festival chairs arranged car-wise. One of kites and of dolls, showing us frames of heavy black paper and of the boys wearing a cap and a Japanese doll and a fish kite masks of Japanese men and armed with a conductor's punch women. We cut teapots, sugar came out and handled the tickets made to look like a carp–a'spe- -long strips of pink paper. cies having brave qualities which bowls and cream pitchers out of Japanese fathers want their flowered paper and mounted On arriving in Seattle we sons to possess. The children changed to the steamer, Empress them on black so as to have tea of Japan, so the chairs had to be drew pictures of both, then Taro sets to take home. Some of our rearranged as on a deck and and Ume served them with missionary money was sent to a newspapers spread over the chil- sweetened rice custard and worker in our own denomination dren's knees in lieu of rugs. taught them the way Japanese Soon the band, composed of chil- children bow – a pretty little and the rest to a Japanese leper dren, came out on the deck and exercise set to rhyme. mission. Some of the handwork began to playa collection of toy was taken home, soOme sent to instrumentsl I had made, and the We came upon a small Shinto schools and Sunday schools maklittle folks greatly enjoyed this shrine next day, covered with ing a study of Japan, and some "music." little lumps which looked like kept by our own school to use on Chairs placed alongside of rough cement but which Taro missionary occasions. tables gave the effect of upper and Ume explained were the and lower berths, with the news- prayers of Shinto worshipers The foregoing outline of a papers as covers. The trip was who had chewed up the papers surprislingly short and very soon on which they were written and Japanese study for young chilwe arrived in Japan. While the dren may well serve as a pattern children went out for a short re- tried to shoot them into a small of universal application, subject cess, some of the posters" pic- hole in the shrine – successful tures and artificial flowers were prayers being those which en- to such adaptations as any intelarranged to give a Japanese at- tered the mark. Many fell short. ligent leader will be able to mosphere. We were welcomed Then the children cut both make. The visualizations, acti- shrines and temples or pagodas vations and personalizations in from black paper and mounted its elements are so fundamental them against sunset skies drawn in a child's world that they apply on cream paper with yellow, equally well to a study of "Rural America" and "The Moslem World." The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK, ~L~I~~==~~~~~==~~~~=~ emphasis will be upon the South- ern Mountain situation, one phase of the rural problem. Mr. Edwin E. White has written a book which describes vividly the situation which has developed in the Appalachian Mountains since 1930. Mr. White is also pre- paring the leaders' helps for this book.
Another special emphasis in the rural situation will be the Migrant labor problem. A book is being prepared on this sub- ject for the use of study groups; paper, 35 cents. Many will wish to use this in connection with the study, "Rebuilding Rural America."
"FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP" – Barbara Green Schools for Rural Leaders The above picture has just been awarded an international medal For fellowship and educa- and Is on exhibit in the Art Ga lleries in Antwerp. Belgium. tional opportunities sum mer schools for rural leaders are to Thy Good Gifts Nation-Wide Study of Rural be held at agricultural colleges; America, 1937-1938 and theological seminaries. "Our Father in Heaven, Lord While great emphasis has been of Field and Forest, Hill and Throughout the country in placed on the importance of Stream, we thank Thee for the 1937-1938 mis~·;ion study groups rural pastors attending these manifestation of Thy power in will be concentrating on the schools the courses which are all growing things. Fruitful Church in rural America. Dr. offered in many instances would soil, quickening sunlight, favor- Mark A. Dawber, outstanding be very· helpful to the pastors' able rains are Thy good gifts to authority on the rural situation, wives and other women who are us. As Thou hast made us to is the author of the study book leaders in the rural community. have dominion over all the work for adults, "Rebuilding Rural of Thy hands, help us, by Thy America"; cloth, $1.00; paper, The cost of attending the spirit, to enter into our heritage, 60 cents. The supplementary schools ranges from $15.00 to esteeming it a high calling to be course which has been prepared $25.00 for the two weeks' ses- Thy husbandmen. Help us to for use in connection with the sion. Certain of the Home Misbe mindful of Thy partnership study of "Rebuilding Rural sion Boards offer a limited numin all the cultivation of our America" has been prepared by ber of scholarships to country gardens and the care of our Dr. Benson Y. Landis, secretary pastors and it is suggested that flocks and herds. And when the of the American Country Life any interested in attending these ground hath brought forth plen- Association. This course is en- schools inquire of their Mission tifully and earth hath yielded titled "The Church and Amer- Boards about the possibility of her increase may we know that ican Rural Life"; paper, 25 attending these sessions: Thou hast given us our daily cents. bread, and give Thee thanks." Wisconsin Rural Leadership Summer In Young People's groups the School, University Qf Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, June 28- [322 ] July 9.
Auburn Summer School of Theology and Religious Education, Auburn
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Theological Seminary, Auburn, must be attained on the commu- as in sixty-three rural schools, three N. Y., June 28-July 15. nity level. If it fails there it institutions and two parochial schools." fails everywhere. That means Virginia Summer School for Rural that in the community we must From NEW YORK: Ministers, Virginia Polytechnic recognize neither East nor West, Institute, Blacksburg, Va., July North nor South, White nor One of the outstanding pieces of 12-21. Negro, city. nor country, owner civic education for women in New nor tenant. There must be York State is the Legislative Forum. The Ministers' Short Course in Com- rather that equality of opportu- It was started in New York State by munity Leadership, South Dakota nity for which de m 0 c r a c y a woman who had come from Wis- State College, Brookings, S. D., stands." consin where she was interested in a July 12-23. similar organization. This Forum is The reports of the activities of made up of a group of women-repre- Pastor's Summer School, Hollister, the rural women were evidence sentatives of women's organizations Mo., August 3-13. of this "idealism, sympathy and of the State. They met weekI" dur- spiritual insight." ing the session of the Legislature. Rural Leadership School, Purdue Uni- The Governor of the State gives them versity, Lafayette, Ind., June 21- From ILLINOIS: the use of the Assembly Parlor in the July 2. State Capitol for their meetings. Any Rural homemakers in Illinois have group or organization of women in- Seminar on "The Church and Agricul- set some minimum requirements for terested in varied legislation may be- ture," Garrett Biblical Institute, health toward which we are working. long, such as the State Federation of Evanston, Ill., June 14-July 16. . . . Clinics for tuberculosis, for tra- Women's Clubs, the Parent-Teacher choma and for crippled children; hos- Associations, the League of Women The Pastors' Institute, Divinity pitals for rural people for acute med- Voters, the New York State Federa- School, University of Chicago, ical cases; medical attention for the tion of Home Bureaus, and many Chicago Theological Seminary, expectant mother and her baby; for others. Disciples Divinity House, July immunization for smallpox, diphthe- 26-August 1. ria, and for typhoid and scarlet fever Each member of the Forum is at reasonable expense; for a safe appointed to one of five groups, com- The Rural Church Institute, Duke water supply and in this connection parable with Committees in the Legis- University, Durham, N. C., June have had a rural school water survey. lature, Finance, Judiciary, Welfare, 14-25. Weare one hundred per cent free Public Service and Internal Affairs. from tuberculosis among our cattle. North Dakota Summer School for We have been working to destroy flies At weekly meetings, bills introduced Ministers, Jamestown, N. D., July and insects, and to improve the sani- in the Legislature during the past 12-17. tary conditions of toilets in rural week are turned over to the commit- schools and churches which are so tee appointed to consider that par- Summer Institute for Rural Religious often neglected. We can get these ticular subject. The following week Leaders, Washington State Col- things through the cooperation of the committees report unon the bills lege, Pullman, Washington, June groups of women interested in health, assigned to them. No action is taken 28-July 9. and we are getting much help from on any bill. It is purely educational. our Extension Service. . . . In one Each week a report of the meeting is New England Rural Church Workers' year 3,934 individuals reported im- sent out to persons desiring it at a Conference, Ocean Park, Me., proved health habits, 1,334 reported small cost. In this way the informa- June 28-July 2. improved posture, 1,222 adopted im- tion is sent out to every County Home proved health practices and immuniza- Bureau in the State. and used as a Institute of Public Affairs, University tion, while 1,053 homes adopted bet- means of increasing the interest of of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., ter nursing procedure. rural women in legislation and mak- July 4-17. ing them conscious of their civic re- From DELAWARE: sponsibility. Cornell Summer School for Town and Country Ministers, Cornell Uni- It was not until 1927 that county From OHIO: versity, Ithaca, N. Y., July 18-30. lii:Jrary service was given to the rural people of our county. Then, a woman In Ohio alone there are more tha'1 Women in Rural America in Wilmington, Delaware, much inter- 21,000 Grange community meetings, ested in rural boys and girls, felt that in which importance of the Bible and Life on the farm and in rural they should have the same opportunity religious ideals have constant emcommunities is richer today be- that city children had been having, phasis. Without question this incause women in the country had appropriated a certain amount of fluence alone touches thousands of vision and perseverance. In a money, and with that the county li- homes that would not come in contact recent conference of over 300 brary was started. For two years it with direct influence of the church. rural homemakers fro m 24 was carried on entirely through dem- Other community groups are recogstates there was evidence of this. onstrations. After that time, enough nizing the need of religious influence public opinion was aroused so that a and inspiration. A combined and sub- Realizing that "The home is bill was brought up and passed in our stantial program, coupled with indibasic as a factor in family and Legislature appropriating a certain vidual interest and initiative, should national security" the rural amount of money which is handled do more to improve the religious sithomemaker is a very vital per- through the Levy Court of our county uation in our rural Americ:on homes. son in the rural situation. In and thus our county library is addressing these women Dr. Ed- financed. We started off with one From NEW HAM?SHIRE: mund de S. Brunner said, "the librarian but library service has community is but the extension grown by leaps and bounds. Last In most of our rural communities of your home and as such of year's report showed a circulation of we do not have enough money to supyour housekeeping. It needs 194,769 books in such places as wom- port a pastor or church activities. If your attention. It needs the en's clubs, Grange halls, churches, we could increase our religious interidealism, sympathy and spiritual private homes, country stores, as well ests, if we could unite the various facinsight of women if social sta- tions in a community, and have fewer bility is to be maintained as a churches to support, then we could basis for social progress. And get the money. . . . Our boys and this is important for if real de- girls cannot carryon the ideals of a mocracy is to be achieved and Christian nation unless we give them made manifest in our nation it the background of Christian training.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper. of Current Events ~~~=-=-=-=-=-=-=E=D=I=TE=D==BY==M=R=S=.=H=EN==R=IE=T=T=A=H=.==F=ER=G=U=S=ON==,=X=E=N=IA=,=O=H=I=O=========-===-=-~~ NORTH AMERICA ships of life than to the vertical Churches and the Slums relationships; who are more Church in a Suitcase conversant with the world than The Fed era I Council of they are with the Church. Churches is appealing to church When Rev. Dudley S. McNeil, members "to support all sound young Elgin, Ill., Episcopal Thirty-eight District Commit- and effective measures for slum clergyman, went to his field in tees have been organized to push clearance and the re-housing of southwestern W yom i n g, he a three-fold program which will low-income wage-earners." found there were but three require several years to carry churches of his denomination in out. It is believed that two- As for the part the churches an area of 40,0{)0 square miles. thirds of the church members may take in a national movement As he saw it, it was not a prob- never do church work unless it for better housing, the Federal lem of how to get the people to is organized for them, and that Council Bulletin says: church, but how to get the the highly organized present-day church to the ranchers, oil dig- world is drawing many people The churches may not have the gers and miners scattered over away from the church. technical competence to determine the the countryside, or living in methods by which the appalling houshamlets which had no churches. An Investment that Paid ing conditions in our cities can best Accordingly he built an altar be overcome, but there is something that could be carried in a suit- In 1914, windows in South basic which they can do. They can case, a complete church, he calls Philadelphia's Baptist Commu- shake the public out of its callous it, in collapsible form. Mr. Mc- nity House were repeatedly complacency. They can awaken the Neil plans to cover his territory broken by stones and at times imagination to see the wreckage of by automobile. the missionaries were greeted life and personality that present con- with similar objects. Now, the ditions mean. They can arouse a We read, also, of a new trailer district police captain affirms, moral demand that ways of redresscathedral, which will go to the there is less crime there than ing this great social wrong can be people of the diocese of southern elsewhere in his "beat." A mis- found. The greatest need is for a Ohio, instead of waiting for sion worker writes: new conscience on the subject; that them to come to it, planned by conscience the churches by concerted Bishop Hobson of Cincinnati. "Sons and daughters of par- action can supply. It is to be called "St. Paul's ents who could neither read nor Wayside Cathedral," and will write have worked their way Moody Colportage Work enable the Bishop to minister di- through college. In these 23 rectly to all the parishes and years, 2,500 students have at- The Moody Centenary calls atmissions of the diocese with a tended our evening schools; tention to the fact that the Bible program of greater service. In many are now nurses, teachers, Institute Colportage Association addition to an altar, it will con- dentists, druggists and doctors; of Chicago, which the evangelist tain a library and motion pic- four are ministers of the Gospel. founded in 1894 for the publicature outfit. Again, 23 years ago there was tion and dissemination of Chris- so little responsibility assumed tian lit.erature, has had a larger "Unite the Youth" by the few attendants at the output than in any year of its church that 27 cents for current history. The Association's pub- Lutherans are rallying for a expenses and missions was the lications in this and foreign "Unite the Youth Endeavor." total offering taken at the first countries the past year totaled Its purpose is to bring present- Sunday morning service. Now 6,376,259 copies of evangelical day Christian youth face to face there are many tithers. Ten books: booklets, Gospels, Testawith the challenging task of the young people have become either ments, Pocket Treasuries and Church, and to lead them to missionaries or ministers of the salvation tracts. Much of this adopt in word and deed a Chris- gospel. Eight are on the field was sent free to prisons, hospitian philosophy of life. It and two are soon to enter mis- tals, CCC camps, mountain and reaches out especially for those sion work." pioneer schools, fire stations, young people who are on the lodging houses, lumber camps, fringes of the congregations, From this small beginning state institutions, and the peoand who are giving more atten- has grown an Italian Baptist ples of Alaska, Phi lip pin e tion to the horizontal relation- Church, with a Sunday school Islands, India, Mexico, Central of 400 members. -Missions. and South America, Spain and Africa, as well as those in [324 ] French Louisiana, and the flood and drought-stricken areas. Child Marriage in U. S. A. "Moving Pictures Today-Admission of building. As long as we are under One Fish." a roof we judge we are fulfilling the India, in raising the marriage- law of religious assembly. The little able age limit from 14 for girls Bethel's inhabitants, 20 whites and town of Quiche springs into life every and 18 for boys seems to be ap- 200 Eskimos, by this sign knew civ- Saturday morning as the market place proaching the level of the United ilization had reached the Kuskokwim begins to fill with Indian men, women States where newspapers tell of River country. and children bringing in the cattle, a Tennessee bride of nine years wares, vegetables, fruits, etc., to sell. and one of twelve in New York. The admission charge of one fish This led us to tackle the unevangelized The editor of Missions finds, as- leaves it optional with the Eskimo Indian masses that never darken the tonishingly enough, that the movie patrons whether they pay one doors of our institutions. marriage laws of nine states- dried salmon or one dried whitefish. Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Mary- We started innocently enough in a land, Mississippi, New Jersey, -New York Times. back storeroom to keep within the Rhode Island, Tennessee and law, but this storeroom housed the Washington – specify no mini- LATIN AMERICA supplies and the agricultural tools of mum age for either girl or boy. the owner. Fearing that the Indians In the 39 states which specify a The Velorio Deserted might stealthily relieve the owner of minimum age, it varies from 14 these necessities, we moved under the to 18 for girls and from 15 to 20 A velorio is an all-night vigil eaves to still comply with the law and for boys. in honor of a saint who has an- held forth the Word of God with zest. swered a prayer. While one was This type of services has now spread Mormons Lay New Plans being held in Placetas, Cuba, a to adjoining- villages, with heartening cottage prayer meeting was During the first week in April, under way next door, separated results. -Guatemala News. 12,000 delegates to the 108th an- only by a thin partition, full of nual conference of the Mormon holes. The saint's devotees in- A Rural Need in Colombia Church met in Salt Lake City, spected the prayer m e e tin g with one of tne most ambitious through the holes, deserted the "Twenty Thousand R u r a I programs ever undertaken. This velorio, and joined the prayer Schools Needed," "Three Hunincluded $1,350,000 in educa- meeting. Ten became candidates dred Teachers Suspended in tional projects (50 per cent in- for admission to the Presby- State of Antioquia," "Two Huncrease over 1936), purchase of terian Church, and the hostess dred Fed era 1 Scholarships a site in Los Angeles for a $350,- of the velorio offered her home Granted in Normals" : these 000 temple, another at Idaho for another prayer meeting. headlines in Colombia dailies Falls, Idaho, for a $250,000 mirror the changing educational temple, erection of a score or In another district, the inten- scene, and the articles that folmore chapels in the United sity of fervor at such prayer low give details of a country- States and abroad, and intensifi- meetings sent the hitherto un- wide interest in the struggle cation of their worldwide mis- rivaled priest to court with a de- against ignorance and disease. sionary work. The Mormon mand that these meetings cease. It is shown that 10,000 schools hierarchy, to obtain funds, en- "This is not Spain," the court re- are trying to do the work of forces the old-time tithing sys- minded him, and refused to in- 30,000. Many agencies are contem, collects from each member, terfere. Two hundred were in nected with these schools in their in addition, for the relief emer- attendance at each service, effort to raise existing standgency, the cost of two meals per seated on chairs lent by the mov- ards : Protestant missions, the month. ing picture house and two of the Catholic Church, state and fed- social clubs. eral government and individuals. The church borrows no money and mortgages none of its vast This is all part of a general Dr. Herrera, former presiproperties, which include sugar- evangelistic campaign under- dent, began the present educabeet and other factories, mines, taken by the Presbytery of Ha- tional advance, which is taking hotels, newspapers, buildings vana in the months of January, mighty strides despite great oband mercantile establishments. February and March. Each stacles, and mission schools are community was divided into dis- taking an important part in the The Movie in Alaska tricts; church members were as- awakening. They have done signed to visit the families of much to stimulate an interest in Here is an illustration of the each district, giving out tracts education, and to form charspread of picture show influence, and holding prayer meetings. acter in the process. so often a handicap to the mis- Many meetings resulted in cansionary's work. didates for church membership. -Colombian Clippings.
An Eskimo boy paraded the mile- -Monday Morning. Homes for Lepers' Children long two-plank sidewalk of Bethel, Alaska's "Main Street" recently, ring- The Indians of Guatemala A Brazilian woman, wife of ing a cowbell and turning himself Prof. Anderson Weaver, Methproudly so all could read the legend Open-air preaching is forbid- odist missionary to Brazil, is emblazoned on his sandwich boards, den by Guatemala law; religious leading a movement in her coun- services must be held in "tem- try to establish in every state a pIes.'" Rev. William Oughton of "refuge home" ~or the healthy Quiche writes: children of leprous parents, where they may be cared for, Where no Evangelical church build- trained and educated, and grow ing exists we must resort to any kind
up free from ,all taint of lepros~. founded charges of Communism their parish either drift into in- She has already raised large have given rise to terrorism, difference or are absorbed by the sums and homes have been built floggings and even murders, Roman Catholic mass in which in seven of Brazil's 22 states. leading to the removal of mis- they are embedded.
One home has been named in her guided officials. -World DominionPress. -World Dominion Press. honor. Mrs. Weaver, "Dona Eunice," has invitations from EUROPE Bible Distribution in Italy the governments. of ten other states to come and help them Communists' Catechism Circulation of the Bible is not with similar campaigns. easy in Italy; there are power- Dawn is authority for the ful forces to block the way. Re- If her husband were a Bra- statement that there are more cently a decree was issued that zilian he would probably not than 124 communist Sunday copies must bear on the title permit his wife to travel about schools in Great Britain in page the word "Protestant." It and conduct money-raising cam- which the communist faith is was charged that evangelicals paigns. But Prof. Weaver, who taught. Their catechism in- were duping Catholics by cir- cludes such questions as: culating the Bible without tellis superintendent of the People's ing them it was the Protestant Central Institute in Rio de Ja- "What is God?" "God is a word Bible. neiro, knows that this philan- used to designate an imaginary being thropic work is helping to put which people of themesleves have Difficult as the problem was, Protes;tantism on before the peo- devised." the evangelicals did not feel that ple in Brazil in a favorable light. they could print the word "Prot- "Who is Jesus Christ?" "Jesus – World Outlook. Christ is the son of a Jewish girl estant" on the Bible. It is not Protestant Progress in Brazil called Mary." exclusively a Protestant Book. "Is he the Son of God?" "There is It existed before the word "Prot- The latest biennial report of estant" was coined. Things the Evangelical Federation of no God, therefore there can be no were at' a deadlock; and the Brazil marks a definite advance God's Son." Vatican rejoiced at what it reof the churches. Spiritual life garded the success of its astute has been vitalized, literature for "Is Christianity desirable?" "Chris- move. the work of the churches in- tianity is not advantageous to us, but creased, and the training of Sun- harmful, it makes us spiritual crip- The evangelicals continued day school and other workers ples. By its teachings of bliss after quietly in prayer. The decree greatly improved. The Evan- death it deceives the people. Chrisgelical churches in Brazil show tianitv is the greatest obstacle to the could not be revoked without loss a development greater than that progress of mankind, therefore it is of prestige, but those responsible in any other Latin American the duty of every citizen to help wipe were made to see their position country, having a Christian com- out Christianity." was untenable; that it revealed munity of nearly 2,000,000. This an ignorance of history. Evenrecent effort to promote fellow- Church Union in France tually, a way was found for those ship and unity of effort is who had made the decree to fraught with brightest promise. Union of the Reformed modify it without sacrifice of Churches of France will prob- dignity. Would the evangelicals, The churches have a sense of ably be realized during 1937. while letting the words "Bibbia responsibility for the Indian The synods of the v a rio u s Sacra"-"Holy Bible"-stand on tribes in the forest. A union ex- churches are meeting earlier the title page, put clearly underperiment to reach the Cayua In- than usual to set forward the neath the title the name and dians is shared by three denom- proceedings. The Ref 0 r m e d style of the translator? That inations. The Baptist Church has Evangelical Churches prepared they readily agreed to do, and, been forward in this pioneer for the act of union by an appeal to the priests' chagrin, a comwork and for some time has last year for 3,000,000 francs to promise was effected. It is felt maintained a work among one set their finances on a firm basis. that what was intended as a or two tribes as part of its na- Despite hard times they received crippling hindrance has become tional missions' scheme. A 2,800,000 francs. Union will a furtherance. couple of years ago a mission strengthen the churches to face a difficult situation. The sub- -Beyond Alpine Snows. urbs of Paris increase their pop- ulation enormously, but Prot- estant pastors who are trying in working among the Indians pub- many cases to care for 100,000 News Out of Russia lished a paper in Portuguese to to 250,000 persons are hopelessly stir interest in the forest In- overworked. More pastors and Things are going on in Russia dians. It was very well received, evangelists are needed to turn-a which one does not get in the secured subscribers in practi- work of conservation into a cam- daily news. The Quarterly Jour- cally every state of Brazil, and paign of conquest. nal of the United Christian Lit- in 1936 reached a self-support- One of the most difficult tasks erature Society gives a few ing basis. of the French Protestant Church facts of significance.
Communism is rigorously sup- is the care of scattered members. During 1936 Moscow used 86 pressed by the government, but To an alarming extent, individ- different languages on its subin certain rural districts un- uals and groups who move from sidized printing presses. In
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
editions of vary'ing size, it pro- slow death from e con 0 m i c among Moslems in Khartum and duced some 10,000 publications, strangulation. Omdurman is regarded as in- and of these 37,000,000 copies It is reported that the Polish tolerable. There is a general went out. In "tracts" and Government plans the "evacua- opinion current that the Azhar brochures, the total for 1936 tion" of all the 3,150,000 Jews should send a mission to preach came to five thousand millions; in Poland, thereby confronting Islam in the Sudan, and it is refor boys and girls the books is- other nations with a migration ported that the Sudan Governsued totalled thirty-two millions. problem of unprecedented mag- ment would raise no objection. Furthermore, the cinema has nitude. The Society for the Defense of had its special bureau, of which the Moslem Religion is arrang- no figures are available. AFRICA ing public meetings to discuss However, there is actually The New Egypt the preparation of a mission.
talk of religious revival. Though -World Dominion Press.
there is persecution, priests re- Egypt's "New Deal" began on Tripoli Mission Closed main, living like hunted pariahs. August 26, 1936, when a treaty Some, having escaped the massacre in which many thousands was signed in London bringing The work of the North Africa of their brethren fell, furtively to Egypt a new framework Mission in Tripoli City has been celebrate religious rites in the within which her leaders pur- suppressed by Italian authoriconcentration camps, where they pose to work out Egypt's future •ties. This work had been mainendure the horrors of forced destiny as a free country. There tained for a half century as a labor; others wander in beg- can be no doubt that the treaty medical and evangelistic center, gary from place to place, keep- is popular. Plans are on foot to and has been a means of healing ing alive as they go the villagers' better the living conditions of and spiritual blessing to thoufaith; others minister to crowd- the people. It is proposed to ed congregations in the few choose certain villages in differ- sands of Jews and Arabs. churches still allowed to func- ent parts of the country as model tion. Blatant atheism is not so villages, to be improved in every At about the same time, the blatant; the circulation of its Vicar Apostolate, Msgr. Facchief organ has fallen from way and made fit habitations. 37,000 to 14,000; not only the Changes in the educational set- chinetti, consecrated a new old folks, but the young, includ- up are in prospect, and it is church to St. Francis de Assisi, ing young soldiers, are daring hoped that the rights of women in the center of Tripoli City. to attend religious services and may be recognized in a wider sing the old hymns – as only plan of education. Already Near by is a small monastery Russians can-where once stood for the Franciscan missionaries. beautiful churches. there have been proposed laws With this addition, the Catholic in parliament for the regulation It seems clear that when the of women's dress in public, and churches and chapels in the Vigreat revival comes, a new cariate Apostolic of Tripoli now church must emerge; no longer a law for the prohibition of ala caste, indifferent to the peo- coholic and intoxicating. bev- total forty. Thus, from the ple's need and chained to a erages. Italian possessions in Africa, dynasty. What part religion may take evangelical witness is being sys- Jewish Crisis in Five Countries tematically excluded.
Anti-Semitism, raised by Hit- -Alliance Weekly. ler in Germany to the status of a political religion, is rapidly in the new era is a question that Roman Catholic Propaganda spreading throughout Eastern cannot be answered. One looks Europe, and is approaching the in vain for political leadership in the Congo high water mark in Poland, the anywhere in the world today The Southern Presbyterian which is actuated by religious Board reports that their success in the Congo Beige have aroused motives in making decisions. the Catholics, who say that neither men nor money will be -Women's Missionary Magazine. spared in wresting these gains Demonstration Against from the Protestants. They are Missions making no idle boast, for every steamer from Europe is crowded country with the biggest Jewish Excitable El Azhar Univer- with priests and nuns, and the population outside the United sity students are responsible for Belgian Government is spending States, and the highest percent- a violent demonstration against millions in erecting schools, ca- age of Jews in proportion to its missionary work in the Sudan. thedrals, convents and hospitals total population, except for Pal- The Arabic press has espoused for these invading hosts. Last estine. Of the world's entire the cause with zeal. Al Misri, January, out of a total white Jewish population, 30 per cent Al Ahram and Al Mussawar population in Congo of 18,683, are facing the choice of repeat- publish long articles attacking the priests numbered 2,320- ing the Exodus on a bigger scale the Sudan administration for whereas all Protestant workers than that chronicled in the Bible, favoring the Christianization of of all nationalities numbered and somehow crashing through pagan tribes, and making educa- only 734. Whereas the Roman- immigration bars, or of dying a tional grants to missions. Work ists are increasing by scores and
hundreds, the Protestants are hymns. In Mt. Silinda, Rev. and INDIA AND BURMA actually decreasing. Apparently Mrs. John S. Marsh report tak- Another Open Door they have, as they claim, un- ing two Christian A f ric a n limited financial resources. women to a conference under an- Rev. Chandra Das of Benares other mission where 3,000 other cites instances to show that for Their line of attack is through native Christian women lived the Christian message Benares the schools, increased to include three days in conference on reli- offers a fair field. every tiny hamlet. They charge gious matters. They had planno tuition, provide equipment "Benares is famous for palmfree, and are using every legiti- ned and carried through the en- istry and astrology. Not far mate and illegitimate form of tire affair without the help of from our book room is the office propaganda against Protestant- missionaries. of one of these pseudo-scientists, ism. -Presbyterian Survey. in charge of a modern-minded -Overseas News.
Achievement in Central Africa In Tanganyika Outposts young man who has traveled in the West. One morning he A plan to establish a line of A worker for the Church Mis- called me into his house and conmission stations from Mombasa sionary Society in Tanganyika fessed to me a sense of painful to Lake Chad has been completed pays tribute to the work of Af- need. He asked me a direct after forty-two years' work. rican teachers in isolated out- question – 'What has C h r i s t The Africa Inland Mission, in. stations. "Their patience and done for you?' I spent over an association with two other so- love in carrying out their round hour with him and left a copy cieties in French Equatorial of duties week by week, and of St. John's Gospel. Since then Africa, has the chief honor of year by year, could only be main- he has come to our library many the achievement. Missionary in- tained in the power of God." times and bought a Hindi Bible. fluence now permeates some She continues: "A Moslem religious teacher 4,000,000 native peoples. The It always thrills me when I am one day discussed with me the Christian meanings of the Son Society has 230 missionaries asked to interview and examine for of God, perfection of Christ's laboring on 53 s tat ion s in baptism women and girls brought in character, etc., in a very humble Kenya, Tanganyika, West Nile, from the outstations. I hear them read God's Word, and answer ques- and teachable spirit. I was im- Uganda, Bel g ian Congo and tions on the life of our Lord that in French Equatorial Africa. would daunt some of the children at pressed by the absence of ego- home, and I realize that they have tism and argumentative spirit Church schools have been opened learned entirely from the Bible and common in Moslem inquirers. in 1,500 centers and are served from their fellow-Africans. by 2,000 evangelist – teachers. "A Tamil-speaking youth of -C. M. S. Outlook. Madras used his holiday leave in During 1936, 20,000 catechu- mens were under instruction and WESTERN ASIA going about to shrines and holy 6,900 were baptized. In order places in search of peace. 'What to consolidate the churches and Novel Attack on Illiteracy could Christ do for me?' he to plan for developments, the Society has sent its deputation sec- Of Turkey's 40,000 villages, asked. I had an opportunity for retary to confer with the mis- days together of explaining to sionaries. of which many hardly deserve that name, 32,000 have neither him the peace that Christ gives. -World Dominion Press. school nor teacher. It is cal- The case was unique in that young men are rarely troubled Singing African Christians culated that with the help of existing institutions it would re- about spiritual peace. I try to One dark night a missionary quire 96 years to train the neces- follow up these inquirers. Those was traveling on the outskirts of sary teachers. But the govern- who leaye Benares are kept in a territory untouched by Christian influence, so far as he knew, ment dcided to have this done in touch through correspondence although looked upon by the ten years, and devised a plan and literature sent to them by young Chilesso church as its re- which will not only yield the post, and for many of these con- stant prayer is offered in private necessary number of teachers in that short period, but will also and in our common worship."
sponsibility. He heard Christian train a type that psychologically Cow Worship hymn tunes. Investigating he will be much nearer the rural found a young man from one of population than is the ordinary The cow-worshiping cult has the few Christian villages near town-trained man. received new impetus from that section who had carried the Since the Turkish army is the Gandhi. A statement of his Gospel message in song, and a most efficient school in the na.- that the Depressed Classes "are goodly group had caught the tion, it has now been decided worse than cows in understand~ .contagion of the music. The that non-commissioned officers ing" called forth protests on the Chilesso church which now has shall be trained as village teach- part of some of his missionary some 2,600 members maintains ers, and also shall be prepared friends. As a reply to these prooften that it was first led to al- to disseminate elementary no- tests he issued the following legiance to "The Name" through tions of farming and hygiene. statement in The Rarijan of the influence of C h r i s t ian -The Christian Century. January 9:
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
In my conversations with Dr. Mott, New Madras Christian College He must have adult material. at one stage I said, "Would you preach With proper textbooks and the the Gospel to a cow? Well, some of On January 30, Lord Erskine, method of teaching and making the Untouchables are worse than cows in understanding. I mean they Governor of Madras, opened the volunteer teachers, it should be can no more distinguish between the new buildings at Tambaram, the possible to make India literate relative merits cif Islam and Hinduism new home of Madras Christian in 25 years. and Christianity than a cow." Some 9011ege, into which the College missionary friends have taken excep- IS to move in this, its centenary, -Baptist Missionary tion to the analogy. I have no re- Review. morse about the propriety of the year. The first sod had been cut analogy. There could be no offense meant to Harijans because the cow is on January 5, 1932. Five years Anti-Leprosy Work a sacr,ed animal. I worship her as I have passed, and much of what wors~Ip my mother. Both are givers was then a dream has been real- Many new leprosy treatment ?f mIlk. And so far as understanding ized. It has cost £174,000. The centers have been opened in the IS concerned I do maintain that there Government of Madras has do- Punjab, according to the latest are, be it said to the discredit of nated the spacious site of 400' report. With the organization superior class Hindus, thousands of acres and has contributed half of 18 new clinics, the total num- Harijans who can no more understand the cost of the buildings. On ber of treatment centers rose the merits and demerits of different the same condition of pound for from 34 to 52, apart from the religions than a cow. That after a pound, it is prepared to carryon five clinics at leper homes. The long course of training Harijans can and fulfil the dream completely. number of doctors trained in have their intelligence developed in a The College grew out of the anti-leprosy work went from 127 manner a cow's cannot, is irrelevant little school opened by John An- to 178. Besides, there were four to the present discussion. derson, the first missionary of sanitary inspectors and one dis- the Church of Scotland in South trict medical officer of health. -The Indian Witness. India, who arriv-ed in Madras Systematic propaganda w 0 r k April 3, 1837. The London Mis- was widely carried out and the National Christian Council sionary Society now shares in provincial leprosy officer ex- tended his survey work to vari- The seventh biennial meeting the enterprise. of the National Christian Coun- ous districts, thus visiting 664 cil, held in Nagpur from Decem- -L. M. S. Chronicle. villages in all, with a population ber 28, 1936, till January 1 1937, considered some urgent Causes of Illiteracy of 169,879. It is stated that in issues of the present ferment. 124 villages 326 cases were de- Seven practical proposals were Dr. Frank C. Laubach enumade: merates the causes of India's tected in different stages of the appalling illiteracy. One handi- disease.-The Indian Witness. Retreats, conferences and inter-visitation should be arranged cap is that if an illiterate desires The Acid Test in Ceylon for workers; large numbers of voluntary workers should be en- to read he must learn to read in Dr. Russell Maltby tells the listed and trained; readj ustment of available forces should be a foreign language, not in the following story: A high-caste made in some areas; every effort should be made to remove language he speaks, for the clas- Bra h min was converted to illiteracy in the Church; the help of the older churches should sical written vocabularies are so Ch~istianity. On the day on still be sought for enquirers and training young members of the different from the spoken collo- WhICh he was to be baptized he Church; the secretariat of the National C h r is t ian Council quial that they are really differ- came to the table where the misshould be strengthened in order that one member may be free to ent languages. sionary was seated, and pouring further this work; cooperation on the part of all branches of the A~other reason for slow prog- out a glass of water, he offered 9hl!rch sho1;lld be developed, as It IS essentIal for undertaking ress IS that when parents are il- it to the missionary. The l amttae~r the task adequately. hardly knowing what the literate the children are likely to The statement concludes: forget all they learned. If the wanted, took a drink, and The Council would specially ask for prayer on behalf of those who are adults were taught first, the chil- handed the glass back. Wheregroping after the light, sometimes hardly knowing what they seek. dren would never forget. It has upon the Brahmin took the glass Prayer is also asked for the Church in India, called to a work so full of been found that an adult can and drank from it himself! A difficulty and dangel, that, purified and strengthened and filled with wis- learn to read in about one-fifth strict Brahmin would rather dom, it may carry out God's purpose for this land. of the time required to teach a drink poison than do a thing like -I. M. C. Quarterly. child. This important discovery that. It was a severe test for a has tremendous bearing upon Brahmin to take for Christ. India. .
Again, the language of the A Modern Muezzin in Malaya books and newspapers is not the colloquial one of the people so In the great Masjid Sultan that there is nothing they can Mosque in Singapore the Muez- read when they have first zin, who calls Moslems to prayer learned to read. Apathy must is to be aided by loudspeakers: be overcome, and finally, appro- Instead of climbing the stairway priate lesson material must be of the minaret five times a day, provided. An adult does not en- to cup his hands to his lips and joy studying children's books. utter his weird cry, he will step
to a microphone and broadcast. East generally of a conscious- of its students are now at work Singapore Moslems opposed the ness of the world mission of in the villages and rural areas innovation at first, and there are Christianity. The larger meas- of the province. Recently, the some who have not yet become ure of responsibility which has governor of Fukien Province reconciled, but the traffic noises devolved upon the Christian has appropriated almost twentyoffered too great competition to churches in the East is every- two thousand dollars, Chinese the call from the minaret. A where apparent, notably in re- currency, to cover the full cost new machine was therefore spect to the Conference of the of extension of this rural procalled to the aid of an old cus- International Mis'sionary Coun- gram. Under the leadership of tom. -Christian Advocate. cil to be held in Hangchow in Dr. Francis Chen, the Univer- the Spring of 1938. The West- sity is now finding many new CHINA ern sense of world mission is avenues of service to every part broadening into a universal of the province. A New Man ·Christian fellowship, with a conscious world vocation in the Chinese Mission Control Here is a transformation that service of Christ. followed a reading of the prodi- On April 1, the American gal's return. A villager had Soochow University Methodist Episcopal Mis s ion been a lazy, worthless dope blazed a new trail with a profiend, had spent his life mis- President Y. C. Yang, of Soo- posal that mission property be treating his family and spend- chow University, lists some placed under Chinese ownership ing their substance on opium. achievements among the insti- and control. Now the people of the village tution's graduates to show the see him going to the fields every vital part it is taking in helping The sixth quadrennial East day with a hoe, have noticed that to Christianize the intellectual Asia Conference named a board his vocabulary has radically current in China. to study the project under which changed, and that even the tone church m iss ion properties, of his voice is different. He is Many of the University's former widely scattered in China and most thoughtful of his mother. students and graduates are now serv- having an estimated value of His neighbors know he must ing their country in positions of prom- $5,000,000, would be transhave been able to do an almost inence and leadership. In the field of ferred. The proposal is the first impossible thing to break off the law and governmnt, the new Constitu- of its kind advanced in any fordrug habit. tion of China, which is to be submitted eign mission in China. It will to the People's AssemJly for adoption, be submitted to the highest au- When asked how he did it he was drafted by the principal of our thorities of the mission in the says he sings hymns and reads Law School and one of our own grad- United States for final decision. over and over about Jesus. He uates. In the financial world, the says he wants to go to summer managers of the Bank of China in Soldiers Sweep Streets school where he can study the Shanghai, Nanking and Hongkong Bible and be able to explain it to are all former Soochow students. In The Rev. E. H. Forster, of the people of his village. His the field of social religious service, Yangchow, China, writes in The neighbors corroborate every- five of the largest and most important Churchman of some things obthing he says. What started Y. M. C. A. associations-Nanking, served during a visit to the city this revolution in him? He says Shanghai, Soochow, Hangchow and of Paoying, especially among the he heard an evangelist tell the Swatow-are all Soochow graduates. soldiers. The m.ayor was edustory of the father who had two In the field of education, three out of cated in England, representative sons, of how one went off into the eleven men now serving as presi- of the new type of officials with the far country, of how the fa- dents of Christian colleges and uni- which the government is trying ther watched and longed for his versities in China, and the first presi- to supplant the old. The city has return, and bf how finally the son dent of the Central Government Uni- an institution for the cure of saw his great folly and went versity are Soochow alumni. In the drug addicts, where the Chinese back home. -World, Outlook. field of religion, Dr. Z. T. Kaung, pas- physician in charge is a church- tor of our great Moore Memorial man, son of a clergyman in Will Missions Shift Emphasis? Church, Shanghai, and chairman of Ningpo. the Executive Council of the China The editor of the Chinese Re- Conference; Mr. Z. S. Zia, general He was also impressed with corder believes that the mission- secretary of our Board of Christian the bearing and personal appearary enterprise is shifting from Education; Dr. T. C. Chao, dean of ance of the soldiers. They were a world mission with its drive the School of Religion of Yen~Ching a well dressed, well set-up group centered in the West, to one University, and Mr. Z. K. Zia, Chinese of men, who showed in their world-wide in drive as well as editor of the China Christian Litera- manner that they were accusin scope. A corresponding weak- ture Society, are all graduates of Soo- tomed to discipline. "I was even ening in the West of the Chris- chow University. more impressed," he says, "when tian sense of world mission he I saw them sweeping the streets, considers is apparent, but is -World Outlook. leveling and paving roads, and compensated in a measure by the effecting many improvements in emergence in China and in the Rural Reconstruction the appearance of the city. I In response to requests of both people and government, Fukien Christian University is putting increased emphasis on rural reconstruction. This is not a new departure, for many
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
:found that many of the officers port, "to imagine a more pitiable Evangelistic Band during the were Christians, that they took crowd of men. They had only past three decades. This indegood care of their men, that they rags for clothing, supplemented pendent church, exercising all held regular religious services to by straw packing, or anything the functions of an indigenous which the men in the ranks were else, that would give them a society, such as self-support, invited. In view of this experi- modicum of warmth." Of sev- self-government, and self-exten- ence I could not help feeling that enteen admitted to the hospital, sion, will relieve the parent or- this sort of army discipline and seven died within a few days. ganization of the heavy respon- life could not but be a very val- Some of the men professed con- sibilities of caring for estab- uable training for thousands of version. Most of these men lished churches, and permit it men in China, provided they were suffering from typhus or to devote its energies directly to could always be used for con- tuberculosis, in addition to gun- the evangelization of unreached structive instead of destructive shot wounds. communities. service." Work among lepers has repre- A Nation of Readers sented the main activity of the Medicine by Trailer Hospital. At one time they had Japan Today and Tomorrow 76 inmates. The increase last says that of 30,347 books pub- The "trailer" has come to year was made up mainly of Ti- lished the past year in Japan, China! Dr. W. H. Dobson, of those concerned with education Yeungkong, whose 39 years in betans. Fifteen lepers were head the list, followed by books China have not dimmed his abil- baptized last summer, seven be- on politics, economics and the ity to recognize and seize every ing Tibetans. Christian lepers new idea that would aid him in have contributed toward the home. Books on religion are his medical work, is starting out work. -China's MiUions. also increasingly popular; there to spend several months in coun- Siushan Joins the World was an increase of 257 over the try districts with his trailer, previous year. It is not indi- holding clinics in villages where For the first time in history a cated how many dealt with there is still need for spreading motor bus came to the very gates Christianity, but it is probable knowledge of modern medicine. of the hoary city of Siushan, that these increased in propor- Despite many years of Christian Szechuan, West China, a Chris- tion with those on other relimedical missions, and the in- tian Alliance station. The news gions. creasing number of government of this great event spread rap- Magazines are increasingly hospitals, rural dis t ric t s in idly throughout the town, and popular. At the end of 1934, China are still sorely neglected. steady streams of people flowed Japan had 947 magazines; 25 After ancient Chinese medical to and from this curious new were devoted to religion, 102 practice has left them in a hope- object. The car came to the were concerned with education. less condition, too many patients edge of the city wall at the south Magazines having the largest are brought to the mission hos- gate; spectators lined the top of circulation were those on poppital in Yeungkong as a last re- the wall, while others crowded ular recreations, with women's sort. Dr. Dobson is now under- about the car to give it a thor- magazines second and children's taking preventive as well as ough "once over." third.
curative medicine. In a short time cars should be A Language Without -Monday Morning. able to get through to Lungtan Profanity and Yuyang, while within a few Borden Hospital in Kansu months they should get through The Japanese language is the to Pengshui and on to Chung- only language in the world, says Borden Memorial Hospital at king. This motor road heralds the Christian Union Herald, in Lanchow accepts disturbances a new day. In a most providen- which there is not a profane as a matter of course, and finds tial way it touches at three main word. Although thousands of many opportunities interwoven stations and will link us directly with them. The number of with Chungking in the west and expressions and phrases have Tibetan patients has been larger Changsha in the east. Time, been absorbed from other lanthan usual, there being at one money and missionaries' health guages, the native tongue retime an average of fifteen Ti- will be conserved. betans with them. Towards the mains clean and wholesome. To end of the year there were many -The Frontier. be profane is the worst thing hundreds of Communist prison- that any man, over there, can do. ers of war camped in a temple JAPAN-OHOSEN He realizes it, and knows that if not far away. The Chinese Gov- he indulges in profanity picked ernment asked our friends at the New Ohurch Formed hospital to give these men med- up from foreigners, he will be The Japan Church of Jesus ostracized by his friends, his Christ is a new organization, neighbors and his own family.
ical attention. The government formed by the merger of several "On the Air" in Yokohama hospital was filled and others groups of believers which have had refused them. "It would be grown up as a result of the evan- Recently Baptists in Japan difficult," says the Hospital Re- gelizing efforts of the Japan had their first opportunity to
broadcast a Sunday morning laboring under heavy burdens has been a direct result of the church service, and it came to and wish to hear Christ's loving new spiritual life received from the Kanagawa Church in Yoko- call come without hesitation to these times of study and fellowhama. The Sunday morning the Uchinomaki Church." He ship. Two of the girls who at- feature of the radio network is came, deeply convicted of his tended from Ronna returned usually Buddhist. sins, and joyfully accepted with the message: "Today is the The time allotted in this in- Christ as his Saviour. day of salvation." They went stance was 40 minutes, but pas- -The Dawn. from house to house and from tor Kawamata decided to use relative to relative, insisting only 30, in order to leave the Trials in Korea upon the claims of the Gospel final ten minutes for meditation Korea is not escaping certain message. As a result of their before somethins- else went on disruptive effects of material- efforts seven new members have the air. His sermon was on the been won during the past few subject, "Praise Be to God." ism, and the fine edge of spir- months. The plan of follow-up ituality is blunted in places by after the institute to be held in -Missions. politics and factious jealousies. October is to hold other insti- Nevertheless, the whole Prot- tutes in each of the districts, Better Understanding thus keeping up the interest and With China estant Church advanced last the impetus. Never before has year. The "shrine question" this field been so well manned An interesting exchange of with native pastors. amenities has been made be- has hindered the quiet growth of tween the National Christian the Church and continues to be -Philippine Presbyterian. Councils of Japan and China. perturbing. Missionary opinion The Japan Council voted to send Manila Union High School a statement to the Chinese is divided, some accepting the Christian b6dy calling attention Government General's assurance The Union High School of to the testimony of both history Manila has completed seventeen and topography "that the rela- that attendance of scholars at the years as a separate institution. tions of these two nations, each shrines is not a religious but It presents unrivalled opportuniwith the other, ought to be more ties for the development of intimate than with the other simply a patriotic act. The Christian ideals and character powers"; 'and urging "that larger number, however, main- among its students. Each stuthrough mutual conference a tain that the services are reli- dent is considered as a responsuitable place and time may be gious, notwithstanding the offi- sibility given to the school for chosen where we can kneel to- spiritual training. Each soul gether in the presence of our cial statement. The missions affords an opportunity for per- Lord, deepen the fellowship with these represent have decided to sonal interest on the part of the one another and seek for God's withdraw from secular educa- teachers. To meet this great fullest guidance to the end that opportunity three religious edua spiritual reapproachment and tional work, which will affect cation classes and two chapel unity may be brought about be- 25,000 pupils. The Government services are conducted each tween our two peoples." Ac- week. In addition, a week of cording to news dispatches, the educational provision is only for special evangelistic services fol- China Council has received the about twenty per cent of chil- lowed, when many students petition with sympathy and the dren of school age. Much will made new resolutions as to their depend upon the action of the Korean National Churches; but a concerted decision is not easy, as meetings to discuss the ques- tion are not permitted by the authorities.
-World Dominion Press.
Chinese have expressed willing- manner of living and personal ness to meet their Japanese ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC relationship to Christ.
brethren in any such conference On Cebu Island Three Siamese students are of mutual respect. enrolled. One was brought up In the Cebu field, P. I., 242 in the royal palace. Though a -The Christian Century. have been received into the Buddhist by birth, he is no churches on profession of faith Would-be Suicide during the past year, and eleven longer a Buddhist at heart. He places have been opened to the A pickle merchant of Omuta Gospel. This does not mean has said that he wants to worlost heart because of family places where occasional visits ship the true God. Recently, troubles, and decided to plunge are made, but places where reginto the crater of Mount Aso, a ular services have been estab- when told that he had passed in volcano. But face to face with lished, and a group of baptized all his subjects he said it was death he could find no peace. As God who had helped him, as he prayed to Him every day.
he lay on the ground near the believers is carrying on by Chinese Christians in Hawaii crater, he saw written on a post: themselves. Four ten-day Chris- "Come unto me, all ye that labor tian workers' institutes have Bishop Willis, of Hawaii, says and are heavy laden, and I will been conducted, with an average that Chinese Christians stand give you rest." Then the follow- attendance of 69 students. We out in two particulars. One is ing words: "Let any who are believe that much of the advance the friendly Christian fellowship
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
within their own congregation. to July 1, for the study of the understanding, social service, the movies, the radio, personality They are constantly giving so-, subjects: Christianity and the and religion.
cial entertainments, particularly totalitarian State, the conscien- -The Living Church.
Chinese dinners and chop suey tious objector, the League of "Dithering"
meals, which bring their mem- Nations, sanctions and interna- Some one has written an ar- ticle on "Diseases of the Mission bers together when there are tional police. In England, Scot- Field," the most serious being what he calls "dithering." A parish meetings, confirmations land and America cooperation writer in The Chronicle shows how serious this may be. and baptisms. with the Fellowship of Recon- You start o.ut determined to show The other particular is their ciliation in several countries has the carpenter how to set out a window sash. Before you have gone a dozen missionary interest which keeps been secured. The office of the steps you are pounced upon by a man with eggs fo.r sale. You inform him them in close touch with church International Union is at Am- that the cook buys the eggs; he then offers you chickens, and you tell him work in China. They have given merstol, Holland. that the cook buys these too. But an- other man has seen you, and bears largely toward the endowment -International Christian down with a request to. be sent somein the Shensi diocese, for famine Press. where to fetch a load of something. relief and other special needs in You answer him that you don't want a load of anything brought from any- China. When the day school Catholic World Missions where, whereupo.n he says he wants to children heard of the recent buy a Bible. Of course you have to martyrdom of the catechist, The Roman Catholic Church sell him that but you find he has only Huang Han-Tsang, killed by has 340 seminaries in its major half the necessary money. He says bandits near Hankow, they mission fields with 18,541 stu- he will bring the balance in beans, and dents for the priesthood. China so the transaction is temporarily in raised $100 for his family. abeyance. has 4,361; India, 1,801; Indo- -The Churchman. China, 2,237 ; Africa, 4,260 ; Fearing the .:arpenter may have made the window sash according to Missionaries Televised Japan and Korea, 669; the his o.wn ideas, you dash toward the islands of the Pacific, 47l. shop. But a bricklayer, building a The British Weekly recently There are 500 separate Roman cottage for a medical orderly, interhad an interesting account of Catholic missions in the foreign cepts to ask where exactly to put the missionaries on furlough being mission fields, so that the con- window frames. You realize with a televised in London. sickening feeling that you have not tention that this Church presents yet marked the exact position of these frames. They are pro.bably building In an hour's television program one front is not quite accurate, them all in on the windward wall, in last week there were two exceptionally which case the medical orderly will interesting missionary items. One especially as the cooperative never, never open the windows. You councils of Protestant missions dash off and find that your surmise was an interview with Bishop Flem- are banding themselves closer is absolutely correct. Directing labor ing of the Arctic, while on the other and closer together in a world- in Africa is largely a matter of go- ing to. see what So-and-so is doing, the interviewer talked with that amaz- and telling him not to. At last you may (or again you may not) arrive ing trio of women, Miss Mildred Cable wide organization already su- at the shop and find the carpenter' and the two Misses French, of the happily pegging together the window China Inland Mission. They had perior in many ways to the sash-an almost perfect rhombus. Topsy, their little Mongolian deaf and so-called "united front" of the WHAT WILL HELP YOU? dumb friend, with them. They looked Roman Catholic Church. on the experience of being televised Many readers have sent us reports as an adventure not unworthy o.f a -The World Today. of their Metho.ds for promoting mis- sionary interest; others have exparty of women who had recently Girls' Friendly Society pressed their gratitude for the help given in our "Ways of Working" Decrossed the Gobi Desert for the fifth partment. Is there some special way in which we can help you in planning time, and told their hearers very The Girls' Friendly Society is your work for the promotion of missportingly and vividly how they trav- sionary interest in yo.ur church, your society, the Sunday school or home, elled, what they carried with them, one of the most active and vig- or among other groups? What would why they went, and the sort of things orous organizations, of the Epis- you find most useful in the way of program material and suggestions, that happened to them on the way. copal Church. Founded 60 years literature, sermonic and illustrated They themselves were tremendously ago, it now has a membership of material, o.r methods of stimulating interested in all that went o.n in the missionary interest in children? Please forward your questions or requests to studio, and seemed quite unperturbed 29,000, with 900 branches in the Mrs. Estella S. Aitchison, Granville, when a camera, looking more like a United States, the Philippine Ohio. tank and manned by four men, would Islands, Puerto Rico, Panama, suddenly begin to bear down on them for a close up while they talked. The Japan and China. The Society first missionary to be televised was provides a varied and balanced the 83-year-old Archdeacon Batchelo.r of Hokkaido. program of worship, study, rec- reation, social service and serv- Antimilitarist Congress ice to the Church for girls and young women. Its twofold task The Executive Comittee of is the development of character the International Union of Anti- and friendship in loyalty to the militarist Ministers and Clergy- Church, and the arousing of an men, which has branches in Hol- intelligent interest in and underland, Switzerland, Eng I and, standing of the issues of the Scotland, France, Sweden, Nor- world today. Under the general way and Denmark has decided theme of Christian Citizenship, to hold the fourth international study is given to such vital probcongress in Edinburgh, June 29 lems as world peace, interracial Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information GOOD BOOKS ON RURAL AMERICA COMPILED AND ANNOTATED BY DR. BENSON Y. LANDIS, Associate Secretary of Department of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Rebuilding Rural America. By Mark plan of church work adapted to United Churches. By Elizabeth R. A. Dawber. New York, Missionary that culture. Hooker. New York, Harper & Education Movement. 215 pp. $1.00, Brothers. 1926. 306 pp. $1.75. cloth; paper, 60 cents. Industrial Village Churches. By Edmund deS. Brunner. New York, A most adequate study of A comprehensive discussion Harper & Brothers. 1930. 205 pp. types of community churches in dealing with our c han gin g $1.50. town and country areas. American rural life and the ways and means being used by Studies of representative com- The Rural Church and Cooperative the Church to rebuild rural munities and churches. Extension Work. By H. W. Hoch- America and to give it spiritual baum. Washington,Department of ideals. Religion in the Highlands. By E. R. Agriculture, Circular 57. 1929. Hooker. With a section on Mis- 25 pp. The Christ of the Countryside. By sionary and Philanthropic Schools Malcolm Dana. Nashville, Tenn., by Fannie W. Dunn. New York, Instances of cooperation. Cokesbury Press. $1.00. the Home Missions Council, 105 E. 22d St. 1933. 319 pp. $1.00. The Community Church. By David A popular treatment of well- Piper. Chicago, Willett, Clark & known portions of the Bible re- Native churches and mission- Co. 1928. 158 pp. $1.00. vealing the rural setting and the ary enterprises in the southern rural significance of its themes. Appalachian area. An interpretation of the com- munity church movement by a The Country Church As It Is. By Statesmanship and Religion. By participant. A. J. W. Myers and Edwin E. Sundt. New York, Fleming H. Revell Co. Henry A. Wallace. New York, Community Religion and the Denom- 1930. 189 pp. $1.50. inational Heritage. By J. R. Har- Round Table Press. 1934. 139 pp. greaves and others. New York, A unique book presenting case Harper & Brothers. 1930. 150 pp. histories of fifteen parishes. $2.00. – $1.00.
The Country Church and Public Af- The part of religion in bring- Treatise on the uniqueness of fairs. Edited by Henry W. Mc- ing about a social control that various religious bodies. Laughlin. New York, The Mac- will mean social justice. millan Company. 1930. 260 pp. Y. M. C. A. in Town and Country. $2.00. ****** By Henry Israel. New York, As- sociation Press. 1929. 116 pp. Comprehensive discussions at The Larger Parish-A Movement or $2.00. the Institute of Public Affairs, an Enthusiasm? By Edmund deS. Virginia. Brunner. New York, Harper & Proceedings of a national con- Brothers. 1934. 95 pp. 50 cents. ference on the rural Y. M. C. A. What's Right with the Rural Church. By Ralph A. Felton. Philadelphia, A study of over 100 larger ****** Presbyterian Board of Christian parishes. Education. 1930. 150 pp. Cloth, A Parish Program for Community $1.00; paper, 50 cents. The Larger Parish Plan. By Mal- Service and Family Religion. By Warren H. Wilson. New York, Popular treatment of the as- colm Dana. New York, Congrega- Board of National Missions of the sets of the rural church. tional Church Extension Boards. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. 1930. 63 pp. 25 cents. 32 pp. 10 cents. The Farmer's Church. By Warren H. Wilson. New York, D. Apple- How Can Local Churches Coine To- A brief guide, especially for ton-Century Co. 1925. 264 pp. gether? By Elizabeth R. Hooker. the pastor. $2.00. New York, Home Missions Council, 105 E. 22d St. 1928. 82 pp. 25 Tested Methods in Town and Coun- A statement of the peculiari- cents. try Churches. By Edmund deS. ties of rural culture and of a Brunner. New York, Harper & A practical han d boo k of Brothers. 1923. 173 pp. $1.00. methods. Summarizes the programs of forty churches of distinction; Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RIlvIIlW publishers on receipt of price.
[334 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
valuable as a text for general Financing the Country Church. By resentment against the Turks. reading. The author truly has a message R. T. Baker. Richmond, Va., The of God's love and of Christian Our Templed Hills. By. Ralph A. Department of Country Church and faith and devotion, which is Felton. New York, MissIOnary Sunday School Extension. P. O. worth reading. Education Movement. 1926. 241 Box 1176. 8 pp. pp. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 cents. The chapter on "Yeni Che- A study course in the chang- General Reviews riler" will give many new inforing rural life and in modern Changing Russia. By F. J. Miles, mation about the J anisaries but country church methods. D.S.O. Marshall, Morgan & Scott, should be understood as a his- J tory of the 18th century and does A New Day for the Country Church.. London. Paper. 144 pp. 1s. 1936, not indicate that modern Turks bring up their children as de- By Rolvix Harlan. Nashville, Tenn. The author of this small but scribed on page thirty-four.
The Cokesbury Press. 1925. 166 significant book is International The deep spiritual life of the pp. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 20 cents. Secretary of the Russian Mis- author's father and mother will Brimming with practical sug- sionary Society in England. In be a revelation to many Amergestions; bound to give the connection with the British and ican Christians. This interest- ing bit of history and Christian reader a wide vision of the task Continental Touring Club, he autobiography leaves one with of the local church. has made many visits to Russia, having exceptional opportunities Steeples Among the Hills. By Arthur for observation. Mr. Miles an awed sense of the reality of Wentworth Hewitt. New York, God's present care of His chil- Abingdon Press. 1926. 260 pp. recognizes the good things that $1.50. the Soviet Government has done, dren. CLARENCE D. USSHER.
A narrative of experience by but he confirms the current im- Alaskan Adventures. By Loyal L. one of the best-known country pression that it is making re- Wirt. IlIus. 8vo. 124 pp.. $1.50. ministers. lentless war, not against any Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. particular church, but against 1937.
The Social Work of the Churches. all religion. "A determined at- Here are stirring, and at times Edited by F. Ernest Johnson. New tempt is being made to raise a exciting, tales of pioneer days in Alaska-of daring journeys by York, The Federal Council of nation of atheists." Apparently snowshoe and dogteam over the snow- and ice-covered mountains Churches. 1930. 238 pp. Cloth, he wrote his book before the and down dangerous rapids. $1.25; paper, $1.00. Dr. Wirt made his first trek with promulgation of the new consti- miners over the White Pass in 1899. Then he returned to civ- A handbook of information. tution, but its assurance of ilization to bring food, medicine, lumber and nurses to Anvil City "free-dom of religious worship" (Nome)-only to have the sup- plies lost in a storm at sea. Religious Education in the Rural means nothing, for a pastor can- Again Dr. Wirt started alone as Church. By Henry W. McLaughlin. the first white man to cross New York, Fleming H. Revell Com- not preach outside of his own Alaska by dogteam in the win- pany. 1931. 224 pp. $1.50. pulpit and cannot teach religion ter. This time he was success- to groups of young people under ful in getting help from the A compilation of the papers presented at the Virginia Insti- eighteen years of age. Most of United States Government. tute of Public Affairs. the normal activities of a church Boys will enjoy this tale of ad- are prohibited. School teachers venture, vividly described, and a thrilling story of the faithful The Episcopal Church in Town and are not permitted to attend any dog, "Whiskers." Sandwiched Country. By Goodrich R. .!'enner. church and the Bible cannot be in with the tale of adventure are slices of information about New York, National Council, Prot- printed or circulated. Many wolves, Eskimo dogs,' Eskimo estant Episcopal Church. 1935. churches have been closed and men and women, courtship, home 160 pp. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 life, babies, tribal dances, supercents. those that remain open are be- stitions and gold seekers. Most of the incidents and facts might ing strangled by heavy taxes. have been woven into the story more skilfully but they add to Village Sermons by a Novelist. By Meantime, unrestricted anti- the wealth and interest of the Gustav Frenssen. New York, D. "Alaskan treasurehouse." Dr. Appleton-Century Co., 1924. 162 religious propoganda is openly Wirt makes us realize what pp. $1.50. sponsored by the Government. hardships men will endure for It is a tragic story that moves gold and that followers of Christ A noted Scandinavian novelist the reader to respond to the aupreaches a series of sermons, thor's plea for prayer. using rural materials. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
Services for the Open. By L. 1. Mat- My Beloved Armenia. By Marie S. Banker. 205 pp. $1.25. B.!. C. A. toon and H. D. Bragdon. New York, Chicago. 1936. D. Appleton-Century Co. 1923. 212 pp. $1.50.
Suitable religious services for While this book contains various occasions. stories of "Turkish atrocities," Manual for County and Local Coun- the authenticity of which I would cils of Religious Education. Chi- not dispute, it was refreshing to cago, The International Council of Religious Education, 203 N. Wa- find that the book has been writ- bash Ave. 1932. 64 pp. 25 cents. ten more to give a constructive Gospel message than to arouse
will endure as much or more in the evils from which we suffer, Jungle Friends. By the Bishop of the service of their Master-and not only in Japan but in Amer- Rangoon. 63 pp. 18. S. P. G. with no thought of material re- London. 1937. ward. ica. These thirteen true stories of Morocco in Mufti. By James Hal- North Pacific. By Edward Weber people and incidents in Burmese dane. 8vo. 231 pp. 68. Arthur Allen. 282 pp. Map and sixty-five villages form the second in a H. Stockwell, Ltd. London. 1937. illustrations. Professional and series of character sketches, the Technical Press, New York. 1936. first being "Jungle Folk." These are vivid pen pictures of life in Morocco, that quaint This is an unusually interest- H. H. F. land of mountains and markets, ing book of travel and observafanatical Moslems and strange tion in Alaska, western Canada, The Father and His Sons. By A. B. unconquered tribes. Japan and eastern Siberia, by a L. Karney. 68 pp. 18. S. P. G., man who sees intelligently and London. 1937. "Your European civilization, knows how to tell what he sees. like a pair of shears, is snipping As United States Commissioner The author states that he has away the glory we won by sword and Secretary of the Internaand book," said an intelligent tional Fisheries Commission he found so much help from the Moor of the old school. In this describes a tour from San Fran- descriptive volume we see the cisco to Alaska, the Aleutian story of the Prodigal Son, and old contrasted with the new-in Islands to Kamchatka, south- business, in culture and in reli- ward along the Kurile Islands to has returned to it so often that .gion. Mr. Haldane, a Christian Japan, and back to San Franmissionary, gives. us a brief but cisco – a complete circle of the he believes it worth while to very readable story of Morocco's lands bordering the northern history, with his views of the Pacific Ocean. His experiences share some interpretations found present conditions, Moslem be- were varied and he gives a liefs and strange customs, life wealth of information about in it. There is much to ponder among villagers, mountaineers fisheries, the resources of Alaska and city dwelle~s, and mission- and the numerous people that he over in his discussion of this ary work among them. Mr. met. References to mission- Haldane has used some unusual aries and missionary work are immortal parable as related to opportunities to understand Mos- warmly sympathetic, particulems and conducts an interesting larly in Alaska where he makes many modern problems-home work with Moorish boys. He is special mention of such notable a valuable guide to those who Christian workers as William life, dangers threatening the would visit Morocco and know Duncan, Sheldon Jackson, W. T. the Moors. Lapp, Bishop Peter Trimble church, the State, the lack of Rowe, Archdeacon H u d son Kagawa Pamphlets: Stuck, S. Hall Young, and missionary interest, the situa- others. A bibliography and a Kagawa in Australia and New Zea- tion in Germany, Italy, and other land copious index add to the value of this attractive volume. topics. H. H. F. Kagawa in Lincoln's Land (United States) ARTHUR J. BROWN. Frances Ridley HavergaI. By Esther E. Enock. 95 pp. 18. Pickering Kagawa Calendar (Printed in & Inglis, London. 1936. Japan) The development in the Chris- Kagawa on Christian Brotherhood tian life is traced in this biog- These pamphlets set forth Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa's Christian raphy of one of the world's bestphilosophy and economic plans. He believes that Christ, as the known hymn writers, together Son of God and Saviour of men through His death on the Cross, with incidents of the period in also teaches the way of brotherhood, peace and economic justice which she lived (1836-1879) and that His principles and teachings should be put into and her relationships with other practice in daily life, with Christlike self-sacrifice and love Christian leaders, among them of equal opportunity. Kagawa has himself led the way in what Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. he conceives to be Christ's way. This program, if put into opera- Sankey. H. H. F. tion by truly regenerated men, would doubtless correct many of Awake I An African Calling. 55 pp. Follow Me. By Una Roberts Law- 18. Church Missionary Society. rence. 95 pp. Baptist Home Mis- sion Board, Atlanta, Ga. 1936. London. 1937. This brief analysis of certain Blasio Kigozi, a young Afri- home mission problems in the can evangelist of Uganda, died South, in Cuba and Panama, is last year at the beginning of a a summary of tasks in unevan- promising career. Missionaries gelized areas; and an outline had counted on his help in a re- for the study of the situation in vival in the Church of Uganda the various departments of and Blasio had spent months Southern Baptist Home Mis- in preparing "three points": sions. H. H. F.
(1) The cause of deadness in the Church; (2) Attendance of Through Stormy Seas. By Capt. E. G. Carre. 96 pp. 18. Pickering open sinners at the communion; & Inglis. London. 1937.
(3) How bring a revival? He The personal experiences of a British sea captain have to do wanted to arouse the clergy to with the transforming power of prayer. spend less time in raising funds and more in searching their per- sonallives. H. H. F.
Book. Just Like You Stories. Lucy W. Pea- his 86th year. His father, the
body. 186 pp. Illus. $1.50. M. H. William Ashmore, a missionary in About the Old Faith. Henry W. Leavis. Boston. China for 53 years, died in 1909. To- Frost. 128pp. $1.25. Revell. gether, father and son gave over 100 New York. Mothers Union and S. P. G. Report. years to China. On the son's 75th 2d. 16 pp. S. P. G. London. birthday at Swatow, he finished the Bush Aglow-Life of D. L. Moody. third revision of the entire Bible, Richard E. Day. 331 pp. $2.00. The New Walk. Capt. Reginald translated from their original tongues Judson Press. Philadelphia. Wallis. 40 cents. A. B. C. Assn. into the Swatow colloquial. Philadelphia. Consider Him. Vance Havner. 100 Deaconess E'l"len'" La'"khshmi Goreh, pp. $1.50. American Bible Con- The Road to Victory. C. M. S. Re- ference Assn. Philadelphia. port for 1936-7. 6d. C. M. S. who died January 11 in Cawnpore, London. India, at the age of 83, had a remark- Church Militant. Popular Report, able career. Her father was a con- 170 pp., 6d.; Official Report, 240 The Romance of a Doctor's Visit. vert from Brahminism. Left mother- pp., 18. S. P. G. in F. P. London. Walter Lewis Wilson. ls. Pick- less in infancy, she was cared for by ering & Inglis. London. missionaries and later educated in Except Ye Repent. Harry A. Iron- sides. 191 pp. $1.50. American Unity in Diversity. Report of Friends Tract Society. New York. Service Council 1936. London.
Evangelical Handbook of Latin What Is This Moslem World. Charles England; became active in social America. 120 pp. 4s. World Do- R. Watson. 204 pp. $1.00. M. E. M. work and eventually returned to In- minion Press. London. New York. dia as a Zenana Mission worker. AS author of the poem, "In the Secret of Follow Me. Una Roberts Lawrence. The Young Moslem Looks at Life. His Presence," she was known far 96 pp. Home Mission Board. At- Murray T. Titus. 178 pp. $1.00, beyond India. lanta, Ga. cloth; 60 cents, paper. Friendship Press. New York. The Rev. H'"enr'"y C'" . Ostrom, for The Heart of the Christian Faith. Francis Shunk Downs. 209 pp. A Missionary Looks at His Job. W. twenty-five years a missionary of the $1.50. American Tract Society. J. Culshaw. 144 pp. 2s. Student Presbyterian Church (South) in Ja- New York. Christian Movement Press. London. pan, died in Kobe on January 20. He was a consecrated and gifted mission- Hadramaut – Its Challenge. W. H. Christ's Way and the World's in ary, being acquainted with nine lan- Storm. 8 pp. 2d. World Dominion Church, State and Society. Henry guages. He was born of Lutheran Press. London. Smith Leiper. 144 pp. 65 cents parents at Lockport, Illinois, on De- and 90 cents. Abingdon Press. cember 4, 1876, and after graduating Indians Today. Edited by Marion E. New York. Gridley. 128 pp. $2.50. Indian Council Fire. Chicago. from college at the age of 18 he went to Germany to study music. Later he Living Religion. Hornell Hart. 260 Obituary Not•• attended Princeton Theological Sem- pp. Abingdon Press. New York. (Concluded fro?n 2d cover.) inary and went to Japan as a mission- Missionary Romance in Morocco. ary in 1911. On his first furlough he J ames Haldane. 189 pp. 2s. 6d. Bishop W. F. McDowell, retired, was traveling secretary of the Stu- Pickering & Inglis. London. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, dent Volunteer Movement. died on April 26 at 79 years of a~e. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Missionary Illustrations. Alva C. J!}pmn~ Bowers. 154 pp. $1.50. Revell. He was born in Millersburg, OhIO, New York. February 4, 1858, the son of David A. l.l McDowell; was educated at Ohio 0f tbt None Other Gods. W. A. Visser 't Wesleyan and Boston University, be- Hooft. 185 pp. Harpers Bros. ing ordained to the ministry in 1882. New York. After pastorates in Ohio, he was cvhear,nc1e8l9lo0r-9o9f, stheecreUtnarivyerosfitytheofMDeetnh– .ftr-'brt't'itt'an Poems of a Persian Sufi. Baba Tabis. ~ l.l Translated by Arthur J. Arberry. 7J4f. t'ft W. Heffer & Sons. London. odist Board of Education for five years and in 1904 elected bishop of The Triune God. C. Norman Bart- the Methodist Episcopal Church. lett. 191 pp. $1.50. American eA. Bishop McDowell was widely known Tract Society. New York. BOOK of worship in song, com- as a speaker, lecturer and author but Two Missionary Voyages. Thomas chiefly for his work in behalf of tem- bining a hymnal for general Thompson. 90 pp. lB. S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. London. perance and public morals. church use, and a song book for evan- Unity in Diversity. Report of Friends '" '" '" gelistic purposes. Only songs sound Service Council, 1936. London. in the faith and inspirational in char- The Rev. Dr. James Shepard Kit- With Christ in Africa. D. A. Mc- tell, for the past ten years secretary acter included—emphasizing Evangel- Donald. 158 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, of the Board of Domestic Missions of ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Morgan & Scott. London. $1.00. the Reformed Church in America, died Zondervan Pub. House, Grand in New York at 64 years of age. Dr. Many of the new—the best of the old. Rapids, Mich. Kittell was born at Hamilton, Ont., a 504 Songs Responsive Readings Mecca and Beyond. Edward M. and son of John and Jane Drysdale Kittell, Rose W. Dodd. 220 pp. 50 cents, Topical Index Gold Embossed paper; $1.00, cloth. Central Com- mittee on the United Study of For- and came to the United States when Published in round notes and Roxite cloth eign Missions. Boston. seven years old. He attended Alle- edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especially gheny College and the Western The- low price. Single copy, 85c postpaid. The Cross of Christ. George P. Pier- ological Seminary, was ordained in son. 173 pp. $1.50. American 1903, and after filling several charges Write today for returnable sample copy Tract Society. New York. CRUSADE SONqS in Congregational churches, he became The Christian Evangel. John Mc- Nicol. 91 pp. $1.50. American pastor of the First Reformed Church Tract Society. New York. of Albany, 1907-21. In 1913, Dr. Kit- C/l CHOICE selection of 105 hymns and tell was president of the General The Israel Promises and Their Ful- Synod of the Reformed Church in choruses for Revival Services, Bible Con- filment. Samuel Hinds Wilkinson. America. ferences, and Missionary Conventions. 196 pp. 88. 6d. John Bale, Sons and Danielson. London. '" '" '" Strong manila binding, 15c each; Dr. William Ashmore, for forty- $12.50 per 100. Carriage extra.
eight years a missionary of the Amer- ican Baptist Foreign Society in China, who retired in 1927, passed away on March 11 in Santa Ana, California, in
Partnerships and Hssured
During seventy-five years The American Baptist Home Mission Society has encouraged its friends to have a share in the development of Christian Missions in the United States and Latin America through Annuity Gifts to the Society.
These gifts have amounted to over Three Million Dollars, while in the same period the Society has paid over Two Million Dollars to annuitants and has used for its general work or added to its permanent funds over One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars released by deaths of beneficiaries. In no instance during three quarters of a century has the Society failed to make a payment to an Annuitant according to agreement.
Inquiries concerning ANNmTIES AND LEGACIES may be addressed to SAMUEL BRYANT, Treasurer THE AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY 23 East 26th Street New York City ORDER THE SPECIAL "MOSLEM NUMBER"
OF THE MISSIONARY ~~WORID This October Issue will contain articles on CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD Why Take Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Gospel for Mohammedans W. Wilson Cash Present-day Trends in Islam Edward C. Dodd Moslem Reactions to Christ My Experience with Moslems . James Haldane Christ and Moslem Homes . Frank C. Laubach What Christ Has Done for Me Eleanor Calverley A Sermon by a Former Moslem . S. Khoobyar Saee'd Kurdistani and others—with maps and illustrations ORDER COPIES IN ADVANCE FOR YOURSELF AND MISSION STUDY CLASSES 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — April 1937
1937
India Advances in Politics and Religion J. R. Edwards When a Korean Magistrate Went to Church William Scott A Chinese Concubine Tells Her Story James P. Leynse A Caravan in the Australian Bush Marjorie A. Burton An African View of Africa's Needs s. s. Tema A Golden Anniversary in Evangelism A. C. Snead Youth and the Christian Frontier Charles A. Platt 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember THE IDEAL GIFT AT ALL
May ll–General Conference, United Brethren in Christ, Chambersburg, Pa. GOD'S MINUTE ••• May 18-21- National Convention of Here is a marvelous collection of 365 Daily Prayers. A Spiritual the Evangelical Women's Union, each 60 seconds long. written by 365 of the most emi. thoughtfor St. Louis, Mo. nent preachers and laymen in the world. Cloth. 60 every day cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50. May 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- • vention, Philadelphia, Pa. GOD'S MESSAGE •• A daily May 26 – General Assembly, United 365 prominent clergymen have chosen their favorite Presbyterian Church, Oak Park, Dl. Scripture passage. and, with this as a text. have written reminder of a Message that quickens faith. brings comfort. Cloth. May 27 – General Assembly, Presby- the giver terian Church in U. S. A., Colum- bus, Ohio. 60 cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50.
June 3, 1937-General Synod, Re- Iiii_ _ _ _ _ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bid"" Phil•• formed Church in America, Asbury Park, N. J. would have retired as secretary for active service in 1982, he had spent rural church work of the Presbyterian his time in translating and editing. . June 3-8, 1937 – World's Woman's Board of National Missions. Dr. Christian Temperance Union, Wash- Warren H. Wilson was born on May A PLEA FOR THE "IMPRAC- ington, D. C. 1, 1867, at Tidioute, Warren County, TICAL" Pa. He received the B.A. degree from June 23-30, 1937 – Alliance of Re- Oberlin in 1890, the B.D. from Union Men said Jesus was "impractical." formed Churches Throughout the Theological Seminary in 1894, and World Holding the Presbyterian was ordained to the Presbyterian min- He preached a Gospel which men System, Montreal, Canada. istry. Dr. Wilson's first charge was Christ's Church at Quaker Hill, N. Y., called too idealistic. July 3-10, 1931- Association of Ex- near Pawling. From there he went ecutive Secretaries of Councils of to the Arlington Avenue Church in He said: "Love your enemies." Churches and Religious Education Brooklyn, and in 1908 took charge of Employed Officers' Association, work in rural fields. He was presi- Practical men have said: "In a Lake Geneva, Wis. dent of the International Association competitive world you must be armed of Agricultural Missions from 1919 to July 7 – August 11- Winona Lake 1929. Dr. Wilson was the author of to fight tour enemies. That is the School of Theology, Winona Lake, several books on country churches and safe way.' Ind. their problems. Surviving are his The World War cost to all partici- July 16-22-World Conference on Life pants $200,000 for every bour since and Work. Oxford, England. Jesus was born. .
August 3-18 – World Conference on widow, Mrs. Pauline Elizabeth Lane The next war will probably wreck Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Wilson, and two sons. civilization. Scotland. *** Practical men have had their way August 11-22-Winona Bible Confer- for many generations. It would be ence, Winona Lake, Ind. Canon P. Stacy Waddy, Secretary worth while to try Christ's way.-The of the Society for the Propagation of Indian Social Reformer.
CONFE'RENCES AND SCHOOLS the Gospel, died in the Hospital for II If you use OF MISSIONS Tropical Diseases, London, on Feb- ruary 8. Not only the Anglican Council of Women for Home Mis- Church, but the whole cause of Chrissions and Affiliated with the tian missions, has lost a notable Committee on Women's Work, worker. Canon Waddy had just re- Foreign Missions Conference turned from a visit to the Gold Coast PRINTING of Africa and had been seriously ill June 26-July 3-Eagles Mere, Pa. with malaria on the return voyage.
July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. He was born at Carcoar, New South YOU will profit from an ac- July 17-24-Mt. Hermon, Calif. Wales, on January 8, 1875, son of quaintanceship with us. We July 19'-23-Bethesda, Ohio. Lieut.-Col. R. A. Waddy. He became do the job complete in our own Canon of St. George's Cathedral, plant. whether it be large or Jerusalem, in 1919, and was Arch- small. deacon of Palestine from 1922 to 1925, when he came to England to be- Obituary Note. come secretary of the S. P. G. While our specialty is Books, Maga.tines and Pamphlets. yet Rev. Dr. Warren Hugh Wilson, for *** we have a variety of modem almost thirty years in charge of rural equipment to meet all the rechurch work in the Presbyterian Dr. Clarence A. Barbour, president quirements of your particular Church and a leader in the efforts to of Brown University since 1929, died job. You will find our service revive rural churches, died March 2, on January 16 at his home in Provi- prompt, careful and courteous. at 69 years of age. For several dence, R. I., at the age of 69. Dr. decades Dr. Wilson had been recog- Barbour had been active for many Will you allow us to estimate nized as an authority on religious and years in educational and religious on your next printing ? We beother problems of rural life. He work. It was under his leadership lieve you will be delighted with helped to develop the "larger parish that Rochester Theological Seminary our product, price and service. system" for combining country par- merged with Colgate to form the presishes. In 1908 he was appointed by ent Colgate-Rochester Divinity School.
President Theodore Roosevelt as a *** The EVANGELICAL PRESS member of the Country Life Commis- Rev. Thomas J. Porter, S.T.D., sion. In 1930 he was sent to India Print…. of for a survey of rural life for the Na- who had served under the Presby- The Missionary Review of the Warld terian Church, U. S. A., since 1884, tional Christian Council of In4ia. In as missionary in both Persia and two months Dr. Wilson would have Brazil, died suddenly in California, PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE Third and Reily Streell reached the 70-year age limit and December 26. Since he retired from
MISSIONARY USED IN OVER ONE MILLION CHRISTIAN
REVIEW OF THE WORLD HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE By.JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.O. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor Recommended by all denominatlonsforitsfreshness and accuracy, for its simplicity of language, for its freedom from doctrinal discussion. VOL. LX APRIL, 1937 No.4 THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD Publication and Business Office- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. FOR TEACHERS-STUDENT8–FOR THE HOMEAND SCHOOL Editorial and Executive Office- One hundred and sixtY-<lightstories, each complete in itself, yet form- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ing a continuous narrative of the Biblefrom Genesis to Revelation. Entered as second-class matter at Each ofthe world-old stories is told by the noted author in a manner thatia vitally interesting and instructive to young and old alike. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Biggest _d Best Illustrated Book Ever Sold for the Price 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Beautifully illustrated with 281 pictures in colors and in black and Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. white; over 100 famous Leinweber paintings. 759 pages. Price ..$2.00 All rights reserved. Gopyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan' At all bookstores or froTn the publishers and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, . .__ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Philadelphia _ __ 10 shillings a year. I would simply have to drop all the Personal Items MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- work I am doing in various groups. LISHING CO., INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Yesterday we finished a course on ROBERT E. SPEER, Pre8ident Africa. I gave everyone 'home work' Dr. George S. McKune, President A. L. WARNSHUlS, Vice-President to do-taken mostly from THE RE- of Union Christian College of Pyeng- WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary VIEW. All went at it with a real zest. yang, Chosen, has been forced by the I've 'talked' about Africa in Methodist Japanese to resign because of his re- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT and Baptist groups also – in Xenia and neighboring towns and – once fusal to do homage before Shinto WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN more-it has been THE REVIEW that shrines. He regarded the act as one D. J. FANT supplied most of my 'background.' I find the current issues are nearly al- of worship. In a respectful letter to MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD ways out of the library." the Governor-General, he asserted his loyalty to the government, and stated WM. B. LIPPHARD that he taught his students such ERIC M. NORTH MRS. D. WALTER FERGUSON. loyalty, but that as a Christian he SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Xenia, Ohio. could not bow in worship to the dead men whose spirits were supposed to Editorial Chat *** De present in the temple.
THE REVIEW endeavors to be up-to- CORRECT10N *** date in publishing articles on important current events and Christian The caption to the picture on page Dr. Paul deSchweinitz, for many world movements. As a matter of 79 of the February REVIEW, illus- years Treasurer of Missions of the fact, a seeming delay in such com- trating the article "Christ Comes to Moravian Church in America, is rements may, in reality, be due to the the Navajo," should read "Governor tiring from that office on May 1. He fact that we have been ahead of the B. B. Moeur of, Arizona and two was consecrated as a bishop of the other periodicals. For example: the Navajo Nurses, Ganado." Moravian Church at a service in the "New Life Movement in China," spon- Central Church of Bethlehem, Pa., sored by General and Mme. Chiang *. * * Kai-shek, which is just now receiving much pUblicity in America, was fully WANTED: By a correspondent vol- on March 14. All honor to Bishop described in the July, 1934, issue; the umes II to X of THE M[SSIONARY deSchweinitz. "Zoa (Life) Movement" (in the Greek Church) now first noted in the daily REVIEW OF THE WORLD. Can any *** press, was fully.described in THE RE- reader supply them? Please commu- VIEW in August, 1928; the Moody nicate with ·the Editorial Office, 156 Rai Bahadur A. C. Mukerjee is re- Centenary recently widely advertised Fifth A ven~-e, New York. tiring as General Secretary of the and observed was dealt with by Dr. National Missionary Society of India, John McDowell in our May, 1936, *** after a period of marked service to number. Read THE REVIEW to be up~ the Society and to India. He is now to-date on important matters relating Two sub~cribers write: at work up'on a plan for occupying a to the Kingdom of God. field where a mass movement toward "I can't do without your wonderful Christianity is taking place. *** magazine,'and what puzzles me is how any good missionary Christian can." Have you ordered your June (Rural Life) Number of THE REVIEW? Se- • MRS. AGNES HAZARD. *** cure copies for all in your mission Bouliler, Colo. study groups. This will be a great . Archdeacon John Batchelor, vethelp. Note what one enthusiastic .';,.. '" * * eran worker of the C. M. S. among the reader says: Ainu of Northern Japan, was the first "Enclosed $– is to be applied to missionary to take part in a television "The March REWIEW is especially program, Januar:v 20. Dr. Batchelor fine-Dr. Speer's article being 'tops.' my l.!ubscription as long as the money has worked for more than sixty years I am very sure I could not get along among the primitive Ainu of Hokat all without the REVIEW. Without it will last. This will save the work kaido. Although 83 years old, he has connected with the annual renewal, recent:ly returned to Japan to con- tinue his work. and serves as evidence that the RE- VIEW is much appreciated."
N. NIELSEN, PH. C., M.D. Siu-Yen, Manchoukuo.
*** PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with Amer. Rev. Frank Houghton, editorial sec- ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. retary of the China Inland Mission in Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana London, has been made bishop of a new diocese created by the division of For Ministers9 Teachers, Missionaries, Sunday School Workers and Laymen SO the Diocese of Szechuan into the Free eastern and western. The eastern is Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees, Cost Reasonable staffed by the China Inland Mission, July 7 to August ll···Two Terms 15 Days Each···lnterdenominational Rooms the western diocese by the Church Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined Missionary Society. Dr. W. E. Biederwolf, Director (Ask for free Prosl>ectus) Dr. J. A. Huffman. Dean [ 177]
VILLAGE OF SAMHO, CHOSEN, WHERE "THE MAGISTRATE WENT TO CHURCH"
(See page 187)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 4 APRIL, 1937 Topies of the Times CAN CHRISTIANS BE NEUTRAL nation bind itself ;to do so irresJ)€ctive of the moml issues involved? Neutrality is now a major Subject in press, Con- To the first questiDn, the answer of the best in- gress, peace societies, labor disputes, and in many formed students .of internationa] affairs is negachurch assemblies. Its slogans are popular: tive. They tell us ,that the circumstances that led "Keep us .out of war," "Let us mind .our own busi- us into the World War of 1914-1918 wDuld in- ness," "Other people's quarrels are not .our af- evitably draw us into another general conflict; fairs." While some .of this demand for "hands that international relations are now so interwDven off" is motivated by selfishness, much of it is that a strong nation cannot possibly maintain an prompted by a real desire for harmony. Mission- isolated position; that actual neutrality would ary wDrk, both home and foreign, is involved in mean no freedom .of the seas for American ships, peace promotion, since war demoralizes it, diverts no passports to Americans traveling in war zones attention and cripples its support. Boards and or on ships of a natiDn at war, no loans to belmissionaries and their supporters are theref.ore ligerents, no trade with them in food .or war ma- concerned in the question: When should Chris- terials, or with neutral agencies for reshipment tians be neutral in disputes and conflicts and when to them. This would mean the closing .of many should they take sides in the contrDversies that manufacturing plants and very widespread unare agitating the Church, nation and the world? employment. When the results .of such neutrality Neutrality, is certainly sometimes wise. FDr thus become clear to the American people, the example, most Americans do not strongly take business and labor interests affected would bring sides in the present internecine strife in Spain, such pressure to bear on Congress that politicians realizing that the outcome will probably be either would not dare to resist. Few, if any, students a Fascist government under a military dictator, of the problem believe that America would be or a Soviet government .of a communistic type. willing to pay the price, especially as popular feel- It is significant that Germany and Italy openly ing might be inflamed by the sinking of an Amer- encour.age the "insurgents" and that Russia as ican ship, or the loss of American lives .on a toropenly encourages the "loyalists." But France J)€doed neutral ship.
was not neutral in America's war for independ- The second question cuts deeper. When an ence and Americans were not neutral when Italy atheistic government attempts tD extirpate all re- invaded Ethiopia Dr when Japan bombed and ligion in Russia; when Jews are being inhumanly killed civilians in Shanghai. The fact that the persecuted and Christian churches are being made American Government did not invoke the "sanc- vassals of a totalitarian state as in Germany; tions" in either case does not imply that Amer- when Christian schools are forbidden to teach ican citizens were neutr,al, save in a technical Christian truths, as in China and Mexico; when sense of not taking active sides. palpable injustice is being perpetrated every- The pending issue, in America however, is not where, we believe that Christians should be outone .of popular sympathy but of national policy spoken in protest. Under such circumstances neu- expressed in law. This raises two questions: traIity would be culpable. Few Christians are Could America keep out of another world war if prepared to say that, no matter what wrong may one should develop? Even if it could, should our be inflicted by a strong nation upon a weaker .one, [179 ]
or by a powerful individual on a weaker 'One, he that the conference was entertained by the Ma- will, like the priest and the Levite in 'Our Lord's harajah of Mysore, himself a Hindu, is one indi- parable, "pass by on the other side." It was Cain, cation of the great change that has taken place in the murderer, who said that he was "nQt his the attitude of Hindus toward all that is labeled brother's keeper." Christian. The basis of this new tolerance and Bat taking sides against wrong does not neces- cooperation is seen in the address of the Dewan sarily mean war. The applicati'On of "sancti'Ons" of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail, who said: "You are in such circumstances are simply the exercise of deliberately planning an offensive against the the same kind of police power in international af- warring powers of evil, whose threat is now more fairs that every civilized state and cQmmunity deliberate and threatening than ever before. You exercises against lawless evildoers within its own stand for ideals that inspire us also-the freedom borders. Is it not high time that Americans of spirit, and unity and peace. And we are not should stop criticizing the League of NatiQns for merely your hosts; we are with you in this fight."
weakness in dealing with international disputes The delegates came from many nations and for which their own refusal to join is the chief represented different racial, cultural and early re- cause for failure? ligious backgrounds, but there was remarkable In the sphere of morals and religion, there is unity in worship, for all acknowledged allegience certainly nD proper place for neutrality when to Christ and were bent on discovering and doing there is a clear issue between right and wrong. the will of God. The general theme was: "The A man is either moral or immDral. In religion, Youth, the World and the Future."
the supreme Authority for the Christian has very Many grave problems were presented for dis- plainly said: "He that is not for me is against cussion, especially as they relate to young men of me." "Ye cannDt serve God and mammon." Any today. A study of seven main themes had been compromise with· the wDrld is sharply rebuked in made in advance and these were brought up for the. Bible and in the Epistle 'Of James we read: discussion by seven Commissions into which the "Kno'Y ye not that the friendship 'Of the world is delegates were divided. enmi,ty with God ?" In this time of rampant god- First, there is the problem of International Reless pOlitical evils, there is urgent need that the lations. The question was raised as to whether the Y. M. C. A. should take active part in organfollowers of Christ should repudiate all compro- ized movements to prevent war or should be con- tent with promoting the spirit of brotherhood and mises with wrong and should boldly stand for the advocate peaceful settlement of disputes. Should the Association endeavor to stop fighting or right and for right alone. If we cannot win on mainly serve the contending factions and aid the wounded in time of war? Can the Y. M. C. A. this issue, we cannot win at all. God himself will inaugurate and promote economic, social and political reforms that will remove causes of war, not bless such neutrality. "Because thou art or should it confine its endeavors to spiritual work lukewarm," He said to the church at Laodicea, "and neither cold n'Or hot I will spue thee out of my mouth." Christians cannot afford to do other- wise than to stand unequivocally for the right as God has revealed it. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
THE WORLD Y. M. C. A. CONFERENCE with individuals and Christian character build- IN INDIA ing? Some delegates asked for an immediate call for a World Congress to express the mind of the For the first time in the history of the Young M'Ovement 'On international issues and even ad- Men's Christian Association, the scene of the·· vocated a permanent bureau to watch the situaworld conference has been shifted to Asia, and tion.
one-half of the delegates came from Africa and Second: the Race Relations section was pre- the Orient. Here is an indication of the increas- sided over by J. H. Tobias, an American Negro.
ing importance of the youth of Asia in world af- One result was a resolution adopted to the effect fairs. This twenty-first world conference was that no one should be excluded from the Y. M.
held in Mysore, India, from January 5 to 10 and C. A. and its privileges on the ground of race or was attended by 200 selected delegates represent- color.
ing thirty different nations, races and tongues. Third, Difference in Religious Faiths. The Most of the delegates were over fifty years 9f age. Y. M. C. A. was founded by Sir George Williams Dr. John R. Mott, the President of the World's Al- in 1844 for the purpose of promoting the cause of liance, was chairman and was unanimously asked Christ among young men, by prayer, Bible study to continue as president of this youth movement, and personal work. Recently, however, even vot- although he is now over threescore and ten years ing power is not always based on public con- of age. The value of the wisdom and experience fession of faith in Christ. Jews and those of of "Elder Statesmen" is still recognized. The fact other religions are now admitted to active mem-
TOPICS. OF THE TIMES
bership and in many non-Christian lands there man's personal relation to God governs all his has been a strong move against "proselytizing" or standards, is the source of power and determines seeking to persuade men to change their religion. his relationship to others. Christ is the secret of It is not surprising, therefore, that at the Mysore strong, fruitful living and He offers the great Conference many held that a share in the control challenge to Godlike life and service to fellow men. of the Y. M. C. A. should be offered to members who are not Christians. This we believe to be a The Y. M. C. A. was founded to bring young grave mistake, since the movement should be kept men into vital personal relationship to God, definitely. and openly Christian. through Christ. The "Paris Basis" for member- ship is still the same as adopted in 1855. Various Fourth: On National Problems and Responsi- related ideals and activities may rightly be added bilities, the main question is whether situations so long as these do not conflict with or displace arise where a Christian should choose to follow the main purpose; but if Christ is left out of the the revealed will of God even where that is in con- Y. M. C. A. then the institution will be spiritually flict with the requirements of his national govern- dead and forfeits its right to the name Christian. ment. This problem is acute in Russia, in Ger- Other groups are free to found and support a many, in Japan, in Italy and in other lands dom- "Young Men's Religious Association" and to reinated by materialistic, militaristic or non-Chris- ceive members who do not acknowledge allegiance tian rulers. While the Y. M. C. A. should train to Christ, but it is not honest for others to "steal" men to be loyal to their rulers and to serve their the Y. M. C. A. and to attempt to change its charcountry, these duties cannot supplant obedience acter and purpose. to God, as He is revealed in Christ. In his opening address at the Conference, Dr. Fifth: The Need for Building a Better Social John R. Mott sounded a note that may well serve Order is evident. The feeling at Mysore was as the basis for all Y. M. C. A. membership and strong that the Y. M. C. A. should work definitely activity, in every land. He said: for economic betterment and social justice. Demands were formulated for action to "abolish "Our governing objective in the Y. M. C. A. is rights of property divorced from function"; to to make Christ known and trusted and loved and eliminate the "profit motive" from industry and to exemplified (as personal Saviour, Son of God, and adjust the conflicting interests of various classes Lord), not only in the whole individual range of in the economic order. This subject naturally individual life, boy, mind and spirit, but in all our deeply concerns the rising generation and calls for human relationships and with special reference to reforms. It must be kept in mind, however, that youth." new laws alone have not proved effective; there must also be a new, unselfish spirit instilled into Are we honestly seeking to discover and to do individuals to change human nature. This is ac- the will of God? That will mean something revocomplished by a new life motive, with power re- lutionary in every life. Let the Y. M. C. A. conceived through union with Christ. tinue to be positively, intellectually, evangelically and aggressively Christian in all of its ideals and Sixth: The Church and Her World Mission was activities. Then it will continue to live and grow another topic discussed. What is the relationship and be effective in the lives of young men and in of the Y. M. C. A. to the Church? How can they the world. work together effectively in the interest of boys and young men? One whole day was given at the THE NEED FOR A CHRISTIAN Conference to discuss the needs of the boys of the INTERNATIONALE world and youth representing six nationalities spoke on the varied problems but universal needs. More and more we are discovering that the In India the child suddenly becomes a man, while world is not made up of watertight compartments. in England many years are spent in preparing There is a real solidarity of human welfare or the boy for manhood; in the Philippines boys are woe. No man liveth to himself and no nation is ignorant of their own country's history while in independent of its neighbors. We are all of one Germany and Japan they are taught to worship blood and our present economic social and politinational ideals and heroes. Since youth is the cal problems are interlocked. period when the coming generation must be prepared to take their places in the Church, the na- The Communists are working on the principle tion and the world, the Y. M. C. A. should furnish that Communism, to be successful, cannot be contraining for these responsibilities. fined to the U. S. S. R., but must extend its in- fluence and ideals everywhere. This is the motive Seventh: The Challenge of Personal Life is the back of the Third Internationale and the presentroot of all other problems. Without ideal men and day world-wide propaganda from Moscow. Monwomen it is impossible to have an ideal world. A signor M. d'Herbigny, writing in the Revue des Deux Mondes, exposes the program which the
"militant godless" propose to follow in their sec- he noticed that the flag with its sickle and hammer ond five-year period. This plan for the "liquida- was unfurled only on special occasions. He says: tion of religiol}" is carefully studied and con- "When not unfurled it was protected by a canvas stantly brought up to date. There are special case made out of a waterproof oil painting of our seminaries for the training of antireligious Com- Lord's birth which I believe was taken from the munist workers to organize "cells"; they have Gospel Hall at Pensui. On the painting could be also opened museums in which Christianity and seen Bethlehem, the shepherds with their sheep, other faiths are exposed to ridicule. An atheistic and the star." Mr. Bosshardt was led captive bepress and colored posters are everywhere in evi- hind the Red flag, but the flag itself was embraced dence, copied from the Bezbozhniki and Die by the love manifested in Bethlehem. Kampfende Gottlosen. We quote from their manual: The great Slavic race with its religious tradi- tion, its remarkable literary genius, and its ca- A sympathizer with the U. S. S. R. is anyone who, with- pacity for suffering is surely not beyond the love out definite political tendencies, feels by intuition or re- of Christ. What a challenge the Communist flection that something interesting is going on in the Party of the U. S. S. R. offers to the pioneer mis- U. S. S. R., and that it would be a good thing to profit sionary spirit. Who will show them the Star of thereby. Consequently anyone is a sympathizer with the Bethelehm? Who will help organize, by prayer Communist Party who, having sympathy with the work of and a faith that prevails, a Christian Internathe Soviet Union, ;whether he goes or not to meetings of a tionale, a true and universal brotherhood of social party-cell or of a nucleus of sympathizers, readily accepts justice and divine compassion, with Christ as the the revolutionary party-orders and has the intention of center? The tragedy of the present situation is executing them, as far as lies in his power. that these lands where atheistic Communism is centered are not on the program of missionary While Protestant Christendom is planning for advance. To meet such an opportunity there must an Ecumenical understanding and an advance be the united cooperation of all the churches. program at Oxford and Edinburgh this coming Members of the Protestant Church need to recogsummer, the Central Committee of Atheists have nize the fact that, before the Reformation, many held a World Congress at Moscow in February, faithful members of the Oriental and Roman 1937, with the following program: churches that impinge upon this vast area, with- stood the terrific impact of Islam, and born wit- 1. Founding of an office for the antireligious propaganda ness to Christ by martyrdom. Now in many of the world. places members of these same churches are seal- ing their testimony with their own blood in the 2. Founding of an Atheist-Internationale conducted by the struggle against Godless Communism. Soviet Russian Atheist Union. S. M. ZWEMER. 3. Organization of a systematic antireligious propaganda in all countries.
4. International exchange of experiences in the struggle of the atheists.
5. Financial support of the Atheist Organizations.
In preparation for this Congress a powerful radio THE GREAT TEMPLE IN MADURA, IKDIA station was to be erected to be used exclusively for atheistic propaganda. The fool no longer says only in his heart, "There is no God"-he broadcasts his foolish blasphemy. In Madrid, Prague, Mexico, India, Northwest China, and closer home, in the United States, the fight against all religion is carried on with united front.
Shall we as Christians sit still when our brethren in many lands are living and dying as martyrs to God's truth? R. A. Bosshardt, of the China Inland Mission, who was for eighteen long months a captive of the Red Communistic army in western China, relates an incident which is illuminating. Marching in fetters behind the standard bearer,
Advan'ces in Politics and
By the REV. J. F. EDWARDS, Poona, India Recently Editor of Dnyanodaya I N THIS age of dictatorships and antireligious against possible breakdowns, that the most fully movements, India is making solid progress in organized party, the Congress party, talks of re- both politics and religion. Consider the po- jecting it with contumely. This same party, howlitical outlook of this great oriental country. ever, is straining every nerve to capture every possible seat and will take the oath of allegiance, A New Constitution leaving till later the decision whether to accept office. This April India enters upon a new and great chapter in its history by the inauguration of a The framers of the new constitution say that new political constitution which bids fair to make such, "safeguards" are meant only for crises and this land the first democracy in Asia. that they are necessary and indeed inevitable in these days of unstable government the world over. If the latest estimates of China's population be This is especially true as fourteen per cent of the correct (342 millions, including Mongolia and people are being given the right to vote in a land where only eight per cent know how to read and Tibet *) then India's 353 millions t means that write.
this is the largest human family on earth. Thus The autonomy bestowed upon the nine major one person out of every six in the world belongs Provinces into which India is divided, each havto India. ing its own separate government, is so far-reach- ing that one trusted leader, Dr. Natarajan, the William E. Gladstone used to say that "the task veteran editor of the Indian Social Reformer, of statesmanship is to discover where God Al- holds that the authority should have been more mighty is going the next fifty years," If India's centralized to prevent the Provinces becoming so new constitution does all that its framers hope many unrelated units. for, then it will become one of the mightiest powers for good in the Orient. While these two factors of responsibility and autonomy have been steadily developing ever since The democratic provision of the New Consti- the political reforms of 1919, when many imtution, enabling 35 million people to vote, will en- portant departments of Government, such as sure the dethronement of the Brahmin. This fact liquor and education, were transferred to Indian in itself marks a new epoch in India, and some statesmen, the third factor of an all-India federaunprejudiced observers believe this als'o helps to tion is wholly new, having come to birth during explain, in part, the unpopularity of the new con- the Round Table Conferences in London. By this stitution to many of the higher caste people. Some federation, the two great sections, called British of these would say with Goethe, "The century has India and the Indian States, are to be welded into given birth to a great epoch, but the great moment a unity that has never before existed. finds a petty generation." Uniting Two Indias Into One We have been watching the great constitutional argument in India for more than twenty-eight It is often forgotten in America that there are years, twenty of them as a missionary editor for 675 Indian States, comprising some 45 per cent six missions, and believe that both British and of India's area and nearly 25 per cent (over 81 Indian statesmen have been sincerely aiming at millions) of India's population. The rulers of India's welfare. these states may rule as they like, except when cases of grave miscarriage of justice cause the These three words may be said to sum up the British Resident to intervene. If, in the last reaims of India's new political constitution. sort, justice is not assured to the citizens, the Viceroy (representing the King-Emperor's Para- As to the first, the responsibility for governing mount Power) offers the defaulting ruler the the most complex nation in the world, which has alternative of a trial by his own fellow-Princes been placed in the hands of the people's leaders, is surrounded with so many "safeguards" to guard • Professor Wilcox, of Yale, maintained at the Conference on Pacific Relations a few years ago that China's population had always been grossly exaggerated. mirl~~;. 1931 official census, while the present estimate is 370 [ 183 ]
or a voluntary abdication; one of the recent cases constitution. They even hope that at the last in which abdication ensued was that of the Ma- some factor may lead the Princes to withdraw. harajah of Indore, well known by his marriage Our own hope is that, by working in close associato the American citizen Nancy Miller. Many in tion with the democratic councils in India, the India believe that, for the sake of India's people, Indian Princes may be led to liberalize their rule. direct intervention of the Paramount Power How essential such liberalization is for the fushould take place oftener than it does. ture of Indian democracy will be realized when we realize that no amendments to the new con- The new constitution brings under one scheme stitution can be carried out without the unaniof self-government the people all over India, and mous approval of the whole body of Indian rulers. that the new unity of India is officially regarded The only alternative for one who disapproves is as one of the greatest achievements of the new to secede from the Federation. constitution. It must have been some such hope as ours that This much is certain, that to continue much led the editor of the Indian Christian weekly longer the arrangement of two Indias, British Guardian of Madras to say: India ruled by the British, and the Indian States ruled by the Princes, would be to risk a destruc- If a place has to be found for them (the Indian tive civil war. When it is remembered that the States) in a self-governing India, it necessarily implies total population of India is nearly three times that their association would to some extent curtail the that of the United States, though in area it is only freedom of British India at the start. Their medieval about half, it will be realized how great the character, with but a few exceptions, must be recognized; dangers of delay might be. and their paralyzing effect upon British India must be faced and overcome. The sooner the Indian States and The Price of India's Unification the communal groups are brought into the current of na- tional administration, the better hope there is. But the unifying of India in one all-Indian Parliament is to be purchased at a heavy price. Here The Autocracy of India's Princes we begin to understand something of the forces moving behind the clash between the British Gov- The foregoing facts do not set forth the full ernment and those Indian leaders who desire sep- price being paid for the unification of India under arate independence. one supreme Indian Government. These 675 In- dian Princes, who are well organized in an Indian The Indian Princes are probably not only the Princes' Chamber of their own, have put a ban richest but the most reactionary rulers on earth. on India's separate independence by stipulating A few years ago that fearless journal of India's that the basic condition of their joining the allprogressive leaders, The Servant of India, af- India federation is that the connection between firmed that the most advanced Indian States are India and Britain must continue, and that on no below the level of British India, that "everyone account will they sign their new treaties or agreeof the Indian States without exception is miles ments with India's Parliament but only with the behind British India," that "the only two States King-Emperor direct, through his representative which approximate to the British Indian stand- the Vicerby. The reason is that they distrust ard of administration are Mysore and Baroda," their own fellow-countrymen, both Hindus and both of which were "under direct administration Moslems, whose failure to conclude an agreement of British Government for some time in their his- between their two communities regarding the tory," and that "even these lag behind British basis of representation in the councils, does not India in the matter of constitutional develop- encourage the Princes to make any agreement ment." with them on still larger questions.
Indian rulers of course have their own point of These Indian rulers have steadfastly refused to view, but Britain's democrats are deeply troubled allow their own representatives in the all-India in their minds over this aspect of the question, Federal Legislature to be appointed by election, as was shown by the leader of the British Labor thus denying the vote to their citizens. This Party, Major Attlee, in the House of Commons means that the representatives of Indian States when he asked "how long British democrats would in the Parliament will be nominees of the Princes, continue to maintain autocracies without some which means their palace favorites, and that these' better guarantee of what was happening inside will sit side by _side in· the all-India Parliament them." with the representatives from British India who have been elected by the 35 million voters of the Some Indian patriots (how many it is hard to more democratic part of the country. say) go the length of saying they wish the Indian Princes had not suggested this federation for all British Commonwealth of Independent Nations India, because the price India is paying for the cooperation of the Princes is a less democratic In 1931 there was passed by the British Parlia- ment an extremely important measure called the
INDIA ADVANCES IN POLITICS AND RELIGION
"Westminster Statute" which sets forth the far- How nobly India's own sons are fighting against reaching significance of that elastic term "Do- caste-inhumanity is shown by what Gandhi said minion Status." This Act made clear that all the at Faizpur where the Indian Congress was held countries forming the British Commonwealth are in the last week of 1936: "I went to your Local free and independent peoples and are at liberty to Board, well situated just near the Harijan (outleave the Commonwealth any moment they wish. caste) quarters, and I inquired if the Harijans It was not long after the important legislation of were allowed to draw water from that well. I 1931 that the Indian constitutional question as- was told they might not do so, but that they were sumed crucial importance. The Dominion Pre- suffered to take water out of an open trough from miers clearly intimated they were not willing to which cattle also drunk their water. How dare concede to India the "Dominion Status" of full you, who want to win swaraj (autonomy) suffer nationhood represented by full membership in the to keep your own brethren on a level with cattle?" Commonwealth. This has been a great blow to Yet in that same village of Faizpur Rs. 30,000 India's pride. The Right Honorable Srinivasa (over 10,000 dollars) were collected as gate-money Sastri, early in 1935, pleaded that Federation and to attend the Indian Congress that was crying Dominion Status could exist side by side, but that out for independence, and 25,000 people were the free and independent Dominions making up fed daily for a week. the British Commonwealth of Nations were not willing to receive India into the inner family Why then is there such appalling poverty as circle of the Commonwealth until India shows prevails in India? There are two reasons at least: more fitness for self-government. The Indian So- one is India's worship of the cow; for while 64 cial Reformer recalled that in connection with the definitions of Hinduism all differ, yet all include conflict between British and Boer in South Africa, cow-worship as essential. However decrepit or the world-renowned phrase was coined that "good milkless a cow may be, it must never be killed even government is no substitute for self-government." by a merciful anresthetic, but must drag on its weary existence under the hot Indian sun. India's Capacity for Self-Government It is estimated that in British India alone there Opinions greatly differ on the question as to are twenty-four and a half million useless cattle, how far the Dominion Premiers' position is justi- the maintenance of which costs India 176 crores fied by India's fitness, or unfitness, for complete of rupees (or more than 650 million dollars) self-government. There is evidence on both sides. every year. When we pointed this out, Mr. Gandhi replied that India ought to pay something Much has been made of the alleged inefficiency for its religious principles. Whether such prinand alleged nepotism of Indian Ministers in ciples are behind another cause of India's poverty, charge of various departments of government. India's money lenders, we know not, but it is not The reforms of 1919 provided for a large majority uncommon for them to charge 75 to 150 per cent of Indian members in every Council, Provincial or more for their loans. and National, with a large number of nationbuilding departments transferred to Indian con- India's Influence on the West trol. India has a very noble culture distinctively her The most capable judges of the results are the own. The influence of that culture is increasing British members of the Indian Civil Service. One in the West as is indicated by the recent appointof them, Sir John Thompson, says: ment of that renowned Indian scholar, Dr. Sir S. Radhakrishnan, to the newly instituted Spalding It would be unjust and ungenerous, especially in those Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics in of us who once helped to control the departments now the Oxford University. This eloquent scholar transferred to Ministers, not to recognize what they have rightly affirmed in his inaugural address: "Redone and where they have gone beyond what we were aJle ligion has been the master passion of the Indian to effect. Let me mention one or two points. The villager mind." Should Dr. Radhakrishnan repeat in with a sick wife or baby now finds that medical relief has England his well-known defence of idolatry, as been brought nearer to his door. The number of hospitals being an infant state in religion and to be tolhas increased by 35 per cent. The man with children to erated as such, we have no doubt the philosophers educate finds things made easier for him. In ten years of Epgland and Scotland would know how to deal the number of schools went up by 24 per cent, the number with him. of pupils by 50 per cent, and the number of girl pupils by 80 per cent. Even in the last five years the number of Indian Christianity and Indian Nationality girls in the secondary schools has risen by over 100 per cent and the number of girl graduates by nearly 80 per All would-be vindicators of Indian idolatry are cent. answered by Indian citizens themselves, as is Over against this fair picture are such blots as the inhumanity of the Indian caste-system, and the superstitions and evil practices that lie at the root of India's poverty.
shown by the returns of the 1931 official census years (from 6,062 in 1931 to 4,467 in 1935), on which indicated that over a million and a half account of decrease in funds from Western lands, had been added to the Christian Church during has some compensation in the steady growth of the preceding decade. This means an average of voluntary service in many sections of the Indian 12,855 additions to the church every month, and Church. the present (1937) monthly increase is probably at least 15,000. Indian Christians are not overlooking their duty to India's national movements. They are to Nor is this the only index of an advancing In- be found in almost every political party in India. dian Christianity, for thousands of caste-people One of Mr. Gandhi's right-hand men is Mr. J. C. are every year entering the Indian Church and Kumarappa, an Indian Christian, occupying the are giving as their reason that they want the help strategic post of organizing secretary to the Allof the same Lord who is transforming so many India Village Industries Association. Several In- Indian outcastes and is transfiguring their homes dian Christian leaders are candidates for seats in and villages. India's Provincial and all-India Councils in the present general election. The influence of Jesus Christ and His message is also making itself felt upon every public move- Happily the day is past when Indian Christians ment in India. The searchlight of His personality can be left out of India's nation-building organizaand teaching is revealing some of the darker as- tions. One of the best known of India's Christian pects of India's time-worn faiths, so that a silent leaders, Dr. S. K. Datta, President of Forman revolution is being effected in these faiths. More- Christian College, in a notable speech in the Allover, educated Indian Christians say they see clear India Legislative Assembly at Delhi, told the Britsigns of a "mass movement of the Spirit of God ish and Indian statesmen gathered in India's Paramong the educated people of India." These vari- liament, that if they wished to see Indian democous factors are contributing to the building of an racy at its best they should see it at work in the enduring Indian Church. Even the reduction of Indian Churches, which he described as "so many missionaries in India by 1,595 during the past few little Indian republics."
THE IDEAL MISSIONARY FOR TODAY By THE REV. D. S. HIBBARD, D.D., PH.D.
"What kind of a man or woman should be sent out to the younger churches of Christ?" The missionary has the only God-given world message, but he is human. He talks with God, but he must deal with men. It must, therefore, weigh heavily upon anyone who is in any way responsible for choosing a foreign missionary.
David Livingstone was one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all missionaries. _But if he could be brought into the Philippines today with only his former preparation, he would be badly handicapped.
And yet I must frankly come out and state before I retire that the modern missionary in the Islands has to be a bigger and better man than those who came over in the early days, or he is doomed to be a dismal failure.
We had wonderful opportunities and privileges in those early days. The facts of change and of new ideals in the government opened the way for the preaching of the Gospel.
The people listened, and were willing to study the Bible of which they had heard but never seen. The Roman Catholic Church had failed to hold all of its members. Many of them, insurgents at heart, now broke away from that body. It was easy to teach, to preach, and to heal.
Today these conditions are materially changed. Instead of an uneducated younger genera- tion, we find holders of the master's degree, and even some with a doctorate from the best institutions in America, scattered throughout the Islands. And college graduates are every- where. The school system here is the best in the Orient. Printing presses,good and bad, are running full time.
Briefly then sermons, which would have held the attention and won approval of an audi- ence a generation ago, will not be effective today. There must be true vitality, intelligent pres- entation, practical relationship to life, and sacrificial service in the ideal missonary and in his Christian message for present-day needs at home and abroad.
the Magistrate Went to Church*
What Happened to Magistrate Kim Seung Myung in Korea -t€{ I Told by himself and WILLIAM SCOTT I )Be- I~==============================~ I T WAS a hot summer day and I hesitated to go, his conversion. The church was crowded, and for church openings, at the best of times, are among the audience were many of elder Kim's old long and tedious. But Samho, I reckoned, cronies,. still in their pagan unconcern. He ad- would be different. Samho Christians are rugged dressed himself particularly to them.
fisher folk, who pit their strength against the ele- The Story of His Conversion ments and wrest a living from the sea. When pagan, they were gloriously pagan; when they "You all know me for what I was and what I became Christian, life was still an adventure car- am," he began. "Money was no concern to me.
ried through with the old lt came easily; I spent it energy and daring. There freely. My chief concern before one's eyes stood a was the public good. I witness to this fact. They served you long and well as were only a fishing village, village h e a d man and as and only a handful of county magistrate. Yonder Christians, yet they had hill belongs. to the village dared to build the finest because I fought the Gov- church in all our section of ernment for it. I gave the Korea. On this particular public cemetery in which day they had met to dedi- you bury your dead. I built cate their church to God your first school and made and to honor the man whose you send your sons to it. I enthusiasm and generosity fathered a dozen projects had made it possible. for your good, till our vil- Elder Kim lage became the pride of the province. You, in your Elder Kim was the man, turn, were good to me. You and a fitting tribute asso- honored me and trusted ciated his name with the me. You raised a magnifichurch. A tablet graced cent stone to perpetuate my one of the walls, "In honour name.. I sat on the Goverof Elder Kim, a Christian and a Public Benefactor." nor's council. I was chosen His name was on the pro- to visit the palace and to gram to lead in prayer, MAGISTRATg KIM, NOW ELDER KIM receive some silver wine and this is how it ran: CUPSI as a token of respect.
"0 God, I thank thee for taking a man like me "Then came the Christians. You remember -a haughty, brawling, drunken man like me- how I hated them – upstart fellows who babbled for cleaning up my life and making me the man I about God and Christ and thought we were all am. I thank thee for putting it into my head sons of the devil because we drank and smoked to help build this church. May it be used to and enjoyed life. You remember how I set the Thy glory, and to the saving of many more like police on them, dogged their steps wherever they me." went, refus·ed to sell them land for a church, and Having unburdened his heart to his God, he threatened to drive them out of the village. Even wiped his eyes and turned to the congregation: when I went to the city I would walk through "I'd like to say a few things before I sit down," dirty narrow lanes and climb a fence rather than he remarked, and proceeded to tell the story of pass a foreigner's house or a Christian church.
• From Ko.rean Echoes, published by The Korea Mission of the "But they beat me to it in the end. My own United Church of Canada (October, 1936). nephew was converted; one of my own stock [ 187 ]
whose business it is to get things done. They might do. I said we were all proud to have such a bought land for a meeting place~the brow of a building in the village, and ended by wishing them hill that nobody wanted. They built a church and all success. Next I turned to you fellows who had boasted of its size. They put up a bell to ding in brought me to church. I said it was a disgrace to our ears, and finally they sent out invitations to dedicate a building to God with a debt on it, and all and sundry to attend the opening. It was a that it was up to us to do our bit. I promised to give three hundred and fifty yen, if you would pay the rest. It was my turn to chuckle as I made you open your purses and pay heavily for the prank you had played on me that day.
Magistrate Kim Cleans House "By this time I was thoroughly sober and a great decision was forming in my mind. You re- member it wen. I took you all to the wine shop.
'Boys,' I said, 'drink to your heart's content. I pay the bill. But remember: this is the last drink you'll ever get from Magistrate Kim. I'm through with it for ever. No man ever did me a better turn than you did when you filled me with liquor and took me to church. It's not the old Kim that's talking to you now. From today on I travel a dif- ferent road." I left you there befuddled and scep- THE' ORIGINAL CHURCH AT SAMHO, KOREA tical. God forgive me for filling you with drink that day, but you would have got drunk anyway.
great day. The whole town was agog with excite- , You didn't believe me then, and you may not be- ment. Perhaps the feast that was to follow ap- lieve me now, but I want to tell you that from pealed to some of you. As for me, I stormed and that day until this not a drop of liquor has passed fumed and threatened; too proud to acknowledge my lips. The very taste of it went out of my life defeat. Then some of you came to my office and that day and has never returned. And that's dared me to attend the ceremony. It was my eighteen years ago."
duty, you said, as headman and magistrate to do At this point the speaker paused, visibly moved the honors for the community. But I only laughed at the memory of the miracle that had trans- and drank to their confusion. And then you played your trick. You plied me with wine and still more wine until you got me gloriously drunk.
Then you carried me bodily to the church door and chuckled as my own nephew took me in hand, thanked me for coming, and led me staggering to a prominent place.
"Well, thank God for that day. Something so- bered me where I sat. It may have been a sense of shame. It may have been resentment at your handling of me, and a desire to get even. It was likely more than that, for I found myself thinking that these Christians were really men after my own heart. The courage with which they had car- ried on, despite my threats. The way they took our snubbing and persecution. The energy and enthusiasm they put into their church building.
The tremendous earnestness with which they TEE NEW CHURCH AT SAMHO, KOREA faced us with the need of religion. Even to that long, lanky foreign fellow who pleaded for help to formed his life. The day was hot and gave him pay the deht on the church, telling us that he who an excuse to mop his face and incidentally to wipe gave was not losing his money but only putting it away a tear. But he soon forgot himself again in the Bank of Heaven. All that somehow got me. in his tale, the audience following with keen I threw all caution to the winds and stood up to interest.
congratulate the Christians. I extolled the virtue "I don't wonder that you thought me crazy; of religion. I spoke of the good a Christian church the very children used to talk of the queer things
WHEN THE MAGISTRATE WENT TO CHURCH
I did. I called my family and relatives together done magnificently, and raised more than their and told them that I was now a Christian, that share. But a debt still remains, as on that day they were all Christians, and that if anyone long ago. Fourteen hundred yen must be raised wished to disagree he was at liberty to do so, but today. I'll give a thousand if you raise the four that henceforth he would be no connection of hundred here and now. It's a joy to do it. I've mine. I then wrote my eldest boy, at college in done many a good thing for the village, but the Japan. I told him what had happened and added, greatest good that.r have done, and the one which 'Son, you've got to become a Christian or you no brings me greatest satisfaction, is my share in the longer belong to me. I will wait your answer be- building .of this church. They have raised a tablet fore I send your next allowance.' His answer to my honor. My first impulse was to tear it came soon enough and showed that he really was d.own, but I finally consented to its remaining a son of mine. 'Dad,' he wrote, 'I knew how you there that it might be a lasting memorial of what hated the Christians and I kept it a secret from the grace of God did for Magistrate Kim. I only you, but I've been a Christian for over a year. wish that you could share the j.oy that came to me I've been praying daily for you, and I'm more that day you brought me to church against my than glad to hear you've come across.' will."
"I had set my own house in order. Now I Elder Kim sat down amid a round of applause. turned to public affairs. I may have been too He had stood up to pray; he had added a glorious hasty, but this new interest I had found seemed testimony. The church was duly dedicated and to come like a flood, sweeping my past life away the remaining four hundred yen fully subscribed like-a thing of straw. I resigned from the mag- by the congregation-part of it from non-Chrisistracy, and from the governor's council. I paid tian sources. The three hours of ceremony had men to pull down and bury the stone you had no dull moments, and was brought to a close with raised in my honor. I even destroyed my precious a strong appeal for decisi.ons. Elder Kim was silver wine cups. It was my way of breaking with again on his feet-his vigorous personality domthe past. Then I went to the city, no longer afraid inating the proceedings, and his oldtime magisof the missionary. I bought Bibles and hymn terial authority carrying some wavering ones over books for all my family and hired a man to teach the line. us to sing. How the town laughed when they heard of it. But there was laughter in my soul I was glad I went to Samho. The new church too, for a new strange joy possessed me. From is an honor to the Christian cause. Built of red that day until now my supreme aim in life has brick with two graceful towers flanking the enbeen to honor Christ." trance and capped by pointed spires, it stands on Building the New Church an eminence which overlooks the beautiful bay and the village which hugs the shore. It will long "That brings me to this day. There stands the remain a landmark to guide the fishing fleets old church, a silent witness both to my shame and home. It will be a perpetual reminder of God to my glory. I love that old church. But it has who ruleth over all. It is a fitting memorial to grown too small. We must replace it with some- the devoted group of men and women who built thing bigger and better, they said, and I knew it-among whom towers Elder Kim. God bless that my chance had come to do one more good the day that Kim the magistrate was brought to thing for the village. I would bear half the ex- church. His name belongs with those "whose pense, and I put my name down, as you know, for righteous deeds have not been forgotten, whose twenty-five hundred yen. The church people have name liveth to all generations."
MISSIONARIES ARE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST, NOT DIPLOMATS OF THE CHURCH; THEY ARE SENT TO PREACH AND TEACH- Not human experience, but divine redemption Not social reform, but spiritual salvation. through Christ. Not a new organization, but a new creation. Not economic deals, but the Gospel of Christ. Not the benefits of civilization, but the bless- Not human culture, but spiritual conversion. ings of Christ.
Not personal reforms, but liberation from sin. -Adapted from R. P. Richardson, North K iangsu, China. Not laws of earthly progress, but God's for- giveness for sin.
A Prison Shaken in
By REV. ANDREW GIH, Bethel Mission, Shanghai, China I N THE city of Hankow, the so-called "Chicago saved the penitent thief on the cross! They con- of China," the church was packed every night fessed their sins and we taught them to pray so with eager listeners and the Lord worked with that many sad, hopeless sinners and criminals power. Many came with the burdens of sin on were soon rejoicing in the salvation offered by their hearts and went away happy in forgiveness. Him who came "to set the captives free." If we When the HQly Spirit works, people who have had not seen their prison garb we would never done wrong want to make it right. As a result have guessed that they were convicts! About things stolen were returned, old debts were paid, seventy truly accepted the Lord Jesus as their enemies who had not spoken to each other for personal Saviour and their faces shone with light years were reconciled. ' f r o m above.
Earnest-hearted pastors sent messengers to the As we were about to close the meeting one of outlying churches inviting them to send in dele- the officers stepped to the front and, in a choking gates and more than 100. responded so that it re- voice, asked to say a few words. He was trem- quired hundreds of dollars to entertain them for bling and his face was deathly pale, and there two weeks. The pastor and I took the matter to was a strange look in his eyes as he faced that the Lord and the next day a church member said prison audience. Then he said: to the pastor: "I have received a great blessing "God's Spirit is moving me mightily. My heart during these meetings and would like to do some- is pounding. I have no peace. I must confess thing for the Lord in return for what He has done my sins to you men. I have been crooked in my for me. I want to pay whatever you lack for feed- dealings with you. I have extorted bribes from ing these people; but please don't mention my your friends who come to visit you. I have been name to anyone." cruel and overbearing to you."
At the close of the campaign, twenty volunteer It seemed that something within him was driv- preaching bands were organized and at their con- ing him on as he turned from one side to the secration service crowded onto the platform carry- other and cried out in a voice that rang to all parts ing white flags on which were written the motto of the hall: "Will you forgive me? Will you for- of each band. They then went out to preach. give me?" The campaign in the church was over. Then The prisoners listened in astonishment as their something happened more wonderful than our officer confessed his wrongdoing and asked foreyes had ever witnessed. The Christian warden giveness! Such a thing had never before hap- of one of the great city prisons had attended many pened in a prison. Amazement kept them silent of the meetings and received a great blessing. a few seconds and the room was so still that one After that closing service he begged us to preach could almost hear the heart throbs of the agonized to the men in his prison. Speakers had occasion- officer. Then the response broke forth from these ally addressed the men on political subjects but a shackled ones who themselves had been forgiven Gospel service had never been held, as that was and delivered from sin that day. "We forgive not part of a prison program. The warden said: you!" "We forgive you!" came the response over "God has so blessed me in these meetings that I and over from all parts of the room.
dare not deprive the men of the privilege of hear- The officer, apparently unconscious of everyone, ing the same message, though I may risk my posi- fell on his knees before them all, while we knelt tion by inviting you." beside him and prayed. There must have been a So the next morning found us in the prison, with wonderful Hallelujah chorus in Heaven that day, all the men gathered in the hall used for instruc- for we are told there is "great joy in heaven over tion. The warden introduced us by saying: one sinner that repenteth." . "God has sent these men with a wonderful mes- The following afternoon, at the request of the sage. You must listen carefully and I hope you will accept what they preach to you." warden and this converted officer, we outlined a course of Bible study for the prisoners, to be con- We first taught the men a Gospel chorus, "I ducted by earnest pastors of the city. Will you am so glad that Jesus loves me," and in a few min- pray for these Bible classes in the Hankow prison utes practically every man was joining in the sing- and for God's blessing on the work of the Bethel ing. Then, as we gave the Message, we saw many Mission Bands for the evangelization of the of the prisoners in chains turn to the Lord who Chinese?
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A Chinese Concubine Tells Her
-~I I~- By the REV. JAMES P. LEYNSE, Peiping, China i ~==============================~ I T WAS early in the morning when I entered my Opportune Rain, the proprietor. After much talk, study and found young Mrs. Chung already the price was settled and it was arranged that I awaiting me. Demurely she sat in a big chair, go to his home as his concubine number four.
her simple sea-green robe immaculate, her face "My lord proved to be a magistrate. His· pen frowned with care. Listlessly her hand moved a was powerful and he wrote excellently. He under- painted fan forth and back. The sounds of the stood how to stand between court and man, and heavy gong of the famous Lama Temple faintly he was friend to many high and mighty all filled the room. through the land. He did not weary of thinking Politely Mrs. Chung rose and bowed deeply; for of ways to earn much money; yea, did not count as long a time as it takes to walk a mile, she it hardship to tire himself doing so. But his deeds shielded the real object of her visit behind a of mercy were also many and they were talked clatter of polite vocabulary. Her voice rose and about beside river and lake. Many people thought fell in soft cadences over the four tones of the that good luck had come to me; but in the rice I Mandarin language, the Italian of the Orient. ate at his home there were many husks and Without any sign of impatience I waited. Then pebbles.
with a timid smile she began in more serious vein: "None of my master's other wives had a son, "I came on purpose to call upon you, Shepherd and when a year after my arrival, I presented my Teacher, as my heart is heavy with a problem that lord with the first-born one, their jealousy knew eats away my peace. I am ,burdened with a ques- no bounds. I called my precious one by Ii. girl's tion truly too big for me to solve, and I feel like a name, 'Autumn Pattern,' so that the demons in sparrow that has to battle with an eagle. the air would ignore him, thinking him to be a "When I was still a young child my father sold maiden. My little son, the only one in the family, me into the Hall of Lingering Perfume, a house of grew up a priceless possession in the eyes of my wine and pleasure. I had heard the flying gossip lord. But, as for me, I was but a thing who ate of such places but I never imagined the bitterness bitterness from dawn to dusk on account of the I would have to cover up there behind winning darkish ways of the women's quarters. Often I smiles. Everybody called me 'Sweet Water Pond,' poured out my hatred of the other wives before but Lake of Bitterness would have been a more the altar of the King of the Devils in the temple appropriate name for me. Ai ya! that life was hall at the end of our street. I filled the hand of my only means for food and clothing and it the priests with many gifts but they couid not aid brought my father a bag full of good pieces of me against the other women. If I made an error, silver which he used to start a small business that but as small as the half of a grain of rice, my lord filled the family rice bowls. What more need there would be told all about it many times over. By be said about this. Let these things be hidden be- day and by night I ever feared that my lord might hind a jade screen. be displeased and tire of me. I became ill with "One day when I had seen but nineteen New weeping because of my bitter fate, and my cough Year moons and had spent all of six years of serv- would not leave me; through all the hours my ice in that house, I was ordered to attend the man blood ran feverish in my veins. In vain I offered who now is my lord and master. When I first saw much good money and incense to the God of Medi- him, he wore an incense-eolored robe; upon his cine; without result I swallowed the large pills feet were white cloth stockings and silken shoes of herbs and took dried lizards which the nuns and in his hand he carried a painted fan. Straight- advised me.
way I saw that he was a man of good learning and "At the homes and courtyards of other ladies that his silver would roll freely. Many a time he they urged me to go to a Western hospital. I had visited me in the Lute Pavilion and all the maids heard many a good thing about the hospital of the talked about him into my ears until I was fairly Presbyterian Mission here in Peiping. On street made deaf with the clatter. Several months later and road it is told that your doctors are true over a pot of warm wine he talked about me with guardians of life and warmth of heart in stretch- [ 191]
ing forth hands skilful in medicine. Therefore ing and reviling are now heard only from the lips my lord paid out some silver pieces for me and I of the servants. Even that will change if the entered your hospital. There they healed my body ladies of our household truly believe in Christ. and moreover they prayed with me. Step by step they led me to know the only living God and Jesus "But, oh Worthy One, there is a problem daily Christ, my Saviour. Kneeling in prayer, my life before me, and what must I do? The Christian became to me as insignificant as a firefly's light. Way of Life does not allow a man to have several But Jesus regarded me with the forgiving eye of wives; neither should a Christian woman be a God and I learned that He Himself atoned for all concubine, yet here I am, a lowly sinner, concubine my sins and washed me white as snow. I became number four. It frightens me and often in prayer a new being, truly reborn, and I changed my name my heart falls to pieces. This lowly one knorws to Pervading Peace. her fault, but I have gone into a blind alley and do not see a clear way out, neither a path to con- "With a happy heart I returned home, a newly tinue on. I am of one heart with our household made soul, and with a healed body. The first and our master looks upon all of us with favor morning when it was my turn to burn incense be- and kindness. Willingly he uses silver high and fore the household gods I testified of my newly low for me and the others. Every day the maidfound faith in Christ. I refused to bow down any servants enter our women's quarters carrying in longer before idols made by the hands of man. their hands plates of good meat, dishes of fish The ladies of our household, known to be ardent fried with swee-sour sauce, bowls of rice and plat- Buddhists, made a big flutter about it, running ters of warm steamed bread. It is not as if I am back and forth and shouting that they were horri- afraid to eat course food, work hard, and wear a fied and that calamity would come to our house. coat of common cloth, but from childhood I never But I stood where I stood and did not light any was taught to provide for my own living and earn incense. Then the women busied themselves aU pieces of money. the more to give the gods and all the vessels of worship an extra dusting. They put the gong, the "I am but a feeble woman and my learning is bronze incense burner, the pewter candlesticks little. I know only what is connected with the and the paper flowers in especially good order. duties of a wife and mother. Our ways in China For many days they caUed the attention of my are not the bold ways of Western lands where a lord to the fresh peaches of long life which they woman is taught to stand by herself and, yea, even put daily before his favorite idol. compete with a man for a living. If I should leave the lord of our household, another man would put "Then it came about that all those in the wom- forth his hand before the next moon could shine en's court hated me with a strong hatred. They and would place me in his house. Clearly I could dispised my Christian religion, yet faithfully I not stand out against my father and uncles in such read my Bible and prayed for them. Months a thing, and they surely would want to put me passed by and gradually, in answer to my prayers, into another home. the atmosphere around me was changed. No longer did the women scold me when they saw me "You, Shepherd Teacher, are greatly learned reading God's word. The first lady of the house about the way of life, the will of God, and the allowed aJl of us to go once a week outside our teaching of Christ, therefore tell this lowly one gate to visit friends, and that allotted time I used what to do. I will let it be as you decree, and will for attending the church service. then make my bow of farewell and depart. It will be to me as if Heaven sent me the mess.age "When you, Shepherd Teacher, announced that through your lips. Dr. Sun was coming to hold revival meetings I redoubled my prayers, with a strong heart asking A VALID MISSIONARY MOTIVE God that I might be allowed to attend all the meetings. Great was my joy when the first lady spoke Albert Schweitzer, of West Africa, says that to our lord saying that it would be all right with he is there, at least in part, because he must make her if I went every day to the services. Yea, the up to those black people some of the wrong that third wife even went with me each morning and his brother white men have done them. Almost evening. The Living God answered my prayers every contact on the continent of Africa, other and her heart became so moved that now no longer than that of the Christian missionary, has· been does she contribute to the Temple of the Precious for exploitation, or at least for selfish acquisition. Pear. Together we are reading the Bible and to- The missionary more than anyone else stands as gether we pray at dawn and dusk. It seems to me the unselfish friend of the man who is in need. that heaven is going to use us to lead the others This would be a sad world if there should be taken to a belief in the Jesus, the Son of the Living God. out this supremely sacrificial service, but the true Our household is changing already so that scold- motive and power come through Jesus Christ.
A Caravan in the Australian Bush*
~I~=========B=Y=M=A=R=J=O=R=IE==A=.=B=U=R=T=O=N========~I~ "I SHOULD do so much hetter if only there dence, and then proceed to furnish the altar, give were three of me!" expresses what a Bush out books, and greet his congregation as they ar- priest of Western Australia often feels, for rive. Yet often in these Bush services a real he has a parish the size of two English counties. atmosphere of devotion will be found and people That is why we have a mission caravan, for there will drive many miles to get to them: although are twenty-two such parishes in the Bush. The one parishioner did sum up things by saying, "I caravan, staffed by two women workers, visits wish we could get a church of our own here; you any parish at the rector's invitation, so that with can't possibly feel devotional kneeling on a stale an extra vehicle, driver and teacher he is, in some jam tart!"
small measure, enabled to have "three" of him for a few weeks.
The caravan is a house on wheels, complete with two beds, cupboards, table, and locker; all these are fixtures, and every added box or suitcase has to be made a fixture by means of straps and cords before the caravan moves.
The main Bush roads can be pretty good, but they can be very bad. In dry weather the sur- face corrugates, and the van has to slow down to ten miles per hour. While my driver became an expert in dodging corrugations where possible, I became an expert at securing the cupboard with one hand when the fastening shook loose, the while I pushed a suitcase into place with one foot and a bookshelf with the other! In wet weather greasy roads and bogs have to be contended with.
The main roads mostly follow along beside the rather primitive railway lines, crossing them here and there. Along these roads the little townships may be found, ten, twenty, thirty or more miles apart, each with its railway siding. A Bush parish is formed, not of one or two such town- A MISSION CAR IN THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH'
ships, but of six or eight as well as of the other It is to parishes and people such as these that centres, far from any railway, consisting of a the caravan is invited, either for an ordinary school and all the neighboring farms, be they visit, a special visit, or a mission visit. eight or ten miles from it. In the ordinary visit one is simply unofficial The main township of the parish has, besides curate for a few weeks. This usually includes the railway siding, a church, rectory, hospital, day-school teaching, Sunday school teaching, talkdoctor, bank, post office, hotel, roads-board hall, ingat Mothers' Union, guild or other services, school, and from five to fifteen shops. The church sometimes the brief training of future Sunday is frequently the only church in the parish. In the school teachers, and unlimited visiting, a few days other centres services are held in the hall. When being spent in ea'ch district of the parish. the rector arrives on Sunday morning the hall may be open and ready, or he may have to fetch I arrived just before nine one Monday morning the key, arrange the benches, sweep the floor clear at a school which was reassembling after a week's of the remnants of last night's dance, heave table holiday. When I asked the teacher whether I and kerosene boxes into place for altar and cre- might take the children he simply leaped at it. He had ended his week's holiday by traveling all • Condensed from pamphlet published by the S. P. G. "World night, and had arrived back at 5 a. m: He didn't 'Vide Series," London.
[ 193]
wait to enquire which of the children took reli- schools, visiting, services, etc., the van may be ingious instruction; he went to bed and left me with vited for a special purpose. A rector coming new the whole school! to a parish is often glad of extra help in his early months. In the caravan we undertake anything I have been to a school in a district that bor- that he wants done in the way of blazing the trail ; dered two parishes; it had first belonged to one map out his unknown districts, take greetings to parish and then to another. The parishes, too, his parishioners, assuring them that he will call had changed hands, with the result that this dis- as soon as possible, find out existing Sunday trict had had no service for over a year and one schools and possibilities of starting them where celebration of Holy Communion in the last seven they do not exist. years. Could one expect much of the children in the way of religious instruction in that school? In one very isolated district where there were many would~be candidates I was giving some in- But I have been to schools where the children tensive confirmation instruction in the few days know nothing of the Christian faith, and where I was there; boys and girls at school and after the teacher has said to me, "Before I came here s'chool, adults in the evenings. At their request I there was only one family that knew the Lord's returned on Sunday afternoon to instruct them on Prayer." Holy Communion. As it was the Sunday before Christmas, we started with a Christmas prepara- I have been to a school where, as I was teach- tion service. In a schoolroom that accommodated ing, I realized that the children were hearing for ten children there were now ten children and ten the first time of Calvary and the Resurrection. adults. Most of them had driven three or four These are children of a nominally Christian race, miles on open lorries and the thermometer regiswhite children, English-speaking children of tered 106°! After the preparation service I sug- British descent. But how they listen! Not infre- gested that anyone who wished to go could do so quently the teacher will sit down and listen with before our final instruction. Noone moved; all them. twenty stayed throughout; and we were there an hour and a quarter in all! Visiting in a Bush parish is also very varied. One house may be well and solidly built of sun- Then lastly there is the mission visit. From baked bricks, with a wide verandah all round; the many parishes where one has been for an ordinary next-a mile or so away from its neighbor, if you or special visit, an invitation comes for a return are out of a township-may be of weatherboard visit to conduct a mission. A children's mission or galvanized iron, while others are built of wheat is a joyous affair. The usual procedure is: Prepbags stretched on upright poles. A wall of one aration service the first evening; then, during layer of wheat bags does not offer very sound pro- each day of the mission, prayers at 8: 30 before tection, but inner and outer layers stretched firmly they go to school, fifteen minutes' blackboard inon each side of the poles and whitewashed make struction in church when they come out at 12, and quite a comfortable and attractive house. thirty minutes' mission service after afternoon school. This is sometimes followed immediately, In visiting one finds names of would..be con- or later in the day, by "quiet time," a very infirmation candidates, or of the unbaptized, or of formal time when the children are free to copy those who would like to join the Sunday school by blackboard illustrations, make their self-examina- Post. Usually we are warmly welcomed and of- tion, write intercessions and thanksgivings, or fered tea and cakes. Once I was met outside the come and discuss anything they wish. house by the mother of an unbaptized family, and we held our conversation there, not much assisted I have also taken children's one-day missions by two very butting goats; we finished the discus- behind the caravan at remote Bush schools far sion on baptismal regeneration with the mother from any church, where listeners sit on rugs (not holding the horns of one goat while I held the for damp.,proof but ant-proof purposes), and inhorns of the other! terviews are carried on in the caravan.
At one house the husband welcomed me with, "I'm so thankful," said one mother, "that my "I was glad when I saw it was two ladies coming; Ken has got into touch with the Church; he's been my wife never sees another woman, for our near- a different boy at home." est neighbor is seven miles off and has a little baby and can't get out." "I think," said one mother, Scorching sun and unending wind, hideous galafter we had talked and talked, "that God must vanized iron and revolting flies, but endless sparks have sent you to me; I'd got right down and was of keenness and new life, and the chance to lend needing someone to help me pick up again." This a hand in helping to build up the Church and to was not just a pious utterance; it was the normal see it witnessing in places where it did not; and, expression of what she felt. in spite of innumerable setbacks and disappoint- ments it is tremendously worthwhile. But besides these ordinary caravan visits to a parish, with the daily and weekly round of
African View~of Africa's
By S. S. TEMA -.e( A Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church,. at Present Assisting )at- at the Bantu Men's Social Center in Johannesburg, C. P.
A FRICA has just awakened from a deep sleep. white man's philosophy of life, but that it is Di- vine truth for all the world. The greatest need .i"1 She finds nations, great and small, on the then, is to bring to my people, as clearly as pos- march of civilization. She has now just sible, the truth that Christianity is no white man's joined the march, though well in the rear of the theory of what life should be; but that it is the caravan of civilization. She was called "Dark real, true, pure and best teaching about life, im- Africa," and rightly so. Today she may be called parted by Christ Himself, the Founder, Master "The Awakening Africa." The impact of West- and King. ern civilization is so great that the "real" that is in African life is at present put back, and we are The ground on which Christian principles are really oscillating between Africa and Europe. Our resting in the mind of Africa is rather unstable. greatest battle today is how to adjust ourselves We want something solid and firm, something to this civilization that is deeply influencing Afri- which would keep us going even if all the missioncan culture. We feel we are fast losing our foot· ary activities were to go on holiday for centuries ing. -something which would make the missionary bodies in Africa happy over the good work they We need then those elements and qualities have been doing. The African must learn above which make life worth living-justice, good will all to worship God as an African believer, not as and real happiness. Africa needs to develop spir- itually, intellectually and temporally. She is with- a Christian imitator. We must learn to deal diout doubt poor in mind and spirit. She is a slave rectly with God as a prayer-hearing God, as a God intellectually, and to a far greater extent is spir- of the impossibles and above all as a wonderful itually imprisoned. As a people we need spiritual God Who can guide and protect a nation, but Who stability, spiritual independence, intellectual inde- in turn demands that He shall be given His place pendence, and temporal independence. Do the in its life. Africa needs to be taught that she has present world trends promise Africa these? responsibilities to carry, and her spiritual respon- sibilities are not the least of her duties. Africa First of all is spiritual independence, which means the complete dependence on God and in- must still learn to trust God as her own God, a dependence of man. My people view Christianity God of the very poor, backward, black and needy as the white man's religion. They do not feel it souls in the heart of a dark, hot continent. is their religion. Some go so far as to say Chris- The second great need I have called intellectual tianity is but another way of the white man for independence. To me intellectual independence getting the best of the native. means that my people need to be taught how to When they look at the manner in which the think for themselves. They must learn to do Europeans are dealing with the many problems of things for themselves and by themselves. They life-political, industrial, educational, economic, must be creative, self-reliant, constructive and and even social-and realize that things are not self-supporting. Today we are but little more than what they think they should be, they are skeptical. machines taught certain principles and doctrines, They wonder why it is the Golden Rule is not good and merely doing or saying what we have learned.
enough for the Europeans. They begin to loosen The African needs originality in all the plans of their grip on the reality of Christian standards. his life. He also has to learn the importance of Enthusiasm dies away when they see nothing but cooperation and unity, which are so indispensable. shame. They say like the Israelites, "For it were to the whole system of life. The Africans must better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we learn how to fill in for themselves the gaps in the should die in the wilderness." Africans measure molding of their own destiny. The need is to Christian standards by the failure of Western teach the African to use his own resources. He civilization. Europeans gave us very fine and has mental gifts just as well as any human being. lofty ideals, but why can they not live up to these But he has not known how to use them. Africa ideals? The Bantu do this because they do not needs to be inspired with the truth that as a peorealize the great fact that Christianity is no clever pIe she has great possibilities in both the religious [195 ]
and the intellectual fields. Have we no contribu- to save the situation? Another thing that is dotion to make in science, art, philosophy and in ing my people a certain amount of harm is deother spheres of life? We need to learn how to nominationalism. Our religion was a socio-relihave faith in other peoples, but more how to have gious system, or a relig~()-social system. Today faith in ourselves as a people. Let Africans learn we are broken up into denominations, all working to trust, and to be trusted by other races, then we on different lines and more or less on policies and have Africa developing for the good of humanity. doctrines which are in some cases contradictory. They cause bitterness and schisms in the lives of We cannot depend on the Europeans and re- people who w~re used to the old tribal family sysmain a spoon-fed nation. Africans should be tem. The common spirit of the joint family ties taught how to govern themselves. They must is gradually undermined, and the people are loslearn to direct their own affairs, and to become ing the real spirit of brotherhood and unity. Dethus an asset and not a liability as today. When nominationalism does more than that; it brings shall we grow to maturity? Some say we must in overlapping. The danger in the political world take about two thousand years because the Euro- seems to be a mania for colonial expansion, and I peans took that time. From the European point believe the danger in our religion today is overof view, we are only about two hundred and emphasized denominationalism with its doctrinal eighty-four years old, so that we are surely very differences. These things make an opening for young. Nevertheless, it is time we learned to sects, separatists, Roman Catholicism, and perwalk, and to stand on our own feet in upbuilding haps later even for such dangerous religions as and maintaining ourselves. In a half century or Mohammedanism. Why not give Africa the pure so we will be far from the stage we are in now. Gospel and leave out minor differences? Africa What is being done by those who are the trustees, is crying for the living God. Give Africa Christ the guardians, of Africa to prepare her for ma- and the new life He offers. turity? In Christianizing Africa, let us not forget that Missionary Work Africa has her own peculiar customs, beliefs and traditions and you cannot uproot all of these be- I believe I express the real feelings of Africa, cause they are deeply fixed in the minds of the religious or irreligious, when I say there is no African. Can we not find out by more research better memory in any true African than the those things which were part and parcel of primimemory of missionary work. What could Africa tive African religion and recognize in our work be, or do, if it were not for the work of Christian those sound principles which made our people a missionaries? No history of Africa can be com- people even before the arrival of Western civplete if it does not bring in the missionary as part ilization? and parcel of it. The chief need in making her whatever she should be is to allow missionary in- Africa wants to see Christ in Europe. We do fluence to become more dominant than it is today. not want to hear of wars, crises, economic depres- sions, unemployment, racial greed and pride. We In doing things, God has been using ordinary do not wish to hear of dictators and wild, brutal men, and ordinary men are not angels. They make war. These things make us think that Europe is mistakes, and so it is with the -missionaries. They planning and scheming things without God, or at made mistakes, and are still making some. As a least they do things first and then ask God to result we have had certain problems. These have bless them. We want only the best from Europe, come in the form of Ethiopianism, in the form of and to fuse these with the best that we possess. those undesirable separatist movements which are Africans want to be given a share in the spiritual, today very common in the South here. Many the intellectual and the temporal wealth of humansects are growing like mushrooms. There is also ity. We want a Christianity which will help us the problem of the rising generation of Africans to adjust ourselves to the overpowering prestige who are fast losing confidence in the Church. It of Western civilization. is difficult today to get the more educated youth of Africa to give the Church her rightful place in Missions in Africa can be improved by using their lives. The more they are educated, the more the African himself in Christianizing his own irreligious they seem to become. What are we go- people. Africa has very few leaders of her own ing to do with this growing skepticism in the edu- today. -Many of her present leaders are not the cated youth? best for us, but Africa needs the best. Our cry; then, is for the training of Africans of ability, Western civilization has brought a change in vision, faith and of love to God and Africa. Rethe life of Africa, but this change has done us ligious problems, social problems, and moral probsome harm. We have lost customs, traditions and lems are now so much one and the same that we laws, and even our very moral standards are need in Africa men of a special type to lead us. shaken. Demoralization is resulting in the growing generation. Can the Church not do something
Daniel-A Congo Apostle*
By JOHN MORRISON I }5t-.- American Presbyterian Congo Mission, ~ THE silence of early morning was broken by it all. Soon word came drifting in of a new force the mournful death wail which came from working for Christ in and around Luebo. He be- one of the little mud huts. The natives turned gan to travel farther afield, and on his own initiauneasily on their rough mats and shivered. It tive, many times in hut-to-hut visitation, brought was no uncommon noise, yet one could not still the together little groups for worship, often leaving shiver that crept up one's spine as the wailing them to form the nucleus of a future church.
sound rose in the air. But at intervals, pene- Mweka, a mushroom town on the new railroad, trating even the lamenting voices, a shrill cry be- was drawing away many mission boys in its de- tokened the presence of a little baby in the midst mand for labor. In towns of this kind there is of that awful sound. Such was Tshisunga's en- always great opening for the devil's agents and, trance into the world! The wasted body of his in spite of an evangelist being there, we knew heathen mother lay before him in the hut, sur- rounded by a group of heathen women, one of whom held the baby in her arms, rocking him to the swaying rhythm of her body as she lifted up her voice in valiant effort to drive the spirits from the hut wherein death had laid its hand.
When the hasty funeral was over there still re- mained the problem of the disposal of the child.
Many relatives raised their voices in the death- chant, but these same voices were still when a guardian was solicited for the new-born child.
Tshisunga's chance of learning much more about this world was a slender one until some one hit upon a happy solution. "Don't they care for orphan babies up there at the mission ?" Thus God prepared the way and the tiny babe was carried up the hill to become an inmate of the little home established by Miss Thomas and Miss Fearing.
As time went on Tshisunga became a school- teacher and later he entered our Industrial School, where his natural ability showed itself in his apti- T SHI SUNGA DAN I E L – A CONGO APOSTLE tude for fashioning little ivory curios out of ele- phant tusks and in acquiring a rough knowledge that many of the boys who had been reared on the of mechanics which served him later on. mission station were subject to sore temptation. Then Tshisunga took a hand. He had an old, He grew restless, however, and accepted an broken-down bicycle, which he patched up, and offer to work for a trading company on Lac Leo- one day off he set for Mweka, forty miles away. pold II, a spot several hundred miles from the He spent the week-end trying to enlist services of mission. Here for a considerable time he became some of the old mission boys in forming a Chrisindifferent to the claims of Christ and drifted tian Endeavor and succeeded in interesting about along with no definite aim in life. twenty. He came back to Luebo, but next week- end he returned and spent his time in going from One day at Luebo, however, as Mrs. Motte Mar- house to house until he had over a hundred who tin pled with him to come back to Christ, the promised to come out on Sunday to church. He shackles fell from his soul and he stood forth a kept up his visits there until he had some 200 soldier of the Lord Jesus. It seemed as if he re- going to Christian Endeavor, and when he left, gretted every moment that he had spent away from Christ, and was determined to make up for • Condensed from Congo Missi on News. there was a flourishing meeting run by its own [197 ]
native officers, many of them boys who, had they painful attacks of elephantiasis, when his leg bebeen left to themselves, might have been lost to came so swollen that even while resting he suf- Christ forever. He was so delighted with the suc- fered much, he still persisted in carrying on his cess of this first venture that he repeated his ef- work of soul-winning. I met him one day as he forts in several other places. came hobbling along after having been to see an old heathen woman. Poor old soul, she was cross Tshisunga's custom on Saturdays is to go to the with the world, and who can blame her? She native market, held not far from the mission, and lived in a little tumble-down mud hut, and toiled talk with anyone with whom he can strike up a painfully each day to the forest for firewood and conversation, telling him of Jesus and the way of to the spring for water. Each day meant a labosalvation. As he walked off from the market rious journey down a very steep hill, and a toilplace one day, he noticeq a woman carrying a some climb back with her heavy burden on her number of articles on her head, as is the native head. Uncared for, the only thing left for her was custom. When he broached the subject of Jesus, death, death without hope. It was just after one his Master, she laughed at him. of these expeditions that Tshisunga met her for the first time, and perhaps the time was a little "What do I want with Jesus; He is nothing to inopportune to speak to her at all. One job must me!" always follow another, she probably thought, as she was trying to repair her scanty fence. Tshi- He endeavored to say something more, but she sunga gave her "Good-day," and received a grunt. stepped out and left him. He kept on his way, He asked her if she knew Jesus; she glared at stopping to chat with people now and again, but him, and told him to be off about his business. As his heart was full of the woman who had spurned he didn't move quickly enough, she seized her staff his Master saying, "He is nothing to me!" He and drove him off. But he was undaunted. The prayed within himself, "Oh, God, help her to see old woman resumed her work on the fence, and the light." About two hours afterwards he came Tshisunga moved along to the other end, and to a village six miles farther on, and noticing a without further word started repairing it from group of women seated in the shade of a hut, he that end. She glanced at him from time to time went over to bid them "Good-day." He then no- as much as to say, "What game are you trying to ticed that the woman to whom he had spoken on play with me?" But he never looked her way. At the road was among the group and he spoke with last they met in the middle and the job was done. her again, but she mocked him. He sat there for "Well, that's one job done," said Tshisunga smila while praying silently: "Oh, Lord, do not let ingly, and the old woman smiled in response. this woman leave without accepting the Lord Poor woman, she had little chance to smile in this Jesus," and as he spoke to her, his innermost self life, and the help she received from others was communed with the Holy Spirit, striving to bring very little. They sat down to rest while Tshisunga His aid in helping the woman to see the light. told her of an old, yet new, Friend. Satan was loath to let go, but the faith that can remove mountains was his adversary. The woman Having been a backslider himself, he knows the grew silent, seemed to meditate; and then others wonderful peace and joy that a return to Christ who composed the group broke in. brings. He started a meeting for. those who had fallen by the wayside, and soon it grew so popular "Weare Christians," they said. "Why don't that the open spaces around his house were you accept Jesus?" crowded every Sunday evening with hundreds of people. He made the meeting as attractive as pos- Yet still the woman sat on, and still Tshisunga sible. He has a good ba8's voice and has sufficient prayed within himself, while pleading the Cross. ingenuity to construct a native xylophone. From At last the woman rose and moved off to another time to time he has added fresh attractions. He hut. She stood for a moment irresolute, then taught a number of boys to play simple reed inasked for a drink of water, and as the little group struments made from a native reed, and trained a watched her every movement, they saw her face choir of other boys and girls. He finally found break into a smile and turning, she came towards an old cast-off folding organ, and worked at it them. until he_ could accompany his choir. The main purpose of his meeting was never forgotten, and "Yes," she said, "I want to know Jesus, but how each evening a plea was made for all backsliders can I learn about Him? There is no one near us, to return to the fold. Many of them openly confor I live in a little village twenty miles from fessed their sins, and prayer was always made for here." them, and they were asked to stay behind when Tshisunga talked with them personally. He fol- She sat down again and Tshisunga told her of lowed up his work by going to their huts in the the wonderful love of Jesus, and when she rose to go she said: "I have no one to teach me, yet I will pray every day and God will send me help."
Tshisunga shows infinite patience and is never put out by refusal. He has suffered from very
A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY IN EVANGELISM
village, and many a sinner was brought back to the satisfaction of playing it in the Second Church the fold in this way. The meeting still flourishes at Luebo, and of being choir leader and trainer in and, notwithstanding the fact that it has been go- that church. He has a good working knowledge ing on for some years, is still as popular as ever. of English and French and has not hesJtated to In fact, there are other places within the radius use this talent in the Master's service. In our of our Luebo work that have Sunday evening native service we were surprised to see two Pormeetings which they call "Tshisunga Daniel tuguese traders attend one Sunday morning and meetings." they have since become fairly regular attendants. Tshisunga had spoken to them of Christ. Surely the true value of a man's service will come out in his own household. His wife, Madia, He carries a little notebook and jots down the says, "I was always too timid to speak to others names and villages. of his converts, so that he can about their soul's salvation, but Tshisunga kept remember them in prayer. I asked him if he had urging me and I kept on trying. It was difficult any record of the number who had accepted for a long time, but now it gives. me great joy." Jesus through his ministrations. "Well," he said, Tshisunga conducts women's meetings at which "I can count only this year." That number was he teaches the Christian women how to do per- 2,145, and others had promised to learn. sonal work among other women. Would that we had more Tshisungas, white and He practiced hard at the organ, and now has black!
A Golden Anniversary in Evangelism Fifty Years Work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Founded by the Late Dr. A. B. Simpson By the REV. A. C. SNEAD, New York Foreign Mission Secretary of the Alliance FIFTY years ago, at Old Orchard, Maine, there ice, giving glory to God. China, the Tibetan was formed "a simple and fraternal union of all who hold in common the fulness of Jesus in border, India, Annam; Africa – Congo, Sudan, His present grace and coming glory." This simple union developed into The Christian and Mission- Timbuctoo; Latin America and the Isles of the ary Alliance, "pledged to take the whole Gospel to the whole world till Jesus comes." The "whole Seas called urgently and with whole-hearted en- Gospel," as presented by Dr. Simpson is a "fourfold Gospel" – including redemption, sanctifica- deavor he responded. The record of occupation tion, divine healing and the Second Coming of Christ. and achievement in Alliance Missions today is a This year the Golden Jubilee anniversary is be- roll call of places and lands over which he yearned ing celebrated in the twenty fields into which the Alliance has gone with the Gospel. As one result and for whose evangelization he prayed. of this work the baptized membership of 44,497 in the foreign fields is now (in 1935) greater than "The Christian and Missionary Alliance is not the total membership of these churches in the United States and Canada. Rev. A. C. Snead says: a missionary movement only, but it is called of "Dr. A. B. Simpson, like Abraham, when he God to declare at home and abroad the message of was 'called, . . . obeyed, . . . went out, . . . sojourned,. . looked,' and God gloriously the fulness of Jesus. We not only have a work to blessed him. And because He blessed him, the movement grew and spread far and wide. Since do but we have a life to live, and only as we truly the Founder died, the work has further increased and the movement goes on in scope and power, the live this life – Christ in you – can we surely do ministry continues in humble dependence upon God, and the message is still Christ Himself. Dr. this work in the regions beyond. By the grace of Simpson lived and wrought by faith that the grace of God might be fully manifested and the God, and through grace in the loyal, loving minglory of God fully revealed. He waxed strong in faith and pressed onward in the world-wide serv- istries of thousands at home and in the foreign fields, the missionary work of the Alliance has grown and borne fruit in goodly measure.
"The following figures show the growth of the work in the last fifteen years: 1920 1935 Number of fields ………………. . 16 20 Number of missionaries …………. . 342 508 Native Workers ……………….. . 715 1,527 Baptisms during year …………… . 1,649 6,187 Inquirers during year …………… . 3,993 21,759 Organized churches …………….. . 130 473 Church Membership …………….. . 11,923 44,497 Sunday Schools ……………….. . 162 935 Sunday Scholars ……………….. . 8,949 37,098 Stations ……………………… . 111 134 Outstations …………………… . 475 1,344 Bible School students …………… . 241 362
"The Christian and Missionary Alliance is now as we increase in the knowledge and fulness of working among ninety-five languages and prin- Christ can we increase in the scope and fruitfulcipal dialects. Twenty-four of these were entered ness of our service for Christ. Surely in this before the end of 1919, the year that Dr. Simpson Jubilee Year God wants us to continue and indied. The other seventy-one have been entered in crease our obedience to Christ's command, 'Go ye.' the years 1920 to 1936, inclusive. In about thirtysix of these languages and dialects The Christian "Let us go forward by preaching and pen, by and Missionary Alliance is the only evangelical prayer and purse. We must send forth the workwitness. The population for which The Alliance men by prayer and purse, that they may make is responsible in its mission fields is 72,643,000. God known to men and bring men to God."
"The Alliance, in its foreign work, ministers We also quote as follows from the Golden Anthe Word of God to men and women among all niversary Booklet: the great racial and religious groups of earth- Indians in South America, Negroes and pagans in "The Golden Anniversary of the Alliance this Africa, the peoples of India, China, Japan and the year will be observed throughout the fellowship Isles of the Sea, among many others. Roman by a renewed emphasis on prayer and evangelism. Catholics, Syrian and Greek church groups; Mos- With God's blessing organized evangelism will be lems, Jews, Tibetans, Confucianists, Taoists, energized by the working of the Holy Spirit and Buddhists, Hindus; Animists and pagans of many the harvest will be of God's own gathering. The kinds are found in our world-wide parish. Missionary Training Institute at Nyack, New York, is a vital link in doing effective missionary "God has set the Alliance in strategic crossways work. Throughout the United States and Canada of the world for work among tribes and peoples the anniversary is being commemorated in a Bible yet unevangelized. In a recent trip in Kwangsi, and Missionary Crusade which will be featured South China, two missionaries, a new recruit and in the Annual Council in New York City in May an older veteran, met people of six different tribes and throughout the summer conventions. Misand had previously visited those of a seventh. sionary conventions will also be held in thirty or The tribes are: Chwang, Timber Yao, Dog Yao, forty principal cities of America and definite ad- Black Miao, White Miao, Tung, and Red Yao. In vance is planned in reaching new objectives and Kweichow-Szechuan are eleven counties with opening pioneer areas to the Gospel. their vast multitudes of Chinese and tribespeople and as yet the Alliance has opened work in only "The intent of Dr. Simpson was not to found a four. French Indo-China presents three great new denomination, but to bring about an Alliance racial groups, totaling more than twenty million of those who would cooperate in taking the fullsouls, and in addition eighty or more tribes and orbed message of the Bible to the unreached peomany dialects. In the Southern Philippines are ples of earth. The General Council of the Somany Moslem and pagan groups and work is being ciety, in 1934, passed a Special Resolution bearing done in seventeen languages and dialects. In the on the broad fraternal relations of the work as Netherlands East Indies, six languages are being follows: regularly used and many others are represented in our Bible School. In French West Africa, Al- "The Society is not merely an organization but a moveliance responsibility is for five million out of the ment, and God is not interested in the preservation and twelve million total and for more than one-third of perpetuation of organizations as such, but in the blessing the 103 tribes. Already the witness is being given of great movements that honor Christ in all His Scripin thirty-one languages or dialects. In the new tural fulness, and are loyal to His calling to world-evanfield of French Gabon, six tribes are represented gelization. . . . The statement of objects in its Constituat the station and other tribes are yet to be tion clearly indicates the fact that the Alliance earnestly brought within the range of the Gospel. The desires the full fellowship and cooperation of Christians three missionary couples are studying respec- everywhere, in the great program of a full Gospel mestively: Massango, Banzebi, and Yipounou. In sage to the world and of prosecuting an intensive mis- Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are other tribes of sionary advance. mountain Indians and denizens of the jungles, while in all of the twenty fields of the Alliance "Areas newly opened by the developments of there are hungry hearts and needy lives to whom world trade, tribal chiefs bewildered by the imwe must minister. pact of civilization; independent kings puzzled by the urgency of world events, exploration of hidden "We have a work to do, a commission to obey, highways in the dark heart of Gontinents, and the a message to proclaim, which can only be accom- roar of aeroplanes that are making the inaccesplished by God Himself working in us and through sible a commonplace of travel, call us anew to an us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Only unfinished task. . . . God grant that the obedience of God's people shall move to bring His blessing down upon a sin-sick, weary world." * • The anniversary objectives include 100.000 prayer partner,. $700.000 for Missionary Evangelism. and 30.000 subscribers to The Alliance Weekly.
on the Christian
I By REV. CHARLES A. PLATT, East Orange, N. J. I~ _…et Assistant Minister of the First Presbyterian Church ~==========================~ I F YOU want to know the power of Christ in produce in the youth of America a missionary zeal this modern world, go out on the frontiers .of that will lead them to accept Christ as their Lord Christian thought and action. Look at our and to spread the vital, dynamic world-brotherreligion as it comes face to face with the majQr hood that He represents. problems which confront human life. How does it measure up in comparison to the other two II world forces, Communism and Facism? What is it doing to promote world peace and good will PrQbably the best method of understanding the among the nations? The best way to answer these power of Christ in the world today is to approach questions is to study the missionary enterprise. our present problems from the frontier angle. What has Christianity tD .offer a mDdern, indus- I trialized, interrelated mass of peoples? Why should we nDt all turn cDmmunist and dedicate . One .of the most erroneous ideas about Chris- our lives to the crushing of all unsympathetic tian work tDday is that missions is an appendage groups and to the glorification of the proletariat? .of the Church. Many are apt to think of religiQn Why should we be concerned with the problems as consisting of theolQgy, educatiQn, social proh- .of the wDrld, why nQt build up a colossal defense lems, and worship activities of the average Amer- in our own nation and then defy the rest .of maniean church, and we think of missionary activity kind? as some additional service-rather magnanimous but unnecessary. To hold such a view is to miss Looking at such questions from the Christian the whole spirit of Christ and (what is just as missionary angle has two distinct values. In the first place, we see Christianity stripped of past serious) to neglect the best available .medium .of momentum, standing on its own twentieth-eentury religious and Christian education. feet. On the frontier .our Christian life must go For fifty-one weeks we have been studying mis- forward to victory or must go down in inglDrious sions, with a group of young men and women in defeat. Secondly, the missionary enterprise is our church. Why? In order that we might under- seen to be an international institution already stand Christianity! We want to see Christianity functioning, and capable of exerting a tremendous on the firing line, not as it exists behind a mass influence in many .of the conflict areas of the .of traditi.ons and well established institutiQns. world. We want t.o know what Christianity has to offer Not long agD an outstanding church leader was when Communism is calling youth to follow a asked: "Can the Church be a force in the estabmaterialistic cause. We want to know Christ's lishment of world peace tDday?" His answer was answer when nationalistic forces, fill youth with an unqualified, "No!" But many thinking young ambitious ideas as to the supremacy of one nation people are thankful that they have a different or one race. idea. They say, "Look at the great number of out- posts of Christianity in countries like Persia and The youth of America seem to be placidly talk- China and Mexico where the influence of Coming about world friendship, while the youth of munism is being felt. Think of the mission staother countries are being filled to the bursting tions in Chosen and Japan and Cuba where napoint with nationalistic propaganda. Will this tionalism is the order of the day. The Church on wave of acute nationalism sweep America into the firing line offers one of the greatest .oPporwhat will be virtually another "holy war," s,imply tunities for fostering the cause of world peace because Christian youth has not caught the ideals that we have." and enthusiasm of Christ? The one world Leader who came to bring peace is receiving less support Youth is learning to expect great things from from the youth .of today than are any of the other the missionary enterprise in the way of influencworld leaders who seem to be hurtling civilization ing the international activities of various countoward another horrible struggle. What can we tries. It is the best program yet devised for the do to change this, condition? The answer is to education of all peoples to a sense of W.orld broth- [201 ]
erhood, and to the Christian (not Western) way will enable the Christian to face the world and its of living. We do not need more peace agencies! problems, and to triumph? To answer this phase We have enough overhead organization! We of Christianity it is again necessary to look have made enough resolutions! What we must do through the eyes of the missionary. What would is to give a more whole-hearted support to those you do if you were a missionary in a land where Christian missionary agencies that are already Christ is almost unknown? What are the qualifiset up, and which can do a most effective piece of cations of the missionary that enable him to prework when backed by the Christians of the world. sent Jesus Christ in a vital, appealing way? And What keeps the missionary going in the face of III incredible odds?
Furthennore, missions is our only hope for These questions bring us face to face with our pl'ogress toward the supremacy of Christ. We own spiritual needs. Viewing the whole matter hear many prophecies these days concerning the of personal religious life from the standpoint of future of the world. Whatever else may be said, "frontier life" enables us to see more clearly that it is certainly obvious that as the years go on the the Christian's devotional life is the power-station Orient will play an ever increasingly important of successful endeavor. Our great task in the part in international affairs. Does not this offer home church is to inspire in our youth that devoto us a great challenge? Some say that the next tion-to -Christ and that missionary zeal which will world empire will be that of the yellow race: transform character. China-Japan. This is only a human prediction. But the fact remains that the future of the world, Christian frontiers present the most vital kind in its uplifting aspects, depends largely upon a of Christian activity for thinking youth today. Christian Orient. How can this be brought about? Out there is no dependence on the momentum of Missions is our best and most practical answer. the past. There, we must do or die. Christ is the only One who is sufficient to meet the needs of the But let us get back to the next immediate step valiant souls on the mission fields. Is He not suffiin Christian progress, What is the Christian dy- cient also to meet the needs of those of us who namic of life? What are the qualifications which remain at home?
Missions and the Critics* By the REV. HOWELL D. DAVIES, Chicago, Illinois Regional Secretary of the Congregational and Christian Churches CRITICISM of missions is nothing new. It is should help themselves; that we shouldn't med- naIve to suppose that all went swimmingly dle and disturb those already contented; that they until the Laymen's Inquiry was launched. don't want us anyway; that missionaries cause The East India Company refused passage to mis- trouble; that they destroy native culture; that sionaries and stigmatized missions as the most they are all agents of American imperialism, etc. fantastic and lunatic idea that ever entered the human mind. Ridicule was common. Classify the Criticisms "Here you propose to export religion, whereas 1. Those hostile to Christianity itself. People there is none to spare at home," said a Massa- who see no value in the Gospel will see no value in chusetts legislator. His attitude was typical. Missions. Such a playas "Rain" and such articles as those in the American Mercury ridiculing mis- A list of objections a century back is identical sions in the South Seas are only caricatures like _ with what is heard today: that we have so many that of Jack London, who pictures a missionary needs at home; that we shouldn't interfere with in a Prince Albert and stove-pipe hat preaching the religions of others; that their own religion is the creation of the world in six literal days, to best suited to them; that missions are pater- near-nudist natives who are skeptical because they nalistic and pauperizing; that foreign peoples could not make even a canoe in less than two weeks. * From The .Missionary He,raId, Boston.
MISSIONS AND THE CRITICS
Over against all such we can put the judgment those wh'O receive it who are most competent to of first..hand, able observers. judge of it. None apparently are dissatisfied with "I suppose," said R. L. Stevenson, "I am in the the article sold them and want to return it.
position of many persons. I had conceived a great Rather they recommend it to their friends as prejudice against missions in the South Seas. I something superior to what they have had before.
had no sooner come there than that prej udice was The Japanese list six points 'Of superiority of reduced, and then at last annihilated." Christianity to Buddhism. God, as personal. God "A man that took one fairly by storm for the seeking men. The sense of personality. Pracmost attractive, brave, and interesting man in the tical, convenient Scriptures. A superlative ethical whole Pacific," he said of James Chalmers of New sense. Social justice and service. Guinea. 4. The criticisms of those who judge everything "I certainly should have predicted," said Darwin by a single unfortunate detail, such as an ignorant after seeing the work among the Indians of Tierra or tactless missionary, an unwise local policy, a del Fuego, "that not all the missionaries in the bungled program, a wasted dollar. Judged by world could have done what has been done." this standard, "Who or what, 0 Lord, anywhere, shall stand?" Ex~President Taft could not praise too highly the missionary work he observed in the Philip- One poor farmer is not sufficient t'O condemn pines when he was governor. agriculture, a poor preacher the ministry, a fake mining scheme the whole mining enterprise, a stu- "I have observed the results of their labors," dent flunk all education, nor a quack doctor the wrote the author and traveler, Alexander Powell, whole medical profession. "in every great field of evangelistic entleavor, and it angers me to hear missionaries and their work 5. The laissez-faire obiections of those who condemned." want things left alone-all forces and factors, to work out themselves. But laissez-faire never built "In my judgment the Christian missions have a school, founded a hospital, or developed a lightdone more lasting good to the people of India than ing plant and water system at a conference camp. all other agencies combined," stated the Governor The consistent laisseZ-faire critic will recognize of Bengal. Christianity as a force with the same rights as any other force. "After thirty thousand miles of travel and something like three hundred interviews," wrote the newspaper correspondent, Charles A. Selden, 6. The cross-fire based on the idea that we have "my prejudices gave way to great respect f'Or the only a social Gospel to offer and that nearly every missionaries and their work." effort is of a political scheming sort, gate~rashing "I believe that every dollar invested in foreign and imperialistic, the work of reactionary, self- missions has produced greater returns than any centered or even villainous denominational dollar invested in any human enterprise," said Boards.
William Boyd, Advertising M.ana,ger, Curtis Pub- The answer is that the motive and movement lishing Company. of missions are love and friendship, however in- 2. Those of ardent nationalists like Gandhi who adequate be the channels through which it flows. object to proselyting. Should courtesy .keep us The earthen vessel is only too apparent but in it is the treasure of divine redemption. from offering the Gospel, therefore, in India?
No, for it can be offered without objectionable 7. The criticisms of uninformed and selfish proselyting. Moreover, the Gospel is n'Ot one cul- church people. Education, persistent and kindly, ture displacing another and it belongs no more to can help the former and more Christian grace the America, England, or France than to India itself. latter. The trouble is to connect information and The Gospel has no less right of way than love with these parties. All that can be said for science, commerce or education. It can only help the Gospel itself can be said for missions, and India's nationalism in the higher sense. It is shall it not be said?
doubtful if many or if any Hindus regard their There is a sufficient answer to every criticism religion as for others. . honestly and sincerely proffered. But better than 3. Those ignorant of the whole idea. All objec- all answering of objections is an infusion of tions based on misconcepti'Ons are invalid. On Christlike love. Our great need is to make more any such theory all life would stop, for there is church members into Christians.
nothing against which objections based on igno- 8. The criticisms of sincere friends of the rance are not directed. B'Oth Democrats and Re- cause. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend."
publicans will tell you this. Prejudice being the All constructive criticism can do 'Only good. The thing that begins where your information leaves cause most to be pitied is the one that has lost the off, no enteliprise should halt for just that. capacity to criticize itself.
Presumably it is those who take the Gos,pel and The church of the 16th century was saved by
the self…criticism of Protestantism.· And this goes gation, knowing this means vindication and infor missions too. The verdict was: "The mission terest. Worse than to be criticized is to be must go on and there is enough in its program to ignored, and most of all to be ignored by church bankrupt Christendom if we try to do all that is people. calling to be done." But it may be safely said that missions cannot *** and will not be ignored by those who know the God who is the God of all the earth and not the In brief, most negative criticisms of missions God of a tribe, whether it be a family tribe, a are at bottom rationalizations of prejudice, igno- community tribe or a national tribe. rance and selfishness. Missions welcome investi- Combating Communism With Christian Service in Kiangsi* By GEORGE W. SHEPHERD, Kienning, Fukien Secretary of the North China Christian Rural'Service Union A FEW years ago some missionaries met at training that type of men: the Union High School Kuling to discuss communism. We invited in Foochow." Madame Chiang Kai-shek and asked her what she thought about how to overcome com- The government of Kiangsi expressed itself as munism. "I would like to ask this question," she determined to replace crooked politicians and corsaid; "what are we Christians doing? Do we rupt magistrates with men who have a definite not have some responsibility toward the needs of interest in the welfare of the people. China ?" In addition to supplying the government with "We are not an official body," we replied. men and women of integrity and training, the "Then pass it on to an official body." Church decided that it ought to respond to the The challenge was passed on to the National challenge to help reorganize society in the recov- Christian Council, and this body invited its rural ered communist areas, and to lend a hand in worksecretary, Mr. Chang Fu-liang, and myself, mis- ing out some of the acute economic and social sionary of the American Board, to report to an problems of the toiling masses. enlarged meeting in Nanchang, Kiangsi. A thorough investigation convinced these Chris- The Kiangsi Christian Rural Service Union was tian leaders, that the government had already em- organized and the National Christian Council apbarked upon a program for the improvement of proved the plan agreed upon: the life of the people, and that the invitation extended to the Christian forces was no political That it should be people-centric, rather than move, but was actuated by a sincere desire for the centered in an institution or the government; well-being of the farmers and workers. that it should train local leadership; that it The government leaders argued that the should test and adapt results of successful experi- Church and its institutions had men and women ments already under way in China; that it should of character and training, who ought to be re- work in a limited area; that it should assist local leased for remolding the life of the people in war- leaders in carrying out a program within the ecotorn Kiangsi and adjoining territory. nomic capacity of the people to support; that it "Do you have three hundred young men," asked should give the Christian religion an important the Commissioner of Education, "such as are place in serving the whole man and the whole trained in the Union High School in Foochow? community. Men who could come into the business of rural reconstruction under the government?" The central feature of this proposed project was "No! there is only one school in China that is to be the training of indigenous leadership by a traveling normal school of experts through serv- * From The Missionary Herald. ice-in-training and supervision of work.
The lines of service were intended to include vil- lage organization, agricultural extension, public health, the development of village industries, or-
COMBATING COMMUNISM WITH CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN KIANGSI
ganization of cooperatives, and the teaching of sician, who came highly recommended by her religion. school, went out into the area and began by treat- At the head of the traveling normal school were to be two executive secretaries, a Chinese and a ing disease. One pair of hands could not wait on missionary, to spend most of their time on the all who came to her, so her business was to find field, directing the work of the project. out the things she could teach the farmers to do The area selected for work was Lichuan, a Hsien forty miles from the American Board Mis- for themselves, such as to put drops into their sion at Shaowu. It is impossible to convey to outsiders the depths of human misery which have own children's eyes. . been accepted as the common lot of almost every human being born into Lichuan society. Through "Go into the villages and find out some things corrupt administration, banditry, and Communism the people have been reduced to extreme poverty. they need," we said to the college girls. They dis- It is a good place for the Church to tackle the covered that none of the women could cut out and economic, social, and religious problems of the make their children's clothes and had been empeople, who declare that, given peace and security, they can make a living. ploying traveling tailors. These tailors had been The question arose-how to finance this work a pesky nuisance for a few hundred years. with trained men? Doctors, nurses, agriculturists, specialists in industry, chemistry, and rural The college girls got those farmer women toeducation-college graduates-were needed. gether and cut out women's and children's gar- Christianity has a program for China and workers were invited to volunteer for service, for ments. their expenses. No farmer in that district has tools with which I was asked to come and speak to the boys for to make or mend his own baskets. We called in two hours at the Central Political Training Academy in Nanking, where all the diplomats and key- a man to teach them. men of the Chinese Government are trained. The We felt that we ought to appeal to Chinese President said that he wanted these young men, the future leaders of China, to know what the Christians to support this work and were sur- Church is attempting to do. Only one other foreigner had ever been invited to speak there, prised at the response. Muriel Lester of London. "We will give you half your budget of $100,- We had so many volunteers for service that we 000," said General and Madame Chiang Kai-shek. were perplexed and surprised. The National Mass Education Movement, of which Dr. James Yen is "I will give $5,000," said one man. "If you the director, sent three experts to organize a rural school and direct mass education. Yenching Uni- don't raise your budget come back and I will give versity, through its Department of Political Science, put two men in the village of Lichuan. another $5,000." That five-year work budget of Ginling College put two women graduates on the field and Nanking Theological Seminary sent one $100,000 is now practically assured. of its graduates to take charge of religious education under the direction of Professor Frank The National Economic Council and the Pro- Price. vincial Government are both deeply interested in the work at Lichuan and expect to utilize methods The young volunteers were asked to move out into the villages, live where there were nothing and materials that may be of value to other combut dirt floors, and to sleep on camp cots or pine planks. munities.
"We had no idea that the people of China lived The influence of this experiment upon the naas these people live," they said; "not even ancient Chinese culture is here, to say nothing about mod- tional program has far exceeded its intrinsic ern China." worth. Springing out of this move toward a fuller Some members of the group said: "We don't need $30 (Mex.) a month living expenses; we life for country dwellers is a widespread detercan live on $20." mination to abolish corruption and insist upon a How does the group work? The woman phy- fair deal for toilers. For the first time in the history of modern China the nation has a sufficient number of tech- nically trained men and women to fill important government positions. It is noteworthy how large a proportion of these are graduates of Christian colleges and universities. The people in our group justify our claim that a man who has had Christian experience should have a higher type of character than any other person in the world. Some institutions in China are academically the equals of Christian colleges, but are they producing character? Many in China say that they are not. This first year we will begin to give Christian teaching to the farmers who have been Commu- nists for a long time. Little booklets by Frank Price on the relationship of citizenship and char- acter make a very good approach. Much of the Christian religion is introduced and readers are
invited to come to special classes for the definite struction which will effectively neutralize Comstudy of Christianity. munist influence. An enormous amount of money and energy has been unavoidably devoted to the This project was launched as a venture in former of these which General Chiang and his Christian faith and we are being given an oppor- colleagues would otherwise have expended on the tunity to prove that we are followers of our latter. But with perhaps less of the former men- Lord, who was rich, yet for our sakes became ace hereafter to be feared and a sobering realizapoor, that we through his poverty might be rich. tion of the urgency of agrarian and other eco- nomic improvements, this Government has Dr. Leighton Stuart, President of Yenching achieved so much thus far in the face of stagger- University, Peiping, writes: "No more construc- ing obstacles that I have full confidence in its tive service could be rendered by Chinese intel- ability and intention to undertake the progressive lectuals than in the clarifying of these two issues measures which become more possible with grownow so confused – the protection of territorial ing confidence among its own people and less of administrative integrity from Japanese encroach- foreign interference." ments and an enlightening policy of social recon- Pioneering in a Cairo Slum* ~ ~.. I By MISS M. C. LIESCHING, Cairo i }lJE-•.- ~==========================~I BOULAC is the most thickly populated and the school. In those days every little pupil came with poorest part of Cairo. It is the haunt of a baby brother, or sister, hoisted up astride her vice, fanatically Moslem, and a place where shoulder. These filthy mites, generally full of the unfortunate drug addict abounds. Most fam- sores, and with fly-infested eyes, were the next to ilies live in one room, with no water supply and ·claim our attention. Government baby welfare no sanitation. Water has to be fetched daily from centres were only just being thought of in Egypt public taps, and paid for; so it is not surprising (it was the C. M. S. in Old Cairo that had the that cleanliness is at a discount. Rubbish is either honor of opening the pioneer welfare), and they thrown out into the streets, where it lies all day had not reached Boulac. rotting and collecting masses of flies, or it is left on the roof to dry, to be used later as fuel. So we started a Baby Welfare, with a clinic open twice a week, and systematic visiting in the The Ragged Sunday School homes on four other days. But what a business it was gaining the women's confidence and overcom- We looked from the windows of the C. M. S. ing their suspicion! High School in Boulac into this slum, and thus its existence was forced upon our consciousness and It takes a very long time for a new idea to peneour consciences. We began to fear that we might trate the mind of a Boulac woman, or of any other be allowing our girls, themselves receiving a first- uneducated woman, sufficiently for her to act rate education, to think of Christianity far too upon it. "How much better," we said, "to premuch as something which flowed into one, and not pare the future mothers than to repair those in through one to others. So we took them out, under whom wrong ideas are ingrained." chaperonage, into the almost unpenetrated fastnesses of Boulac to open a Ragged Sunday school The Little Girls' Club for little girls in the most despised section of this despised neighborhood. Two years pre- Thus we were led to the opening in 1~31 of what viously the C. M. S. had opened a boys' club in a is now known as the Little Girls' Club. We have rented coffee house, and it was in the same prem- some fifty children who come daily from 2 to 4 ises that we started the School of Love. "Sunday p. m. to learn reading and writing, hygiene, and school" would convey nothing to the people. the care of the home and baby. Each child is en- gaged at present on making a set of baby clothes, For some years it was more like a zoo than a and six at a time take turns in attending the wel- fare twice a week, to help in the bathing room and • Condensed from Church Missionary Outlook. to watch treatments. Last year we added another
A CHINESE COMMUNIST FINDS CHRIST
educative agency in the form of a children's have some real alleviation to offer that one feels prayer corner, i. e. a place set apart for quiet and is not just charity. with such an arrangement of beauty as to suggest worship and reverence. It is proving a real The Nursery School help to the children's prayer life, and indeed to all .of us. This year we have been able to start among The significant years between two, when the the senior girls who have learnt to read, both baby leaves the welfare, and six, when she can Moslem and Christian, a branch of the Bible Read- enter the club, were, however, not cared for. Last, ing Fellowship, using notes on Course C which we started, two years ago, a nursery class, the have recently been published in Arabic. first of its kind in Egypt. Elder girls from the club find here another practising school, by acting The Embroidery Industry as voluntary helpers with the toddlers, a most val- uable training for future motherhood. The med- We want to help our girls to deal with the two ical inspection that watched over the first two big problems of their life, boredom and poverty. years of the baby's life through the visits of the It was to find a solution to these that Miss Elsie welfare doctor, is now continued through mem- Anna Wood started an embroidery industry, using bership· of the nursery class. The happy home the beautiful eastern designs and coloring. This spirit and individual care that characterize the work is sold; a proportion of the profits goes to Nursery School are due to the personality of its the girls, and the rest helps to make the club self- superintendent, the babies' beloved "Sitt Linda," supporting. A most interesting development has an Egyptian girl, herself a trained welfare been that some of the poorest of the welfare moth- worker, who combines a deep spirituality of char- ers begged to be taught the embroidery'too, and acter with a most practical efficiency of detail. through its means have been able to live through long periods when their husbands have been out Thus we can now through the Baby Welfare, of work. They themselves greatly benefit by the the Nursery School, and the Little Girls' Club mental and social uplift of the work; and what an bring Christian influence to bear on every year immense help it is to us as we go about, meeting of a Boulac girl's life from birth to marriage. We on all sides such hopeless, grinding poverty, to must bring living water to the girls of a Cairo slum, as our Lord long ago offered it to a woman of despised Samaria.
A Chinese. Communist Finds Christ The Story of a Young Chinese Who, in Times Past, Had Participated in Some of the Communist Attacks upon Christian People in Shensi By the REV. JOHN G. MAGEE Church of the Triumphant Way, Hsiakwan, l~anking, China A CHINESE youth who belonged for six years the subject for that day was Jesus as the Saviour. to the "kill-or-be-killed" group of Commu- He was deeply impressed and began to read the nists in Shensi, went last year as a dele- Bible. Later he came to a missionary and said gate to the secret Communist meeting in Peking. that while praying he had seen Christ, who told Upon his return he was arrested by Chinese offi- him that he must fast and pray for a whole week. cers but escaped execution through a confusion of At the end of the week the boy told him that it names. While in prison he began to think seri- had been the greatest experience of his life, ously of the past years and realized that, though that hereafter he belonged to Christ and would his motives were to help China, the whole cam- preach the Gospel. He immediately began to paign had only caused more suffering. In prison preach publicly and to denounce the Communists. he read Karl Marx and Confucius, but received He is now in a Christian university and hopes no help. He was in despair after his release after five years to go back to Shensi to preach the from prison he attended a Bible School where Gospel. Effective Ways of Working 'fested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO d~,.,=============================================== MISSIONARY PLANS FOR was being used by the woman's Stuart visits us about every two society of the church. Most years. He speaks Sunday mornings ALL CHURCH WORKERS plans and programs featured in and then meets groups, particularly this Department under a wom- in the homes. In this way the foreign Among ihe life renewals of an's signature might be used mission appeal becomes concrete and equally well by "the brethren" personal. This is the best kind of the season is the springtime and vice versa. Pastors take thing we do in our church. notice! forecast of fresh endeavors Lacking a personal represenamong local missionary organ- Undergirding Principles tative on the field, any pastor or other church leader may secure izations whose plans and pro- There should be a united aim, such "living links" from time to gram building must take their all the way from beginners. and time and arrange opportunities primary tots up to pulpit 'en- for contacts with every age keynote from the new mission deavors, namely: So to present group in the church. In the instudy books and their presenta- a missionary theme as to give terim between such visitations, an .appreciative understanding the use of impersonations (costion in regional conferences soon of the people under considera- tumed or otherwise) of workers to be held. If nature is to set the tion, feel our kinship with them living or dead whose biographies pace, a mere duplication of last and realize the opportunity for can be obtained from most de:' sharing with them the task of nominational publication headyear's procedures will be inade- building the Kingdom of Jesus quarters warms up and vitalizes quate; for nature is cumulative Christ on earth. Away with the informational matter. There is in her output, whether it be of idea of racial superiority and the no substitute for life or as near weeds or useful vegetation. In gesture of patronage. Even if an approach to it as possible, in view of the resemblance of ruts it were consistent with the spirit motivating missionary activity. to graves, the Department Edi- and teachings of Christ, it would Plans for visualizing or dramator renews her plea for diversi- have become obsolete in the pres- tizing the new missionary topics fication and the adoption of im- ent state of mind of all "foreign" will be given in succeeding proved "ways of working" each peoples. They are all poten- issues. year. In this and the succeeding tially our equals, and the task of issue timeless principles and actuating that potentiality is It may seem redundant to plans mainly of a universal our privilege and obligation. mention as a second undergirdmould will be considered; and The ways of bringing to pass ing principle the value of swingwhile some suggestions may be that "appreciative understand- ing into line with other evanspecific to definite age interests, ing" form the motivation of all gelical folk by adopting the the majority can be adapted to plans and programs. It is not United Mission Study texts and their purP9ses by pastors, Bible for any of us finally to evaluate helps. But the contents of the school workers and a variety of those ways, but a paramount one Department E d ito r 's correlocal organizations. And by the is that of furnishing opportunity spondence file would surprise way, isn't the label "women's" for personal touch with live mis- you in their revelation of the and "men's" this and that be- sionary workers. number of inquirers who are coming a bit passe? Save for still in the hop-skip-and-a-jump certain adolescent features in Justin Nixon, pastor of the wilderness and have not heard unripe youth, is not teamwork Brick Presbyterian church 9f of any union highw.ay. In addirather than sex segregation our Rochester, N. Y., said in a recent tion to the advantage of finding ideal? Our pace setting young letter to the Editor: available the great volume of people would dub you a "back textbooks, suggestions, programs number" if a sex label were made The appeal of foreign missions to and other helps on the united a discriminatory measure in sub- the 25-45-year-old group is the appeal themes each year, there is the ject matter or methods. An ad- through person~lities. For instance, paramount value of a common vance step was taken by the in our church we support President J. atmosphere, of coordinated ac- Men's Missionary Lea,gue of the Leighton Stuart of Yenching Univer- tion, of good fellowship and United Presbyterian church in sity at Peiping, China. President Elyria, Ohio, when they took for their mission study text the [208 ] book, "Congo Crosses," which
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
teamwork throughout Christen- ary organizations in the i r are sent each month, to be kept dom that you can't afford to churches. for 30 days, the postal departmiss. Never before were neigh- ment giving the plan the library borly borrowings of missionary A third undergirder is the privileges of three cents for the plans and programs so free and holding of a definite mission or first pound and one cent for each so helpful. Only those hope- World Friendship school at additional pound. The Convenlessly bogged down in denomina- whatever seems the most propi- tion pays the postage one way tional religiosity can fail to see tious period in the course of the and the church meets the return that we are now meeting new year. It yields returns far postage at the library rate by and emergent world conditions greater than any series of pro- using the enclosed sticker. The for which only a Christ-led, grams, though both have their local Reading Contest Secretary united Christendom can be ade- place. For plans and instruc- attends to the circulation of the quate; and for any denomina- tions, see this Department in volumes and their prompt retion to remain outside of such a THE REVIEW for January 1936 turn, whereupon a fresh supply union of forces is suicidal. and February of the present is sent. The Baptist Missionary year. Reading courses for cred- Reading Contest books serve as The new topic in home mis- its, such as a number of denom- a general guide in the selection sions is "Rural Life," and the inations now maintain, or the of the volumes, although some foreign, "The Moslem World." vigorous promotion of a circu- others are included. It is an il- Textbooks for the various age lating library of selected books, luminating fact that the women groups and coordinated helps are in a Sunday school class, a group of Vermont captured the silver usually ready by June or possibly organization or a department of cup of the New England district earlier. Send for lists of these the Bible school, is a corollary in the reading contest as a reeither to your own denomina- of the annual missionary school. sult, apparently, of the use of tional missionary e d u cat ion this circulating library. headquarters or to the Mission- Missionary Reading As a Promotional Plan On the Master's Waterways ary Education Movement, 150 Church leaders will find that Under this title the Woman's Fifth Ave., New York, and also little permanent interest in mis- Society of the First Baptist sions can be maintained without plan to send one or more repre- the use of reading matter. The church of Santa Ana, California, sentatives to some good summer effect of even a rousing booster have sent out their 1936-37 an- meeting will soon evaporate un- nual outline of activities which conference where the themes are less the new enthusiasm and truly is "a thing of beauty and interest are continuously nour- charm" as expressed in its into be discussed and materials ex- ished. The Baptist State Con- troductory literature, and em- vention in Vermont tried an bodies not so much a program ploited. (See "Dates to Remem- experiment which is yielding in- schedule as a policy and an ideal. creasing dividends in the way of Its theme and make-up are symber" on inside cover page of THE missionary zeal. For some years bolic. On a silver background, back a circulating free library of the cover presents a full-rigged REVIEW for location of many of good missionary books has been ship passing a lighthouse on a maintained. Previous to the de- promontory, and this design is these conferences.) As usual pression the library was financed delicately etched in green on entirely by the Convention, in- every inside page. The delightthe June issue of THE REVIEW cluding two-way postage on the ful surprise in keeping the whole volumes. Necessity altered this thing secret until its release at will feature the home mission plan, both as to purchase of the opening autumn meeting books and their transportation. added to its welcome. Infinite topic and the October the for- Baptist women hit upon the plan labor and pains must have been eign topic, although the home of having a penny collection dur- expended upon the preparation ing the dinner hour at all Asso- of the little 47-page booklet, for mission plans and programs in ciational meetings and urging the keynote, the opening poem, upon the local missionary or- Van Dyke's "0 Maker of the this Department cannot appear ganizations to solicit offerings Mighty Deep," "The Sailor's for new volumes. A sizeable Prayer," "Our Sailing Song," as in any great number until the fund comes in each year from well as all the headings of de- these sources. With annual re- partments and programs form a September number, due to the vision to delete out-of-date vol- fine anthology of prose and umes, a library of many hun- poetry centering upon the sea. fact that program builders never dreds of volumes is in continuous circulation. Each church is Among the policies reprehave their material ready as asked to appoint a reading sec- sented are those of a very broad retary to whom 10 or more books community service; caring for early in the spring as copy must the general social life of the be sent, and the Editor is obliged to wait until she can browse around at summer conferences. If not a subscriber to THE RE- VIEW, be sure to place your order for those two paramount issues early, at 25 cents per copy. It gratified the writer to note among the denominational leaflets and programs sent her last year what a large amount of REVIEW material or references thereto was included. Pastors will find an abundance of the best material in the magazine for their sermons, mid-week services and the various mission-
church (the "all church party" ship Port (Christian friendliness In October a speaker from Los in October being termed "Head- meeting). Angeles presented the issues of the in' for the Big Round-up," for coming election as they affected the purpose of better acquaint- Cotton Blossom Lunch . . . Negro Christian citizens (men at this meetance); coordinating the work Mariners (home mission theme). ing) in a setting representing a ship's and interests with those of "the railing extending across the deck, brethren" in that the men of the Dixie Dinner . . . Up the Bayous steamer chairs, life preservers, etc., in church are made special guests (home mission theme with young evidence. Patriotic decorations and at some of the luncheons and people's organization). flags were everywhere displayed. programs; "Husbands' Day" as Eight Bells-Ship's Rations . . . Hos- For November a Congo River observed at one of the executive pital Ship (White Cross work). jungle scene of tropical plants, a board luncheons; the society canoe, etc. The luncheon tables were sponsoring of some of the eve- Chart and Compass Lunch. . . Chart- decorated with miniature African huts ning church services; loans ing Unknown Seas (foreign mismade to University of Redlands sions-Albert Schweitzer). students, etc. This merging of the interests and endeavors of Lunch in Harbor Cafe . . . Western and figures nestled among bamboos men and women is a hopeful sign Har.Jors (Negro work in S. Cali- and palms. Tropical fruits served. of the day when invidious distinctions are to be wiped out. fornia). Decorated gourds as collection plates.
Apt nomenclature and rhetori- Eight Bells-Captain's pinner . . . The Student Counselor arranged the cal figures are used throughout. Through the Customs (installa- plan for the December meeting, a The official personnel is listed tion of officers). worker among the Negroes who had under "Our Ship's Officers"; the recently visited their southern schools standing committees are "Able Seamen"; the executive board is The devotional topics, taking being the speaker. "The Ship's Crew"; the presi- The Southern California Director dent's opening message, "We the meetings in the same order,' of Christian Friendliness (former Break New Seas Today"; the are: Christian Americanization work) social gatherings are "Pleasure Trips"; the financial plan is the Beacon Light-Clear Vision. Provo spoke in January. synthetic erection of a light- 29: 18; Acts 16: 9. house; the complete membership The setting for February was the I'oster is "The Passenger List"; Tower Light-Breakers Ahead. Isa. deck of a boat sailing on southern the programs are "The Monthly 55: 7; Provo 14: 34. waters. At the luncheon much cotton Sailings," etc. At these latter, was used in the table decorations. all the morning sewing sessions Running Lights – Beware of Sandare designated as "Seamen at bars. Heb. 12: 1, 2; Mat. 26: 41. The meetings in March and April Work," all business sessions as are to be in charge of the World Wide "Sailing Orders," the song serv- Harbor Lights-Quiet Waters. Mark Guild (girls) and the Children's ices as "Waves of Melody" and 4: 34-41; Ps. 107: 29, 30. World Crusade, each navigator being the devotionals as "Guiding advised by a member of the general Lights." Luncheons are coor- Signal Lights-Ship Ahoy! Provo 18: program committee so the session will dinated as far as possible with 24; 1 John 1: 3-7. program themes for the day, and Buoy Lights-Rocks and Shoals. Ps. be fitted into the year's theme. members whose birthdays fall in 19: 9-14; 119: 132-135. In July, the baggage of officers and each successive month sit together at one table with a special Pier Sighted. Acts 21: 1-8. chairmen will be examined carefully birthday cake as an extra. Search Light-Throw Out the Life- 0y the customs officer or baggage line. Ps. 103: 1-4; Rom. 16: 1, 2. master (historian) and the members The correspondence of lunch- will learn from their annual reports Starlight-Steer by the Stars. Dan. eons with topics is as follows, 12: 3; Mat. 2: 1,2. what has been accumulated during the beginning with September and tours on the Master's Waterways. Channel Lights-Deep Water. Provo The president will read her annual extending through July: 18: 4; 1 Cor. 2: 9, 10. report as "The Log of the Ship Serv- Landing Lights-Drop Anchor. Ps. ice," then the good vessel will go into dry dock during August. 91: 1,2; Heb. 6: 19, 20.
An outstanding feature for the year All program leaders are desig- will be the month-by-month building nated as "Navigators," the pro- of the financial "Lighthouse." This gram committee having entire completed will be a cylindrical model charge of the first meeting and standing six feet high, the additions the officers of the last. Special of a door, windows, foundation, lamp, plates, etc., being placed as they are music is on marine themes; and paid for month by month. At the first meeting the lighthouse has a firm as the luncheon tables are being foundation (rocks of papier-mache) cleared away the pianist plays and a lamp which is waiting for the Southern melodies or Negro cap before it can revolve. The mem- songs, Negro singers so far as bers waited with interest the succes- sive additions to the structure as fi- possible being also introduced nancial goals were attained. In addi- into the programs. It i·s mani- festly impossible to give a de- tion to this a Treasure Chest receives the offerings from the special gift tailed outline of all the programs boxes each month. It is always a prominent feature of the decorations. Bon Voyage Luncheon . "All but the following hints may . Our illustrations show- the lighthouse Aboard." prove suggestive to any societies wishing to build outlines sim- at the start of the year, also the set- Eight Bells, Luncheon on the Prom- ting for the September meeting. enade Deck . . . Ship of State (Civics meeting). ilarly: Jungle Lunch . . . Cruising on the The September meeting took the A few extra copies of this out- Congo (foreign mission theme). form of a play entitled "Sail On" and standing year book and the play, Plantation Dinner … Floating Uni- was held in the garden of the presi- "Sail On," are available and may versity (Christian e d u cat ion dent with marine decorations repre- theme). sentative of a deck. The theme was be had for 25 cents by address- most adroitly and helpfully elab- ing Mrs. E. L. Morris, 812 E.
Lunch in the Pavilion . . . Friend- orated. First St., Santa Ana, California. BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~'~I~==~~====~~~~=~ FOR ALL MOTHERS of their beloved sons by the est maternal mortality rate of hideous institution of war; all.civilized countries. From slowness of heart to comprehend what is divine in the We beseech Thee to hear us, We think especially of the Indepth and constancy of a Moth- good Lord. dian and Migrant mothers for er's love; whom the Council has an imme- That it may please Thee also, to diate responsibility. Good Lord, deliver us. lay upon our conscience the un- The death notice in the county From the unreality of superficial equal lot of the Mothers of the paper was not more than two sentiment, from commercial ex- poor, the underprivileged and inches in depth but it had neverploitation, and from all lip serv- the unemployed; theless its modest headline: ice to Motherhood while we neglect the weightier matters of We beseech Thee to hear us, PEA-PICKERS' CHILD DIES . , . justice and mercy and love; good Lord. . the shallow headline of Zetilla Good Lord, deliver us. That it may please Thee to kindle Kane, the seventh child and only within us divine discontent with daughter of Joe and Jennie Bell By our remembrance of the any social order which tolerates Kane. Mother of our Lord standing by war or poverty, or any preventthe cross of her well-beloved able suffering among the Moth- "We come from Texas," Joe son: ers of the world; Kane had told the "lady from the ,government." . . . "We been Good Lord, deliver us. We beseech Thee to hear us, back three times in the five years good Lord. we been messin' 'round like this That it may please Thee to open without no home." … our ears that we may hear the That it may please Thee to Saviour's word from the cross, hasten the coming of the divine He glanced around the tent Behold thy Mother; society, when every Mother shall with its three cots for the family be secure, encompassed by lov- of nine – eight now – with its We beseech Thee to hear us, ing provision for all her need; stove that once had been a gaso- good Lord. line container, with its oilcloth- We beseech Thee to hear us, covered table on which was a That it may please Thee to give good Lord. pan of boiled potatoes black with us grace from this hour, with flies. . . . the swift obedience of beloved In the name of the Father, and disciples, to take unto our own of the Son, and of the Holy "Back in 1930 things had got every woman widowed, bereft, so doggone tough we sold off our hard-pressed in life; Spirit. Amen.* furniture and radio and cow and chickens and all and pulled out We beseech Thee to hear us, On May 9, thousands across of Texas for Missouri. . . . good Lord. our country will pause in rev- erence to honor their mothers. "We started on down toworge That it may please Thee to touch How much this Day could mean Texas. We got in a little cotton our hearts that we may behold if these thousands would express our Mother in every woman; in this love in help to the thousands women who toil in the factories of mothers who are physically and on the farms, in office and broken, socially outcast, economshop and home; in women of ically caught and spiritually alien race and foreign clime, in starved. It is reported by the women of every creed and color Maternity Association, New and condition; York City, that 8,000 mothers in the United States die needlessly We beseech Thee to hear us, every year and this is the high- good Lord. * From "Prayers for Self and Society," by That it may please Thee to excite our pity for all Mothers robbed James Myers. Industrial .Secretary, Federal Council of the Churches of Christ In America.
[211 ] pickin' but cotton was sorry and "These hard times sure ain't ment, "Christian Youth Building we seen there wasn't no chance made none of us no younger," a New World" to make a trade for a place to she sometimes said in apology. The United Christian Adult Movement stay another year, and we heard The Protestant Laymen's Commission pickin' was good over in Ari- "The old will be young there on Character Building zona. Well, we went and it forever," they sang. Missionary Conferences wasn't but we got in enough to keep us eatin' off and on, and we A woman had brought a tight The plan will make these sevrun into a fellow that said fruit bunch of wild flowers-lupin and eral field enterprises mutually pickin' was good out here, so we California poppies and baby- supporting and enriching. It come on to California. We been blue-eyes – wrapped in a news- will avoid duplication and the messin' along like that ever paper for Zetilla's grave. Ze- irritation of unrelated promotion since, pickin' hops and cotton tilla's mother stooped when the in the field. It will make possible and oranges and peas, prunin' a song was ended and took four an orderly sequence of field projlittle and spacin' peaches and of the blossoms. She looked at ects and an efficient use of field cuttin' lettuce and workin' at one her husband. Then she put her personnel, better equalizing field crop and another, and then flowers back with the others, on service and providing a more movin' on some more. We the mound of earth beside the balanced field program. might's well be gypsies and be grave. done with it. When Zetilly was The United Christian Advance born we was campin' on a picnic- "I might's well leave 'em," she may ultimately include all the ground up in Washington. We'd said brokenly. "I wouldn't have programs and field enterprises been up to see could we get on a no place to press 'em. Back of the participating national homestead." home we ust to press 'em in the agencies. While its initial ap- Bible." proach in the field is being made His voice shook and, waiting during the ensuing year, it is asto gain control of it, he bent to THE UNITED CHRISTIAN sumed that as many as possible straighten the stove-wood at his ADVANCE of the ongoing enterprises will feet. "Zetilly was born on the be caught up and carried forroad and she died on the road. It is increasingly apparent ward as an integral part of the The undertaker's is the first that the functions of preaching, United Christian A d van c e. house she's ever been in, and pastoral guidance, m iss ion s, Those which cannot be so insome say the County don't aim Christian education, evangelism, tegrated will presumably confor us to be there when she's social service and social action tinue their regular procedure. buried. She sure did hate being are mutually interdependent and left by herself. She was such a therefore inseparable in the The initial approach involves little thing and she wouldn't program of the church. The primarily those cities or areas hardly rest a minute lessen some wholesome trend toward unity in which a Preaching Mission of us had holt of her. Do you and comprehensiveness in the has been held or will be held this reckon it's so that they don't aim church's program should be sup- year. In this initial approach for us to be there?" ported by the unifying of field the United Christian Advance activities and approaches affect- will include three major phases. It wasn't. ing the church and community. While these will be mutually in- terdependent and supporting Joe and Jennie Bell Kane and The United Christian Advance they will ordinarily be planned their six sons went to the brief responds to this need as a plan so as to follow a sequence of emservice at the undertaker's, fol- for unifying into one "grand phases as follows: lowed Zetilla's body to the small strategy" the major field activigrave the County had prepared ties being projected by the fol- The National Preaching Mis s ion for it. Deacon, his wife and five lowing national agencies: (Evangelism) other pea..,pickers went also. Deacon was short and white- The Federal Council of Churches of Schools in Christian Living (Teachhaired and walked with a Christ in America ing) limp.. The International Council of Religious Projects in Building Together the The minister from the local Education Christian Community, Local and church said a prayer and spoke Worldwide (Action) briefly to the little group at the The Home Missions Council undertaker's.. In next month's Bulletin plans The Council of Women for Home Mis- Jennie Bell Kane uncovered sions for the Conference on Life and her face and pushed back a brittle strand of blonde hair that The National Council of Federated Work, Oxford, England, July 12 was streaked with grey. She Church Women was thirty-four. Whenever she ttohe2~6ea1n93t7i,mwe iwllebreecreopmomrteendd. In told her age to the women in the The Missionary Education Moveme:t:lt the camps they shook their heads and made lamenting sounds. The Foreign Missions Conference following study in preparation Among the field movements or for the Conference: "Christ's activities involved are the fol- lowing: Way and the Worl d's -In The National Preaching Mission Church, State, and Society," by The New Home Missions Advance The United Christian Youth Move- Henry Smith Leiper; 144 pages, paper cover 65 cents, cloth 90 cents.
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~ oUfM!:~r~~':!!~:cu5?t~~~~ok J1i EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO l @7' '~l§i INDIA largest gathering of I n d ian to perform the rites, and, even Important New Trends Christian women in the history after remonstrance from others, of the South India Baptist Mis- would not yield. Finally, he One of the most obvious trends in Burma, India, is the absorb. sion took place. Over 500 wom- asked the principal for an intering interest in rural work. Daily papers are full of rural findings, en, representing 80 different vil- . view, and told him that he was rural experiments, rural reports from all parts of the country. lages, met at the 4th Women's no longer satisfied with Hindu- The new viceroy is interested in improving the breed of cattle, Convention on the Madura field. ism. The principal, in a rage, inquires into the condition of the local milk supply, has the mu- These village women, who 20 burned the Bible and the young nicipality give free milk to poor children to see the effect on their years ago were almost wholly, man fled. health and mentality. Rural Uplift committees are organized illiterate, conducted the sessions Here is the sequel: A worker all over the provinces. entirely by themselves and con- in the "Regions Beyond Mission- This logically tends to bring tributed 112 rupees to the work. ary Union" writes, "One Sunabout cooperation bet wee n It should be remembered that day morning, a young man Christian and non-Christian; both are reading the same books, village women seldom have any dressed in the saffron robes of serving on the same committees, attending the same meetings and money. -Missions. the Sadhu came to our service, discussing the same problems. Indian Gospel League and asked for a talk. We sat There is also a tendency to down, and for about two hours voice in open forum' fearless The Indian Gospel League was conversed together. A few days criticism of Hinduism. One founded for the purpose of later, the Sadhu surrendered his might also mention trends along spreading the Gospel of St. John life to Christ"-Life of Faith. the line of temperance work in which the Government gives in everyone of the 300,000 The Most Christian Mission money to work against alcoholic towns of India. Together with Field liquor, which is a Government tracts on the Christian life, "The monopoly; women voting and serving on public committees; Way of Life and the Way of In the Guntur North and intercaste marriages; interre- Death," and "Which Route to South Godavery mission field in ligious marriages; marriages of Madras Presidency, the propor- East and West; researches along Take," a letter of explanation the lines of nutrition; the ad- entreating each recipient to read tion of Christians to the total vances made in the cure and con- the "Gift of the Gospel," the population of the district, won trol of leprosy: and also the con- from heathenism, exceeds the stant raising of standards in books are sent all over the counteaching, in medicine and in try. The Hoskote district, where ratio of Christians to general nursing. 400 villages are waiting to be population in all other parts of evangelized, is engaging the spe- India. According to the 1931 -Woman's Missionary census, one in every nine citi- Friend. cial attention of the League at present. A gospel car is used, zens in the Guntur District was Telugu Women Advance and some of the workers are a Christian. In the entire Ma- equipped with bicycles and dras Presidency, including na- If a group of village women tive states, one citizen in every can develop such initiative as did blankets, in order to reach vilone at Ootcur, South India, there lages off the highway. twenty was a Christian. For is hope for a Christian India. the entire Telugu country the In this village last year the -Life of Faith.
A Hindu Finds Christ census reported one in thirty- The son of a rajah's priest in seven a Christian. In British a .native State some distance India, including the native from Chapra, North India, was states, there is a Christian pop- studying for the Hindu priest- ulation of 5,961,794. These mil- hood. After five years' study he went to the Panjab for examina- lions have been won during the tion, and while there met a mis- past 135 years. sionary from whom he bought a Bible. As he read, doubts re- Another notable feature of the garding Hinduism came into his Gospel's influence within the mind. A climax came when one Guntur-Rajahmundry field is the of his friends died; he refused fact that these converts all be- long to the "Panchamas," sub- stitute term for outcastes. There has also been an advance among [213 ]
the Sudras. Statistics for 1932 World Congress, due in the year which they are supporting. an.d show baptisms in that field 1944. -London Missionary reports show over 1,000 patIents totaled 7,075; the following with 1,400 on the waiting list. three years also brought contin- Herald. -Christian Advocate. uous increase. First Christian Church -Lutheran News. in Sikkim CHINA Trends in Mungeli Sikkim is one of the Hima- Prayer Brings Victory layan states where Christian Chinese officials ordered Lisu At Mungeli the work of the work has had to be carried on Christians to tear down their Disciples Church is largely under severe restrictions. For chapel. After twice rebuilding the last 36 years the small group it, an official demanded, "Whatamong the Satnami Chamars, of Christians who have come ever made you Christians thi'nk one of the most approachable into existence there as the result I gave permission to rebuild the peoples of Central Provinces. chapel? You must tear it down They are Untouchables who of the work of a Scotch Mission at once." When the Christians about 100 years ago broke away has been asking peI:mission of refused to do so, he put two of . the Maharaja to erect a church the leaders in prison. They said, from their ancestral religion, "You may kill us if you like, but trying to find a way up to the in Gangtok, but without avail. you cannot force us to tear down light. But without books or But at last permission was given the chapel again." All joined the missionaries in prayer and teachers, and surrounded by and on October 30 the dedication fasting. Three days passed, but Hinduism they drifted back to of the first Christian church in even the heathen sent food to idolatry. In 1890 Hira Lal, a Sikkim state took place. The these prisoners. When their Satnami boy, was converted and Maharaja not only sanctioned friends came to the bars to comjoined the mission staff at Mun- the erection of the church, but fort them, they would laugh and gave the piece of land upon geli. He won all the members of his immediate family to which it was built. -Christian Century. Christ and has labored inces- santly for the conversion of his Singapore Churches say, "Don't worry about us." caste fellows. His faithfulness, One of them said, "Be sure to integrity and earnest Christian Ralph A. Felton tells some take good care of our missioncharacter won for him added re- ways in which churches in Sing- aries, as we are not home to look sponsibilities in the Mission, and apore differ from those at home. after them." The other said, "I in 1925 he was ordained. By One is that they are run by felt this trouble was coming and 1916 there were 52 villages in young people, for in the ordinary have stored up plenty of food which there lived Christians. In church there are more youths and firewood for my family, so several places large groups had than adults. The explanation I am quite willing to remain here professed the Christian faith. for this is found in the fact that as long as God wishes." Between 1914 and 1924 there the church conducts primary On Monday evening the offiwere 890 baptisms. But there and secondary schools in every cial's heart softened, and he was a downward movement. In- section of the city. These mis- said, "I'll let the prisoners out, terest is again stimulated in sion schools meet the govern- and the Christians need not tear Mungeli, hopes revived. The ment standards, and teach reli- down the chapel. But you must workers believe that there are gion during these formative not call the building a chapel. thousands-one missionary says years so that religious education Call it a dwelling, and have 20,000-Satnamis who in their is a part of the whole process, someone live there." hearts believe that Christianity and not merely a Sunday morn~ Since then a man, claiming he is for them the only way out and ing project. was sent by the official, tried to up, and it seems probable that Another difference is that the tear dow n another chapel. when the first 500 are won other Christians asked the official thousands will hasten to declare congregations are interracial; their faith. -World Call. the Sunday school and worship about it. Instead of defending service may be in Chinese from the man, the official put him in 8: 30 to 10: 30. English may be prison. -China's Millions.
New Baptist Union the language for the next two Chinese Leaders Condemn .War hours and Malay in the after- The recently formed Baptist noon. The same minister may From Chengtu, China, there Union of India, Burma and Cey- have two of these groups and comes a "Statement of Conviclon expects to be fully organized sometimes the third. Race does- tions" signed by fifty-three lead-. and at work some time in April. not matter-only language. ers, Chinese and Westerners, de- The first general gathering is nouncing war as un-Christian planned for 1938, and the hope Six out of ten churches in and unmoral, and calling for is being widely expressed that Singapore are self-supporting. world-wide condemnation of it. the Union may find itself able to Those receiving mission help are The statement originated at a invite the Baptist World Alliance the newly organized ones. Some conference of the Fellowship of of the Chinese laymen have to come to India for the seventh started an anti-opium clinic Reconciliation, and has been is-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
sued in Chinese and in English. 1932-33 …. 64 328 139 467 Such missionary journeys across 1933-34 …. 96 748 326 1,248 These leaders in China believe 1934-35 …. 119 816 211 1,027 Turkestan and the Gobi Desert "in the moral order of the uni- 1935-36 …. 129 1,652 711 2,363 by cart are now becoming imverse and that man is included possible. Special danger comes in that moral order. We are -Presbyterian Tribune. from bands of wild people who, convinced that war is an offense Act of An Apostle more than ever since the recent to God." revolution, ravage the country- The manifesto concludes that "Can a Chinese business man side raiding caravans for a liv- "warfare, armed or economic, become a Christian?" Rev. An- ing. There is also the danger of as a method of settling interna- drew Thomson, United Church death from thirst, because the tional or national disputes, is in- of Canada missionary at Taokou, water stages are being left to fill compatible with the teaching has an answer. In January he up with sand. The only safe and example of the great moral distributed 500 suits of winter way to cross the Gobi desert in clothing among the flood suffer- future will be by motor truck, leaders of all ages."
-The Churchman. ers of eastern Honan, the gdt of and this is no good to mission- Leper Work a Hankow business firm. These aries because they cannot stop were quite unsolicited, and were off at all the oases and talk to the The China Inland Mission only a fraction of their total do- people and distribute the Scrip- Hospital in Kaolan (formerly nation for this purpose. After tures. called Lanchow), is the only in- the distribution was completed, This was the fifth time the stitution attempting leper work Mr. Thomson received the fol- three women had crossed the in the whole of Northwest lowing letter: Gobi. They found people at the China. They have about eighty DEAR MR. THOMSON: different oases thrilled to see leper patients, more than thirty them again, for when the mis- I am very happy to receive your sionaries last passed through, in of whom are Tibetans. The lett.er of 24th February and hereby the other direction, they were men have been classified into offer my sincere thanks to you, your· running away from the Mohamfive groups – two Chinese, two associates and the Magistrate for the medan General, Ma Chong lng, Tibetan and one Moslem. Two services in the distribution. the Thunderbolt, as he is called. At Tungwang, the City of Sands, services are held each day, one We feel grateful that God minisin the morning attended by all, tered seed to us for sowing and put in our heart to make winter garments for the flood refugees. So we seized the travelers heard rumors of and one at night especially for the opportunity as per Galatians 6: 10 communist activities in Kansu Christians. There are now more and made 4,800 suits (principally for Hupeh districts) entirely financed by and when at last they reached than twenty lepers asking for our firm ,with the twofold object to Suchow, their old C. I. M. stabaptism, and of these the majority are Tibetans. Bible classes cause thanksgiving to God and to . tion in the northwest of that have been arranged for the spe- supply the want of the poor. Now province, the city was under with your cooperation through Mr. cial instruction of those asking Stewart's introduction the work was martial law and they soon refor baptism. completely done. Christian unity is ceived the order to leave. They -Moody Institute Monthly. essential; as there are many mem- thereafter returned to Europe bers to one body, one can not dispense by the Trans-Siberian route. Christian Schools with the other. These her 0 i c missionaries The national secretary of the Again thanking you for your. serv- have, between them, given 108 China Christian Educational As- ice and wishing you abundant blesssociation says that Christian ing from God upon your work and years of service in China. For schools as a whole are making a yours. the last 16 years th~ have had large contribution to China's with them in their adventures a life. They have considerable Yours very truly, little Chinese deaf and dumb prestige, are well managed, and LI JUl. girl, whom they found as a baby, are growing steadily. "In our 13 Christian colleges and univer- -United Church Record. left by its mother on their doorsities, there are 6,700 students; step, and whom they named and in the approximately 250 The Gobi Trio Topsy. She has recently learned high schools about 250,000 stu- to speak a little to the great asdents. The number of primary Miss Mildred Cable, Miss tonishment of the simple people school students is about 125,000. Evangeline and Miss Francesca The stl1dents in colleges and high French, "the Gobi Trio" of the living in the oases of the Gobi. China Inland Mission, have re- "The missionaries' words are turned to England from their true," they said, "their Lord can last adventurous journey to make the dumb to speak." China. In the summer of 1935 schools are nearly 10 per cent they received a permit to cross Chinese Light Shines of the total number in the whole Russia and traveled by the country." Turkish – Siberian Railway, en- The ambition of Mr. Shan, A few years ago it was feared tering Turkestan fro m the Manchurian Christian, is to see that the day of Christian educa- north. From Chuguchak, they a house of worship in his home tion in China was over. But the went to Urumchi where they town before he dies. To this end number of baptisms in Christian found wonderful opportunities, he has contributed liberally.
high schools is as follows: and stayed for some months. Three years ago he made his
first contribution, $100; last mens. Dr. Lewis B. Franklin makes the Japanese feel the year he gave $200 more and re- visited this mission on his recent Church is their own, and not an cently an additional $60. He tour of the field. outside agency.
has frequently been reviled; once he was thrown into prison Tent Mission-Thirty Converts Night Clubs-Korean Style for a month because he had in "One of the most blessed and The original Night Club for his possession a Christian maga- encouraging tent missions we Boys was organized in 1930. Its zine published in China some have ever held," is thus de- success led to the formation of years ago. He was released another group to include gMiorrls~ scribed by Miss M. A. Burnet,' and meeting in day time. when missionaries vouched for of the Central Japan Pioneer his high character. Mission. It was conducted by than 150 boys and girls were two native evangelists in Mita- soon enrolled, and the title was The money he has given dur- gaya, a tiny village. The tent changed to Pioneer Clubs for ing three years is approximately was pitched in rice fields, with Korean children. In the fall two scarcely any houses in sight. Pyengyang churches organized the amount of his whole earnings Prayer preparation had been groups and in the following in one year.
-Evangelical Christian.
JAPAN-CHOSEN made by a Christian doctor born spring others were formed. Politics and Christianity in the village, who gave his testi- The movement was prosper- mony at the first meeting; and ing when a new Director of Edu- cation began to ask questions. Nearly 100 Japanese delegates by a young farmer, who has not "Pioneers" was also the name of attended the 14th annual meet- only prayed but worked. He ing of the National Christian has for several years sold forty a youth movement of commu- Council in Japan just before Gospel papers a month, accom- nistic Russia. What about these Christmas. The outstanding panying the sales with personal Korean "Pioneers"? What was message to the gathering was -talks wherever possible. Night going on? The purely evangelisthat the secret of power in the after night the tent was filled to tic purpose of the work, its world today depends upon per- overflowing with an eager and metho~ of C.hristian training, sonal spirituality. Plans, meth- attentive congregation, number- and Its antI-communistic inods, even duties are secondary ing between 150 and 200. Bi- fluence were explained at length. to the need for the Holy Spirit. cycles were stacked up outside Finally, at the suggestion of the One speaker opened the question the tent. Thirty confessed of peace, a subject which occu- Christ and sixteen have made offidals, the name "Pioneer" was pied the minds of all the dele- themselves responsible for hiring changed to "Bible Clubs." By gates. "The world is armed and an empty house to carryon regarming today as never before," ular meetings. An evangelist is 1935, there were fifteen such he said. "We who believe in the going to Mitagaya each week for groups meeting every day in Prince of Peace, what shall we the present, to shepherd this do? The peace of the world still little flock. -Life of Faith. Pyengyang, with about 1,500 children enrolled. Inspection rests with the churches. Japan's Day occurs every five or six fundamental spirit is peace, Literature of Their Own weeks. Leaders examine the children for their intellectual though Japanese patriotism is The Protestant Episcopal For- and physical improvement, innot yet true patriotism. Only in ward Movement has not only the spirit of Christ's self-sacri- translated the booklet, "The spect hands, faces and necks, and fice is there hope of peace." Coming of the Light," but has conclude with a "consdence in- redrawn the illustrations to con- spection," when the children are -World Dominion Press. told to look into their hearts, and then in prayer confess their evil deeds and thoughts to God and form with Japanese life. More before their playmates. "De- Opportunity in Rural Japan than 40,000 copies were distrib- cision Day" is the grand climax A little Japanese country mis- uted. A Tokyo writer in The at the end of the year. sion of the American Episcopal Living Church says: Church, which began to develop The whole Forward Movement has No Perseverance among the farmers and fisher- proven to be one of the most stim- men at Isoyama after Deaconess ulating, educational and spiritual Pak was a Korean bead Ranson went to live there, illus- forces in the Church. . . . Some of maker, and for 20 years had trates the opportunity now the most cheering letters of apprecia- been .working in the ~ame town, awaiting the Church in rural tion have been received from men and formmg glass into beads with women workers in all parts of the Japan. Thirty miles from any Empire, and in all dioceses a large his little blowpipe and lampresident pastor, a church has number of the parishes, missions and been built and dedicated by the institutions are now buying the book- for American five-and-ten-cent Episcopal Mission. At the dedi- lets for their members' daily use. stores. One day a colporteur called with a set of Gospels.
cation thirteen adults were bap- The fact that this literature is "I can't read those any more," tized and confirmed, six children printed in their own country and Pak said. "I read one of them were baptized, and seven per- presented in their own language once and it made me think too sons were admitted as catechu- wit h Japanese illustrations much of my sins."
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
"But if you keep on reading trips east and west on the coast tionship of this work with govand learn to pray, you will find ernments and disabilities ima way to get rid of your sins." about twenty miles each way, posed upon aborigines.
"That's just the trouble – I and so satisfactory is his over- Under the heading "Pacific," have no perseverance." The col- the Conference will study coopporteur pondered a moment and sight that the government med- eration, the attitude toward nathen said, "But you've been tive customs, and education and working at this same job-how ical patrols do not operate over evangelism. Methods, training long?" of missionaries and .the relative this section, content to leave the emphasis of different phases of "Twenty years." the work will be discussed under "In that case, you have perse- oversight of these villages to the Home Base. verance enough to read the Gospel." him. -The Chronicle. -Australia Missionary Pak is reading. Review. Javanese Christians -Monday Morning. Koreans in Hawaii The mission of the Reformed Korea Needs More Missionaries Church in Middle Java reports Since 1930 a mass meeting of that the number of Javanese Young Koreans of Hawaii, fea- The progress of K 0 rea n Christians increased in 1935 to turing oratorical and song conchurches, great as it is, has not 13,893, a growth of 1,842 in one tests among various church been sufficient as yet to warrant year, or 15 per cent. The Jav- groups, has been held at least the assumption that they can anese Christian sets a high value once a year. The last meeting, carryon successfully without on baptism. At present, there in the Mission Memorial Hall, missionary aid. The Christian are 2,076 people in the course Honolulu, was sponsored by the constituency in Korea is only of instruction for baptism who Korean University Graduates' about 500,000 out of a total pop- in a short time may be baptized. Club with Dr. Y. C. Yang, Presiulation of more than 22,000,000. There is great interest also dent, as the master of cere- The young churches need and among the young people, of monies. More than 500 young desire the continued cooperation whom it appears 5,637 are regis- people with their usual enthuof missionaries in the task of tered as catechumens; this is' siasm assembled to discuss the witnessing to these multitudes upwards of 40 per cent of those question, "Can youth improve concerning Jesus Christ. in the Javan.ese churches. and maintain Korean institu- tions in Hawaii?" – World Outlook.. Medical work is also expand- ing. There are nine hospitals, This hopeful second genera- ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC and the number of patients is tion, though U. S. citizens, re- constantly increasing. main loyal to their ancestral Papuan Medical Service background. Fiji Centenary Church All London Missionary Society Imported Sects in the appointees to Papua receive ele- The Fiji Methodist Church has Philippines mentary medical training at Liv- received the voluntary gift of ingstone College, London, before £1,000 from the Fiji Govern- The number of sects imported going to their field. The last ment for assistance in the build- to the Philippines from the few years have brought marked ing of a new centenary church. United States is becoming a matimprovement i n government The Methodists were the pioneer ter for concern. Filipinos edumedical service in Papua, one missionaries in the Fiji group. cated in America, and missionfeature being trained natives as This Memorial Church will be aries working independently are medical patrols. Cases beyond erected at Suva, capital of Fiji, introducing the Four – Square their power are taken to the to celebrate the centenary of Gospel, the Church of God, the nearest hospital where there is their advent to Fiji, at an esti- Church of the New Jerusalem, a European doctor. mated cost of £5,000. This is a the Pentecostal Church and mark of appreciation for the other similar organizations. In- Lameka, a Papuan lad only a contribution of the Mission to- stead of inquiring about the second generation from canni- ward educational uplift and good most needy parts of the archibalism, showed such aptitude in government. pelago and beginning work in his medical training that the unoccupied fields, they break government authorized the -Australia Missionary into well-established territory building of a small hospital Review. and undertake to set up new conwhere he could exercise the heal- gregations. ing art, the government assum- Australian National Council ing the cost of upkeep. A missionary of "the Four- From April 5-9 the National Square Gospel" who went to For ten years the little hospi- Missionary Council of Australia Laoag last April was asked to tal has been a center of help and will hold a Conference in Sydney confer with representatives of healing. Lameka runs the place, when three general topics will the National Christian Council, assisted by his wife and by a be considered: the Aborigines, younger lad whom he has taught. the Pacific, and the Home Base. Periodically he makes patrol Ques.tions involving the aborig- ines have to do with the half- castes and the ideal policy for Christianizing them; the rela-
who pointed out the great prog- religious groups on the campus. ganized basketball teams, physiress made in the last fifteen Records at the office of the dean cal training, adult education in years toward mutual under- show that of the 2,458 under- citizenship and current social standing, good will and Chris- graduates enrolled, only 147 problems, mothers' club, clinic tian cooperation, and asked in have no definite affiliation with for children, Boy Scouts, Girl the interests of Christian har- a religious denomination. More Scouts, home visitation, commumony, that this missionary with- than 1,000 are members of nity meetings, personal probdraw to territory where no either the Y. M. C. A. or the lems, daily vacation Bible school, other Protestant church is at Y.W.C.A. entertainments, manual trainwork? .Her reply was that her ing, sewing classes, dramatics, superintendent had assigned her – Watchman-Examiner. labor problems, kindergarten, to Ilocos Norte and she must do playground from June to Sephis bidding. The superintendent The Christian Observer tember, recreation for all ages, is a Filipino with a Mexican library for all age groups. wife. The Converse family has con- Through the whole program tinuously owned and edited the runs a golden thread of syste- NORTH AMERICA Christian Observer for one hun- matic Christian instruction. dred and ten years-since Feb- Income and Giving ruary 17, 1827. This Southern The community has responded Presbyterian weekly was found- until an enrolment of 2,300 has Returning prosperity is not ed by Dr. Amasa Converse, who overtaxed the capacity of the reflected in the philanthropies of was editor for 45 years. His building. -C. L. Zorbaugh. United States citizens, according grandson, Harry P. Converse, to Mr. C. V. Vickrey, President has been business manager and Indian Need of Christ of the Golden Rule Foundation. then managing editor since There was more generous giv- 1899. Chief Umpathtuh, last sachem ing in the deepest depression of the Mohicans, a graduate of year, 1932, than in subsequent The Religious Remembrancer Carlisle University and a strong years. In fact, that year marked appeared September 4, 1813 and advocate of Christianity for his the highest percentage of contri- later its name changed to the race, believes that unless there butions to religious., educational, Philadelphia Observer. The n is a change of heart among the scientific and other forms of two papers were merged under Indians through the acceptance service for society. On the the name· Christian Observer, of Jesus Christ as Saviour, the whole, the social services have which through all the years has education given them by the received approximately two per stood squarely for the integrity United States would be wasted. cent for a period of twenty of the Word of God, the deity of He says: "The Government years, which is one-fifth of the Christ, the reality of the atone- means well, but if education of biblical standard of the tithe. ment, and the purity and peace the soul does not go along with Giving is not according to in- of the Church. education of the mind, the recome, for more than one-half of sult for the Indian will be disasthe 1935 contributions declared The City Ohio Forgot trous. An educated Indian is in the income tax reports came liable to be a bad Indian, without from about four million persons Some ten years ago Youngs- religion." He pointed to his own whose net incomes averaged less town, Ohio, shocked the church tribe, now dwindled to a small than $5,000 a year. However, and the nation by a bloody strike number, as 75 per cent Christian forty-one persons who had an and disastrous fire. The Chris- and 100 per cent American. income of more than $1,000,000 tian conscience was aroused. each in 1935 claimed tax exemp- Here was a neglected city of new -United Presbyterian. tion on contributions totaling Americans employed in the steel $4,454,000, or 6.049 per cent of mills for whom the churches had Community Church in Alaska their declared net taxable in- felt little responsibility. As a come. The National Committee result among others, the West- Christmas, 1936, was more for Religion and Welfare Recov- minster Presbyterian church of than Christmas for the settlers ery is carrying on a countrywide Youngstown started a Sunday in Matanuska Valley, Alaska. It educational program to stim- school, putting $50,000 into a was the day of their first service ulate higher standards of philan- lot and a "Neighborhood House." in their new church, built of logs thropy. -Boston Transcript. A young Hungarian Christian, hewn from the "forest primeval" Mr. Zotlan Irshay, was put in by the men of the congregation, Campus Christian Training charge. This section of Young&- taken to the sawmn-l, faced on town, with its 14,650 people, al- two sides, and carried by theITl Twenty-six religious denom- most solidly foreign, is called to the site of the church. inations are represented at Duke Campbell. University, North Carolina, and Evenings aft e r working more than 94 per cent of the stu- The list of last year's activi- hours, the Young People's Sodents are members of some ties at "Campbell Christian ciety cleared the plot, dug the church. There are 15 organized Neighborhood House" give an basement, and hauled gravel for idea of its scope: Sunday school, the cement work. All together religious education classes, or- the congregation worked by shifts during the short days of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the fall and early winter. The day on some occasions. Lay tions." Six were "to live a life missionary pastor, Rev. Bert workers and young people's so- of service," "to end class distinc- Bingle, writes: "We look for- cieties were used effectively. tion in Colombia," "to help ward to a great work among' Brief services of ten or fifteen others." Several hoped "to make these unafraid people in the minutes were held in each home, Colombia a Christian nation." tracts distributed, invitations These young people have Northland." given and personal work done. charge of the Sunday night serv- LATIN AMERICA Results were very encouraging. ice once a month in one of the Two young pastors visited suburbs. Bible Distribution in Mexico several untouched places in Jan- -Colombian Clippings.
The house-to-house distribu- uary. Several small preaching Colombia's National Church tion of the Gospel in Mexico has stations were opened. It is met with opposition in some planned to cross the island from A little over ten years ago, places. A. B. De Roos reports: Havana to the south coast, Colombian and American Prot- touching man y communities estant leaders met in Medellin, In the first rural district in which a center of the Roman Church, the distribution was undertaken the where no Christian worker has yet gone. head of the village said, "We will not to exchange ideas regarding the Religion in Brazil Schools organization of the Presbyterian permit such propaganda, for we have The director of public instruc- Church in Colombia. Lack of all sworn not to accept any religion." ordained ministers prevented Only 30 Gospels were distributed there and throughout the district there is great suspicion. In twelve days tion of Rio De Janeiro has issued organization of presbyteries, but instructions to the principals of a rudimentary one took the thirty-four villages and ranchos were name "Council of the Coast." covered, in the midst of difficulties,. government schools to provide a Increasing needs of this group place and time for religious in- Yesterday we visited a number of villages, and going from house to house, a gendarme accosted us, rifle struction, other than Roman led to the organization of the in hand, asking us what we were do- Catholic, wherever the parents Church in Colombia on a real ing. I told him our mission, and he of 20 children desire it. Catholic Presbyterian basis. Last July said we must leave the place at once. religious instruction has been ten ordained ministers, four mis- "No strangers are allowed and no such propaganda is permitted, by requested by 70 per cent of' the sionaries and six Colombians order of the military chief of the district." parents of Catholic children. met again in Medellin and after This instruction is being given careful study decided: In one place we were subjected to a rigorous questioning, and our packs largely by priests. The director were searched for ammunition. When has asked Protestant groups to To adopt the Constitution of the Presthey had finished looking over our suggest the manner in which byterian Church, U. S. A., as the things I asked them to give me their the instruction 'requested by basis of the incipient Church. attention for a moment, and I read them shall be given. them Paul's sermon to the Athenians. To organize three presbyteries cov- I dwelt at length on the God Unknown -United Presbyterian. ering the states in which the but revealed in Jesus Christ through Presbyterian Mission is working. the Word. In conclusion I offered Young People in Bogota them "The Way of Salvation." They These presbyteries would be formed answered, "Yes, we'll take this, but Every Friday evening thirty by ordained ministers, without not the New Testament, as we have to forty young people of Bogota distinction of nationality, and been forbidden to take it." meet for a social and devotional licentiates residing in the respec- evening. Interest and enthu- tive territory, together with one -Scripture Gift Mission. ruling elder from each organized church. siasm have developed this or- ganization into a real force in To invite the Cumberland Presby- the evangelization of Bogota. terian Mission in the south- The Challenge of Cuba The object of this society, western part of Colombia to join this movement. A Mississippi pastor who re- To call a meeting of this same Ascently visited Cuba said the idea sembly to be held in Ibague in July, 1937, to take action toward prevails in his section that Cuba pledged by each person who beis almost a finished missionary comes a member, is (1) to pro- the organization of the "Synod of the Presbyterian Church in task; that great progress had mote all activities that develop Colombia."
been made, and Cuban Chris- a Christian life among its mem- With this Synod, the organiza- bers, by means of Bible study tion of the "Presbyterian Church tians are almost, if not quite, and meditation; (2) to develop in Colombia" will be completed, able to take care of their own Christian friendship and to take evangelization and other reli- part in activities of service. In and she will thus join the ingious work. The visitor was creasing fa mil y of national soon convinced that this is very a recent meeting those present churches that have been organ- were asked to write briefly their ized in Mexico, Guatemala, Brafar from being true. During this year much at- main ideal in life. The result zil, India, Siam, the Philippines, tention has been given to per- was interesting. Seven were China, Chosen and Japan. -Colombian Clippings. sonal house-to-house evangelism. "to get the most out of life," "to Cruces, in Santa Clara province, be intelligent," "to be something For Indians in Chile took the initiative, organizing worthwhile." Five were "to be- the forces of the congregation to come more spiritual," "to know Rev. Charles A. Sadleir many make several hundred visits a peace," "to conquer tempta- years ago founded a mission to
the Araucanian Indians of Chile. seven centers and the execution soil. They are largely literate, His son is continuing the work of others has been reported. but primitive, and enjoy few ma- and writes in the Evangelical Many are imprisoned and other terial comforts. Mr. Rahneff Christian: evangelicals are in hiding. Gen- works exclusively among these eral Franco is said to have stated humble villagers. Within less We now have three men working be- publicly that in the future Spain than a decade he has opened 50 sides myself, including our old helper would be "one nation, united in little churches, which have 5,000 Espinoza, who is in charge of the one faith – that of I sabel la adherents, almost entirely peas- press work. Domingo Carilaf, the Catolica." -Alliance Weekly. ants. This is the largest evan- first of our evangelists, has done and gelical group in Bulgaria. Rah- is doing excellent work in visiting the nlodern nlartyrs neff receives about $50 a month houses of the people in Witramalal, salary. Most of his preachers Chomio and two other reserves east Dr. John S. Bonnell, pastor of nave no regular pay. He seeks of Metrence Station on the railway Fifth A v e n u e Presbyterian little for himself, spends most of line. These reserves had never before Chureh in New York, likens the his time in the field, and works been visited by evangelists, 'and the German Christians of today to indefatigably. When n i g h t Indians there are showing great in- the martyrs of the early church. comes he asks his village hosts, terest, , . . The Capuchin Friars are "It is heartening to know," he who usually sleep on mattresses the bitterest enemies of our work says, "that the German Church on the floor or on a low platform, among the Indians, and will stop at is not a whit nearer surrender to shove over a little so that he nothing to hinder us and prejudice the today than three years ago. The may lie down beside them. Indians against us. Some of the tales German people today, in the they tell people are unbelievably ab- hour of persecution, are show- His services are revival meet- surd, and are only accepted by some ing a true unity and exhibiting ings. He invites his hearers to because of the superstition in which a fortitude and courage similar come forward and begin a new they live. to that which marked the early life. Many do. They become martyrs. Little did we think at "God's children." Hundreds Congregations vary from twenty- the beginning of the twentieth have been transformed. They five to sixty Indians, and while re- century that the relations of are turned into active, ardent, sults are hard to see, there are sev- church and state would become aggressive Christians and tell eral who are very much interested, one of the paramount issues of their good news to others. Vil- . and ask to hear more and more about the century. This question was lages become cleaner, more pros- the way of salvation. settled for Christians 1,900 perous, more orderly. This work years ago, when Jesus said: is .as modern, and as old fash- EUROPE 'Render therefore unto Cresar ioned as St. Paul's. the things that are Cresar's and "Christian Communism" unto God the things that are Pan-Orthodox Congress God's.' These words acknowl- A remarkable new religious edge the fact that the state pos- The first Pan-Orthodox Con- movement in France is called sesses certain rights over its gress of Theology, which was Christian Communism. It is led citizens, but they also make it held in Athens last December, jointly by Catholics and Prot- clear that there are bounds be- dealt with such subjects as the estants; its symbol is the Cross yond which the state must not position of theology and science of Divine Love on which are go in the coercion of Christian in the Church; Biblical criticism placed a sickle and a hammer, conscience. The principle enun- in its relation to revelation and and its quarterly magazine, The ciated by the founder of Chris- to ecclesiastical authority; the New Earth, has a circulation of tianity denies the right of a relation of the Church and so- 15,000 copies. The Christian totalitarian state to render the cial problems; the relation be- Communists are opposed to Christian Church impotent by tween religion and culture, be- the godlessness of Communism. making it merely the mouthpiece tween the Church and State and They derive their principles of dictatorial leaders. That is questions of doctrine. It was from Marxism, but they deny the religious issue which is para- wide, indeed, in its scope. The that this is "anti-God." They mount in Germany today." purpose of this first Congress believe that the moral principles was not, however, to solve these which underlie Christianity are -Presbyterian Banner. problems, or even to discuss compatible with those of Marx- them exhaustively, out to begin ism. They oppose violence, but A Successful nlissionary _ the work of discussing and solv- point out instances where it is ing some of them. Considered in justifiable. They do not wish to A correspondent in the Chris- this light, the Congress had a "reform the church," but rather tian Century tells of a young striking significance in that it to "free it from the capitalist pastor-missionary in Bulgaria, focused the mind of the Church regime." Paul Rahneff. Most of the upon the theological and prac- 6,000,000 Bulgarians are quite tical problems of the day. -Presbyterian Tribune. poor and four-fifths of them live in villages, where they work the -The Living Church. Spanish Evangelicals Suffer There seems a general tend- ency on the part of the insur- gents in Spain to put the Prot- estant element in an impossible position. Eleven evangelical workers have been killed in
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Hardships in Russia listen to their teaching. Guards ham is the general director. British and American repre- Mr. I. V. Neprash, Director of were placed at the end of the sentatives at the capital pro- Russian Missionary Service, street to turn people back, and tested but to no avail. When publishes a bulletin called The men even came into the waiting- asked what was to become of a Link, from which we quote the room and tried to drag the pa- score of missionary workers, following: mostly women, who had been tients out. In spite of all this driven into the capital by war A Russian Christian from New the numbers kept up, and the conditions there was no reply Jersey went to Russia to see his aged women would slip in by side- but a shrug of the shoulders. father. Upon reaching Moscow he "For many weeks," writes a searched for some Gospel service, and streets; although they were missionary, "we have lived with after much hunting discovered that afraid to listen to the Gospel as many as twenty in one native the only place in which the believers message. hut. The mission station at were permitted to worship was the Lambuda has been completely space up under the roof of a Greek Then, gradually, a change destroyed and practically all the Catholic Church. It was a cemetery homes in the Gudella area have church, very inconveniently located, came. One day, in the middle of been burned." with narrow steps on the outside of a message, a woman jumped up the building. About 400 were present. Fighting Yellow Fever The people were constantly afraid and said, "Tell me again the that the beams of the ceiling would name of the One who can save Great Britain has invited Dr. give way and the whole crowd smash me,and keep my heart clean." Victor G. Heiser to make a spein a heap on the cement floor beneath. Turning to the others she said, cial study of the possibilities of "Listen, my sisters, to these controlling malaria and yellow From Moscow this man went to fever in British Africa. Dr. Leningrad and found that the largest wonderful words and take heed Heiser has spent thirty years preaching hall in Russia had been to them, for they are the truth." warring against plagues in all confiscated, and is being used as a parts of the world. He is recogmariner's clUb. He went next to a One by one they are turning nized as outstanding in the field country town where his father lives. to the light. -Life of Faith. of medical engineering. There was a group of believers there, but no services for fear of unbearable World's Youngest Elder The airplane, it appears, has persecutions. The coming of a Chris- become a potential disease cartian brother from the outside world In the Lokoja district of rier. European planes making was too great an occasion, and so they the regular journey to Brazil, finally decided to have a service. Nor,thern Nigeria the major part via the west coast of Africa, They gathered in a private home, have taken with them from Affrom three to five a. m., windows cov- of the Church responsibilities rica a new type of malaria that ered, with just one small oil lamp so is doing much damage in Brazil. that the visitor could read his New and organization falls upon one British health officers are anx- Testament. ious to prevent the spread in lady missionary. There are India from those areas in Africa At five a. m. the meeting dispersed, in which the host mosquitoes and it was well it did, for some spies ninety-two churches and only flourish. -Alliance Weekly. had already discovered them, and about ten minutes after the close of two catechis,ts with the help of Heathen in Union of S. A. the meeting the police were there. The man from New Jersey was then an African clergyman who pays The Union of South Africa has on his way to another town and not an approximate population of even his father knew which way he a visit once a quarter from the 9,479,985 persons, of whom more had gone. than two-thirds are nat i v e s. other side of ,the river. Since There are more than 3,000,000 AFRICA heathen in the Union; more this one missionary cannot visit heathen today than when the Work for Women missionaries began their work all the churches she adopted the over a century ago. One ex- A Girls' School and a Dispen- planation is the lack of a missary are firmly established in plan of caUing together two sionary spirit in the native Abu Hammad, under the control church and. a diminished evanof the Egypt General Mission, elders from each church in gelistic zeal on the part of nain a village of 5,000 Egyptian in- tive pastors. Furthermore there habitants. It was occupied by groups of 40 ata time, and giv- is among Europeans in South missionaries several years ago, Africa a widespread fear of the but opposition was so bitter that ing them a two-day course of competition of the black man, retreat became necessary. In should he be encouraged along 1934, a clinic was opened by mis- instruction. On one of these ocsionaries and soon many women were attending, both Egyptian casions, a boy of eleven apand Bedouin. As the numbers increased, act i v e opposition peared. When asked why he sprang up and spies were sent to the clinics. The work was de- had come he replied that he was nounced in the mosques, and pamphlets were printed and dis- a church elder, and so it proved. tributed, warning the people not to go near the missionaries or He frequently took the morning service,as he could read better than anyone else in the village, and he reminded the missionary that she had given him a New Testament four years previ- ously. -Eastward Ho.
Mission Property in Ethiopia The Sudan Interior Mission issues a report from its Toronto office that Italians in Addis Ababa have demanded all of the buildings, including headquar- ters and the leprosarium owned by the Sudan Interior Mission, of which Rev. Rowland V. Bing-
the path of progress. He is year ended without a single case under the rule of other Euro- more readily exploited when of default, or delayed payment. pean powers. Of the remaining -Christian Advocate. 34-35 million, Dnly those in Turignorant. -Alliance Weekly.
key, Arabia, Afghanistan and What Only Missions CanDo The Good Shepherd in Iran Iran are under Mohammedan rule. They no longer have a Northern Nigeria, equal in Most of the patients in a mis- sionary hospital of Iran are Mo- caliph; in 1924 the Ottoman calsize to the South Central U. S., hammedan. The medical superis Mohammedan and has been iphate was abolished with one entirely closed to missionary intendent asked his nurses to work. Some British leprosy try various schemes Df religious stroke of a pen, and the other teaching, and note the results Dn workers were allowed in govern- their charts just as they would Mohammedan states have never ment leper camps with the distinct understanding that they do nDte a rise in temperature or since been able to agree upon ap- other physical symptoms. The no religious work. pointing another. Then Dr. A. D. Helser, of the most successful was found to be the nurse's repetition of the Par- Moslems are themselves de- American Mission to Lepers, able of the Good Shepherd. The stroying their specifically Ismade a survey of this area. It patients became eager to hear revealed a growing dissatisfac- the great words, and soon lamic intellectual and spiritual tion on the part of the govern- learned them by heart, so that leadership. The great Azhar ment with its own efforts in when the "nurse departed from dealing with leprosy. In Sokoto, the true text, they would correct University, fDunded nearly one her. The explanation? The where the Sultan is the head, the parable supplies what is lacking thousand years ago, has for most government doctor was so dis- in Mohammedanism. Allah is of this time been the center from couraged that the leper camp great and powerful, in the minds which orthodox Islam derived its was closed down entirely. An- of his followers, but never tender other medical officer expressed or sympathetic. dynamic. The Azhar has IDSt himself as believing that "the first 40 per cent of leprosy treat- respect; it is continually mod- ernizing its curriculum. But missionaries dD not rejoice that modernization is takng the place of the old Islam, if it means their falling a prey toO Western ma- terialism. GEORGE SWAN.
ment lies in instilling hope in the -Christian Advocate. Annotated Testaments heart of the leper." The gov- Fernand Faivre, of Huguenot ernment now recognizes that MISCELLANEOUS descent, gave up the prospects missions can do that in a way Haven for Jews of a brilliant business career to that others cannot, and proposes that if missions will put a full- The New York Herald-Trib- devote himself e n t ire I y to time doctor in each camp, they une states that the French Min- preaching the Word. He has will finance him. ister Df Colonies has proposed been engaged for Dver 45 years The Sudan Interior Mission is that some colonies-specifically in evangelistic activity in southespecially eager to take advan- Madagascar, the New Hebrides, west France. tage of this opportunity to open F'rench Guiana, and New Cale- In 1922, he brought out the northern Nigeria to missionary donia-be thrown open to immi- first editiDn of his "Annotated effort for the first time. grants largely made up of Jews. New Testament," designed espe- -Mission to Lepers. This colonization is to be largely cially for evangelistic work. but not exclusively, Jewish; the Since then it has been issued in WESTERN ASIA immigrants must have capital Spanish, Italian, German, Por- and be prepared to work on the tuguese and other languages. Cooperatives in Palestine land or in other productive ac- Hundreds of copies have been The British Government is tivities. The plan is receiving shipped to the Cameroon, West helping to organize credit unions the careful attention of both Africa, where they have been and thrift societies among the Polish and Jewish press. used in the American Presby- Arabs in Palestine. There are It has also been proposed to terian Mission field. They were 74 societies, with 2,422 members settle Jews in the island of Cuba. adopted as textbooks on PrDtand capital of 1,709 Palestinian estant doctrine fDr native evanpounds. Borrowings amounting The plan has been laid before gelists. the President Df Cuba for conto 39,013 Palestinian pounds sideration and has the approval Rev. Andrew Gih, of the were made in one year by Bar- of President Roosevelt. Bethel Mission, S han g h a i, clays Bank at six per cent, and China, has translated the nDtes the societies reloaned to mem- The Moslem World Today – into Chinese (Mandarin). He bers at nine per cent, the cur- contemplates a first edition of rent charge made by the banks Of the approximately 235,- 20,000 copies, but wishes it were to borrowing bodies not Drgan- 000,000 Moslems in the world to- possible to have 150,000,000 ized as cooperative societies. day, 106,000,000 are under copies printed. Pastor Faivre Personal advances for seasonal British rule; 39,000,000 under offers toO pay one-half the cost of periods and medium-term loans Dutch rule; 32,000,000 under printing 100,000 cDpies ($6,250) up to five years are made. The French rule and 23,000,000 if the other half is provided.
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I Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~'i~================'~ The Way of the Witnesses. By Ed- sealed orders." These first wit- from quotations from other ward Shillito. Pages viii, 152. nesses to the crucified and risen writers, with whom of course Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. Christ began at Jerusalem and Dr. Speer is in agreement. These went as far as Rome. In obey- quotations are of real value and . Friendship Press, New York. 1936. ing the call they came to know more of the "mystery" of the na- show wide and discriminating This "New Testament Study ture and purpose of their Lord. reading, but they are not the in Missionary Motive" is by an They founded churches and fos- author's personal testimony. Oxford graduate who was a min- tered them, by visits and by letister in various parishes in Eng- ters, to meet the inevitable trials The first chapter, dealing with land and for some years Literary and dangers. They made prog- Christ's earthly life and its Superintendent of the London ress through conflict, as did the meaning, gives clearly the evi- Missionary Society before com- churches which they fathered. dences for the deity of Jesus. ing to America as a lecturer in In the Gospel of John, "the Gos- The second chapter, on the our colleges and theological pel of the Holy Spirit," the new "Person of Christ," points out schools. He is the author of generation "found a bridge be- that the whole essence of Chris- "Nationalism-Man's Other Re- tween their own day and that of ligion," and other works. Jesus their Lord." In its name tianity is in this God-man, rather the new society "claimed all the than in any philosophy, social Mr. Shi1lito's brief Introduc- world and all the ages." "The program or human organization. tion sums up the whole book, pattern of the New Testament," We do not agree with Dr. Speer, "The New Testament does not revealing "the love of Christ, un- however, in his view that "when contain a section given up to searchable and passing knowl- Christianity becomes a religion, . missions; it is a missionary edge," without that love "is book. . . . From cover to cover broken into fragments"; but the it ceases to be Christianity." it deals with one new fact – a constraint of that love will make That depends on one's definition power newly revealed and newly every Christian a missionary, a of religion. But the reviewer released in this human scene. A witness to all the world. new age begins. The revolution agrees that Christ is the essence is not of man, though it changes We would like to see this little of Christianity and without Him the life of man, but of God, book read by everyone interested there is no Christian religion. whose glory had been seen in the in missions, then placed in each face of Jesus Christ." But the one's lending library to be The chapter on the "Death of New Testament is not the end of recommended to every Christian it. It "deals with mankind and friend not yet interested. Mis- Christ" is a valuable contribuclaims the world for its scale." sion Study Classes will find it tion to this deeply mysterious The missionary is simply the attractive and inspiring. but most important subject. The servant of a world kingdom who author shows the deadly conflict "believes that a word meant for COURTENAY H. FENN. between two personalities-God all men should be offered to all and Satan – a conflict in which men." The Meaning of Christ to Me. By Satan seemed to be victorious Robert E. Speer. 12mo. 102 pp. but was definitely defeated at It is impossible to set forth in $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co., New Calvary. Dr. Speer says: "The a brief review a hundredth part York. 1937. death of Christ reveals both the of the arresting thought, the con- limitlessness and the limitedness vincing argument, and the in- Here is a personal testimony of God, and also shows what he spiring challenge which the au- that is characterized by capital has done and will do for us." A thor has compressed into this "H" rather than by a capital railroad brakeman is quoted as small book. He pictures vividly "I"; "He"-Christ-is magni- expressing the truth when he "the first impressions of a pa- fied, not "I," the writer. For the said: "He (Christ) died my gan" on reading the New Testa- most part, the testimony is clear death for me, that I might live ment. Such a man is brought but only indirectly personal. His life for Him." face to face with a historic Jesus Some readers w.m wish that Dr. who committed His message of Speer had made it more direct The chapter on "The Resurthe Kingdom to witnesses whom rather than so largely made up rection of Christ" shows that He sent into all the world "under this is conclusive evidence of Christ's deity, and proof of man's immortality. The resur- rection imparts vitality to the Gospel and to be "risen with Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the R:o;vntw publishers on receipt of price.
[223 ]
Christ" means eternal life to the cares for the unemployed and capable of taking the conscious- Christian. ness of Christ as taught in the redeems the loss caused by "The Lordship of Christ" oc- panic." If it is true, as Dr. New Testament into their lives." cupies another chapter in which Kagawa repeatedly urges, that With the ultimate objectives the author shows that this means the recognition of Christ as the social reform must be motivated of Kagawa – the uplift of men supreme divine teacher, leader, by the Christian Spirit, then it overseer, owner of all who be- is highly important to know just and the introduction of a better long to Him. He is King of life. social 0 r d e r – there can, of what is the character of this im- course, be no disagreement. His Dr. Speer's most personal tes- pelling motive and how it is retimony is found in his final chap- sincer.ity and tireless energy ter on "The Second Coming." ceived. But here there is much also command admiration. It is This doctrine, belief, hope – is uncertainty as to the author's unfortunate, however, that he proved to be "an integral part of our Christian faith," clearly and position. No light is shed on the does not unite with these qualifrequently taught in the Scrip- problem by this further state- ties a clearer perception of tures, and of infinite importance ment: "If religion concerns itto every Christian. self only with the salvation of in- Christian truth, more of eco- nomic wisdom, and a truer his- Anyone who reads these dividuals and does not permeate torical perspective. studies carefully will find them society, it has but one result, the spiritually stimulating, encour- HUGH R. MONRO. aging, interesting, informing deepening of individuail conand convincing. They will prove sciousness." Or the following: 1936 Handbook of the Christian a blessing, not only to pastors, "The belief that the redemptive Movement in China under Protteachers and missionaries, but to estant Auspices. 8vo. 352 pp. every thoughtful reader who is love of Christ is united with the $3.00. Published for the National ready to accept the testimony of true nature of God gave birth to Christian Council by the Hsueh the Scriptures and of enlight- the doctrine of the divinity of Pub. House, Shanghai, China. 1936. ened Christian experience. Christ." The latest China Mission Brotherhood Economics. By Toyo- There can be no impeachment Yearbook includes information hiko Kagawa. 200 pp. $1.50. on the evangelistic, educational, Harper & Brothers. New York. of Dr. Kagawa's sincerity and, social, literary and medical 1936. in the light of what he has ac- work. Suggestions on "How to complished in dealings with out- use the book" are helpful, as well This volume has two distinct as the brief "HistorJcal Backvalues: first, it assembles a cast men and women in Japan, ground" and the "Interpretalarge amount of interesting in- there must be a certain grasp of tion." Since the first Protestant formation concerning the coop- missionary entered China in erative movement and its expan- the underlying truths of the 1807, the communicants have sion throughout the world; sec- Gospel. Nevertheless, his vo- grown from 100 in 1807 to 600,- ond, it presents the philosophy cabulary seems confusing and 000 in 1936 and the Christian and outlook of this outstanding strange to the intelligent Chris- community of all sects numbers Christian leader and social re- at least 2,000,000 Chinese. The former. Dr. Kagawa writes tian reader and the impression Handbook is mostly made up of with the evident conviction that will increase that this eminent lists of 68 missions with 1,207 the Church is under deep re- resident stations and 5,816 misproach by reason of failure to reformer fans to relate in any sionaries. Information is also translate its message into terms given on literature, cable adof economic life. Here is a adequate way the fruits of social dresses and institutions. It is a typical statement: "I believe efforts to the roots. A coopera- valuable book for reference. that instead of keeping this prin- tive is not necessarily a brotherciple of Cross-embracing love as Southern Baptists in World Service. a theological theory in the pul- hood, in the Christian sense. By E. P. Alldredge. Cloth, 60 cents; pit, we must put it into the When Dr. Kagawa deals with paper, 40 cents. 172 pp. Sunday whole social life of man. Right economic questions there is much here lies the principle which de- that is suggestive, but a some- School Board, Southern Baptist mands that the essence of Chris- Convention. Nashville. 1936. tianity must become the essence what similar lack of coherence. of the economic movement." There is recurrence of well- All phases of the denomina- The ambiguity of this state- known terms, some with a rather tion's enterprises are discussed ment is more or less character- radical connotation, and an adistic of the book. What is Cross- vocacy of theories of finance, in- in detail in eight chapters, in embracing love? In one place it surance, and distribution of is defined as "a great love which this handbook, designed to in- commodities which would hardly commend themselves to a well- struct the young people in informed economist. Dr. Kag- Southern Baptist churches con- awa passes a severe and not too discriminating judgment on the cerning the what, why and how Christian Church in this lan- of Southern Baptist world-serv- guage: "The majority of church ice. The material is well ar- organizations today are depend- ranged; Bible study is encour- ent, unfortunately, on the privi- leged class of profiteering so- aged by frequent references to ciety. When selfish profiteers, Scripture; questions for review who are of the same stock as barbarians, d 0 min ate the and answers are added to each churches, they are rendered in- chapter. B. G. JUDD.
Wonderful Women. By E. conference. "The Religious Na- A N 0 P P 0 R TUN I T Y
H. Farrance. 96 pp. Illus. lB. ture of the Negro," "The Im- Pickering & Inglis. London. 1936. portance of Understanding Na- for Pastors Desiring SONG BOOKS tive Customs," "The Effect of . Brief biographical sketches of twelve women whose lives have Industrialism on the Congo at counted in worthwhile service. Katanga," "The Right Attitude The list includes Harriet Beecher Stowe, Fanny Crosby, Mary toward Native Chiefs," "The A collection of n of the Moody-5IIn"'y Slessor and Ann Judson. The Psychology of Conversion," "The Evangelistic Campaign Song. u…. during material is not new or skilfully Place of Sports and Athletics in the Founder'. Week Conference. presented but the assembling of Missions," and "The Self-Sup- $ 5 0 0 PER HUN D RED these sketches in one volume is port of the Chur~h" – s.uch are ",..".'d. Slightly u••d. 1I0t impressive. some of the subJects dIscussed with considerable wisdom. Con- D. L MOODY CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Sheaves After Harvest. By Dr. An- servative evangelical mission- 163 Instltllte Place drew A. Bonar. 12mo. 126 pp. Chicago, III. lB. Pickering and Inglis. Glas- gow. 1935. aries will find little here to criti- – – – – – – – – – – – cize and much to approve. Dr. Bonar was .a famous City Man. Charles Hatch Sears. Scotch preacher of over a gen- S. M. ZWEMER. 236 pp. $1.50. Harpers~ New eration ago, whose addresses repay reading today. Pentecost, York. Praise, The Second Coming, The Holy Spirit and similar topics New Boole. Frances Ridley Havergal. Esther E. are Scriptural, practical and in- Enoch. 95 pp. lB. Pickering & spiring. Beyond Statistics. The Wider Range Inglis. London. ' of World Missions. Stephen J. Corey. "Are You Awake?" By Florence E. 188 pp. $1.00. Bethany Press. St. A Hundred Years in Fiji. J. W. Marshall. Pamphlet~ 96 pp. 50 Louis, Mo. Burton and Wallace Dean. 144 pp. cents a copy, $30.00 a hundred. 222 3s.6d. W. Main St., Lansing, Michigan. 1936. Samuel Logan Brengle. Portrait of I Live–Yet Not I. George Goodman. a Prophet. Clarence H. Hall. 254 96 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. These clever verses set forth pp. Salvation Army, New York. London. the virtues of abstinence from 1933. alcoholic drinks. They are Missionary Stories to Tell. Various catchy and popular and useful Christian High Schools in India. authors. 178 pp. 50 cents, paper; for Sunday schools and other Alice B. Van Doren. 170 pp. Rs. $1.00, cloth. Missionary Education temperance work with boys and 2-12. Y. M. C. A. Publishing House. Movement. New York. girls. Calcutta, India. Master of Money – A. A. Hyde. Exspectatio Gentium. Compte Rendu The Glorious Revival Under King George Irving.' 157 pp. $1.00. de la XIIIe Semaine de Missiologie Hezekiah. Wilbur M. Smith. Pam- Revell. New York. de Louvain. 330 pp. 35 francs. phlet. 54 pp. 35 cents. Zondervan Paris: Desclee de Brouwer & Cie. Publishing House. Grand Rapids, The Meaning of Christ to Me. Rob- 1935. Mich. ert E. Speer. $1.50. Revell. New York. Under this striking title we have the twenty-fourth publica- Dwight L. Moody-;A Mighty Man North Pacific. Edward Weber Allen. tion on Christian missions by of God. A. Chester Mann. Pam- 300 pp. Illus. $2.50. Professional the Museum Lessianum. A few phlet. 27 pp. 20 cents. Zondervan & Technical Press. New York. years ago another volume ap- Publishing House. Grand Rapids, peared entitled La Conversions Mich. One Hundred Years. Arthur Judson which dealt with methods of Brown. 1140 pp. $8.00. Revell. evangelism and the winning of Pools on the Glowing Sand. Story New York. converts in every missionary of Karl Kumm. Irene V. Cleverarea. don.. 194 pp. 58. Specialty Press. John E. Williams of Nanking. W. Melbourne, Australia. Reginald Wheeler. 222 pp. $2.00. The present volume consists Revell. New York. of seventeen papers by Roman 1936 Handbook of the Christian Catholic missionaries read at Movement in China. Charles Lu- Jungle Friends. G. A. West. 63 pp. the missionary conference of ther Boynton and Charles Dozier lB. S. P. G. London. Louvain last year. Ten are in Boynton. 352 pp. $3.00 (Shanghai). French; and seven in Dutch. Kwang Hsueh Pub. Co. Shanghai, Moslem Women Enter a New World. The papers merit perusal and Ruth Woodsmall. 431 pp. $3.00. show how the same missionary China,.. Round Table Press. New York. problems that perplex Protestant missions are faced by the White Missionary Plays and Pageants. Fathers and the Jesuits in Af- Fannie Smith Gray. 277 pp. $2.75. rica. Asia and the island world Western Baptist Pub. Co. Kansas were evidently left out of this City, Mo.
William Quarrier and the Story of the Orphan Homes of Scotland. Alexander Gammie. 196 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering and Inglis. London.
Awake! An African Calling. 56 pp. Is. Church Missionary Society. London.
1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE James Hudson Taylor. James J. Ellis. Is. 96 pp. Pickering & Inglis. London.
Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part I, The Bible-The The Blessing of the Tribes. E.
God 01 the Bible. Part II, The Christ 01 the Bible Bendor Samuel. 28. 160 pp. Pick- -The Holy Spirit. Part III, Man-Sin and Redemp- ering & Inglis. London. tion. Part IV, The Church-Future Events. Send 15c in stamps for cunent issue. Full Assurance. H. A. Ironside. 75 cents. 126 pp. B. 1. C. A. Chicago. HRISTIAN PU8L1CATIONS.IN<: Kill or Cure? Muriel Lester. 135 pp. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. Nash- 1502 N. Third St., Hlrrlsburg, PI. ville.
NOT'
THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor Some articles in the April number : THE CROSS AND ISLAM' Edwin E. Calverley A JOURNEY THROUGH NORTHWEST CHINA Claude L. Pickens THE WORSHIP OF ADAM BY ANGELS . Samuel M. Zwemer ILLUMINATION—A SUFI DOCTRINE Edward J. Jurji ALEPPO AS A MOSLEM CENTER Alford Carleton SOME ARAB FOLK-TUNES . W. Idris Jones OLD ISLAM ~ OLD TURKEY . Lootfy Levonian THE FINAL WORD OF THE AHL-I-HAOO Charles R. Pittman ISLAM IN TRANSITION Paul S. McElroy NORTHERN NIGERIA Benjamin J. Marais Book Reviews Current Topics Survey of Periodicals ORDER THE SPECIAL RURAL NUMBER The Missionary Review th~ World The June Number will contain special articles on "CHRIST AND RURAL AMERICA"
Achievements in Rural Churches From a Colporteur's Notebook Challenge of the Rural Community Solving Some Rural Problems Rural Trends in Twenty-five Years The Youth and the Country Parish Cooperation in Rural Parishes A Rural Pastor's Job The Rural Community Church Some Unchurched Rural Districts Evangelizing Rural Foreign Born Responsibility of the City Church The Larger Parish Project Woman's Work in a Country Parish Order These Copies Now for Yourself and for Mission Study Classes 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year The Missionary Review of the World Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1937
MARCH,1937
Changing and Unchanging Things in Foreign Missions Robert E. Speer The American Indian and His Religion Elaine Goodale Eastman What Christ Has Done for Untouchable~ v. s. Azariah A Firebrand for Christ in Iran J. Christy Wilson Japanese Shrines and Emperor Worship By a Resident of Japan Modern Missionary Motives w. B. Anderson Christ, the Church and Modern Youth Daniel A. Poling 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with
ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. March ll-15-Annual Meeting, Wom- an's Missionary Council, Methodist Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana Episcopal Church, South. Colum- bia, S. C. For Ministers. Teachers, Missionaries. Sunday School Workers and Laymen SO May ll-General Conference, United Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees, Cost Reasonable Free Brethren in Christ, Chambersburg, July 7 to August ll···Two Terms 15 Days Each.•·lnterdenominational Pa. Rooms Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined May 18-21-National Convention of Dr. W. E. Biederwolf. Director (Ask for free Prospectus) Dr. J. A. Huffman. Dean the Evangelical Women's Union, St. Louis, Mo. and of all Christians in order to rid ~!,mn~ the world of leprosy. May 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- vention, Philadelphia, Pa. *** of tbt May 26 – General Assembly, United Miss Laura M. White, a mIsslOn- Presbyterian Church, Oak Park, Ill. ary in China for over forty years, May 27-General Assembly, Presby- died in Germantown, Pennsylvania, ((bri~tian terian Church in U. S. A., Colum- on January 25. She was born in bus, Ohio. Philadelphia, where she was grad- Obituary Notes uated from Temple University and lLift Mrs. Amy Wilkes Zwemer, the went to China in 1892 under the Womwife of Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, of an's Foreign Missionary Society of cA. BOOK of worship in song, com- Princeton Theological Seminary, died suddenly of heart disease in New York the Methodist Episcopal Church. For bining a hymnal for general Citv on January 25. Mrs. Zwemer fifteen years she was editor of The was born 71 years ago in Woolver- Christian Literature Soc i e t y of church use, and a song book for evanhampton, England. After being graduated as a registered nurse she served Shanghai. gelistic purposes. Only songs sound in a hospital in Sydney, Australia and *** volunteered for mission work in Bagh- Mrs. Lillie Campbell Orbison, wife in the faith and inspirational in chardad, Iraq. She and Dr. Zwemer were married in Arabia in 1896 and con- of Rev. John H. Orbison, recently a acter included—emphasizing Evangeltinued their missionary service for member of the Punjab Mission of the Moslems, residing in Arabia and Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., died ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Egypt until 1930 when Dr. Zwemer on February 5th in Hoshiarpur, India. Many of the new-·-the best of the old. became Professor of Missions and Comparative Religions at Princeton Dr. and Mrs. Orbison were honorably 504 Songs Responsive Readings Theological Seminary. One of Dr. retired in 1932, after nearly fifty Topical Index Gold Embossed Zwemer's daughters, Mrs. C. L. Pickens, is the wife of a missionary in years of service in India. Mrs. Orbi- Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Hangkow, China; two other daugh- son was born in Manayunk, Pa., 78 edition only at $65.00 per 100···an especially ters and a son, Dr. Raymond L. years ago. low price. Single copy, S5c postpaid. Zwemer, of New York, also survive *** the mother. Mrs. Zwemer was author Write today for returnable sample copy of "Two Young Arabs," was joint author of "Topsy Turvy Land," "Zig- Mr. Frank Thompson, who died in Zag Journeys in the Camel Country," and was one of the editors of the CRUSADE SONqS London on November 22, in his 84th volume entitled "Moslem Women." year, was known for his long associa- '" Wellesley C. B'a" ile'"y, founder and tion with Spurgeon's Tabernacle and cA CHOICE selection of 105 hymns and retired secretary of the Mission to its allied institutions. He was also choruses for Revival Services, Bible Con- Lepers, which he founded over sixty years ago, died in Edinburgh, Scot- for nearly a quarter of a century a ferences, and Missionary Conventions. land, on January 28th at the age of member of the Baptist Missionary 90. Mr. Bailey was born in Thorn- Society's General Committee. One Strong manila binding, 15c each; bury, Ireland, on April 27, 1846, was son, Stanley, served in the Congo $12.50 per 100. Carriage extra. educated at Kilkenny College and after a brief period in New Zealand until retired because of broken health; CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS,Inc. became a Presbyterian missionary at another son, Cecil, is Secretary of a Ambala, India. There he opened the British Mission Auxiliary. 1502 North Third Street first missionary leper asylum in 1869. Five years later he founded the Mis- '" '" '" Harrisburg, Pa. sion to Lepers, during his furlough in Ireland, and in 1886 became gen- Sir Andrew Wingate, son of Rev. eral secretary to the Mission, a post Wm. Wingate, missionary to the Rev. Robert Tahupotiki Haddon, which he held until 1917, when he be- Jews, died in Switzerland January 1, Maori chief, died November 5. The came Honorary Superintendent. Mr. at the age of 90. Sir Andrew entered Methodist Times says: "Mr. Haddon Bailey emphasized the necessity for a the Indian Civil Service nearly sev- was a chief of high rank who could threefold objective, preaching the enty years ago, becoming widely trace his ancestry back a millennium. Gospel to lepers, supplying their known as Famine Secretary during He stood over six feet in height, erect simple wants, and relieving their suf- the great South India drought of as a spear, with flashing eyes in a ferings through medical care. Since 1877. On his retirement in 1902, he rugged, kindly countenance. He was then the Mission has sought also to gave himself wholeheartedly to volun- ordained to the native ministry in win the cooperation of governments teer missionary work. He was espe- 1904, and for over thirty years he exercised a faithful ministry. Mr. cially interested in the Bible Society's Haddon twice advocated the claims of activities, in Jewish missions, and in his people in New Zealand Parlia- Anglo-Indian Education. ment.
'" '" '" The Rev. Dr.'"Jam* es*S. Gale, author Dr. Thomas J. Porter, Prof. of of "Korean Sketches" and other vol- Church History at Campinas, Brazil, umes and for forty years a mission-' until his retirement in 1932, died sud- ary of the Presbyterian Church, denly in California, December 26. U. S. A., in Korea, died in Bath, Eng- Dr. Porter was a missionary in Persia land, on J.anuary 31 at the age of from 1889 to 1896, and after a period seventy-five. James Gale was born of iII health took up the professorship in Pilkington, Ontario, graduated from Toronto University and went to at Campinas.
'" '" '" Rev. N. Odinzov, President of the Korea in 1888 as a representative of All-Russia Baptist Union, recently the Y. M. C. A. Three years later he died in the Yaroslaw prison. He had joined the Presbyterian Mission and refused every temptation to renounce retired in 1928. to live in England. his Christian convictions. (Concluded on third cover.)
MISSIONARY Personal
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Dr. Julius .Richter, of Berlin, is TBE DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor now in America, lecturing at the ORI.ENT VOL. LX MARCH,1937 No.3 , Biblical Seminary in New York. In Publication and Business Olllce– Record Time! Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. * * … Mr. William M. Danner, for over Go direct fromVancouver and Editorial and Executive Olllce– Victoria in 10 days by Em- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. twenty-six years the General Secre- press of Asia or Empress of Entered as second-class matter at Russia. Only 3 more days via tary of the American Mission to Hawaii by Empress of .lapan Post Olllce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Lepers, has been honorably retired. (fastest ship on the Pacific) Act of March 3, 1879. or Empress of Canada. Con- So far as his health permits, he will nect at Honolulu from Cali- 25 cents a copy–$2.50 a year. continue to serve the cause of the fornia ports. Low round-trip Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. fares include passage from Published monthly, except August. lepers by public addresses and in con- and to Seattle. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan sultation on the affairs of the Mission. ~fI.+ and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, .. * .. For rates and sailings, see 10 shillings a year. YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- The Rev. Emory Ross has been dian Pacific: New York, Chi- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB~ ca~o, San Francisco, 38 other LISHING CO., INC. elected General, Secretary of the citIes in U. S. and Canada.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS American Mission to Lepers. He was, ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUIB, Vice-President for some sixteen years a missionary in WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary the Congo. … …
SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Rev. T. C. Wu, General Secretary WILLIAM I. ClLumlDRLAIN D. J. FANT of the Chinese Mission to Lepers, has MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPHARD resigned after more than ten years'
Emc M. NORTH service. As leader of the Chinese SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Mission to Lepers he has placed that Editorial Chat work on a high level of efficiency.
The annual meeting of the REVIEW * * … was held on February 18th for the Rev. Thomas Alfred Tripp, of consideration of annual reports and the election of directors for the en- Mystic, Connecticut, has become Assuing year. sociate Director of the Town and *** The June issue of the REVIEW will Country Department of the Church be devoted to the Home Mission study subject for the year, "Christ and Extension Boards of the Congrega- Rural America." (See notice on back cover of this issue.) tional churches. * * .. *** Rev. Ernest E. Grimwood has been Will you help acquaint friends with the REVIEW as a means of increasing appointed Director and Chairman of interest and cooperation in Christ's work throughout the world? Send the Central Asian Mission. Prior to names and addresses to the Circulation Department, 3d and Reily Streets, the War, he served the Mission as Harrisburg, Pa., and we will send honorary secretary and editor and free sample copies. later was honorary secretary of the *** Sudan Interior Mission, which posi- Here are the unsolicited estimates of the value of the REVIEW, received tion he resigned… in No… vember. recently from missionary readers: … "The REVIEWS that you are getting out are exceedingly fine. I do not Rev. William Henry Fonger has think that in all its history THE RE- been elected secretary of the Philip- VIEW has done as good work as it is pine agency of the American Bible doing now, and unless I am very Society, where he has served as actgreatly mistaken God is using it and ing agent since March, 1934. other influences with it, to get the missionary enterprise back on its own *** even keel again." Dr. Roy ,B. Guild and Dr. Worth DR. PAUL W. HARRISON. M. Tippy, Executive Secretaries of Muscat, Arabia. the Federal Council, became emeritus *** on January 1 and they will continue to give part time service to the Coun- "We enjoyed the Africa number of cil through 1937, carrying on certain THE REVIEW and hope that it will be important duties and being available possible for you to have a China number before very long. as counselors. … … …
REV. G. W. ROYALL. Dr. W. B. Bagby, Baptist mission- Shangtung, China. ary to Brazil since 1881, lives to see 600 churches with 50,000 members, five colleges, two seminaries, ,a publi- cation society, a home and foreign mission board carrying the gospel to the far interior of Brazil, to Portugal, and from Portu..g. al… to …Africa.
Dugald Campbell, F.R.G.S., who for several years has been in the serv- ice of the National Bible Society of Scotland, circulating the Scriptures through the Sahara, has found it necessary, from repeated heart at- tacks, to relinquish responsibility at Tamanrasset. This is an important development of the Society's work in the Sahara; it will now be under the direction of M. Jules d'Allmen.
(Concluded on third cover.) [113 ]
by Bureau of American
A RELIGIOUS TORTURE RITE OF THE AMERICAN I;lDIANS OF THE PLAINS THE RAIN DANCE OF THE ZUNI INDIANS OF NE.W MEXICO (See article on "The Amerkan Indian and His Religion," pages 128 to 130) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 3 MARCH,1937 Topics of the ·Times YOUTH – THE GREAT AMERICAN jority .of American yQung people are tQday spir- MISSION FIELD itually illiterate. But just because they are in this conditiQn, From all quarters today is heard the cry fQr revival. Religious leaders are joined by men young people constitute a great and fruitful misprominent in business and professiQnal life in de- sion field. For, whether we who had our educaelaring that modern problems have .their roots in tiQn more than fifteen year,s ago like to admit it moral and spiritual ills. One of the recent addi- or not, our schools and colleges are today almost tions to the chorus insistently calling fQr revival completely secularized. Of course, there are still is Mr. John Edgar Hoover, chief of the Federal a few Christian institutions left, but, compared G-Men. Commenting upon the huge crime bill of with the total student population .of the land, their the nation, he says, "We are in dire need .of a number is very small. President James Bryant spiritual awakening. We must place the rejuve- Conant, Dr. Eliot's successor, once remQved, nation of national morality above mundane am- spoke in his first annual report of the aim of the founders of Harvard and that early Puritan herit- bitions. . . ." age .of the university whereby educatiQn and the- There is nothing very remarkable about such a ology were united. And then with perfect candor statement. Mr. Hoover's work brings him face to he continued, "It is hard fQr us to recapture their face with the fruits .of godlessness. In the great [the Puritans'] point .of view; today, learning has army of youthful criminals he sees the logical re- become secular." And so it has. It has become suIt of the fact that vast numbers of American so secular that President Nicholas Butler, .of Co- parents have heedlessly left God and religion out lumbia, protests as follows in one .of his reports: of their lives and out of their homes. In an essay "So far as tax-supPQrted schools are cQncerned, published in The Atlantic Monthly, in 1924, the an odd situation has been permitted toO arise. The late Pres,ident Charles W. Eliot, of Harvard, separation of Church and State is fundamental in pointed toO the forty or fifty milliQns .of Americans our American political order, but as far as relinot connected with any church or religious or- gious instruction is cQncerned, this princip,le has ganization whatever. After remarking that the been so far departed from as to put the whole children .of such parents receive no religious in- force and influence .of the tax..supported school on struction at home .or abroad and are therefore the side of .one clement .of the population-namely, densely ignorant .of fundamental moralities and that which is pagan and believes in no religion even gQod manners, Dr. Eliot wrote these trench- whatever." ant words: "N0 such experiment on SQ vast aYes, the young people of America are a great scale has ever been tried since time began, as this missionary challenge. And this applies to uniconsiderable fraction of the American people is versity students as well as to secQndary and elenow trying-namely, bringing up their children mentary pupils. As the Editor of this REVIEW without any religious instructiQn." The great remarked, after lunching with some leaders at a New England educator published those words recent Student Volunteer C.onventiQn, the delethirteen years ago. Has the experiment paid? gates were a missionary field in that many .of them Every judge, every minister, every spiritual- had never yet really faced the claims of the Gos:- minded educatQr knows that it has not paid. pel .of Christ? If ever the words of our Lord re- Rather has it cost a dreadful price; the great ma- garding "the fields white unto the harvest" ap- [ 115 ]
plied, they apply to. yQung people tQday. But, line-"The hungry sheep look up and are not fed." thank God, it is a fact that Ameriean youth is Let all missionary-minded Believers in Christ resPQnsive to. the Christian message. Black as the pray and wQrk to the end that the dreadful repicture of s,piritual illiteracy amQng our YQuth proach of a younger generatiQn spiritually starvmay be, it has anQther side. The great missiQn ing in a nominally Christian land may no longer field of American yQuth :is responsive to. Christ! rest upon the Church. FRANK E. GAEBELEIN. When He is truly presented, they listen and as they listen many yield themselves to Him. CHIANG, CHANG AND CHINA This is the mQst encQuraging fact in the reli- Oriental diplomacy is largely unintelligible to gious life Qf our cQuntry today-that the stirrings the Occidental mind, even ,to those who have spent of a spiritual awakening are being felt especially a lif~time in the Far East. China and Japan, in amQng the youth. SQme significant facts substan- any given circumstances, seldom s.ay or do what tiate that statement. First, there are the inter- Great Britain or America WQuld have said Qr denQminational ,summer cQnferences for young dQne, and their explanations of processes and repeQple. At a SCQre of centers throughout the land sults rarely meet Western requirements as to great numbers of students, many of them from lucidity Qr adequacy. colleges or universities, assemble for Bible study and spiritual fellowship, usually fQr periods of a One of the most mysterious and apparently irweek. Anyone who has been a leader in such con- rational performances in recent histQry is the ferences must have been struck with the intellec- sudden "kidnapping" and the unexpected release tual and moral calibre of the delegates and, even Qf Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, the head of more, with their eager response to. the preaching the Nationalist Armies, together with the surof the sovereign claims of the crucified and risen render, trial and treatment of his erstwhile cap- Christ. To see college men and women, to say tor, Chang Hisiieh Liang, a subordinate officer. nothing of the many high school students who. go The Generalissimo had just ,achieved such marvelto. these cQnferences, enter into a personal rela- ous success in uniting all the provinces of China tionship with the Lord gives Qne new hQpe for a under a central gQvernment, after personally leadcoming revival in America. ing National forces in driving the murderous CQmmunist hordes ,to the northwest borders, that There are also Bible study groups in leading the world, in its reawakened hope that China was universities. A few months ago. the writer had winning a new lease of life, was startled and horthe privilege of 'speaking at a great technological rified, early in December, by the report that institute. He was invited by a Bible study club, Chiang Kai Shek had been seized and held prissponsored by a group of students and faculty. oner by Chang Hsueh Liang, his subordinate of- The meeting was not large, but its very existence ficer in Shensi whom he had gone to consult. Many was remarkable. After it was over a professor of Chiang's military escort were slaughtered at said that it was only the second time he had ever the time and Chang was even reported as brQadseen a speaker with a Bible in his hand on a plat- casting to. the world his execution of the Genform at that institution. And many anQther great eralissimo. educational institution has a similar group of earnest Christian students and faculty, seeking The so-called "Marshal" Chang, son of Chang to. give a real witness for our Lord. Tso Lin, the ex-bandit "War-lord" of Manchuria, unable to hold Manchuria and other territory Again, any .pastor who is preaching the Gospel against the Japanese and for some time in retirewith power to a fun church, will say that his mQst ment, was ostensibly engaged in completing the resPQnsive hearers are his young people. So has suppression of the CQmmunists in Shensi and it ever been. The disciples came to Christ as Kansu. He seems, on the contrary, to have made young men. As young men the greatest mission- common cause with those outlaws in demanding aries have gone out to. preach the -GQspel. for the Communist party a share in ,the govern- ment and cooperation with the gQvernment troops The spiritual illiteracy of American YQuth is an ina crusade to drive out the Japanese. The appalling problem. It is heart-breaking to see seizure of General Chiang was for the purpose . millions of them being educated in bQdy and in of cQmpelling the adoption of ,this PQlicy by the mind, but with spirits starved for want of the Nanking government. Bread of Life and the only thirst-quenching Water of Life. What a challenge this mi'ssiQn Profoundly stirred by the rebellion and es,pefield of youth, in yQur city or town and in mine, cially by the threat against the life of the leader in your very neighbQrhood, makes upon us to to. whom all were looking for the safety of China, whom God has entrusted the only Message that the Nanking authorities despatched large fQrces can give our young people the joy and fruitful- fQr Chiang's rescue, but hesitated to. apply force ness of the new life in Chdst Jesus. In his great immediately lest it provoke his murder. Negotiaelegy, "Lycidas," John MiltQn has this poignant
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
tions w1th the rebels were undertaken and Mad- times, as heretofore, but something very near personal ame Chiang, with her brother T. V. Soong, flew concern for the safety of an admired, if not loved, figure. to Sian, the capital of Shensi, to intercede on the Our teacher, who came to Nanking rabidly anti-Chiang Generalissimo's behalf. On Christmas Day came three years ago, was so upset that he could not eat or sle'ep the word that not only had Chiang been freed but and was ready to weep. He said, "If only people knew that he was flying to Nanking with his captor! how much Chiang has done for the country!" Most of On their arrival both professed "penitence": the students were fearfully depressed and then went wild Chang for the rebellion and Chiang for the lax- when the news of Chiang's safety came. There are thouness of discipline which had rendered that rebel- sands who would be only too glad to kill Chang (Hsueh lion possible. Chang was tried, convicted, and Liang). pardoned, but retained in custody, while Chiang retired ;to his old home in Chekiang "for a rest." It is impossible to apportion the measure of Recent reports, like the earlier ones, are sadly tragedy and of melodrama in this whole series of conflicting. On the one hand they visualize a events. We may never know how much blood was concentration and stiffening of the rebellion actually shed or how serious was the actual threat under the leadership of Communist generals and of Chang Hsiieh Liang .against the life of his under the inflammatory radio broadcas,ts of a superior officer; but this much seems evident that woman radical from America. On the other hand not only China but the world has been led to realthey present a picture of the surrounding of rebel ize how much Chiang Kai Shek has already acstrongholds by government troops and the nego- complished toward the rehabilitation of China and tiation, at Sian, of peace ,to be secured by the how indi'spensable is his continued activity for withdrawal of all forces opposing the government. the completion of that enormous task. He has Only time will disclose the actual facts, or per- long been hampered by internal jealous.ies and haps only a small proportion of them. ambitions and by Japan's unwillingness to see China become a strong nation. China and the As to the missionaries of Shensi and Kansu, world shuddered at the reports of Chiang Kaireports have indicated their widespread peril, Shek's capture and execution; China and the with 'some of them held in Sian as hostages, world, in spite of the mystery of the transactions groups of rescuers were proceeding from Peiping at Sian, have exulted in the outcome'with its prosand elsewhere for their relief. By airplane and pect of better days to come. Once more China and the world have been made conscious of the other transportation many have left Shensi.* fact that, not only the Generalissimo and his wife, but also most of the other Chinese, prominent in Letters written at Nanking immediately after the building of the New China, find in Christianthe release of the captive Generalissimo give ity not only their own hope but the supreme hope forceful expression to the universal joy: for the future of the nation.
The word just received of Chiang Kai Shek's safe ar- COURTENAY H. FENN. rival in Loyang (Honan) was the most longed-for and welcomed of all Christmas gifts. The whole city and coun- WHEN DISASTER COMES try has been wild with joy. No one can realize how both he and Madame Chiang have endeared themselves to the Recent floods have devastated large portions of Chinese people. The loyalty and affection which is felt the Ohio Valley by raising the river level over for them is such as no one in China has ever before ex- sixty feet and have also threatened those 500,000 perienced. Just an hour ago the sky above us was filled people who live along the banks of the Mississippi, with airplanes going out to greet General Chiang ashe in the 1,200 miles from Cairo to the Gulf. It is returns to the city. Firecrackers are popping everywhere; reported that there is over $700,000,000 damage the streets are crowded with eager faces and the vicinity to property; nearly 1,000,000 people have temof the airdrome is filled with the joyful crowd waiting to porarily been driven from their homes, business greet the leader of China. has been disrupted, churches and schools inun- dated, and as a result over 500 people have died *** by drowning, accident, exposure or disease.
The situation at Sianfu (Shensi) has cast a pall of It seems incredible that with one hundred and gloom over everyone. So you can imagine our joy at six sixty years of national history, with immense o'clock Christmas Day at hearing that Chiang was safe wealth, great unemployed man-power, most modand in Loyang. The city went wild, with the streets ern powerful machinery, and efficient managers j.ammed with people and a din of firecrackers. It was a 'Of big business, no way has yet been found to perfect Christmas gift for the Government and many of prevent such destruction of life and property and the people. Indeed the most remarkable thing about the such disruption of national life. Some steps have whole affair has been the unprecedented concern of the been taken by certain towns and cities along the man on the street. I've never seen anything like it before Ohio, .as by Dayton, Ohio, and along the Missisin China. It was not fear of looting or financial hard sippi River, and $325,000,000 have recently been • Newspaper reports indicate that in the settlement with Communists and with Yang's and Chang's forces, the Nanking Government has recognized Communist control in North Shensi (where Swedish Baptists have a station), and gives Yang Fu-Cheng control over a central section where the Scandinavian Alliance Mission (C. 1. M.) has several stations. In Kansu, under the control of Chang's ex- Manchurian armies, there are stations of the Scandinavian Alliance, Assemblies of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Tibetan Tribes Mission.-Ep~TOll,
expended by the United States Government in and coordination of all life. Some nations claim flood-control work on the Mississippi. that this ideal can be reached by strong military measures, some by the rule of the proletariat, But while levees and spillways have proved some by human dictatorship and a totalitarian their value, they do not solve the problem. The State. Christians know that the solution is in the floods carry off top-soil, which the raging torrents recognition of the sovereignty of the Almighty, bring down and deposit in such abundance that the all-wise and loving God, as revealed through Jesus bottoms of the riverbeds are continually rising Christ as the Way, the Truth, the Life. The pracand levees must be built higher and higher. Pitts- tice and the making known of this Way of Life burgh, Cincinnati, Cairo and Louisville are among is what constitutes the reason for existence of the the large cities that have suffered and President Christian Church. Is there any doubt that Amer- Roosevelt placed the entire Government on a "war ica and every other country in the world needs basis" to administer relief to the stricken areas true missionaries of Christ? – rushing airplanes, trucks, troops, doctors, nurses and conservation workers to the scene. CHURCH GROWTH IN CHOSEN As in other cases of sickness, sorrow and loss, The growth of Christianity among Koreans is Christians are not exempt. Churches, parsonages, one of the most enheartening evidences of the schools, homes and business, belonging to follow- work of God's spirit in the world. In the Presers of Christ, suffer with the people and property byterian Church alone there has been a growth who do not recognize Him. This causes some of of 75 % in the past six years-compare that with feebler faith to question the love of God or His a 10% growth of members in Presbyterian and power to protect His own. But the situation is Methodist churches of the United States. not new. Followers of God have always suffered with their fellow men who are unbelievers, but the In Chosen there were only 150 "adherents" remoral and spiritual effects on the two classes are corded for Presbyterian missions in 1890, six not the same. Disasters and trouble draw some men to God and turn their thoughts to the great years after the work was started. During the abiding realities, to the things that make earthly life effective and they have the assurance of next ten years the number increased to 13,569 or Eternal Life beyond this. Distress and disaster also develop human sympathy and sacrificial serv- 9000 %. Since 1900 the work has steadily grown ice, as has been shown so often. Sickness and calamity always stimulate human minds to study until now the adherents number 341,700-and the preventive measures, and to apply remedies. New cities and new men rise on the ruins of the old, Church is self-supporting and self-governing with when there is a vision of better and more abiding things. "No affliction (chastening) for the pres- its own Presbyteries and General Assembly. From ent seemeth to be joyous but grievous-nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceful fruit of 1930 to 1936 the church growth, as stated, was righteousness to them that are exercised thereby." seventy-five per cent in the number of Koreans on But if blessing comes through physical disaster Presbyterian church rolls. Adherents include bapwhat shall be said of sorrows, destruction and death that come through human selfishness and tized church members, enrolled catechumens, chilcruelty. In Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan and elsewhere the self-will of the natural man that dren and regular attendants at church services. is "at enmity with God, and is not subject to the law of God," brings untold suffering and loss. In The roll of baptized communicant members has America the reign of lawlessness in criminals; the selfish disregard of human rights on the part increased from 100 in 1890 to 112,987 in 1936. of many employers and employees; the selfish weakness of many unemployed; the strikers that The net gain for each decade has been from refuse to work, or to allow others to work-all 331;2% to 3600% in membership. The number add to the present nation-wide unrest and suffering. Even the most materialistic thinkers are of churches has grown from three in 1890 to coming to realize that what this nation needs, and every other nation, community and individual, is about 3,600 in 1936, with 3,254 church buildings. an all-wise, benevolent and all powerful Ruler who will insure righteous laws, impartial justice, There are nearly 19,000 unsalaried Korean evanunselfish and wise officials, and effective control gelists and local church leaders and the Sunday school pupils number about 35,000. Christian Endeavor societies report 37,695 members. The church contributions for the year 1936 amounted on the average to ten days' wages per member.
How about America? .
One of the most vital factors in the life of the Church in Chosen is found in the Bible institutes held at various times in the year. These bring together over 182,000 Korean Christians – one- half the church membership-for from one to six weeks for Bible study, prayer and training for Christian work. Is it any wonder that the Church is alive and grows?
and Unchanging Things I•n
Foreign Missions* l By ROBERT E. SPEER, New York -"-If:1~. ,-;;;;_""==A""ut""h""O",,r""0,,,,'"""""C""h""rCi""sht""ri.ai"s"nt""R"t"oe""a"M"li""tei",,e"s"",'"e,,'"t"c".""T""he=M""e""a""nt""'n,,,,g""O""'==-:.I}3e– T ET me begin rather indirectly. Some time ago deeper problem – which is the real one – is our L there appeared in the International Review relationship to history and experience. of Missions a review of a volume entitled There are those who thrust their heads into the "The Finality of Jesus Christ." It was a some- sand and say that there is no such relation, that what severe review and culminated in the criti- the imaginary present is wholly separable from cism that the book represented "the Presbyterian the past. Shortly after the World War a little orthodoxy of fifty years ago." Some time later group of students in one of our eastern univer- the publisher of this volume issued another book sities, feeling greatly bewildered and confused, by the same author which he sought to have ac- went off for a week-end retreat, and invited with cepted by one of the committees recommending them as a senior counsellor the late Dr. James monthly books to the reading public. He told me Harvey Robinson. One of the boys told me after- that the member of the committee of selection wards that in his first talk Dr. Robinson unequiv- whom he had approached remarked in reply that ocally advised them "to cut loose from every idea the writer of the book "was a good fellow but he and institution of the past." Some time after- was a hundred years behind the times." ward I was talking with the president of one of I am rather well acquainted with the author of our largest railway systems with regard to one both these books-somewhat too well acquainted of our best-known American preachers, for whom -and I know that his only complaint with regard my new acquaintance was expressing the greatest to these criticisms is that they make him out en- admiration, on the ground that he had no respect tirely too much of a modernist! His purpose in whatever for the past and, frankly abandoning the first book was not to set forth the orthodoxy its positions, was striking out on wholly new of fifty years ago but to go much farther back and ideas.
to declare what he believed to be the orthodoxy To these two illustrations let me add one more, of the New Testament. And so far from being namely a full-page advertisement of a fortnight only a hundred years behind the times his earnest ago of the Bernarr Macfadden pulp magazines effort had been to get wholly behind them, be- which declared that these magazines were "keyed hind all time, and to set forth the eternal truth to the present and future" and not to the past. which is beneath time and beyond time. Pulp is a material which has no past. It is a sort of mushroom product and is a fitting material on The question here of perennial interest is of which to print magazines which instantly on course the question of the relation between the their publication vanish into the past which they present and the past. In a sense, to be sure, any despise. such issue is purely fictitious, for what we call the present is a vanishing line. It is simply the fu- These illustrations will suffice. What a queer ture flashing by into the past. In reality, the and yet entirely natural reaction they represent! present is nothing but a compound of the imme- A few years ago the dominant formulas of diate past and the proximate future. The ques- thought were "heredity" and "determinism"; tion is how much of each enters into what we call they bound us hand and foot to the past. Now we the present. I suspect that the ratio differs with are swinging to the opposite extreme. But what different people but that in general the present is an utterly impossible view the new view is! Dr. simply a word for the period made up of perhaps Robinson was advising the boys to reject every seventy-five per cent of the immediate past and idea and institution of the past. I suspect that if twenty-five per cent of the proximate future. The they had looked at him carefully they would have • President's address, somewhat abridged, delivered at the Forty- seen a twinkle in his eye and his tongue in his AfomuretrhicaA, n(n.uJaanl uSaeryssiIoi ntoof8,th1e93F7o)r.eign Missions Conference of North cheek. He was giving them this advice through [119 ]
a language which was the supreme embodiment maica and Sierra Leone and then at home had and achievement of the past; and his chief instru- done his work in the destruction of British slavment of action as an author was books produced ery, and who represented in his own mind and and circulated by means of inventions of the past. character the great Christian tradition of his race. "Some, perhaps," said Trevelyan, "will re- The railroad president wanted the past re- gard such motives as old-fashioned and such conjected. What would his board of directors have victions as out of date; but self-abnegation, selfsaid if he had proposed that the capital of the road control, and self-knowledge that do not give to accumulated in the past, its rolling stock manu- self the benefit of any doubt, are virtues that are factured in the past, its right-of-way acquired in not old fashioned, and for which as time goes on the past, should all be discarded and the road be- the world is likely to have as much need as ever." gin anew? The other quotation is from "The Life and Let- Would our friend, the book-recommender, pro- ters of Thomas Hardy." "Conservatism," wrote pose to discard everything more than a hundred Hardy, "is not estimable in itself, nor is change years old-Shakespeare and Milton, Raphael and or radicalism. To conserve the existing good, to Michelangelo, Plato and Phidias and Homer? supplant the existing bad by good, is to act on a What silly talk this is and how utterly stupid in true political principle which is neither conservaits failure to realize that time is not mechanical tive nor radical." but organic; that the present is only the projected and continuing past; and that the past, so All this just as background for the theme on far from being closed and complete, is all open which I wish to speak, namely, "Some of the and contingent, waiting for the full determination Changing and Unchanging Things in Foreign of its character upon the loyalty or disloyalty of Missions." the present and the future. Changing Personnel At Northfield long ago one of the best loved and most original veterans of the Civil War, the late Of the changing things, each one will be think- Chaplain Henry Clay Trumbull, made the Fourth ing first of the changing personnel. In this comof July address on the theme "Our Duty to Make pany there is not one person besides myself who the Past a Success." He took his text from the was present at the first of these conferences forty- Epistle to the Hebrews where, after the great roll four years ago. The conferences began at the inof the heroes and heroines of Israel's history, the stance of the Committee on Foreign Missions of writer declares: "And these, all having obtained the Western Section of the Alliance of the Rea good report through faith, received not the formed Churches holding the Presbyterian syspromise; God having provided some better thing tem. That committee called a conference of the for us, that they without us should not be made representatives of the Foreign Mission Boards of perfect." the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of the Uuited States and Canada to meet on January 11, So! How often during this past football sea- 1893, at the old Presbyterian Mission House on son did we see the ball on the five-yard line, with the corner of Fifth Avenue and Twelfth Street in the whole stadium seething with excitement, with New York City. There were present 38 repreone team seeking to carry the ball the last five sentatives of the eight boards of these Presbyyards and the other team resisting with every terian and Reformed Churches. There are only ounce of its power. How did the ball get there, two survivors of this group- Dr. Avison, who if the past is of no consequence? On that phi- has just retired from his rich service as a medical losophy, why not take it back to the middle of the missionary in Chosen, and myself. The following field where it will stay forever, on the theory that day there met in the same place 78 representathe present is to have no use for the past? All tives of the 23 foreign mission agencies of that the struggle that went before was futile unless day, including almost everyone of our denominanow in this fleeting moment the present does its tional boards and also the China Inland Mission duty to the past and fulfils its own mission in the and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The discharge of its trust. Lutheran Church was not represented at the first conference but was present at the second and . Noble things the great past promised, thereafter in the person of a grand Christian Holy qreams both strange and true; man, Dr. Scholl. – There are only five survivors of the 78 delegates at this first conference-Dr. Avi- But thE{present shall fulfill them, son, Dr. Mott, Dr. Campbell White, William D. What he promised she shall do. Murray and myself. The names of almost all who were present come back to me now: Dr. N. G. All can be found in two noble quotations from Clark, Dr. A. C. Thompson, Dr. Judson Smith of two books I have just read. The first is from the American Board; Dr. Duncan, and Dr. Henry Trevelyan's "Life of Macaulay," regarded as one of the half-dozen great biographies in the English tongue. Trevelyan is speaking of Zechary Macaulay, Lord Macaulay's father, who in Ja-
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
C. Mabie of the American Baptist Missionary who came to perpetuate the ministry of Christ Union; Dr. Tucker of the Southern Baptists; Mr. and to make the Christian Church the most tire- Kimber and Dr. Satterlee of the Episcopal Board; less, the most inventive, the most persistent, the Dr. Stephen C. Baldwin, Dr. A. B. Leonard and most persuasive agency of human history.
Dr. Peck and Dr. Walter R. Lambuth from the I have seen so many attitudes change, and so two Methodist Churches; Dr. R. M. Sommerville many issues rise and disappear, that I can view of the Reformed Presbyterian Church; Dr. Henry with a calm mind many of the eddies and drifts N. Cobb of the Reformed Church in America; of the present day. I was a schoolboy in Phillips Dr. Dales and Dr. Barr of the United Presby- Academy at the height of the Andover contro- terian; from Canada came Dr. Sutherland, Dr. versy and the contention in the American Board MacLaren, Dr. R. P. Mackay, John Charlton and over the question of the "second probation." We others. Most of the glorious company whom we have seen the humanism of the last generation met in these conferences across these forty-four rise and begin to pass, and have heard Berdyaev years are gone now. How fast they pass! Soon and many another sing its requiem. Professor the new generation will be taking our places. Julius Richter, on his last visit, described with Not only does the personnel of missionary humorous disdain the burial in Germany of many workers at home change but how fast has changed of the philosophies which had been born and had also the roll of missionaries. We could profitably died there and which were still influencing thought recall tonight the men and women who have gone in America. We have all seen the rise of the out from our churches, served the three genera- Barthian emphasis, which surely is not the whole tions of our foreign mission history by the will of of the Gospel but is an essential recovery of cer- God and who are engaged now in an ampler serv- tain aspects of truth which will not be so easily ice and an immortal liberty. lost again.
One would also recall the great list of national Some of our changes of attitude are not as great leaders; Dr. Schneder and I were speaking today as we sometimes suppose. In the January issue of that company of powerful personalities which of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD I founded the Christian Church in Japan and were quoted the substance of a letter which the late remembering the three survivors who are still Dr. J. P. Jones wrote to The Harvest Field in with us-Ibuka, Kozaki and Ebina. We sorely India in 1903. He was one of the wisest and miss the men who have gone-Goreh and Chat- ablest missionaries of his time. After he had terjee, Arcadio Morales and Alvaro Reis, Eduardo been traveling among the churches on furlough, Pereira and Erasmo Braga, and scores of others he wrote for his friends in India his impressions who were with us and are not with us now, save of the missionary situation in the home church.
in the invisible company. The personnel of our If he were describing the situation today his de- missionary enterprise changes fast, and this scription would not differ greatly from his ac- change alone brings with it the inevitable changes count of what he found a whole generation ago.
due to new times and new duties and the new per- There have been changes of emphasis and of atti- sonalities which rise with them. tude, but the essential issues have not changed so The Changing Methods much as some suppose. The change of attitude has probably been far The methods of the missionary enterprise have greater on many of the mission fields. The non- also changed and are ever changing. Perhaps Christian religions have changed as Christianity these changes have not been as great as we some- has not. Noone can overestimate the radical times suppose, or as we might desire. There are changes they have undergone and are undergoing.
new forms of evangelism, by newspaper adver- I have been reading the issues of the Bombay tising and radio (still in its infancy as a mis- Guardian under the editorship of George Bowen.
sionary method), and some old activities, such as He was one of the most remarkable Christian per- street and chapel preaching, are less practised sonalities of the nineteenth century-remarkable than they were. Many of us feel that the change for his intellectual ability and cultivation, for his has been too great in the diminution of mission- spiritual character, for his personal influence.
ary itineration. But the great basic method of The Bombay Guardian under his editorship was human influence and persuasion cannot change. one of the ablest religious papers in the world.
Preaching, teaching and healing were the meth- It is interesting to read today the articles on reli- ods of our Lord and they are the obvious and per- gious life and thought in India in his day; on manent methods of evangelism. One would like Hinduism and the reform movements, and to note to see still more ingenuity, more fertility of inven- the almost incredible changes which have come tion; not more reliance upon the promotional about in the past half century since Bowen wrote.
methods of modern exploitation but far more re- I do not remember Mazoomdar's visit to the West, sponse to the suggestions of that Living Spirit but I remember the swath cut by Swami Viva-
kananda. Many a Swami has followed in the conditions which the missionary enterprise had path which he blazed, all of them unconsciously to meet seventy-five or a hundred years ago-con- witnessing and contributing to the doom of that ditions of ignorance, of prejudice, or of racial and which they were seeking to preserve. And all religious selfishness. We are lacking today the these changes of past attitude are only predictions tidal wave of interest and sympathy which we had of further changes, not all of which will be for a generation ago in the old Laymen's Missionary good but none of which do we fear. Movement. Those who did not feel the hopeful The Changing Problems joyous surge of that spontaneous movement among the laymen of our churches cannot appre- Problems also have changed and will change; ciate what we have lost. Our new problem is to most of them superficially, but some fundamen- know what can take the place of such movements, tally. The political problem has changed greatly how the missionary enterprise can be so formu- within my memory. Mr. H. V. Morton's book, "In lated and so presented now as to draw forth the the Steps of St. Paul," reveals the change in the resources needed for the new opportunities.
freedom of the missionary movement since Paul's Changing Opportunities day. Paul was able to pass from Jerusalem to Spain without a passport, crossing no interna- Of the many changing things which I might tional boundaries on his way. Mr. Morton speaks mention, I will speak only of the changing oppor- of the contrast in his own experience, in passing tunities and resistances which are upon us and only from Antioch to Rome. ahead of us. Nobody any longer talks of the "im- In the last fifty years there has been a vast movable nations" as they were described in Rob- change for the worse in this matter of the free- ert Barr's book, "The Unchanging East." That dom and trustfulness of human intercourse. was the commonplace idea in regard to Asia fifty When I first visited Asia forty years ago it was years ago. One of the most authentic books of not necessary to get any vises on passports, and that time was "Asia and Europe," by Meredith we were not asked to show our passports more Townsend, who lived for years in India and suc- than two or three times in crossing a dozen or ceeded George Smith, Sir George Adams Smith's more nations. Now at every national boundary father, as editor of The Friend of India. Then he the barriers stand. We have lost the freedom of returned to England to succeed Richard Holt world movement of the Roman Empire, but alas, Hutton as editor of The London Spectator in the we have got back its worst political principle in days when the Spectator was one of the three most the deification of the State. Mr. Michael Williams, influential journals printed in the English lan- editor of The Commonweal, has pointed out the guage. No man was better informed regarding fact that the old concept of the "Cresar-god" is the relationships of the East and the West, and back again, with all its ominous significance as to yet the unchanging and yet constantly varying the relationship of the State to the freedom of the thesis of his book was the unchangeability of Asia.
human spirit. This problem of religious liberty Townsend held that Asiatrc races were sterile; has taken on accordingly a new aspect. I am not they had had their history. They were burnt out referring to the issue of missionary freedom, al- and no movements of living change could be gen- though that is significant enough. I am thinking erated among them. What must Mr. Townsend of those principles of religious liberty which we think as he looks down today upon the peoples of believe to be of universal validity and to enshrine Asia, representing one-half the population of the the basic rights of the human spirit. world, swung completely away from the old moor- It would be well for all of us to read some of ings, which he thought were perpetual, and that the recent books which deal with this issue, such are now adrift before mighty tempests on the vast as Christopher Dawson's "Religion in the Modern waters of time!
State" ; Adolph Keller's "Church and State in These nations have not changed more than Contemporary Europe"; William Adams Brown's some of our Western nations have changed; "Church and State in Contemporary America"; among them no change has been greater than the and Carl Heim's "The Church of Christ and the place of our own among the nations of the world.
Problems of the World Today." We have no time I remember well my first crossing of the boundary to discuss this here but it is a very different prob- between Persia and Mesopotamia, then under the lem today from what it was fifty years ago. Our rule of Turkey, just forty years ago. We were present situation is a throw back to darker days held up in the villages of Khanikin and Kasr-i- from which we had hoped we had escaped forever. Shirin by a Turkish quarantine. It was an in- Weare confronting another set of new prob- teresting place, near the old palaces of the lems in the promotional work of the missionary Khosroes. Mrs. Speer and I sat on those great enterprise at home. In one sense these problems terraces, where the marble pillars had held their are not new; they represent simply the revival of marble roofs, and recalled Browning's "Love
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
Among the Ruins." When at last the quarantine India now than there were in the entire world in was lifted, for almost the only time on that trip, the year 300. There come to my mind again the we showed our passports to the Turkish officials. names of the leaders of these churches, of whom They gathered around Mr. Hawkes of Hamedan I was speaking a little while ago, men and women who had brought us to the border, and we over- who are the peers of any in our Christian heard in their discussion the words "Yangi churches in the West and with whom we rejoice Dunia." I supposed it was some barbarism for to step forth, brother clasping the hand of "Yankee Doodle" but we learned from Mr. brother, fearless amid the welcome changes of the Hawkes that they were the Turkish words for new days. "New World." The dispute was as to whether there really was any such country as the United Things That Do Not Change States of America and if so where it was and what it was. In those days the sight of the Amer- Now one rej oices to turn from these, and the ican flag was a rarity, and only once or twice in innumerable other changing things representing the waters of Asia did we see it on any American both gain and loss, to the consideration of some ship. As one goes across the world today no of the things that do not change. words can exaggerate the difference, whether it be for good or for ill, in the knowledge and in- First there is God, the same from everlasting fluence of America. to everlasting. I recall most vividly the meeting of the general War-time Commission of the To this plasticity of the fixed nations, and to Churches in Washington, during the World War. this unlimited influence of our country, one adds There were three speakers, Archbishop Soderblom the amazing change represented in the rise of of Sweden, Bishop Gore of England, and Dr. the Christian Church. There is enough to dis- Harry Emerson Fosdick of America. Who that courage us in the problems of self-support, true heard those three notable addresses could ever independence, literacy, and self-propagation, and forget them! Dr. Fosdick had just come back the true spirit of autonomy in these churches. I from France and closed his address by quoting have seen the abandoned parasite churches which the familiar hymn which was the favorite of Engdied when the subsidies failed. But these discour- lish-speaking soldiers from whatever land, "Abide agements are offset tenfold by the miraculous with me, fast falls the eventide." Standing out· growth and progress of these past years. How for the soldier most distinctly were the lines, easy it would be to recite many concrete evidences "Change and decay in all around I see; 0 Thou of the change. I know of hardly anyone more who changest not, abide with me." Thank God, dramatic than the Lushai choir. Half a century He is unchanging. ago the Lushai people lived in terror and suspicion of each other. "Chief rose against chief, village Turn back again and read sometime Bishop against village. Prisoners were taken and car- Brent's address on next to the last evening of the ried back in triumph by the conquerors who used Edinburgh Missionary Conference in 1910 on the them as serfs, or cut off their heads and put them theme "The Sufficiency of God." Time swings by on poles outside the villages. The Lushais were in its ever rolling stream, bringing its unceasing head-hunters. When they died those who had the change; but this work that we are doing, however required number of heads were allowed to enter much its form and conditions may shift from year the Lushai paradise." Today there are 300 Chris- to year, is mortised in One who changes not. tian churches among them with 50,000 members, and the Lushai choir travels all over India singing o God, the rock of ages, Gaul's "Holy City" and Handel's "Messiah" as well as they can be sung by the great choirs of Who evermore hast been, the West. What time the tempest rages, About a year ago we celebrated the jubilee of Our dwelling place serene; missions in Chosen. I was in Korea shortly after the organization of the first church in Pyengyang Before Thy first creations, and could appreciate the feelings of Dr. Samuel Moffatt who founded that church as he watched o Lord, the same as now, the jubilee procession of Christians seven miles long and could reflect that there are more Chris- To endless generations tians in Chosen today than there were in the The everlasting Thou. Roman Empire at the end of the first century. The last news bulletin of the United Lutheran This metaphor of the rock, which the Old Testa- Church called attention to the fact that according ment used with regard to God, is equally relevant to the last census there are more Christians in and came naturally to the thought of the writers of the New Testament, with regard to Jesus Christ. He is "the same yesterday, today and forever." I do not say that He must be the same to us. If He is what the New Testament repre- sents Him to be, and what we believe Him to be -the fullness of the Godhead, in whom are hid all the riches of grace and knowledge-then He cannot merely be to us the same from day to day,
but must every day be something more, as we two of the ablest Greek scholars in England, Sir grow in the knowledge of God in Him, and move Edwin Hoskyns and Noel Davey. There has been "in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of no more thoroughgoing acceptance of the analyt- the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the ical criticism of the synoptic Gospels than this. measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." But its conclusion is that, dissect the Gospels as We want no misunderstanding of our position; you please, you will have, when you come to your whatever the materials or the plans of our build- most destructive end, a Person from whom there ing, there is one unchanged and unchanging foun- is no escape, One who believed Himself to be God dation on which we bUild. Everything else may and whose belief His disciples shared. It is inter- shift and alter but not this. We thank God for esting to note that, in the hands of some, the Grundterg's noble Lutheran hymn: "form criticism" of the Gospels is taking this same reverse turn. It was formerly held that the evan- Built on a Rock the Church doth stand gelists had overdrawn the picture of Jesus, that Even when steeples are falling. love and devotion had read into the story what was not there. But now there are those who hold Crumbled have spires in every land that the evangelists underdrew the picture, and Bells are still pealing and calling. that Jesus, being what He was, it was inevitable that His picture should be underdrawn; th8t do Let the steeples fall if they will, and more surely their best, men could do nothing more than touch still the minarets and the pagodas and the towers, as it were but the hem of His garment. "Jesus but the great Rock Foundation stands is greater than the traditions about him," says Deissmann, and I think that we are on the thresh- Whereon our feet were set by sovereign grace, old of a day when the godlikeness of Jesus will Nor life, nor death, with all their agitation displace, perhaps overmuch, the humanitarian Shall thence remove us if we see His face. interpretations of His person. Let the interpre- tations come and go-He is what He has always One of the greatest services ever rendered by been, and we stand on His unchangeable reality, our friend Dr. William Douglass Mackenzie, who Son of God and Son of Man. belonged by birthright and conviction in this fel- lowship, was the work he did in his latest book, Onr Unchanging Faith "The Christ of the Christian Faith." In the .finality, the absoluteness, the sufficiency, the Our fourth great unchanging inheritance is our uniqueness, of this supreme Personality the mis- common catholic faith. Weare often reproached sionary enterprise believes, and here it unalter- with our divisions and disagreements but as a ably stands. matter of fact these are trivial in comparison with the broad basic unity of our common Christian Unchanging Facts of History mind. Weare often told that we shall never be able to get together in our Christian opinion and The facts of Christian history and the record that we should turn accordingly to cooperation of those facts in the Gospels also stand un- and practical service, where it is assumed that changed. We are not ignorant of, neither are we we can unite as we cannot unite in our underlying disturbed by, the historical and literary criticism convictions. "When there is a great fire," we are of the early Christian documents. What the facts told, "see how men of every opinion unite. Reliabout Jesus Christ were, they were and are. No gious and political differences are forgotten in the criticism of history can alter the facts. It can common effort to deal with the great emergency." alter the interpretation of the facts. It can cor- Nothing of the kind. The opinions that are not rect any misrepresentation of the facts. But what relevant to the emergency are temporarily held in happened happened; and we are absolutely sure abeyance, but there is no cooperation in work that that whatever changes may take place in the form does not rest upon intellectual agreement in that of the New Testament criticism will leave us with work. The fire extinguishers are united in their the fact of Christ, and the facts of Christ more opinions about the fire and the method of its exsure and certain than ever. As Harnack said, in tinguishment. And as a matter of fact the area closing his famous address on "Christianity and of our intellectual agreement in Christianity goes History," "Let the plain Bible reader continue to far beyond the measure of our practical cooperaread his Gospels as he has always read them; for tion. It was a significant thing that at the first in the end the critic cannot read them otherwise. "Faith and Order" Conference at Lausanne the What the one regards as their true gist and mean- only commission's report which could be adopted ing, the other must acknowledge to be such. . . . was the report on the common faith, a report This evangelical faith need fear no test that can which was embodied in the message of the Jerube applied to it. It can bear a strict and me- salem Missionary Council. That Council too could thodical scrutiny of the facts which form its historical foundation."
One of the most significant books of recent months is "The Riddle of the New Testament" by
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN MISSIONS
never have been united in anything except its ac- Two specially great and inspiring books that ceptance of the common Catholic faith and par- I have read recently are "The Autobiography of ticipation in the common Christian experience. Jawaharlal Nehru" and Seaver's life of "Wilson We have seen this very richly in the recent Na- of the Antarctic." Jawaharlal Nehru, now presitional Preaching Mission, where men of many dent of the India National Congress, has been for divergent denominations and dissimilar methods years one of the outstanding younger leaders on found themselves absolutely united in their proc- the Nationalist movement in India. He is the delamation of the essential Christian message. voted friend of Gandhi, though they differ almost What we need is not so much more doctrinal by the width of the world in their ideologies and agreement: it is the implementing of our exist- philosophies. He wrote his book in prison and ing agreement in the instruments of united action. the shadow of his wife's illness lies over the last pages. As a Socialist drawing near to commu- In the world at large today we face the same nism, Jawaharlal frankly repudiates all religion. situation. Whether it likes it or not, the world is It is open to question whether his methods may unified today in its economic life and in its real not frustrate the very ends which he seeks, but political self-interest. Our trouble is that we are there can be no question as to the glorious deseeking to deny facts and that we have not pro- votion of the man, his steadfastness, his patient vided, either in the League of Nations or other- endurance, his self-sacrifice, his disregard of wise, the instrumentalities through which the everything else in his loyalty to his cause. One common life of humanity can express itself and asks himself, as he lays down the book, whether fulfill its functions. Many changes are called for his Christian loyalty can match this Indian's conin the world and in the Christian Church today secration and how soon, in the Church on the misbut underlying all of these the hopeful thing is sion field and the Church at home, leadership can that we have already existent a great body of be raised up that will surpass in the Christian common faith and life extending far beyond our cause young Nehru's leadership in the cause of achieved, united and cooperative action. Indian Nationalism.
The Great Fundamental Aim and Method The other book is more wonderful still. One feels unworthy to read the story of such a life. After all, the great fundamental aim and cen- Wilson was a biologist, an artist, a naturalist, a tral method of the missionary enterprise remain physician. lIe was the doctor and the spiritual unchanged. What is that aim? It is all expressed mainspring of Scott's expedition to the South in our Lord's prayer: "Thy kingdom come, thy Pole, where he died with Scott and two other comwill be done on earth as it is in heaven." This panions as they were returning from the Pole in formula may seem to over-simplify the task. their effort to reach their base of supplies. I have What is the Kingdom of God? The phrase is used never read a life of purer inspiration. When the with half a dozen significances in the New Testa- bodies were found by the expedition that came to ment. What is the will of God? Much of our seek them two letters. were taken from Wilson's philosophy and theology reads the evil of the breast addressed to his wife. Let me read them world into the Divine Will. I do not believe that now: any sanction can be found, or any rationalization either, of sin and unrighteousness in the will of To My BELOVED WIFE: the righteous and holy God, the Father of Jesus Christ. Dishonesty, murder, adultery, rapine and Life has been a struggle for some weeks now on this lust and crime are not the will of God. return journey from the Pole-so much so that I have not been able to keep my diary going. Today may be the last But the difficulties do not touch the central effort. Birdie and I are going to try and reach the Depot simplicity. Our business is to live and work to eleven miles north of us and return to this tent where bring the life and work of the world into con- Captain Scott is lying with a frozen foot. . . . I shall formity with the pure and righteous and loving simply fall and go to sleep in the snow, and I have your will of God, as revealed in the mind of Christ. little book with me in my breast-pocket. . . . And the central motive must be what it has ever been, what it was to St. Paul: "The love of Christ Don't be unhappy-all is for the best. We are playing constraineth me." Does that love adequately con- a good part in a great scheme arranged by God himself, strain us? There was no one in st. Paul's day and all is well. • . . I am only sorry I couldn't have seen whose devotion to any master or any cause shamed your loving letters, and Mother's and Dad's and the the devotion of St. Paul to Christ. Are we sure Smiths', and all the happy news I had hoped to see-but that we should feel no shame as we set our devo- all these things are easily seen later, I expect. . . . God tion to Christ today over against the devotion of be with you-my love is as living for you as ever. men and women around about us to the causes which command their minds and wills and their I would like to have written to Mother and Dad and all utmost sacrifice? at home, but it has been impossible. We Will aU meet after death, and death has no terrors. . . . We have done what we thought was best. My own dear wife, good-bye for the present.. . I do not cease to pray for you-to the very last. . . •
To My MOST BELOVED WIFE: than our predecessors had then. The trouble is, God be with you in your trouble, dear, when I have we do not think enough on the continuity of life gone. I have written another short letter to you. . . . and time. We have too many ephemeral notions -they spring up this morning and will fade to- I leave this life in absolute faith and happy belief that night. We need to do our thinking deeper down if God wishes you to wait long without me it will be to some good purpose. All is for the best to those that love God, and oh, my Ory, we have both loved Him with all in the organic unity of the enterprise. There is our lives. All is well. . . . a bit of verse I came upon recently in a little Eng- We have struggled to the end and we have nothing to lish book, "A Cotswold Year": regret. Our whole journey record is clean, and Scott's God guard me from those thoughts diary gives the account. . . . The Barrier has beaten us Men think in the mind alone. -though we got to the Pole. He that sings a lasting song My beloved wife, these are small things, life itself is a Thinks in a marrowbone. small thing to me now, but my love for you is forever and a part of our love for God. . . . I do not cease to pray for And the moral principles abide. A New York you and to desire that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will. (Later.) God knows I am sorry to be minister in a sermon on the recent tragic experi- the cause of sorrow to anyone in the world, but every ence of the whole English-speaking race depre- one must die and at every death there must be some sor- cated the persistence of the old ethical ideas. The row. . . . All the things I had hoped to do with you after Ten Commandments, he held, were antiquated this Expedition are as nothing now, but there are greater relics of a social life lived in the desert long ago things for us to do in the world to come. . . . My only and were irrelevant in our present time. Let a regret is leaving you to struggle through your life alone, but I may be coming to you by a quicker way. I feel so word spoken by Walter Lippmann at the inauguhappy now in having got time to write to you. One of ration of President King of Amherst answer this my notes will surely reach you. Dad's little compass and poor preacher's folly: "What the world needs Mother's little comb and looking-glass are in my pocket. most of all from the colleges," said Mr. Lippmann, Your little Testament and prayer book will be in my hand or in my breast-pocket when the end comes. All is well-. "is not medicine for its pains but the maintenance So they left him there, covering the little group intact, amidst all the distractions of life, of its with a clean snow monument and setting up over standards of excellence." The mariner's comthem the simple inscription: "To STRIVE, TO pass does not change with the moral caprices of SEEK, TO FIND, AND NOT TO YIELD." For the joy men; and the spiritual principles are equally sethat was set before Him our Lord endured His cure and unshifting. It would be well if we would cross; for the love of such a Master, St. Paul set ourselves individually and collectively, to diswalked the roads of the Roman Empire, crossed cern and draw out these principles. A great deal its seas, and died outside the walls of Rome. Is of our confusion is due to our failure to apprethe unchanged motive dominant within us today, hend them. We are seeking, for example, to furor has our changeableness and vacillation held us nish leadership today for our youth movements back from the pure devotion that has been the and to see what can be done to vivify and maincentral spring of the missionary enterprise tain these movements, including the Student Volthrough the centuries? unteer Movement. Leadership will not be sup- plied to these movements from without-it must I have been reading Thomas Traherne's "Felici- spring up spontaneously from within. We need ties" with their contempt of the "Cursd and to remember, too, that the greatest spiritual lead- Devisd Properties" which robbed his eyes of ership is often the humblest and the least pubsplendor, and kept him from the glory to which licized. The things that have happened in his- God called all obedient life. Are the proprieties, tory, that we do not know about, probably outthe conventions, the accepted respectabilities, the weigh in their eternal significance the things that unbelieving naturalism, the fear of wonder and happened and that we do know about. Some auof miracle, keeping us in grooves from which we thentic unrecorded history is vastly more imporshould. break out, with self-forgetfulness, in striv- tant than some authentic recorded history, and ings and in achievings transcending the sacrifies still more important than the recorded history of nationalism and of exploration? This is the that is not authentic at all. And what is true of unchanging call. history is still more true of personalities.
Unchanging Spiritual Issues Some time ago I sent to one of our able mis- There are great spiritual principles and issues sionaries a little statement of suggested items·of that after all change little if at all. Read the missionary principle and policy, one of which.I resolutions adopted by the early Foreign Missions am afraid slipped into just the error of which I Conferences. The resolutions adopted long ago am speaking. It read, "Perhaps the largest part at tl;Ie meeting of this Conference in the rooms of of our whole problem is to find and prepare men .the Board of the Reformed Church in America and women who know what the Gospel is and who dealt with just the issues that we are facing now. are intellectually and spiritually capable of com- They show that we have no more wisdom today municating it and of doing today the work that
CHANGING AND UNCHANGING THINGS IN FOREIGN M'ISSIONS
needs to be done by great evangelists, apologists automatic self-progression of humanity. As Dr. and theologians, as well as by common men and Adolph Keller wrote recently fr:om Geneva, as he women who simply know how to love and serve." surveyed the European scene: "We are coming back to the first Christian conception of the world. The good and wise man to whom I sent the The world is not plastic material to be easily statement replied: moulded by Christian influence. There is a hos- tile demonic element. The Church has to fight Will you forgive me too if I fail to respond, as I perhaps stubbornly against principalities and powers for should, to the mention of the great names of the past as its faith and liberty, for the conversion of peoples necessarily suggesting more heroism than is evident today, and the spread of the Gospel." under conditions not so difficult in many other ways? I am sorry also to say that the really great names of the This was Paul's view. "For we wrestle," said missionary enterprise, as of any other enterprise, are never he, "not against flesh and blood, but against prinmentioned, and that makes me wince a bit at the last line cipalities, against powers, against the rulers of of your paragraph 11. I am so much of a heretic in the the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickface of present plans and propaganda that I believe that edness in high places." If any of you have lived the strength of the missionary cause is in "the common such placid lives that you do not realize this, if men and women who simply know how to love and serve." you still think that life is a bright and happy un- folding of its: own latent nature and possibilities Unfortunately, too, the solution of our personnel diffi- of good, I hope you may be spared those deep culty does not seem to lie alone, or even predominantly, tragedies through which others of us have had to along the line of preparation. This is not to discount the pass, tragedies which have taught us the truth of importance and necessity of the very finest preparation Paul's interpretation. We do believe, as the hymn available, but there is a real sense in which a preparation in our conference hymnal declares: too intense and technical and American, reaches a point of supersaturation which really unfits a person for the God is working his purpose out main essential in missionary living, which is simple- As year succeeds to year: hearted adaptability to the situation in which he finds himself. The problem of reconciling these two is a very God is working his purpose out, difficult one, and I don't think that we have reached the And the time is drawing near; solution. Nearer and nearer draws the time, The truth that we need to learn and keep ever The time that shall surely be, in mind St. Paul set forth long ago in one of his letters: When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God As the waters cover the sea. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many We believe this. If Paul could believe it and noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things declare it in his letter to the Philippian Christians of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen written from jail, from discouragement, from the weak things of the world to confound the things which loneliness, from the treachery of fellow Chrisare mighty; and base things of the world, and things tians, surely we can believe it and declare it towhich are despised, hath God chosen, yet, and things day. But the purpose will be accomplished only which are not, to bring to nought things that are. as the end of a great struggle: a struggle that cost the life of the Son of God, a struggle that is Here once again is the everlasting paradox. calling today for everything that is within us, that Who was the man who wrote these words? We is demanding of us more than all that Jawaharlal see him now not as weak and foolish but as the Nehru is giving to his Nationalism, all that Edmightiest figure in human history, next to his ward Wilson gave to Antarctic exploration, that Master. David Livingstone gave to those dark journeys which lifted the somber fringes of the night and The Nature of the Christian Life let light in upon Africa, all that Jesus Christ asked and is asking still, "If any man will come Lastly, among the unchanging things of which after me, let him deny himself and take up his I would speak there is the real nature of this life cross and follow me." This is the summons that that we are trying to live and this work that we is unchanged and unchanging. are seeking to do. It is a conflict in which we are engaged-a conflict ever changing and unchanging. We are passing beyond the easy conception of the last generation or two with regard to the We need, not simply education, but Christian education – training that issues in religious conviction and Christian personality. Our strength lies in the intelligent religious convictions of our people. In the more comprehensive sense of the term the whole problem of the church is now more clearly seen to be one of education. We have to bring every available resource to bear to make the home, the pulpit, the Sunday school, the day school, the university, the the- ological seminary, all our educational factors, efficient in carrying out the great task of train- ing men and women in Christian character. R. E. S.
American Indian and His
Native Beliefs and Customs and the Christian Missionary Motive -4£{ By ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN Author of "Pratt: The Red Man's Moses"
THERE are undoubtedly inherent values in right in assuming that their religious associations many primitive religious beliefs., and there are not likely to alter radically "so long as the is an essential human dignity in black, brown culture pattern holds firm." Among our own and yellow men. But the recognition of these American Indians the opposite condition obtains. values has gone too far in many cases, as for ex- Nearly all of them have been compelled by circumample as regards the relatively small group of stances to turn for a living to agriculture, cattlepartially assimilated American Indians. raising or sheep-herding, modern industry or other civilized employment, and schooling has Recent writers have indulged in what may well been general in most tribes for one or two genbe termed extravagant praise of the original In- erations. dian religion and culture. Ernest Thompson Seton's "Gospel of the Red Man: An Indian The Decline of Primitive Cultures Bible," is a brief summary of the "highest and best" ethical teachings of many tribes. The au- The early missionaries, foreseeing this radical thor quotes nine passages, covering almost every shift of cultures, knew that a decay of faith and point made, from Dr. Charles A. Eastman's "Soul ritual based on war and the buffalo hunt must of the Indian" (published twenty-five years ago), inevitably follow. "So far as this tribe is con- and closes with the words: "We advocate his (the cerned," writes one who passed a lifetime among Indian's) culture as an improvement on our own." the Sioux," there never was any use of force to Having long been keenly sensible of the charm turn an Indian away from any religion or toward of the primitive, I have insisted upon the native any religion." Such men were not unwilling to virtues of the untutored Red Man in a day when admit the merits of a culture they saw as doomed. such an attitude was frowned upon as sentimen- Aware that some loss was unavoidable, they tality. Until well into the nineteen hundreds, the sought to balance the loss by greater gain, usually Indian was looked upon as a "savage" and a with marked success. "heathen"-no less! The time came when I was Although a few literal-minded officials and privileged to assist in the preparation of Dr. East- over-punctilious clergymen did try to root out man's idealization of his ancestral philosophy, as everything "native" just because it was native, filtered through a modern mind-a study of this I think this was never a typical attitude. I know subject which has perhaps never been surpassed. that missionaries made some of the finest collec- Yet the Sioux author would not go so far as to tions of aboriginal art, and in some cases built up claim, as has another college-bred Indian, that his a profitable trade in these articles for the benefit race "has contributed more ideas of freedom, of native craftsmen. The Mohonk Lodge in Oklaequality and brotherly love than Christ ever homa is an example. While encouraging the pro- dreamed of"! Nor did he ever assert with Seton duction of things beautiful and serviceable, they that theirs was "the most spiritual civilization the could not be blind to the existence of objection- world has ever seen!" If these things were true, able habits and demoralizing superstitions. Di- what had we to offer them? In defense of the vi- reet attack upon these is, however, a less effective tality and persistence of the Christian missionary method than the friendly offer of something better motive, let us set beside the misleading half- in their place. Every normal personality instinctruths of the new school of Nature-wors'hippers tively seeks it consistent, well integrated philoso- the other half of the story. phy, and the adoption, even in part, of a modern Frank G. Speck, in his book on the Naskapi, the viewpoint implies the rejection of such naive ex- "savage hunters of the Labrador peninsula," as- planations of natural phenomena as that lightning serts that long-time missionary enterprise among proceeds from the beak of an enormous bird, or this people has basically failed. They are still that disease is the work of a malicious spirit. nomadic hunters, ,and the scientist is probably Sterling traits of character, present in some de- [128 ] gree among all mankind, are by certain extremists Photo by Bureau of American Ethnology labelled typically "Indian." Actually, there is HOPI INDIAN SNAKE DANCE little reason to suppose that the ordinary Indian surpasses the common man of another race in courage, generosity, truthfulness, or any basic virtue. In any group these traits vary widely with the individual. Neither, we may assume, is he in reality more "spiritual." True, a state of chronic warfare develops aggressiveness and continual hardship teaches endurance, while such vices as theft and avarice are hardly to be looked for in a moneyless society, whose few possessions are unprotected save by public opinion. On the other hand, those who live close to the soil are constantly preoccupied with primary needs and desires. The day-by-day talk of a primitive Indian camp deals first of all with food-a material necessity; after that, with a never-ceasing flood of incredibly petty and often spiteful neighborhood gossip.
The acceptance of civilization and Christianity makes life more complicated. Along with new temptations, it presents higher standards and a far wider outlook. I am fully aware of the difficulty of making so fundamental an adaptation. I know, however, from first-hand observation, that it may be and has been achieved, in numerous cases. Doubtless the ancient mores at its best produced some fine characters-an earnest of the strength and richness of those that have been developed under Christian teaching.
Some Harmful Indian Customs munities, some attention to the laws of health and preventive medicine is required by law. Both the literary fashion of lauding pagan cults, and the activity in their behalf so recently 2. The Hopi snake dance, theoretically a prayer undertaken by the Indian Office, have put our for rain, is now a well-advertised tourist attracmissionaries more or less on the defensive. With tion. The question arises: Do religious saturnalia no desire to call in question the existence of good of a sensational character, especially after they in all religions, it may be well to specify a few begin to be exploited for money, tend to exalt huof the old-time Indian customs which the mission- man dignity? A correspondent of The Christian aries hold to be definitely opposed both to moral Century commented, a year or so ago, on a someadvance and civic progress. what similar affair staged by Southern "poor whites." "Teester's performance," he wrote, "has 1. The occult arts and weird incantations of brought on such a widespread orgy of snakethe medicine-men, who are doctors as well as handling in tent and crude tabernacle meetings priests, not only fail to cure the sick-unless to that something will have to be done about it. . . . a limited extent by hypnotic powers – but they Press and sound news reel have made capital of often spread disease among the well. For one ex- the frenzied spectacle." ample out of many, take the Reverend J. C. Morgan's description of the ye-ba-chai, sacred healing 3. Rites involving public torture and mutilation ceremony among the Navajos. Mr. Morgan is a once climaxed the Sun Dance of the Plains people. native missionary. He writes: "In this dance These were banned by the government; but it is many men take part, each wearing a snugly fitting said that in some pueblos there are still ceremonial buckskin mask. One after another wears the whippings. same mask all night long. Some have sore eyes; some have tuberculosis; the masks, become sat- 4. Belief in witchcraft is almost universal urated with breath and perspiration. I believe among primitive Indians. Some tribes execute many are infected with trachoma or tuberculosis persons suspected of being witches. or both." This dance lasts nine days and nights and costs much money. In most enlightened com- 5. Fear of "ghosts," really fear of the dead and their power to harm, is extremely common. It causes a great deal of unhappiness and leads to
lending one's wife to a visitor, will hardly be de- fended as worthy of perpetuation among United States citizens..
11. The tradition of incessant petty warfare against "enemy tribes," usually near neighbors, dominated the society of the leading Indian na- tions. No youth might honorably seek a wife until he had shed the blood of an "enemy," often that of a solitary hunter with his helpless little family. Next to taking the life of a member of another tribe, either man, woman or child, in a kind of private "war," most renown was to be won by "stealing" his horses or other property.
REV. BEN BRAVE – SIOUX INDIAN The Need for the Christian Message practices injurious to the living, such as the de- It will be said in reply that no one has proposed struction of a dwelling in which a death has oc- going to logical extremes, but merely that the curred. Extreme mourning customs, the cutting "best" of the ancestral tradition be perpetuated. of the hair and flesh, burying or giving away all This means that the much eulogized "native culpossessions, add needlessly to the pain of bereave- tures" must first be judged by wholly alien standment. ards. After the process of sifting, only a few selected items remain, and these usually among 6. It has been said in praise of the old-time the least characteristic and important. Customs Indian that "his ambition was not to possess shocking to our moral sense, such as kidnapping, wealth but to give it away." At the same time, slavery, massacre of noncombatants, torture of property must first be accumulated, before pres- prisoners and many others, though sanctioned if tige can be acquired by its distribution. Probably not enjoined by various Indian religions, are supthere was little pure altruism connected with the pressed by Seton in his "Indian Bible" as well as tradition of public giving, which was on the whole by certain spokesmen for the Indian Office. The a form of display. The leading men of some tribes widespread injury to health from the use of collected and destroyed great piles of savage peyote, and the activities of native medicine-men, wealth as the surest :r;oad to personal distinction. are glossed over or ignored. If it were actually possible to reestablish the "integrity of the old 7. The Peyote cult, borrowed from Old Mexico, order," as some enthusiasts have seemed to advocenters about the use of an intoxicating drug for- cate, we should once more have tribal leaders of bidden by the laws of several states. Missionaries the type of Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Kicking and other close observers have invariably con- Bear – high priest of the Messiah craze. This demned it as harmful. It is tolerated, however, would be genuine "Indian leadership," promoted by the present Indian administration. by strange forms of religious excitement and find- ing vent in intertribal feuds, as well as in undying S. Religious taboos against many common hostility to the white man! foods, such as fish, or the totem animal of the individual, cause needless privation and inconven- On the other hand, our present-day Indian leadience. ers have been trained by Christian men and women to lead away from, not back to, the primi- 9. Isolation of the menstruating woman, often tive. Most of them are of mixed ancestry, and with inadequate fire and food, is a common cul- the same is true of an estimated two-thirds of the tural trait based on superstitious fear. It involves Indian population, so-called. Intermarriage, says great discomfort and probable danger to health. the Dutch scientist, Schrieke, in his book, "Alien Americans," is "America's greatest contribution" 10. Polygamy, and especially the claim of a to the solution of the Indian problem. The inman to any or all of his wife's sisters as second- evitable transition is now far advanced. Surely ary wives, regardless of their preferences, to- the future of-these aspiring contemporary Amer.igether with the custom of sexual hospitality, or cans cannot, to any significant extent, lie along aboriginal folkways? If not, the "missionary mo- tive" is still valid, and Christ not only offers an advance upon any and all native religions but a new conception of God and the way of life for man.
Christ Has Done for Untouchables*
By v. s. AZARIAH Bishop of Dornakal, India THE whole of India has been agitated by the They cannot lose government help, simply because declaration made by Dr. Ambedkar that all they change their religion. Some others say that who are known as Depressed Classes should Hindus are reforming themselves, and there is give up Hinduism and seek to join some other re- much change nowadays compared with former ligion that will give them the fullest opportunities times, and that the Depressed Classes must wait of developing themselves. Dr. Ambedkar char- in patience. Dr. Ambedkar says in reply that he acterized Hinduism as a contagion; those who has now waited for many years and nothing is wished to escape the evil effects of this contagion really done; that the nature of Hinduism is such must flee from it. that nothing much can be done within it and the fact that some people have changed does not prove Dr. Ambedkar has been in Europe, England, that his people's lot is going to be very different and America and has spent several years in those from the past. countries for advanced study. Owing to his Depressed Class origin, however, he was put to great It is not for us to say what religion Untouchinconveniences when he began work in the Baroda ables must join; and what religion will give you State and in the Bombay Presidency. He is now what you seek. We place before you what the practicing law in Bombay and is also the principal religion of Jesus Christ has done in the past for of a law college. Thousands of those hitherto your brethren who have become Christians. known as Untouchables in all parts of India have declared their willingness to follow Dr. Ambedkar We have in the Andhra Desa about a million and renounce Hinduism and join some other reli- Christians. Of these nine-tenths must be people gion. who themselves or through their forefathers were in the so-called Depressed Class groups before Hindu leaders naturally are advising the so- they became Christians. What has Christ done called Depressed Classes not to abandon Hindu- for us who are converts and your brethren? ism. Some reformers urge that Hindu temples must be open to Depressed Classes. But "ortho- 1. He has lifted us socially. We have had edudox" Hindus vehemently oppose ,this. Pious Hin- cational facilities given us by missions. Adults dus would no longer visit the temples If they were have learnt to read. Our children live, study, and polluted by Untouchables. It would be reasonable eat alongside of any who may have come into our to ask why the Depressed Classes should now in- religion from any other caste. We have risen in vade Hindu temples where they have never wor- the estimation of other castes because of our edushipped before and hurt the feelings of the devout cation and character. Our original caste and the orthodox people. Many Depressed Class leaders ca11te of our forefathers are thus being forgotten. have publicly said that they do not want this. Some of our men are occupying positions as Deputy Collectors, Tahsildars, Sub-Magistrates, Some Hindu leaders have argued that the De- Municipal Commissioners, Revenue Inspectors, pressed Class people will not gain anything by etc., throughout the Andhra Desa. Most of our giving up Hinduism, because only when they re- pastors and teachers are from our own people; main in the Hindu fold will they be entitled to and these have under their care Christian conenjoy those political privileges and government verts from all castes. There are hundreds of favors which they now get as Depressed Classes. Christian pastors and thousands of schoolmasters But Dr. Ambedkar asks: "What is the use of all over the country. Converts from the Brahmin, privileges when we are to he eternally called 'out- Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra castes are taught castes,' 'untouchables' and have to live under this in Christian schools and are given religious mindisgrace?" And he is right. Moreover, he is con- istrations by converts from the Depressed Classes. vinced that the government is certainly not going These things. are not unknown to you. to do any such injustice to the Depressed Classes simply because they choose to revolt against the 2. He has raised our womanhood. The Chris- ~osition in which Hinduism has placed them. tian women stand higher than Hindus in educa- tion. In English education they stand highest of *N~~t~~~e~i~~~r distributed by the Foreign Missions Conference among Indians. Among them are found many doctors, and B.A.'s who are occupying responsible [131 ]
positions in the Andhra Desa. A few are in gov- ment in the higher things comes to us and these ernment service. These are respected by all who inevitably lead to enlightenment of mind and adknow them. Infant marriages are unknown vance in general culture. The light of Jesus among us; purdah is unknown, and this gives Christ has shone into our hearts and minds, and our women the opportunity of going on to higher is illuminating us. This may be noticed in any education and making themselves useful in public village in the Andhra Desa. life. Our home life is generally known to be pure and happy. Taken as a whole, our women and (e) Christianity has brought us fellowship and our girls enjoy life, full life and happiness, be- brotherhood. It has treated us with respect, and cause of our religious injunction-one man-one it has given us self-respect. It has never despised wife, and both equal before God. us because of our lowly origin, but on the contrary has held us as individuals who are as valuable be- 3. He has removed the customs and habUs that fore God and man as any man of any origin. We have been the causes of our past degradation. believe it has been the working out of the will of God, that probably more than seventy-five per (a) As we have already said Christian mar- cent of all the great efforts Christian missions riage law has given us happy homes. How con- have made in the past two centuries, has been for stantly, among the so-called Depressed Class peo- us, the Depressed Classes, for whom previously ple, men took liberty to give up one wife and take no one had shown any interest or care. All this another without making any provision for the has been in accord with the life and character of first wife? It was possible, too, for a man to take the Lord Jesus, who said, "I am come to seek and more than one wife. The result of this was un- save that which is lost." We, your blood and happy homes, wrecked lives, bitter tears, Quarrels, brethren, can witness to you what a blessing it and sometimes even murders. All this has now has been to be "found" of Him. changed. (f) Best of all, Christianity has given us hap- (b) The Christian religion has combated the piness and joy that can only come by the knowlcurse of drink. There is no doubt that one reason edge that God has forgiven our sins and has made for the poverty of the laboring classes is that half us His children in Christ. We consider this as the the earnings of men is usually wasted on drink. foundation cause of all that we have received Drink has also led to quarrels, riots, and court through this religion. The fact that Jesus Christ cases. Christianity has opposed this; and we can died for us makes us hate sin, and live new lives. point out many whole villages from which drink He lives now and enables us to give up our old, has altogether been driven out. This has in its bad habits and grow in newness of life. "If any turn brought prosperity. We know-we can cite man is in Christ there is a new creation," say onr names-all over the Andhra Desa, of Christians Scriptures. (who were known formerly as Depressed Classes) who have given up drink, and thus after a short All this has not been accomplished through any time have been able to payoff old debts, and a magic, or done in a day. It has been the result of little later have been known to possess bullock- years of service, patiently and with love poured carts, and earn an independent livelihood for out by thousands of consecrated Christian men and themselves. Decent houses have been built, and women, both Indian and foreign who have labored the general level of life raised, after the people to improve our lot. It has been the result of conbecame Christians. stant teaching, care, and instruction. It has been accomplished moreover, because we ourselves, (c) Christianity has made the people cleaner. freed by Christ from chains of ignorance and The Christian religion requires us all to meet in fear, have found within ourselves new courage, our churches every day, and most of all on Sun- new hope, new strength to struggle upward. It is days, together for the public worship of God. still a process going on; we are not a finished This regular worship of God has inculcated in us product (you may no doubt find many faults habits of cleanliness and self-respect. within us) but no man can deny that we are grow- ing, moving toward the goal. If you, like us, (d) Christianity has also improved our intel- should choose Christ in your momentous choice, lectual powers. The Christian religion enj oins on you will find in Him, not empty words, but ~n opall converts a certain amount of knowledge of di- portunity for an abundant life. "I am come that vine things. As soon as we are enrolled as Chris- ye might have life, and that more abundantly." tians regular instruction begins. A teacher and his wife are sent to live in our midst, and they All over India the Depressed Class people are guide us to knowledge in divine things. Our Sun- wistfully looking in every direction for a new reday worship includes instruction in religion. As ligion. The decision must be yours. What we a rule during daytime the teacher conducts a have tested and found that Christ is doing today school for our children. Men and women and for millions of your brethren, He can do for you children are thus lifted to a higher level of life; also. and by daily teaching and daily lessons, enlighten-
A Firebrand for Christ in
By the REV. J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D.
American Mission, T abriz, Iran "I WANT to enter the school, and especially to study the New Testament, and learn more of Christ."
These were the first words of a Moslem village boy who came to the Mission School at the begin- ning of the fall term. Though he did not show much promise as a student his purpose was un- usual. In his case there was no prejudice against Christianity to break down. Somewhere he had learned to read Syriac, and the story of Jesus had captured his imagination, if not his heart.
Like many another boy in lands around this old world, he explained, "I have no money for tuition, nor even for books, but I am willing to do any kind of work."
Our drinking water was carried from a mission compound a mile or two outside the city so that his first job was to carry water in an earthen jar, like the woman of Samaria. That task led her to the well where she found Christ.
During the few busy days before the opening of school I saw much of this boy. At every meet- ing in the church or school he was present. He even appeared at teachers' meeting! A hunger to hear and learn everything he could made it un- necessary to urge him along "the flowery path of knowledge." At first he had appeared to be a very ordinary village boy but we were soon aware SAMUEL NARY – A MOSLE'M WHO FOUND CHRIST that his was no ordinary zeal for learning. He was sixteen or seventeen years old, but because from Islam, most of them develop gradually into of little previous schooling he was enrolled in the full-fledged Christians, but not so this boy. He third grade. gavehis heart all at once in full and complete sur- His name was "Seif Ali," he said, but he asked render and he was transformed. In an instant, that we enter his name as "SamueL" The reason it seemed, the village Moslem boy had passed he explained, "My name means 'The Sword of away. Before us there stood a new creation.
Ali,' who was the son-in-law of Mohammed the From that moment he became a firebrand for prophet. The name does not suit me, however. Christ.
I prefer to be called Samuel, that was the name Samuel went on with his studies and before of the boy whom God called and who later became long began bringing others to our house to talk of a great prophet." So Samuel it was. Jesus. They were for the most part common men In a Moslem country like ours, Friday is a from the bazaar, but they had been prepared for school holiday and on that morning a class of the interview. If they could read, Samuel had boys, who were interested, came by invitation to given them Christian literature and portions of study of Christ. Samuel drank it all in. Inside the New Testament. Instinctively they had real- of three weeks he was leading us in beautiful and ized that this boy's great and sincere desire was effectual prayer, and before three months he had to share with them the glorious new life he had confessed Christ. I have seen many converts found in Christ.
[133 ]
Following a shorter period of probation than you want me on your account to break a law of usual, Samuel and another boy who had accepted the school?" Christ about the same time were baptized, after being examined and accepted by the elders of the "My dear Sir," the boy responded, "I am not church. He began to wield a great influence under law; I am under grace." among the boys in the school and in the dormitory and the church. His surrender to Christ, his He continued in school through the sixth class Spirit-filled life, and his sincerity were so appar- and soon after was called by the government for ent that his faith could not be doubted. His zeal two years of military service. He went gladly to was contagious, and Christians who had grown serve in the army, saying that he had two great cold were warmed into new fervor by the fire that duties, one to serve God and the other to serve his burned in his heart. There were more than two country. He was anxious, however, to get the hundred boys in the school, many of them born patriotic duty out of the way, so he could devote and reared in Christian homes, but before the end his time more fully to what he conceived to be the of the year this' boy knew his Bible better than greater task. During his army service he conany other in the school. He seemed to have an tinually witnessed for his Master and became answer for every question in the words of Scrip- known as the most willing recruit in all his conture. It may have been that his influence had a tingent. Some years later, when another Chrisgreat deal to do with the fact that before the year tian convert boy went to serve under the same was over more than twenty of the students and hard-boiled drill sergeant and the latter saw how teachers expressed a desire to dedicate themselves gladly he obeyed even the most difficult assignto full-time Christian service. ments, he said, "What do we have here, another Samuel Naby?" At the time of his baptism Samuel asked to be called "Samuel Naby" or Samuel the Prophet. Periodically the boy in uniform came to ask for When he returned to his village his first concern Christian literature and Gospels, which he diswas ,to witness for Christ to his own relatives and tributed widely but with great care. Then no friends. There was some property of which he word would come from him for a time as he would was part owner and the members of the family be off in a distant area of the province. News took legal action to obtain his share of the prop- came from him at times and in various ways. erty on the grounds that he had become a Chris- Once two Jews walked about fifty miles to the city tian. He did not contest the action but remon- to get aNew Testament in Hebrew; they had strated with them for attempting to take away by been interested in Christ and His Way through force what he would have been willing to give the testimony of the boy doing military service them freely. His was the spirit of Him who said, in their mountain outpost. "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." One day the officer in command of his compaJjY found Samuel reading. He asked what book it The vacation period passed and the principal of was-and the boy, standing at salute replied, the school, in whose place I had been substituting for the year, returned from furlough. Samuel "The New Testament, Sir." came from the village to enter school again. He "Put that book away, you have enough to study asked if he might skip a class, and tryout in the in your guard manual," was the command. grade ahead, since he was older than the average of his classmates and had been studying in the "Sir," Samuel answered, "it is because of this summer. As reported to me the conversation was Book that I have in my hand that I stand here somewhat as follows: saluting you. Had I not learned from this Book my duty to my king and country, I should have "I shall be glad to have you enter a grade fled like many of my companions across the borahead," said the principal, "but you shall have to der to avoid military service." pass all the examinations of the class you wish to skip before you can enter the advanced grade. The officer did not answer but passed on. This is a positive rule of the school." Some ,time later the company to which Samuel "Please let me go in the higher class and try belonged was ordered to the extreme northwestern out there," Samuel replied. "Inside of a few frontier for a campaign against unruly Kurdish weeks I shall know perfectly well whether I can tribes. The going was hard and many wounded carry the work or not. If I cannot keep up you and sick were brought in to the military hospital will not need to say a word, I shall go back in the in the city where we were living. One day w·e other class of my own accord." heard that Samuel was there. I called on him. and found him as full of zeal as ever, though suf- "I should like to do it that way," the teacher fering from a severe case of pleurisy, contracted answered, "but our rules must be kept. Would from exposure and sleeping on the ground. I had taken him some books, which he began to pass on to others before I left his bedside. When my visit was about to end he shouted to all the sick
A FIREBRAND FOR CHRIST IN IRAN
and wounded men in the big ward, "Now be quiet Naby. His teacher in the training school for a minute, you fellows, this man is going to lead evangelists testified, "I have never received so us in prayer." There was absolute silence as I much spiritual help in my life as from that boy prayed-in the government military hospital. The in the three months he was with me." It will next time I came I was besieged for books and take much in sacrifice, and life itself, to found the tracts. church which God is calling out of Islam in this land, and this young friend would deem it a rare In due time the boy was well enough to return privilege to be one of the foundation stones-beto his home city to complete his military service. neath the ground if need be–in that church. When released from the army he started on a tour of near-by villages, busy at once in evangelism on The Great Teacher of us all has told us that: his own initiative. I was later told that many "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and Christians asked themselves the question, "Must die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth we wait to be shamed by this former Moslem boy forth much fruit." In Samuel Naby I have seen before we begin to witness for Christ?" the absolute living proof that the Spirit of Christ can change, in a moment of time, an ignorant vil- Samuel expressed his desire to become an evan- lage Moslem into a radiant, powerful Christian. gelist and give all his time to that service. He wanted to be free to work anywhere that God WILLIAM CAREY'S COVENANT called him and said, for a time at least, he would like to travel like Mansur Sang, the Christian Weare thinking much of missionary methods dervish. The Mission decided that he should go in these days. Carey and his colleagues, in the histo the distant city of Isfahan to take up training toric Serampore Covenant, expressed convictions in the school for evangelists. He already had the which never grow oldprime requisites, a heart full of love, a yearning to lead people to Christ, a burning zeal, and a 1. To set an infinite value on men's souls. good knowledge of the Bible. He was, however, 2. To acquaint ourselves with the snares which anxious to get the best possible training before he took up his, life work. hold the minds of the people. 3. To abstain from whatever deepens India's On his way to the training school he stopped for a few days in our city where he spoke in prayer prejudice against the Gospel. meeting and made the prayer at the general Sun- 4. To watch for every chance of helping people. day service. Many people caught a spark of his 5. To preach "Christ crucified" as the one great fire and he was mentioned scores' of times after he had gone on his way. means of conversions.
Reaching Isfahan, Samuel plunged into his 6. To esteem and treat Indians always as our training with keen delight. He was hungry for equals. instruction and worked with a will at these lessons under a young English missionary. He still 7. To guard and build up "the hosts that may be had time, however, to work among patients in the gathered." hospital, with men in the street, in the bazaareverywhere he carried on his intensive witness for 8. To cultivate their spiritual gifts, ever press- Christ. No necessity for others to plan "field ex- ing upon them their missionary obligation perience" for him in connection with his course – since Indians only can win India for of study! Christ.
After some three months of this training he 9. To labor· unceasingly in BibHcal translation. had some trouble with his throat and it was suggested that he have his tonsils removed. He ac- 10. To be instant in the nurture of personal recepted ,the proposal gladly, and when the time ligion. came went to the operating room laughing and saying to his friends, "I'll be out in just a few 11. To give ourselves without reserve to the minutes." Chloroform was administered for the Cause of Christ, "not counting even the operation and under the anesthetic Samuel lost clothes we wear as our own." consciousness but never regained it in this life. "Brainerd in America poured out his All efforts to revive him failed. very soul before God for the people. Prayer, secret, fervent, expectant, lies at Why God called him, at what to us seemed the the root of all personal godliness. A combeginning of his wonderful ministry, we do not petent knowledge of the languages current know. From our viewpoint the three years min- where a missionary lives, a mild and winistry of our Lord would have seemed all too short. ning temper, and a heart given up to God One thing we know is that many lives were stirred – these are the attainments, which more into new consecration by the passing of Samuel than all other gifts, will fit us to become God's instruments in the great work of hu- man redemption." It is written of Carey that "his whole desire went out to meet the Will of God."
Shrines and Emperor
–<!IIi By a R",;d,nt of Japan III>– T HE tradition of the descent of the Japanese that shrine w,orship is a secular ceremony, both ruler from the Sun Goddess has seen a strong scholars and the general Japanese and K'Orean r·evival during recent years. Ten or fifteen public look upon such acts as religious. The leadyears ag,o liberal Japanese leaders were inclined ers of the present reactionary movement (the to interpret this traditiDn as meaning only that Fundamentalists of Shinto) have succeeded in the line of EmperDrs, to quote the constituti,on, demonstrating that the act of paying reverence at "is coeval with Heaven and earth," leaving the a national shrine is an act of worship. The leadattendant mythology to fade into the background. ing authorities ,on National Shinto are c'Oming to Others even pr,ofessed to hope that Japan would devel,oP into a constitutional monarchy of the the position that the national cult is a religion. * British type. All 'Of this has a vital relationship to Christian Today, however, no 'One dares to express such education in Japan because the larger percentage opinions 'Openly. The world "Emper,or" and pro- of the students in all ,of the missiDn schools (exnouns applied to Him must be capitalized when cept the theol'Ogical seminaries) are n'On-Chriswritten in Western languages. The Japanese tians, and parents and guardians are consequently SChODl books state, "We Japanese lODk up to our non-Christian and very susceptible to influences Emperor as to a God," and "The Japanese Em- surrounding them. Non-Christian alumni and peror is divine." Last year the word used in offi- parents, s,ometimes instigated by pr,ofessiDnal "pacial documents for "Emper,or" was chang·ed from triDts," have demanded that the schools "clarify kotei (the general term for emperor) to Tenno, the national polity" by speaking 'Out clearly CJnor "Heaven-ruler." The Japanese are quite con- cerning the divine nature ,of the Emperor and the cerned because the Eur,opean word "emperor" is Sun Goddes·s. used with r·eference to the emperor of India and the emperor 'Of the Roman Empire, so that SDme This present-day interpretation of Japanese call their ruler Tenno even when speaking a fDr- nationalism forces several serious pr,oblems ,on eign language, and refer to Japan as a Tennocracy the attention ,of Christian schools in Japan, rather than an empire. It is forbidden to refer to Chosen and Form'Osa. the Emper,oras a man even in praise, and mDst Western j'Ournalists adopt the policy ,of referring 1. The moral basis ,of Japanese education is laid to His Majesty as seldom as possible in order to in the "imperial Rescript" on education, drawn avoid giving ,offense. They dare not ever refer up by the Department ,of Education in 1890 and to the Emperor Meiji as a "truly great man." issued under the name and seal of the Emperor Japanese express amazement that Christians Meiji to offset the flood of Western ideas. The should be S,o fD'Olish as to believe that one person Department of Education ordered that it should (Jesus) might be both human and divine. be read, with appropriate ceremony, 'On stated 'Oc- casions in all the schools. Recently another movement has revealed an unmistakable demand that loyalty to the present Within the past ten years, the Rescript has been Empel'or shall be equal to the loyalty to the Sun exalted n'Ot only as the basis 'Of Japanese educa- Goddess, and that the test 'Of national lDyalty is tion but as the Apostles Creed ,of the Imperial the worship 'Of the "Ancestress 'Of the Imperial Cult. The Rescript itself is held to be without line." Some years ago many scholars interpreted err,or and beyond criticism. Its morality is C,onthe Sun Goddess merely as a personification of fucian but it clearly states the divine ancestry 'Of one 'Of the tribes which invaded Japan in prehis- the Emperor. This element has caused it to be toric times. Today loyal subjects of the Emper'Or esteemed highly by those wh,o wDuld stem the tide· must accept the Sun Goddess myth just as it of present-day _Western doctrines. In recent stands. months all schools have been f'Orced to lay more emphasis upon this liturgy-the method 'Of read- In Korea most 'Of the shrines are dedicated to ing, the white gloves 'Of the reader and the bowing in reverence. In most Christian schools these the Sun Goddess, whereas in Japan most are dedicated to Japanese herDes. Japanese officials say • See article by D. C. Holton in the Japan Ohristian Year Book f~~ ~;i~6 q~Oe~tton~ummary of present-day scholarly opinion concern- [ 136] ceremonies are acc.ompanied by hymns, Scripture tion." Christians never know how the Rescri.pt reading, prayers and a short explanation .of the will be interpreted next. meaning .of the cerem.ony, but it is doubtful whether this can long continue since it is looked A few years ago when the service of a certain upon ,as an opportunity to teach the Christian d.oc- church was being broadcast at Christma's time the trine of God and to inculcate a Christian attitude phrase, "Lord save the Emperor," caused the of l.oyalty to the State. church such difficulty that a revision of the prayer book was necessary. The phr&se "King of kings In N.ovember, 1936, the Department .of Edu- and Lord ,of lords" was indicated as unacceptable cation required all schools to present copies of the for Christian worship. Recently Paul Kanamori's program used at the Rescript ceremony, and to "The W,ay to Faith," was withdrawn from cirexplain the nature,Qf the care taken of the sacred culation because of its monotheistic arguments. d,Qcument. The public press has also criticized the Christian doctrine of the Kingdom of God because its basic 2. In Japan most Christian schools accept the virtue of love is contrary to loyalty, the basic virstatement of the Government that the ceremonies tue of the J.apanese Empire. Hymns used in at the shrines are nonreligious and permit their Christian services (both English and Japanese students to go there to pay respect. These Chris- translations) might be oonstrued as treasonable. tian schools have not adopted the custom of volun- Opponents of Christianity are looking for the tarily, but thr.ough social pressure or demands slightest deviations from the present interpretafl'om patrons. In some Christian schools attend- tion of national loyalty. Christi.ans are concerned ance at the shrines is optional; in others the en- lest they should be forced to ,teach dogmas which tire student b,Qdy is taken under the direction of run counter to fundamental Christian principles. the military officers to pay reverence. In one boy's school the military officer invariably chooses Japanese Christians are concerned about these a Sunday to take the students to the shrine. In problems, but their concern is modified by two or T,Qkyo and vicinity the authorities are more three modifying factors. lenient than in other districts, a proof of the truth of the Japanese proverb that "The foot of the 1. The J,apanese Christians feel that officials lighthouse is in darkness." charged with the enforcement .of the law are friendly. All of the leaders .of the missi.on schools 3. The Japanese consider it a great honor for who have been called to confer with the officials a school to receive a Portrait of the Emperor. of the Department of Educati,Qn have been treated The Portrait must be kept in a fireproof safe with great oonsideration, and the men in charge when not in use; a teacher must sleep each night seek to make everything as easy as possible f.or in the same room ready to protect the sacred the sch.ools and churches to abide within the law Portrait with his life; acts of reverence must be without offense to conscience. The officials themmade when passing the Portrait or the container selves are being pres'sed by the Shinto Fundamen- ,of it, and the Portrait is on display only on the talists into a positi.on which they would not take ceremonial occasi,Qns when the Imperial Rescript if left to themselves. They are willing to make is read. Most Christian schools have avoided re- almost any compr,Qmise to avoid a public scene ceiving the Portrait by pleading that they had no that might involve them in lese majesty. These suitable pJ,ace in which to keep It. In the autumn men who are enforcing the law are not followers of 1936 all Christian higher schools were called of any particular religion. They are atheists or to the Department .of Educati.on to explain if they agnostics. The men .of the Meiji Restoration, who had a copy of the Portrait, and if not why not, devised the present cult of National Shinto, were and .if so, how It was treated. Leaders of the Na- rationalists and ,&theists. The J.apanese Christional Chdstian Education Ass.ociation advised all tians, therefore, conf.orm to many ceremonies Christian schools to apply f.or the best.owal of the without scruples, which would be impossible to a Portrait. Officials of the Department .of Educa- people (such as the Koreans) who do not have tion have recently advised Christian schools that this historical understanding. The men in charge a chapel, having symbols of the w.orship of the .of enf,Qrcing the law realize the necessity of not Christian God, was not an appr.opriate place for violating the constitutions guarantee of freed.om the display ,of the Portrait. .of religi.on, and will not force an issue which will antagonize the strong theistic sects of Buddhism, 5. In recent years the Government has been as well &s the Christian churches. emphasizing the importance of religious education in schools. A distincti'on is made between culti- 2. The Japanese Christians bend but do not vating the spirit .of religion in the pupils and break easily. Historically the cult of Shinto was teaching the doctrines of any ,specified religion. not intended to be religious, and many believe that The Government memorandum stated explicitly when this present tension has passed the .original that "n.o religious teaching will be permitted that purpose of the founders of the constituti.on will runs contmry to the Imperial Rescript on Educa- be maintained. Therefore, if the Government
will consistently maintain that the shrines are gone through controversies with the Government nonreligious and that reverence paid there is an in the past with credit and if they cannot find a act .of I.oy.alty and not .of religi.ous worship, they way out of this present crisis, they are ready to will foll.ow. Meanwhile they insist upon the re- pay the price in persecuti.on. form of Shinto and the removal of religions elements from shrines. Christians in Japan are fear- Finally, Japanese Chdstians are unwilling to ing a new era .of persecution, but d.o n.ot wish to create an issue out of what really seems to many precipitate it. a min.or matter, f.or they realize that far more important issues are in the air. 3. One question involved is, What does the Government mean by the words used for "God" for 1. A definite and well-directed anti-Christian "worship," for "divine"? It was unt:ortunate that m.ovement is .on foot in Japan, the extent of which the word adopted for "God" (kami) in Japan is is being revealed. The Government and the offithe same as that used for the Shinto divinities, cials ,are generally on the side .of the Christians, who are spirits of nature and deceased nati.onal seeking to avoid any overt act that would precipiheroes. The significance of the w.ord is little more tate a crisis. Ina certain city the l.ocal authorithan "eXialted being." Many Protestant Chris- ties recently issued orders that every house should tians refer to God by the term "Heavenly Father," erect a Shinto god-shelf. In another city placards .others ,always qualify the w.ord kami by phrases denouncing Chdstianity as a disl.oyal sect apasserting the uniqueness, the eternity and the fa- peared .on the streets one morning. In these plactherhood .of the Christian God. Although the ards the situation was analyzed so clearly that Shinto FundamentaHsts, ,and many .of the common it made one feel that, if a concerted effort were people, may think .of the Sun Goddess .or of Im- made by the enemies of the Gospel, there would perial Ancestors as possessing attributes of deity, be little difficulty in persuading the nonthinking the Christians know that the ideas differ greatly populace that Christianity is a traitorous religion. from the ideas which ,the Christians hold concern- At least many of its fundamental concepts run ing the Heavenly Father. Unfortunately, owing directly contmry to the stream of nati.onalistic to the hysterical state .of many "patri.otic" leaders, thought current in Japan at present. Certain it is impossible to air the differences involved, but hymns, certain secti.ons from St. Paul's Epistles, the Christians are thinking things through and from the Prophets, from the Book .of Revelati.on, discussing them in small groups. and from the Westminster Gonfes,sion, if pub- lished .on billboards, would precipitate trouble. Worship is paid by people to the spirit of a The situation is, as the Japanese would say, "delifaithful dog, whose statue stands at the railway cate." station where he awaited the return .of his dead master. Buddhi,st mas,ses are regularly held for 2. Another 'element of danger lies in the milithe spirits .of needles broken while sewing, and tary faction which use,s the Shinto reactionaries for ,the spirits of broken dolls. B.owing the head and Loyalists to further its policies of nationalistic is not reserved for what Westerners term "reli- expansion. This is.a subject concerning which it gi.ous" occ'll;sions. The sentiment .of awe at the is not prudent to write. There is clearly a rift center .of the Japanese idea of w.orship enters into between the civil ,authorities and the military. We many social conventions and habits. It is P.ossible are told that soldiers attempted to prevent the f.or Christians therefore to b.oW at shrines, even reentry of Dr. Kagawa, who was forced to appeal though thes~ same shrines may be used by .others to the governor of the prefecture before he could for religious purposes. It means little more to enter Kobe. them than taking off our hats at that same shrine would mean to us. The military authorities today are acting as if another war were imminent, and they look upon But many Japanese Christians will n.ot g.o vol- missionaries as enemies of their country, because untarily to the shrines or, adopt these methods .of they are foreigners; they look upon Japanese showing their loyalty. Well-known Christians are Christians as semitraitors because of their connot afraid to state that they or the'ir children d.o necti.on with the missions and because of the libnot worship at the shrines. If an issue is pressed, eral political and social ideas held by many Chrish.owever, they W.ould conf.orm rather than precipi- tian leaders. These things have had the effect of tate a crisis which might be far-reaching. drawing the Japanese Christians closer to the' missionaries, for in the event of a crisis both When such vague notions are common in Japan would suffer equally. regarding the meaning of "God," "worship," and "spirit," many missionaries feel that it is better The situation in Japan is more serious than that to leave the distinguishing .of the things that involved in the Shrine problem. Japanese Chrisdiffer to Japanese Christians. They are men and tians are seeking to avoid any open break with w.omen of a high .order .of intelligence, they have the authorities which would give additional oc- casion for their enemies to attack them.
Nagao-a Japanese Christian
By the REV. WILLIAM AXLING, Tokyo, Japan American Baptist Foreign Mission Society; Author of the "Life of Kagawa"
HAMPEl NAGAO was one of Japan's front- young Mr. Nagao has forged his way to the front line Christian leaders. While a student in and has become a conspicuous figure in the na- Tokyo he enlisted in the Christian life and tional life of Japan. On the staff of the Colonial this step ushered him into an entirely new world. Administration of Formosa, as Japan's represen- Everything he saw, the sky, the sea, the moun- tative on the International Railway Commission tains, the trees, the flowers, spoke to him about his in Siberia during the World War, as Chief of the new-found God, as revealed in Christ, a God who Southern Division of the Imperial Government is not only great and powerful but his Father, his Railways, as Head of the Municipal Street Car Friend. System of Tokyo and as a member of Parliament With unspeakable eagerness he looked forward he has rendered a significant service.
to the summer vacation when he would return to Through it all he has stood s.taunch as a Chrishis country village and share this new experience tian. Again and again he paid a big price for his with his parents, his brothers and his sisters. Christian conviction. He lost his seat in Parlia- Slow-footed summer ~rrived at last and hurriedly ment because the liquor interests combined he started for home. In his letters he had at- against him. But he lost it with a smile, saying tempted to prepare the way so that his family that his Christian principles were far more knew that he had become a Christian. precious to him than the coveted seat in Parlia- When he reached his village and opened the ment.
door of his home, the family rushed forth to greet Although constantly carrying heavy official re- him. All but his father. He was not to be seen. sponsibilities he was never too busy to respond to This seemed to augur ill. The father sent word a call for Christian service. For over twenty demanding that he must renounce his new-found years he was a trustee of the Tokyo City Y. M.
Christian faith before he would be received. C. A. and for a part of that time served as Chair- Worse still the father refused to allow the son to man. He was one of the organizers and a trustee cross his threshold. This was like a blow in the of Tokyo Woman's Christian College.
face. All the happy anticipations. of his home He was a flaming crusader in the temperance coming were shattered and he stood stunned. cause and a passionate advocate of church union.
The lad's reply was that he would do anything In these two fields his contribution was unique.
within his power to please his father but he could He was one of the prime movers in the movement not give up his faith in Christ. The father in which enabled the Christian Literature Society turn sent word that he was then no longer a son and the American Bible Society to secure their and this was no longer his home. Members of the present quarters. He passed into the life beyond family interceded, but the father's only reply was a few months ago and now that he is gone, the that the son had brought such dark disgrace upon battIe for everything that is Christian and good, him and the home that he was strongly tempted to will be lonelier and more difficult. atone for the son's sins by committing "harakiri" When Mr. Nagao died thousands of people in true traditional Japanese fashion. gathered to pay their respects in one of the With the tears streaming down his face Nagao largest auditoriums in Tokyo. Ministers of state, took his New Testament and, with a prayer, laid ex-ministers .and members of Parliament paid it on the threshold, sending word to his father, high tribute to his life and Christian influence.
asking him to read that book and judge for him- One other word of thanksgiving must be added: self whether Christianity was the evil religion His father read the New Testament which his which he supposed it to be. Then bidding good- sort left on the doorstep that fateful summer eve- bye to the members of the family and sending his ning and too found it to be Good News. He belove to his father, the boy turned away, weary in came an earnest Christian and the whole family body and broken in spirit, to retrace the long, long found their way into the new life in Christ. Even- miles back to Tokyo. tually the son was welcomed back into the home This happened fifty years ago. Since that time from which he had been banished.
[139 ]
Missionary Motives*
By the REV. w. B. ANDERSON, D.D., LL.D., Philadelphia, Pa.
Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the United Presbyterian Church A WIDELY read book on missions, recently or of Robert Hockman of Ethiopia. They do not published, makes an astonishing statement sound familiar to those accustomed to listening of its authors' conception of foreign mis- to the missionary purpose as stated simply and sionary motives. They are attempting to state earnestly in gatherings of students, or from mis- why, in their opinion, men and women have be- sionary platforms, or read in mission offices. This come foreign missionaries. Summed up briefly, analysis of foreign missionary purpose looks their motives are as follows: . somewhat unattractive, and does not promise en- (1) The ardent desire of all religions to com- during energy and vital strength. municate what is spiritually valuable or of su- Fortunately we are not left to speculation at preme importance or unique (found particularly this point, but can determine the actual facts, in the followers of Buddha, Jesus and Moham- since each candidate for missionary appointment is always asked to state clearly his or her motive med). (2) Conviction as to the greater need of those for seeking appointment to foreign missionary service. The reply is personal and confidential. in the Orient. (3) Hopes of a greater return for given evan- Since the beginning of the foreign missionary work of the United Presbyterian Church, 761 misgelistic effort.
(4) The danger that those unevangelized would sionaries have been appointed. We have studied records showing the dominating motive of 308 go to eternal death. men and women in seeking appointment and these (5) The vision of a world-wide Church. include those enlisting over a period of the past (6) The desire for world unity. (7) A subconscious impulse to achieve one's 50 years.
growth through giving to others. The documents of the group were examined, This seems to be their analysis of the foreign and records made, some years ago. In many cases missionary purpose into its contributing personal statements contained more than one motive, but motives. an attempt has been made to select the predom- inant motive. No statement has been omitted be- A high school girl came into the laboratory cause the meaning of a writer was obscure or where the teacher in biology had spread out upon might be misunderstood. The dominant motive a tray the various parts of a flower. When asked that contributed to the missionary purpose of each if she could believe that this was a morning glory, individual is placed in a group, with the number she replied that she did not think that it was a given to those stating the same motive: morning glory, but only the stuff of which a morning glory was made, "For," she said, "life must Obedience to Christ ………………………… 58 bind all this together into a flower; and really the Appeal of the need ………………………… 52 life is the flower, is it not?" To lead others to Christ …………………….. 36 Love for Christ …•………………………… 34 These motives seem to me to lack something Desire to serve ……………………………. 17 that is found in the missionary purpose as I have To preach the Gospel ………………………. 16 To make the best investment of life …………… 15 known it in students and in missionaries. These To serve with her husband ………………….. 1~ motives, and others, may be variously combined To respond to a definite call to serve abroad ……. 12 in certain individuals, but a true Christian mis- Enlisted through -the influence of others ……….. 11 sionary purpose must have something that is not To advance Christ's kingdom ………………… 1 For God's glory …………………………… 1 present here. To promote Christian civilization ……………… 1 These motives in any combination seem to lack something vital found in the purpose of Jesus Not one of these candidates for foreign mis- Christ, or of the Apostle Paul, or of Livingstone, sionary appointment failed to recognize his faith * Condensed from The United Presbyterian (December 3, 1936). in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, and [ 140 ] loyalty to Him as personal Saviour and Lord of groups, moved by the passion of love for Christ his life. Whatever motives may have entered into and loyalty to Him, going out at any cost to lay the decision, it was this vital essence of Chris- down their lives in service for their fellowmen. tianity that bound them together into an indomitable purpose. Without this faith and loyalty, The only true Christian foreign missionary purthere can be no Christian mission any more than pose that can be found outside books, and that is there can be a morning glory composed of its effectively operative in the world today, is the parts without the vital spark of life which is the purpose derived from love for the risen Christ morning glory. and 10Yfl.1 obedience to Him. Because this purpose is inherent in His life, and has been imparted to This study of the subject of foreign missionary His followers, this purpose cannot cease. The motives is confined to the missionaries of one de- only Christian missionary purpose springs from nomination, but for us its conclusions should be motives that are stirred by personal love for, and reassuring as we face new opportunities for ad- loyalty to, Christ who is a living, ever-present, vance, knowing that there is no hope for true ad- ever-ruling Saviour and Lord. When this purvance and permanent results apart from the pose, springing from this love and loyalty, has eternal Gospel of the Son of God, and personal been fixed in the life of every Christian, those loyalty and obedience to Him. who go and those who stay, nothing can stop the accomplishment of the Church's mission in the I have had the opportunity of knowing many world; but merely human "religious" motives missionaries of other churches during my years of and purposes, however powerful, will always conservice abroad and at home. With them I may tinue to fail. have differed in race, nationality, social background, degree of education, creedal statement, Three years ago a group of college students definition of theological terms, form of church were discussing how the students on the campus government, or missionary methods, but with the could be interested in foreign missions. After exception of two or three such missionaries, every several had been heard, one of the leading men of one I have known personally, in his own statement the college arose and said that it was his convicof the creed has been a professing believer in the tion that the only way in which men and women one vital essence of the Christian faith. could be effectively enlisted in the foreign mission- ary enterprise was by causing them so to know The attempt being made today to rationalize Christ that they would in personal devotion to Christianity, by eliminating the miraculous Him submit their lives entirely to Him. Then he through the denial of Jesus Christ as God mani- made a statement of his own experience. This is fest in the flesh, is not some new thing that may not an ancient pronouncement, but it is made by destroy the Church. Agnosticism began this at- .a Christian student leader of today. The modern tempt in the first century, and under some form" missionary motive is devotion and obedience to human pride has ever continued this attempt. God in Christ, incarnate, crucified, risen and pres- Since the beginning of its history, the Church has ent in His people now. We thank God that in the had within it a group, or groups, of those deter", Church throughout the world the trend of convicmined to eliminate the miraculous from its teach:'. tion and faith seems to be strongly back to the ings by discounting the deity of Christ. The con: child-like faith in Him which is the door to the cern of such groups has ever been to secure for Kingdom of God, and to the simple devotion and the Church a place of esteem among human insti- obedience to Him which alone can ever inspire the tutions, and to escape from the "offense of the Church to evangelize the world. cross." But we do not find any record of such One of my classmates in the university was surpJ;'ised that I, whdihad taken an engineering course along with him, should set my face toward the mission field; Many unfamiliar with mission work think it is a far step from studies in electricity and mechanics to carrying the Gospel to the lost ones in Africa; but I would not trade jobs with any man. I have'seen automobiles, bicycles, and all sorts of machines broken, abused, and cast aside as worthless, brought to our shop. Old parts were taken out, new parts put in; and they were again put out on the job for which they were originally intended. With the repair of most of these I have had some responsibility. I have also seen men broken, abused and cast aside as worthless, led to Him who is able to do all these things well. In His hands they have been cleaned up, remade, old things have been cast away, all things had been made new, and they too have been sent out to do the service for which they were originally intended – for the praise of God as witnesses to His great Love. – EDWIN COZZENS, Cameroun, West Africa, in the Drum Call.
for the World We
By the REV. JOSEPH A. VANCE, D.D., . Detroit, Michigan ~..- Pastor 'of the First Presbyterian Church and former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
EVERY reverent and persistent student of the whom the whole modern world has gotten in the New Testament is impressed with its mar- Mosaic Law its moral backbone; in Greek, the velous inexhaustibility. As the late Bishop language of universal culture and philosophical .H. C. G. Moule, of Durham, wrote with his un- conquest; and in Latin, the language of universal .usual spiritual insight and experience, "After rule of the world-conquering Roman. Through fifty years of study, each fresh effort and difficulty the centuries since, Jesus has been turning this lays open to me something that adds to the com- unconscious prophecy of Pilate into history, and pleteness of the apostolic record." fulfilling His own promise, "And I, if I be lifted As one goes digging deeper and deeper for this up, will draw all men unto me." surprising treasure, he is made increasingly aware This amazing universality of Jesus embraces that it comes, in one way or an- four elements: other, from ,the person of Jesus 1. He breaks down all race Christ. He discovers that here barriers. The mother of Jesus is the life story, not of a mere was a Jewish girl. So far as provincial Jew, but of a more we know, he was never outside than cosmopolitan, eve n a the little land of Palestine. All .world citizen, who takes on of his recorded literary quota- himself the title, "Son of tions are from the He or e w Man." In this oompact life Scriptures, but the little village story of Jesus of Nazareth, we of Nazareth, where he grew come on ,the vast reaches of up, was at the crossroads of universality. Born of a Jewish the world, and its people be- mother, here is one Man who came the world-bridge that puts racial prejudices under mediated between the old and his feet, and brothers human- new worlds in civilization, and ity. Cradled in David's little especially in religion. So here town of Bethlehem we see a He had many a vision that pre- .Babe over whose birth :the pared him to brother men of 'angels proclaim a promise of every race and to disciple the universal peace and world-en- world for citizenship in His compassing good will. Kingdom.
In His career as a Teacher, 2. In the second place, Jesus Jesus not only wins a unique bridges the world's soc i a 1 place among his own people, REV. JOSEPH A, VANCE, D.D. chasms. He is no high-caste but sends his followers on a Brahmin or Nordic egotist. He campaign to win .all men of every nation to His is far more ,than an Occidental democrat. He , discipleship. neither denounces a man because he is an aristo- When sharp antagonisms bred a hatred that crat nor cold.,shoulders him because he is a social :,sent Him to the cross, a cynical oflicial nailed over outcast. He asks a cup of water from one and ' the victim's head, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King goes to dine with the other.
of the Jews"; .but even in attempting to pro- Jesus Christ has kept this spirit alive down the . vincialize the victim and ,humiliate those who vic- centuries. The uneducated ,toiler, and even the out- ., timlzed him, the Roman officiill became a prophet caste gone tothe gutter, is as sure of His sympathy : of his victim's world-wide mission, for he wrote and help as is the honest and cultured. He broth- , the inscription in three languages ~ in Hebrew, ers the streetsweeper and the premier of state, : !he tongue of the great religious specialist, from and brings them together in a bedside prayer.
[142 ] 3. The third of these universal qualities is His Thou hast no power, nor mayest conceive of mine, agelessness. Jesus is as much at home in the But love I gave thee with Myself to love, twentieth century as in the first. The world out- And thou must love Me, who hast died for thee. grows Plato and Aristotle, even Mohammed and Confucius, but it is never able to outgrow Jesus. Down the ages his followers have marched, We can picture Him as easily in a dress suit at a thrilling to its music by an unknown monk of the dinner party today as we can see Him dining at Middle Ages, singing: Bethany with Lazarus. His figures of speech are as eloquent in our day of airplanes and stream- Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler. of all nature, lined cars as among the boats and nets of Galilee's fisher-folk. o thou of God and man the Son!
4. His universality even stands the test of sex; Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, and how amazing that is, few fully realize, even Thou my soul's glory, joy and crown. in our day of open doors for women. The ordinary man takes on womanly qualities at the ex- And an Oxford student also turned evangelist pense of his personal force, and the average with his immortalwoman pays with her charm for her approach to masculinity. But Jesus is history's unique blend Jesus, lover of my soul, of virility and tenderness. He blazes with wrath Let me to thy bosom fly. in the face of hypocrisy and injustice, but outwomans a mother in dealing with quarrelsome What place can this Prince of Peace find in this brothers or a wayward girl; His compassion for confused, cynical, warring world of today? the down and outs has sent His followers on a new religious crusade for social justice. Probably now is the greatest chance to redeem it that He has had in all the world's history. What is the secret, from the human side, of this Through sheer disappointment elsewhere, and amazing catholicity of Jesus Christ? Is it not to tragic despair as it slips into the maw of self-debe found in the fact that He ministers to those struction, the hour has sounded for the Galilean. needs of the human race that are essential and universal and ageless? He breaks through the Never perhaps in the world's history has the strange speech and the local color and the ephem- human race been so earnestly seeking peace, and eral external, and meets the needs of men, not as never has the world witnessed the creation of Jews or Gentiles, not as slaves or freemen, not as more orderly and seemingly adequate machinery ancient or modern, not as male or female, but as to create and maintain it. The world is deluged human beings. with unanswerable arguments for peace and for the futility and folly of war. Not only has prac- Every man, for example, is a sinner, and Jesus' tically every type of religious organization, J ew~ great mission is to save people from their sins. ish, Catholic and Protestant, declared war to be wicked and contrary to their essential tenets, but Every man has darkened and unworthy concep- pacifist organizations have multiplied. The signations of God. Jesus is "the express image" of tories of the Kellogg Peace Pact have pledged God's person, and. "the exceeding brightness of themselves not to resort to aggressive war, and the Father's glory." the World Court waits to settle all international disputes amicably. But despite these and the Every man is more or less enslaved to ignorance League of Nations, the nations of the world are and the indulgence of his lower appetites, and racing to out arm for possible war against each comes, sooner or later to face his inadequate other on land and sea and in the air. Italy has equipment for the moral struggle. Jesus brings defied the rest of the world to make military conto both individual and the race, power to win out, quest of Ethiopia, and the whole world seems to and to turn life from tragedy to victory. be slipping into the abyss of war.
Then, as a climax to it all, we come on the uni- Who can exorcise this bloody demon and loosen versality of the language in which Jesus makes his grip on the sons of men? His appeal. By way of His cross He revealed the universal language of love. "And I, if I be lifted Our only hope of universal peace is in men's up, will draw all men unto myself." "This he full allegiance to the universal Christ. said," adds the apostle John, "signifying by what death he should die." Anyone can understand Weare accustomed to find the essential causes that language: "He died for me." No mind is of war in commercial rivalry, class inequalities, too stupid and ignorant to feel the love back of racial antipathies the ambition of political leadthat sacrifice; no genius is so brilliant as to de- ers, the sordid greed that will plot wholesale spise it. murder in order to sell munitions. But underlying all of these is that something in the human soul o heart I made, a heart beats here! that thrills to the call of war and irresistibly rushes to its appeal. Face my hands fashioned, see it in myself! The universal Christ binds His followers in a brotherhood that abolishes racial hatreds and bridges social chasms, that links the men of all ages in ties of love and abolishes even the limita- tions of sex.
But Christ does far more: He enrolls the nat- SIR FREDERICK AND MRS. N I CHOLSON ural fighting spirit on the side of truth and human brotherhood. He furnishes an "equivalent After being graduated from Oxford, Frederick for war" in clothing His followers in the armor of righteousness and rallies them to "fight the good Nicholson went to India as a young, untried offifight of faith." He not only furls the black flags of piracy and the red flags of class hatred, but He cial from a Christian home. He was soon proranges over egotistic nationalism the Cross-emblazoned banner of sacrificial service. moted and became collector of a great district.
Raymond Guthrie confesses that he loves war There he found his wife, a lovely daughter of a because he finds in it all the things that are denied him in peace time; because it offers him missionary of the Church of England. It was my association with a great number of men in a common cause; it gives him a chance to put forth his good fortune to meet them as a young missionary, effort in a cause greater than his own personal concerns; it thrills him with a sense of its eco- escaping from the heat of Madras to the hilltop of nomic equality and its spirit of adventure. Yercaud. Their friendship for a young Amer- Ninety-five thousand people will throng to spend over a million dollars to see two pugilists batter ican girl, far from home, made life different for each other. The average man loves a fight, and if he cannot fight himself, he gets his delight the five following years of missionary service. vicariously from seeing others fight. Many beautiful surprises included frequent visits Life fascinates us only when it has some element of struggle and adventure, some cause for and aid for the mission work in Madras. In sickwhich to suffer, something for which one is willing to die. ness and sorrow Sir Frederick and Lady Nichol- Christ sublimates this fighting spirit, robs it of son were always helpful. He was deeply interits appeal to baser instincts, and sets to martial music the tramp of a holy army marching to uni- ested in developing industries for the Indians and versal philanthropy. Christianity calls to a world war against every evil demon within and without. discovered a very fine grade of clay with which "We wrestle, not against flesh and blood, but he started a pottery. This he gave to the mission against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We thrill to the station to use for their Christian people who were call to put on the whole armor of God, and life's greatest adventure comes to us as we "fight the often thrown out of their homes after conversion. good fight of faith." Memories of fifty years of friendship linger to Kellogg pacts will continue to be but scraps of paper, and even World Courts and Leagues of this day. Sir Frederick rose to become a mem- Nations will prove vain attempts to promote world peace until we learn to sit at the feet of ber of the Viceroy's staff, and was knighted by Him who is both Son of Man and Son of God and find the Captain of our salvation in the Prince of the British Government. He was the man who Peace. developed the Agricultural Banks which have been The Son of God goes forth to war A Kingly crown to gain. such a blessing to India-and might offer a sug- His blood-red banner streams afar; gestion to progressive America. He also initiated Who . follows in his train? the plan for fisheries, and after visiting notable CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN CIVIL SERVICE examples in Europe, spent a summer in America In the passing of Sir Frederick Nicholson, the eminent statesman of India, the world has lost and carried back from Gloucester what he con: more than a Knight of the Empire of India. He died last summer at the age of ninety, in the hills sidered the best suited plan for India. If Maof South India, the Coonoor country to which he had given his life. His work for India was no- hatma Gandhi had the spirit of Sir Frederick he . table, even among the many ably British stateslnl;'!l} who have aided the Empire. might do more for men of all classes of India:. At his death the press, people and officers united in highest praise. In all his loyal service for the Empire he never lost sight of the Kingdom of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Lucy W. PEABODY.
Unevangelized Chinese
By H. FRENCH RIDLEY, Urumtsi, Sinkiang Missionary of the China Inland Mission FOR years the spiritual needs of the Moslem as they did after the rebellion of 1894-5. On my people (Chanteos) who occupy that little arrival at Korla the man from the Yamen came known district which lies to the east and south to see me and look at my passport. They asked of the great Takla-Makam Desert has been laid me where I was going. I replied: on my heart. When in Sining Kansuh, I would often gaze westward to that vast region, between "You know our business is to go where there us and Kashgar, without a single messenger of the are people." Gospel. I wondered if it would ever be my privilege to visit those regions. That was away back "Oh, yes, we know you Fuh-ing-Tang, you are in the nineties. On my return from furlough in good people exhorting people to be good." They 1913, I was asked to assist in Lanchow in the troubled me no more, yet still I did not feel per- Middle School for two years. During this time fectly safe until I got to Chaklik. my thoughts again turned to this needy field and in 1926 the way opened to come to Tihua to re- It was necessary to provide food for the whole lieve a fellow worker. During my three years way to Chaklik – sixteen days' journey. We in Tihua my thoughts were continually upon this stored up a lot of bread, the bread being kept soft field and I picked up as much as I could of the by mixing three pounds of mutton fat with ten Turki language. pounds of the flour.
In the year 1931, after the return of Messrs. On November 16th early in the morning, with Hunter and Mather from their visit to the Qazaqs a full moon shining down upon us, we set out on in the mountainl;! and IIi (Kuldja) I was led to our journey. As the books I had with me were take a journey as far as Karashar and Korla at limited, I divided them up so that I could leave a the northeast end of the great Gobi Desert. A Gospel in every place we passed through. We British officer had been refused the request to camped out in the open without tents the whole take the route just previously so I little expected way to Chaklik, with the exception of two places. that I would have much chance even if I tried. Desert, jungle and sand dunes made up the jour- But the Lord was laying it more and more on my ney, interspersed with a small village here and heart that now was the time for me to go. Don- there or scattered farmsteads. Choang Kul had keys could be procured easily and the innkeeper 20 families; UIugh Kul (Kul is lake), 30 famtold me that he would find a reliabie man as don- iIies; Kulslagh Camp, 70 families; Tikkenlik, 150 keyman. A cart road had been made all the way families; Kara Bais, 70 families. The last five to Chaklik to make the transport of food for the stages had not more than 10 families. Beside givtroops at Chaklik easy. The soldiers built a high- ing away Gospels, we left tracts in bushes and on way through the marshes which were impassable trees where by-paths led off to farmsteads. Four without a guide and very trying to the traveler. hundred and fifty soldiers were camped at Tikken- Canals had also been cut so that fresh water was lik. I disposed of quite a few books there and obtainable all the way. As the Roman soldiers, later saw one man sitting at his door reading the before the Christian era, built fine roads in all Gospel with seemingly great interest. We camped parts of their empire, making it easier for the near the river at Arghan. A shepherd came and messengers of the Gospel to carry the glad news, I gave him a Gospel and a Pilgrim's Progress. so once again the soldiers of this great empire Early next morning ere we had broken camp he had gone before, making it easier for another mes- returned for copies for two other shepherds. He senger to carry the glad news to the people of this said they had been reading the greater part of the region who had never heard it before. Mission- night and liked the books very much. Here they aries living in the province have an advantage were in the jungle with their sheep and cows four over travelers and explorers, because we are per- days' journey from Chaklik, days passing without mitted to go where we desire. Nevertheless I was seeing anyone. They were rejoicing over this gift doubtful about being permitted to go as there was of books which will be read again and again in still fear that the Dungan's, in case of being de- their loneliness, with plenty of time to discuss the feated in Kansuh, would fly to this said district, contents. May they, like Bunyan's Christian, find their way to the Cross with their burden of sin.
Nearing Lob Nor there was a terrible gale of wind called a "buran." Fortunately behind us.
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The wind whizzed among the trees and just be- River and halted for the night. The following was yond was the open desert. Noone could possibly a lovely winter day. Our path first led through pass over the desert that day. In the evening, the jungle, then among the high reeds and rushes snow fell and from Fort Kuron to where we of Lake Choang to a little hut, the home of a shep- camped at Kashgar forty days' journey, snow lay herd. These huts are made of wattles plastered along our path. Lob was our last encampment ere over with mud, the walls falling two or three feet we reached Chaklik. We had to take fuel for our short of the r.oof, leaving plenty of room for fresh camp fire from Fort Kuron. The trek to Chaklik air. When we entered the hut the shepherd's wife is sheer desert, a long weary journey. and three naked children were sitting around the The First Contact with a Missionary fire on the ground in the middle of the room. No table, chairs or forms. We all squatted round the We arrived at Chaklik, a little town of 140 fam- fire, ten in all, and fared out of the same big ilies with probably some 500 families in the whole cauldron, inviting the family t.o join us at our district, at dusk. Over 700 soldiers were stationed sumptuous feast of mutton broth and bread.
there to check the Dungans. I sold all the books The following day we passed through much I could spare and gave away many tracts. The grassland and saw several flocks of sheep, crossed people were courteous and visited me in the inn. the Charchien River on an ice bridge and at dusk This was their first contact with a missionary. arrived at the village of Tatran where we were When I left on the 9th of December my donkey- informed that there was no inn. I then over- man pr.omised to go as far as Keria (19 days heard s.ome one say there was an officials' Rest further) but changed his mind, so I bought his House called a kong-kuan. Soon a door was donkeys and hired a man to help my servant. We opened and we entered a very cozy room, the floor replenished our store for the next seven days to covered with Khotan carpets. The caretaker and Charchien (Churchend on some maps). A 33-mile his wife and mother were exceedingly obliging, trek over sheer desert, flat as a pancake, we ar- soon had a fire lit and tea ready. All joined in a rived at Gillig, where a man has his hovel by the supper of mutton. The village elder and a few riverside. There are two little caves, without other men came in to see me and I gave them doors .or windows, dug out in the bank of the books.
river. We arrived late so found the caves occu- Good News for the Magistrate pied, but some merchants made room for me and my servant in their cave. They had brought fuel The next day we arrived at Charchien. Our with them, or we should have fared badly. I gave entrance into the town settled a little quarrel that was going on in the street, the advent of a forthem a Gospel. Another 30 miles brought us to the village of eigner being more important. The news caused Vara-shari, with some 120 families. We stayed a stir in the Yamen for no official information in the official Rest House. The young women of had been received of any foreigner coming and the household were keen to have a look at me and I had no escort. We had just gotten settled and made several errands to pass my door. Several I was having a cup of tea when a man came from men came to see me, and by the help of my serv- the Yamen demanding in a bustling and rude ant, I told them why I had come. The crucifixion, manner where I had come from and where I was death and resurrection of our Lord was fresh going. He stood asking for my passport. "Sit news to them. They asked many questions. We down," I said. "What is all your hurry, I am not rested a day to prepare for the heavy cr.ossing of going away again tonight; wait till I have finthe high sand dunes. Towards evening of the ished my tea, then I will give you my card.
following day we reached the foot of the dunes. He replied, "The magistrate is very anxious to There is only one hut and it is occupied by a fam- know who you are, as he has had no n.otice of your ily of five. There is no grazing land for cattle or coming." Finally he sat down and talked. When sheep and all the food has to be brought from I was finished I gave him my card but he wanted Vara-shari. They were glad to have a gift of my passport.
some white bread. In the evening the son and "I will bring it along tomorrow," I said, but he other tr~velers sang songs and played on the would not go without it so I sent my servant to banjo. The women folks were peeping through bring it back.
the wattle petition. I seized the opportunity of The next day r visited the official, an elderly getting in a word for my Master and gave them Chanteo gentleman from Kashgar. He received some books. me very graciously and returned my visit when The following day we crossed the sand dunes, he gave mean unique opportunity of telling him several hundred feet in height – heavy traveling the Glad News, as he opened the subject himself.
for man and beast. "Did Christ really die and rise again?" he Finally we reached the banks of the Charchien asked.
THROUGH UNEVANGELIZED CHINESE TURKESTAN
"If it had not been so I would not be here," I talk about the Gospel, and they all got books to answered. take away with them. In the afternoon the head- There was a big, listening crowd. Several de- man of the oasis, with a few friends, came to see sired books and one man surprised me when he me. He was from Yarkand and asked many ques- told those who stood by that what I had said was tions about the Gospel. Having asked my age, perfectly true. said, At Charchien we replenished our food supply, "Why, at your age, have you come this long des- as well as grain for the animals. Nine days of ert route?"
desert lay before us. Snow was on the ground "To do the will of my Lord and Master," I re- everywhere and the road was heavy with sand plied.
dunes. The first three langars (Rest Houses) "It must be done," he answered. I gave him were in charge of a father and two sons, living Mark's Gospel and a Pilgrim's Progress. Niya alone, thirty to thirty-five miles apart. Some- and Endere are the two places where Sir Aurel times for days no travelers are to be seen, so if Stein unearthed many interesting relics. Forty one of these men were ill and died the other mem- miles direct north from Niya is the shrine of bers of the family would not know for days. Imam J afir Sadik, the most famous shrine in all Around Endere there is a good deal of jungle, Central Asia. As my mission was to bring the therefore many wild sheep, cattle, horses, foxes richest Treasure that this world affords rather and pigs. One touching scene on the way is the than seek for earthly treasures, I had no time to lonely grave here and there marked by a long pole go so far out of my way. There is a small langar stuck in the ground and a yak's tail hanging on at 40 li (13 miles) from Niya. It seemed no top. Sickness had overtaken them far away from bigger than a dog kennel, but it is built in a hol- help. It may have been that they died of thirst. low, the smallest langar we saw and is in charge We passed a little group of four one day. The of two very old women. We had to stoop down to mother had been taken suddenly ill, could no get into the miserable hovel. They had prepared longer ride the donkey, so was lying on the ground a little mutton broth for passers-by. In the sum- with the remainder of the family standing around. mer when there is no snow the water has to be On the sixth evening from Charchien we ar- carried five miles.
rived at the Yak-toghrak Langar to find the inn In a Farmer's Home full of guests, so there was no room for us in the inn this Christmas Eve. After going three miles Next day we journeyed 35 miles, arriving at the we beheld a camp fire about a half mile off the oasis of Oy-Toghrak at dusk. There was no inn, road. It was a cloudy evening and dark. Slowly so the donkeyman took us to the home of a friend we made our way among the shrubbery, snow be- where we had a very hearty welcome. Our host ing quite deep in some places, and at last reached was a well-to~do farmer. To my surprise they in- the camp fire. Our fellow travelers had found a vited me into the women's quarters where there hole under the huge roots of a tree. My men un- was a fire. A wee laddie of five summers took loaded the animals, swept the snow off the ground, hold of my hand without fear. The old mother then went in search of fuel and soon had a roar- and one of the daughters-in-law came and sat be- ing fire. It was Christmas Eve again over nine- side me near the fire. There was a father, mother, teen centuries after that first Christmas Eve. two sons and their wives and two boys. One of Here was I, out in the desert, privileged to be the the sons is a mullah.
messenger of the same Glad News to a people who After supper all except the father gathered had never heard it before. It will be a never-to- round my fire, chatted and asked questions. The be-forgotten night for me. most interesting thing was my teeth. I told them Three days more brought us to the oasis of my errand and they listened very patiently. I Niya, about 20 miles in length sustaining a pop- had only a few tracts left, but had asked for Gos- ulation of 1,000 families. Just before entering pels to be sent from Kashgar to Keria to await the oasis we passed the grave of some holy men. me, so I promised to send some back with the There were two ram's horns on one grave, on an- donkey man. None of the women wore veils in other a ram's head, a third had a sheep skin, on the house. The old lady performed her evening a fourth hung the skin of a fowl, besides hosts of devotions while I was still in her room.
little flags upon which were written prayers, re- New Year's Day we reached Keria, a city of minding one of the Tibetan obos with their hosts 6,000 families and probably 40,000 in the district, of prayer flags hung on branches of trees stuck which includes Niya and Oy-Toghrak. Here was on the top of the obo. In the evening several mer- my first touch with a bit of Western civilization, chants came to the inn where I was staying; all the post office. There is no telegraph office nearer but one could speak Chinese as they had been to than Kashgar. I was invited to stay in the home Kansuh with their merchandise. We had a long of the Aksakal, an Indian Moslem who is the rep-
resentative of the British Consul General in Kash- lars all the way. To be away from the desert gar, appointed to look after the British Indian for a short while was a real treat. subjects. It was bazaar day when we arrived and the streets were packed with people. We first We arrived at Khotan at noon and were enterwent to the inn but were glad to be invited else- tained at the home of the Indian Aksakal. The where, for the room smoked badly and was so journey long prayed about was accomplished. dark that I needed a candle to read. Here is a Khotan had already been visited several years ago good center for a mission station. The city is by that intrepid missionary, Rev. G. W. Hunter, built on a high bank overlooking the river. There who has been traveling 25 years in the province are no gates of importance and only two main and knows it better than any other living person. streets, but lanes galore, running here and there The distance from Korla is 1,140 miles and the in a most tortuous manner that it was difficult to route naturally divides itself into two parts: find one's way around. There is a large popula- Korla to Vara-shari, with headquarters either at tion on the north side of the city. Except on Korla or Karashar. one and a half days further bazaar days the city presented a very quiet ap- north, Tatran to Khotan with headquarters at pearance. When I wanted to buy anything, I was Keria. The Swedish Mission hopes to occupy told to wait till bazaar day otherwise it would be Khotan soon. difficult. The people took little notice of me. In fact, along the whole journey, except in Char- From Khotan I went northwest to Yarkand and chien, the people were not a bit curious. How Kashgar and had the privilege of seeing the work they would receive missionaries it is difficult to of the Swedish Mission at their three stationssay. It would be necessary to visit the place a Yarkand, Yenghi-hissar and Kashgar. Between few times and do a little dispensary work to open Khotan and Yarkand the three cities of Suma, the way. The need is great and that in itself Kargalik and Posgam ought to be occupied. I constitutes a call. This field naturally falls under returned via the north road-Maral-bashi, Aksu, the care of the Swedish Mission who hope to open Kuchae and Karashar thus circumambulating the Khotan in the near future. great desert of the Takla-Makan, probably the first time it has been done in one journey by a After a twelve days' stay in Keria, I sold my white man, a distance of 2,625 miles. From donkeys and bought two horses. It was a long Karashar I returned home to Tihua (Urumtsi). stretch of forty miles of desert to Yar Langar I left Tihua on the 22d day of October and reand thirty-three miles more on the following day turned on the 24th of April, in six months and brought us to the town of Chira with a population two days having covered 3,300 miles, passed of 2,500 families in the oasis. All along the route through 18 cities and towns where there was no people had been saying that it was the coldest Christian mission station. winter in the memory of the oldest inhabitants and at Chira there was a great scarcity of water. The need itself is the appeal. Pray for God's Here are ten thousand people who had never had blessing on the books and tracts sold and given the opportunity of hearing the Glad News. Much away on this virgin soil, that He who blessed and land is yet to be possessed. In the oasis of Lob broke the five loaves and two fishes and satisfied there are supposed to be some 20,000 families. It five thousand men, besides women and children, joins up with Khotan-a vety rich district. From may so break the precious Word that many souls Lob to Khotan is 20 miles along a lovely road for may be fed in this wild desert region. In the day motors about 20 feet in width and lined with pop- when He gathers up His jewels may there be many found among His treasures gathered out of this land of buried cities.
As the sculptor works in wood and stone I would devote myself to the living soul. But I face the solemn thought that the sculptor cannot carve either in wood or in stone anything better than himself. All the lines of my carving Will but reveal my own soul. Gazing at my hand, at my chisel, I shudder. How long will it take for this human sculpture which I can never carve better or finer than my-own soul? How shall I escape! how escape from my pitiable, limited self, and rise to become a carver of God!
Happily there is a guide for me, One Who has opened the door of the sanctuary, One Who in His living flesh Has given us an image of the living God.
-Toyohiko Kagawa.
Eskimos-Old and New*
=B=U=T=Z=IN====!.lII~- –tIi{II.!;;!===B=y=th=e=R=E=V=.=A=RT=H=U=R=F=.
ARE the results of fifty years of continuous their faith and hope as they heartily sing: "We .r.. missionary effort equal to the price paid? shall sleep, but not forever." As they glance at Fifty years of the Moravian Church's the crosses marking the last resting places of northwestern venture has involved thousands of their own, they have in their hearts the assurance dollars. The human effort and sacrifices with the of a glorious dawn when they shall never part.
compensations and losses involved can never be The Old Religion and the New reduced to figures set on a balance-sheet.
But in answering the question let us contrast The medicine man, or shaman, was a conspic- the Eskimo of yesterday with the Eskimo of uous person in the old order. As direct repre- today. sentative of the tunrangaiyak (Devil) he was The ancient religion of the Eskimo was one of powerful. Many of them used this power diabolideception and fear. They summed it all up in the cally. Some were of a kindlier disposition, but words: "I fear." In their language there are all of them could easily become the tyrants of many synonyms for fear, foreboding and horror. foreboding and terror. Fear enslaved the people For this fear they blame one tunrangaiyak and to these men. A young native, dying of the dread his agents. He is "the Ruler out of the Dark- tuberculosis, said to me: "The shaman has bound me. I have begged him, but he will not ness." We call him the Devil. For the Christian Eskimo the ancient fears are unbind me. So I must die. If only he would unof yesterday. They have accepted the Saviour, bind me, then I could live." who has broken the bonds that once enslaved them That the shaman did have terrible power our to fear and horrors. They say with all believers: older Christians know. But they also know that a "This is my Lord, who redeemed me, a lost and stronger and a kinder One has come. A Christian undone human creature, purchased and gained Eskimo, also dying of tuberculosis, was besought me from sin, from death and from the power of by his father, still a heathen, to have the shaman the Devil." Some may still need to say: "I be- in. He would not. They begged him that they lieve; help Thou mine unbelief." But they are might take his parka to the shaman to pow-wow saying it sincerely. Christ has opened a new over. No, he would not. If his Saviour would, world of trust and hope to their hearts. He has he could heal him, but if He saw fit to take him brought them a real salvation from terrible bond- from earth to Himself, that would be best. But age and has also introduced to them the mighty in any case he would not now let his soul be soiled by the touch of the Devil. God as their dear and loving heavenly Father. Under the old regime death came with horror, A heartless religion engendered heartlessness. hatred and hopelessness. The loss of child, Our early missionaries repeatedly met with inmother, father, or other dear one, caused the stances where those enfeebled by age or disease were left behind to starve at the time of the spring usual natural heartache. In addition were the migration. When they realized this, our missionhorrors and terrors of apparitions of the de- aries prepared salt fish ahead and saw to it that parted. There was hatred for the shaman who they had sufficient ammunition to procure the might have caused the death. Added to these was necessary ducks and geese to feed such during the utter hopelessness. Life was gone forever. periods of scarcity of food. This kind forethought Death still brings to them the heartache and made its impression. The modern missionary feeling of loss. I have heard a Christian Eskimo still encounters a sad lack of deference and kindfather sob over his dying son: "Father have liness for the aged and feeble, but they are now mercy upon me." Later this father calmly spoke fed and cared for. There is a growing Christian to his people of the Home with the heavenly Fa- opinion that the aged should be dealt with conther and the Saviour, where he would meet his siderately. Most of our congregations have colown again. Easter has become the glad day for lections especially for such older and needy folks. bereaved Eskimos. At the sunrise service they tell Sometimes Sunday school classes gather gifts for * From 1'he .BIorav1an (Decenlber, 1935). them and sing in their homes.
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The orphan and the "half-orphan" (child of gether easy in that low, flat country of rain, Eskimo companionate marriage) shared the lot of water, slush and mud where dirt is a natural aged feeble folk. However, they could not be element. starved so readily nor was that exactly desirable. The people needed "slaves" to labor for them. And it is true that the persistent influence of Hard work, rough treatment and "garbage" food the Gospel is toward cleanliness. The old superand clothing fell to the lot of these. We have seen stitions thrived in filth and darkness. Jesus is the these "slaves" among well-fed and happy children. Light of the world. Light dispels darkness and They looked on while the others had their fill of destroys filth. This is the experience of the Good the choicest. When all were satisfied, they got News among the Eskimo. Napagiaghak village the crumbs, bones and dregs of the tea that hap- wanted a chapel. They could not build it without pened to be left. These things used to be com- help. In presenting the need of a chapel their mon, for there was no sentiment to forbid it. spokesman advanced as the cogent reason for it that it was not compatible to celebrate the Holy "Let the little children come unto Me," includes Communion in the dark, dirty and soot-covered the orphan. That part of the Gospel is being in- kashige. The younger set are eagerly learning terpreted by the orphanage. Again the Eskimo the truths of sanitation and gradually are formas a whole have responded wonderfully. From ing habits of cleanliness. all corners of our field comes approval. Native congregations give fish. Some have donated fur A Long and Winding Trail boots and other things. Before our eyes we see another advance. It is the Saviour's will that It has been a long, long winding trail from their none of these little ones be offended. primitive superstitions and fears to the devotion, thankfulness, hope and Christian fellowship ex- The Social Change perienced at one of the Communion services to- day. The pioneers met with stolid hostility, with The aboriginal Eskimo considered woman very dense ignorance and utter indifference. The Gosmuch man's inferior. She was man's servant. pel message was too immense for their minds. Her duty was to bear and rear children, and al- The trail through their hearts led to their souls. ways serve the man. She gathered the wood and The patient kindness and service rendered them cured and stored the fish. She removed and dried by the missionaries won their confidence. As one the pelts of the animals trapped by the man and ignorant Eskimo said to one of our missionaries, out of them made garments. Whenever a migra- "You are Christ to us." Any verbal interpretation took place, she helped the dogs haul the bag- tion meant nothing to that man; a Christlike life gage, or if by water, she and the children pro- did. pelled the boat, while the man sat in the stern steering it. She was "too dumb" to appreciate Today they listen gladly to the message and, anything better. Mentally she was considered a furthermore, they themselves have become detervery inferior animal. mined to have a share in presenting the invitation of Christ to fellow Eskimos who have not yet ade- That feeling still persists, but there is in prog- quately heard. Helper Neck is outstanding. His ress an adjustment. Husbands and wives now name is first in the "Eskimo Who's Who." He live together – some of them very peaceably. had come from the uttermost-a shaman of the They bring up their children together. As a fam- shamans, zealous. He had accepted Christ. Thereily we see them coming to church; the husband after his living was of Christ and for Christ. He is even carrying the baby in his arms; though he and a host of others have written the Gospel acwalks on ahead while she follows! The husband cording to the Eskimo. This interpretation of has begun to fetch the wood and water and lend Christ in living epistles is read and understood. a hand in the curing and storing of the food sup- Congregations have been touched by this Spirit. plies. In many of our congregations the woman They help support native preachers in the frontier has been granted the vote. Some of the more villages; when a new chapel is to be built, a coladvanced pray at their meeting and teach Sunday lection may be taken or a hand is lent in its conschool classes. struction.
*** Fifty years in the life of a race is but a day. It would be unreasonable to expect that in so short a Very much has been said and written about the period every vestige of the old superstitions and Eskimo and his foul igloo. The subject may seem fears should have been utterly destroyed. The over-emphasized, but only to such who have never older folk "know" experimentally that evil as imseen, smelt or touched it. Then, if it be true that personated in the shaman was powerful to bless cleanliness to Godliness is kin, some very notice- and curse, That same power stilI exists, though able change should be apparent in the person, held in check by the stronger power of a merciful home, and surrounding of the Christian Eskimo. God. We wilI grant them that cleanliness is not aIto-
the Church and Modern
By J,rnV. DANIEL A. POLING, D.D. I I r~"- Pastor of Baptist Temple, Philadelphia, Pa.
~==============================~, MODERN youth is incurably religious-not may stand between, youth presses toward the goal by the test of any particular human creed, at whatever cost. Youth does not and cannot not in the vernacular of fifty, twenty or escape Jesus Christ when He is released by those even ten years ago, but in deep reality. Modern who too often build about Him barricades of youth is incurably religious even though he may prejudice and petty sectarian difference.
deny the fact for the moment, by deeds as well as What is it that makes Jesus Christ unique as words. the Captain and Leader of youth? "I will follow William Lyon Phelps, who talks a language withersoever thou goest," declared a young lawyer that youth understands, has suggested a reason centuries ago as the Galilean Teacher moved tofor the basic religious..attitude of young men and ward Jerusa·lem and His crucifixion. Those words young women. "Youth responds to the spirit and of dedication were spoken deliberately, in the message of Jesus Christ," says Dr. Phelps, "be- light of known facts, after Jesus, by the test of all cause Jesus knew more about political economy human evidence, had apparently passed from than all the professors in all the colleges in the triumph to decline; they were spoken in the face world and He knew more about the human heart of impending physical disaster. This young scribe than did Shakespeare. Jesus Christ is the great- made his choice knowing full well that by so do- est leader, the most absolutely right Person, the ing he turned his back upon family and ambition, world has ever known. A complet~ change has that he invited tragic risks, that he flung wide his come over the world since the War, especially in arms to defeat and even death.
the emergence of individual leaders in times of Jesus was on the march, and it is life on the peace. StaHn is running Russia alone, Hitler do- march that captures youth. Jesus was moving ing the same thing in Germany, Mussolini in toward a great goal. The young man knew it, Italy. The whole world is in such a turmoil that and he would go along. The psychology of youth men are looking for leadership and saying, 'Who in every generation is the psychology of advance.
is going to get us out of this mess?' People may Progress, and not decline, is the key to the hearts be following some fallible human leaders for the of our sons and daughters; and Jesus Christ for- moment, but the leadership of Jesus Christ in our ever has that key. He has a destination in view, lives ought to be, may be, constant in everything. an immortal destiny. He could not be turned If I should say that the only way in which every aside by opposition and He would not retreat be- person in this world may be saved is by joining a cause of bitter dangers. It is not a Garibaldi particular church, you would rightly think me patriotism that discourages a young man today.
crazy. I am not out of my mind when I say the It is not a loyalty involving danger that dampens only way the world can be saved today is by ac- the ardor of a young woman. But an institution cepting and following Jesus Christ." or a leader that is not going somewhere, that is It is in the very heart of the vital matter that not headed toward some real and alluring destinawe find the great twentieth century issue for the tion, cools the fevered blood of a holy purpose in Christian Church. She cannot win youth by ask- the veins of a rising generation. ing youth to join her divisions but she can win Let the Church, with her allied institutions and youth by asking them to unite their lives to the organized activities, give heed today. Let any person and cause of Jesus Christ. Jesus in the church that does not have young people, and is flesh always attracted young people to' His com- not able to attract them, take account of stock and pany, challenged them with His message, won remember the man of twenty centuries ago who them to' His ministry. He was always going some- cried, "Master, I will follow thee whithersoever where and knew where He was leading them. thou goest."
Danger and defeat did not lose youth's allegiance, Saul of Tarsus was riding hard toward Damas- for always yO'uth is on the march and if the goal cus, but Jesus rO'de faster, overtook him in the is worth reaching, though reverses and disasters way, tumbled him into the dust and then lifted [151 ]
him to sweep him forward faster than horses and to make men and women truly good and powerful farther than the boundaries of Rome's imperial is adequate for this crisis. The editorial concludes world. This same Jesus overtook Rome herself at that this solution is to be found nowhere else than last and moved on ahead of all her legions. in Jesus Christ and the New Testament.
What was the destination of Jesus? Where is The world has a growing sense of need. Her He going? When He was on earth he went to find very terror in the presence of the machine age she the hungry, and He gave them food. He went has created may be matched by her desire to find with healing for the sick, and even the dead lived and travel the road that leads to a new world. It again. He went to reveal the true basis of brother- is as though the leader of this generation said, "I hood to a world filled with hates and fears; He will follow thee, follow thee whithersoever thou went to find the lost and to show them the way goest." But have they counted the cost? back to the Father. He is still on that mighty quest. He goes now to destroy armed conflict and One of the distinguished military leaders of the bring peace; He comes to right wrongs and to Great War declared it to be his reasoned concluoffer new life and youth flocks to His banner sion that "only the Church can save the world wherever it is lifted on high. from another and even more disastrous conflict." He added, "If another great war comes, the Where is Jesus, our Lord, going? He hastens Church will be to blame." Can the Church preto establish the sacredness, the divinity of human vent war? Can the Church destroy poverty? Can personality, when brought into vital relationship the Church secure justice for weaker races, and with God. For him a little child, the humblest classes? Can the Church solve the problem of baby of the poorest house is of greater value than lawlessness and actually Christianize civilization? all the wealth of a great city. No-the Church cannot, al'5 an institution with an institutional program. As an organization in her Jesus Christ travels on with the ever-lengthen- own right, however great and glorious in the light ing stride of eternal truth to free man's body from of sacred history, she cannot. But as the chosen its bondage, and to cure and save the soul of man instrument of this same Jesus Christ, the Lord of so that it will never die. All other leaders are Glory, the Church, united, humbled by the sense little men when compared with the divine Gal- of her human weaknesses, but with the knowledge ilean. They have their moment of acclaim, but of her infinite divine resources, the Church, folseldom more than one. Only when they join His lowing the l~adership of Christ, thus can save the company and are possessed by His Spirit do they world. This is the Church to which modern youth survive their generation – such were Paul and will come, as youth in every generation has Luther, Wesley and Spurgeon and Moody. The flocked to enlist for high adventure. Youth enlists youth of the world can be saved today only' by fol- today for dictators, and youth marches behind lowing Jesus Christ. the banners of Stalin and Hitler and Mussolini, moved by fear and hatred and self-interest. When In a popular magazine an editorial writer, who the lists of Jesus Christ are opened and His would resent being called a preacher, declared that trumpet is blown youth will march under His it is not by a "new thought" that the world can be banner. saved but that the regeneration of society demands new lives, and that only a Power sufficient LET THE CHILDREN BE HEARD You may hush every other voice of national and individual complaint; you may silence every other tongue, even those of mothers of destroyed sons and daughters, of wives of profli- gate husbands; but let the children speak – the little children, the wronged children, the crip- pled children, the abused children, the blind children, the imbecile children, the nameless chil- dren, the starved children, the deserted children, the beaten children, the dead children!
o my God, this army of little children!
Let their weak voices, faint with oppression, cold and hunger, be heard. . . . Let their little faces, pinched by want of gladness, be heeded! Let their challenge – though made by small forms, too mighty for estimate – be reckoned with! Let their writing upon the wall of the nation – although traced by tiny fingers, as stupendous as eternity – be correctly in- terpreted and read, that the awful robbery of the lawful heritage of their little bodies, minds and souls is laid at the brazen gate of ALCOHOL. – EVANGELINE BOOTH, General of the Sal- vation Army.
Christian Students and
–<!III By H. W. PEET, London, England 11"'- T HE student Christian Movement Quadren- The worst policy today is to maintain the status nial of Great Britain was held at Birming- quo; anti-Communist crusaders become too easily ham. This great gathering is held to bring the messengers of the "bad news" that things before each generation of students the needs of must remain as they are. The Church must realthe missionary work of the Church. ize that "The finest realities of the West are not in systems; forms of government are merely tem- The trend of student thought today is reflected porary ways of dealing with human affairs. We in the general title of the conference, "God Speaks must have a sense of proportion-or humor-and to This Generation." As Dr. Leyton Richards, of the idea that behind the facade of affairs are just Carrs Lane Chapel, Birmingham, said: frightened human beings. We must try to look God in the face and realize how ridiculous it is "After the war the emphasis was on social work for us to sit in judgment on one another, like and international matters. These are still press- archangels on the day of judgment. We must ing heavily on the students but they realize that realize that humanity is a band of sinners who they and the world around them have failed to should come to God and then stand side by side put things right, and they are returning to a helping to make a new world." search f.or a sure foundation for their faith in God." Dr. t'Hooft gave a vivid analysis of Great Britain today as an outsider sees her. He put his The early disciples of Christ started with the finger on the weak spots in British national facts of Jesus' advent, life, sacrifice and resur- armor, and quite frankly said that the world is rection. They found that these historical facts irritated with Britain because she seems so easily became for them the basis for a moral fact. As to find great moral reasons for acts of self-interthey tried to explore the moral fact and explained est. Britain must be willing definitely to conit they found that the Person they had known tribute to the peace of the world, apart from any just as a fact of history, and whom later they advantage such an act may bring to herself. recognized as the great factor of moral life, could only be explained as a spiritual fact, as One who An Anglican Father, Rev. W. S. A. Robertson, was the embodiment or incarnation of the very of St. Ives, who is d.oing a magnificent work in being of God. the midlands among tramps, presented an attrac- tive figure in his brown robe and course girdle. The gathering was attended by 2,000 people, Speaking on "The Reality of God," he said that, including many overseas students studying in even though his audience was so different fr.om Great Britain and others who came specially for those among whom he had recently been mixing the meeting from the continent of Europe, Asia yet they had much in common for all .of us must and Africa. come to God as "down and out" men and women.
Dr. Visser t'Hooft, the very capable Dutch sec- Rev. William Paton, Secretary of ,the Internaretary of the World Student Christian Federation, tional Missionary Council, spoke on his recent representing some 200,000 students in 45 coun- visit to the Far East and dealt with the political tries, spoke on "The 'Christian' West." He said: and religious ferments there. In his analysis of "We might as well talk of the 'Christian Jungle,' " the situation in Japan, where the worship of the recalling the tragically unchristian state of af- Emperor, inherent in the Japanese system, is setfairs which prevail today. "Nevertheless," he ting up a superreligion of extreme nati.onalism, added, "Christianity has been the central forma- he really gave a digest of his important book, tive element in all that is good in Western civ- "Christianity in the Eastern Conflicts." One of ilization. It has emphasized the worth of effort the speakers of the World Student Christian Fedand of individuals. Without Christianity the erati.on was Mr. Sen, ,an Indian who has just been West would be historically inconceivable. "What touring the United States. His illustration of the the world lacks today is a common point of ref- five fingers .of our hand representing what should erence. Several groups believe that they alone be the five chief elements in our life. The thumb can save Europe-and are willing to ruin Europe represents strength and courage for with it we in order to prove their thesis. The ideological grip things. The first finger represents leadership enemy is considered the representative of some satanic principle."
[ 153]
and guidance, for with it we point. The center supplication, but rather with hand stretched ,out finger represents harmony. The third on which in cooperation." In a warm tribute to the misthe wedding ring is placed, stands for love. And sionary movement of the past hundred years, Mr. the little finger when we hold our hands in prayer Sun said, "It would be difficult to discover in hisfaces the aUar and, also, in the Indian meth,od of tory any group ,of men and women who have comsalutation, faces the person we honor. manded greater respect and admirati,on than those ,of the missi,on field. The world owes a greater The Archbishop of Y,ork spoke on "God in debt to these men and women than it sometimes Christ," recalling the first Quadrennial he at- realizes." tended in 1908. "Those who saw God in Christ in the first century," he said, "did not argue ab,out Africa was represented by Mr. J. C. W. Dougit. F1aith is a response of the wh,ole mind, critical all, the new Secretary of the Conference of British and constructive. Yet the essential wonder of Missionary Societies, who has spent s,ome years faith is much more like the feeling for a trusted in East Africa as educational adviser to missi,ons. and admired leader than it was like the Q. E. D. While all the most vital questions of international at the end of a geometrical proposition." relationships may be focussed in Africa at the moment, the most important fact Lor the future is Rev. Paul Rangaramanujam gave a stirring ac- that there is a Christian Church in Africa. count ,of the growth of the Mass Movement in the area in which he works. On the political situa- The urgent need for missionaries at present was tion Mr. Rangaramanujam said that India is emphasized by Miss Ruth Rouse, Educati,on Sec- retary of the Missionary Council of the Church of facing clear issues with high idealism, c,ourage England-who, incidentally, was one of the three and wisdom that are almost Christian. The Na- people present at this conference who were also tional Movement which used to have primarily a at the first Student Christian M,ovement Quadpolitical emphasis is n,ow beginning to embrace rennial in 1896. There are today 400 vacant P,osts social and economic pr,oblems. While earlier it in the Protestant mission field which can be filled wanted self-government because it did not want only by men and women who were now students to be g,overned by others, now it desires inde- -ordained men, teachers, doctors, nurses, women pendence for the noble purpose ,of serving India evangelists, agricultural engineers, builders, weland seeing that her P,oor, depressed and ,outcaste fare workers.· There are fields now where the pe,ople come into their own. Great Britain is average age ,of the missi,onaries is between 50 and called to send Christian men and women to G,oV- 60. New consecrated, well-trained missionaries ernment service, military and other forms of serv- are needed from the present student generation. ice to India, to sh,ow the go,od will there is in the Church of Christ in Britain. Mr. Rangaramanu- There are great possibilities in consecrated jam also emphasized the needs which the Church young life and our prayer is that y,outh may fulin India still has of spiritual and intellectual lead- fill .its pmmise and see its way, having listened ership from Western Churches. to the voice of God, to a path which will lead the world onward. As a leading member of the The Chinese Christian editor, Mr. T. H. Sun, faculty of Birmingham University said of the made a plea for help for the Chinese Church from gathering: "The whole atmosphere is reeking the church of the West. "The younger Churches," with moral gunpowder." he said, "come to you n,ot with the open hand of A HINDU PARABLE There was a donkey which belonged to a dhobi (handy man). The poor donkey had a hard time, for, as everyone knows, donkeys belong to a "depressed class." The owner abused and overworked him shamefully. The rope by which he was tied was very old and had be- come weak in many places, partly because many reformers had tried to cut it and free the donkey. The poor animal longed to be free and himself often chewed it. He CQuid have broken it easily; but whenever he became restless, the dhobi would give him a little green grass and as he was always hungry he would quiet down to eat the grass. Then his ,owner would load him up again' and beat him and curse him. Again he would determine to go free at the first opportunity but as often as he started to break away the dhobi would again give him a little grass. Then, the donkey would think, "After all, if I leave this place where could I go? This is the place where I was born." So he remained in his wretched condition, not because the rope held him, but because he received a little grass and because he really disliked to change.
Moral: The bonds of caste are not strong enough to hold anyone who really wishes to go free.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I============================~ MEN'S MISSIONARY LEAGUE, 1934 – FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ELYRIA, OHIO An Achievement in Masculine den of responsibility for the gained 50 % in active member- Missions present abnormal situation in which "the whole undertaking ship, 34% in general offerings Under this challenging title, to make Christ known to the The Men's Missionary League world is regarded as a strictly and an increase of 43 % in the of the United Presbyterian feminine affair" (in the local church of Elyria, Ohio, has church aspect) and the entire thank-offering over that of the brought out a leaflet giving "the missionary movement is a wom- preceding year! The entire mishuman interest history" of their an's undertaking and not some- sionary budget offerings of the adventure in leading men to thing to challenge the serious congregation for the church year major in missions. The pioneer- and active devotion of strong ending in March, 1935, were ing pastor, Rev. George A. Christian men. The story of the Brown, told the story of the ven- way in which Mr. Brown set 137 % over those of the year beture in THE REVIEW in Novem- about harnessing the men and ber, 1935. As set forth therein boys in his church for team work fore. the problem of enlisting men for with the sisterhood is a chalmissions is, in its final analysis, lenging one, and the report of We have now to record that a matter of interesting them the effect upon the local wom- the infant organization has not whole-heartedly and enthusias- en's missionary society is star- only survived and grown but tically in Jesus Christ Himself, tling. At the end of the first year that similar leagues have sprung the dynamic of whose life work of the League, that society rewas the missionary motive and ported marked increase in mem- up in a number of other churches the carry-on personnel of whose bership, attendance, offerings, necessitating the issue of the interest and cooperation never leaflet above mentioned as an incampaign, in the early centuries, known before on the part of "the structional manuel with model consisted of the informal mis- brethren." In the language of sionaries we now call laymen. figures, the women's soc i e t y constitution and by-laws. On the evening of Nov. 17, 1936, the Upon the pastors rests the bur- [155 ] League celebrated its t h i r d birthday in a party with all the other missionary organizations of the church as guests and Sam- uel A. Fulton, International Chaplain of the Gideons, as the main speaker. Two special mis-
sionary projects-one home and ets of such material over care- African territory-very picturesque) ; one foreign – have been under- fully and found them highly sug- "African Lights and Shadows" (story taken by the organization as its gestive, the Editor is glad to re- illustrated by shadow piCtures inpractical outlet. In a recent let- deem her promise to cite them volving a series of dramatizationster to the Department Editor, for consideration, especially as full directions given); "An African Mr. Brown says: the African study period is not Village Trial"; "Harum Scarum finished yet; and the bulk of the Harems"; "Enlarge Your World" We have been going now for over material is of a timeless, univer- (folder illustration); "Mimeographed three years and the interest not only sal character and the "program Patterns"; "Greetings-Congo Style" abides but grows with the passing molds" of such a type that they (full directions for picturesque ceremonths and meetings. Our men here will suit a variety of topical con- monial) . are enthusiastic about it and the work tents. The denominational brand is extending throughout our church. is also negligible. Any evan- An outstanding feature of We have had wide and favorable pub- gelical group can utilize most of these packets is the number of licity, not only in this land but in the programs, devices and sub- references made to plans and Canada. The hand of the Lord is ject matter to good advantage. articles in the October issue of most manifestly in our work and we THE REVIEW. Much of its mawant it to grow for His sake and to The three packets are adapted terial is recommended for spe- His glory. for use among women's societies, cific use. older and younger young peo- With whole-hearted assent we ple's groups and Sunday school Follow the Line of Most echo the closing words of the classes or departments. They Resistancecampaign leaflet: may be obtained at The United Christian Missionary Society, but that's only one way Let each pastor preach to his men Missions Building, 222 Downey of saying it. at the earliest possible date, and more Ave., Indianapolis, Ind., at 50 earnestly and plainly and directly cents each. State for which The blue waters of Eagles than ever before, to show them that group the material is desired. Mere Lake moved and shim- Missions is a man's job. Then call a mered under a golden June sun. meeting for the organization of a Each packet contains an out- The foliage circling the lake like Men's Missionary League: pray, plan line of the course and materials, a wreath provided a restful and proceed as the Holy Spirit Him- instructions for leaders and pro- change for the eyes and at least self may lead. In the words of our gram builders, ready-to-use les- two city-dwellers sitting on the rallying song: son subject matter, dramatic beach appreciated the scene. sketches, folk lore tales, complete A wake, ye Christian men; devotional, consecration and in- The girl in the bathing suit Behold the world today; stallation services, question and dropped her beach coat so that discussion mat e ria 1, mimeo- the sun could reach her shoul- Great multitudes like scattered sheep graphed patterns, African games ders. They were conspicuously From God still go astray. for the recreational periods, etc. white compared with those of Sample questions and discussion other bathers about her. Come with a spirit stirred; topics are: Obey your Lord's command; "Dotty," she spoke to the girl Is it right to impose denominational- in blue gingham beside her, Pray Him to send forth laborers ism and white civilization upon "why have I never done this be- Into each waiting land. other countries? fore? A vacation at a mission- ary conference didn't sound Present your gifts to Him, Is the African not happy as he is? thrilling to me, but I don't know Your silver and your gold; Why interfere with his beliefs? when I've enjoyed a week more, and I'm going home with my But first of all, yourself He asks, What conditions growing out of the head simply crammed with That He your life may mold. conquest of Africa jeopardize the ideas." She took a small note- peace of the world todav? book from the pocket of her coat Go forth, ye Christian men, and began turning its pages. Proclaim His name abroad; There is so much to be done at home. Why support foreign missions "You know, Sarah," Dotty re- That sinners far and near may come until we have Christianized our plied, "when I asked you to come To know the Son of God. own country? with me last year, you said you were taking your vacation later. He gave His life for you; The process of securing products from Most of the conferences like this His precious blood He shed. Africa is changing the lives of were over. But I knew you Africans. As a user of these would like it." Serve Him who saves you by His products do I not have a moral grace, responsibility toward Africa? "Well, I certainly do. Thete's plenty of time for outdoor exer- The Church's living Head. How does my consecration compare cise and the things I'm learning with that of African Christians? come in such an easy, interest- (Copies M the organizational leaflet may ing way – everything combines be had at 4 cents per C(}py. 40' cents per Is my life a recommendation for to make me feel a real satisfacdozen, $3.00 per hundred, from The Board Christ? tion." of Administration, United Presbyterian Church, 705 Publication Building, Pitts- Dramatics, dialogues, visual- "Just before I came," the burgh, Pa.) izations, etc., include the follow- other went on, "I agreed to be ing as samples: "Allo, Congo!" "Upriver on the Oregon" (travel As mentioned in the October impersonations); "White Gobblers in issue of this Department, the Africa" (illustrated representation of foreign mission programs. and foreign rapacity in "gobbling up" study material of the United Christian Missionary Society could not be listed until after the first of the year, as they would not come out before January. Having looked the several pack-
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
president of our mIsSIOnary sort of thing. Of course, we'll like to have an evening with circle next winter. My notebook have a play or a talk by a mis- Polly Brown and Helen Frazier sionary so as to keep the party talking about their trip to the is a sort of outsize one and it's Orient. They didn't visit all the going to be a lot of help to me. from being all amusement and mission stations but they did nothing to show for it after- meet a few of the missionaries I can make use of so many of wards." and if they would show the the things we get here. You things they brought home and "That sounds fine," praised tell about the ones they met, and weren't here the first night when Dotty, "and how about making describe our work as they can the literature lady told that little invitations like those we saw in read it up in the missionary story made up of the titles of the the shape of an African hut. magazine, I'm sure the girls books on Africa. That was They are made of wrapping would learn something from clever and it's a stunt that might paper with the thatched roof that, too." be done with titles of books crayoned a darker brown. You about any country. She had a catch a glimpse of the wording "A good thing about the methglobe in front of her on a table on the inside fold through a ods we've had here," remarked Dotty, "is that they could be and she repeated the words of little cut-out door in the hut. We adapted to suit the study of al- 'This is my Father's world,' the must pique the imagination with most any country. Now, my the wording of the invitation, as cousin says they will study first verse, while someone played Miss Applegarth said. Didn't Japan this year because the misit softly on the piano. Then she you love her asking, 'Has the dic- sionary their own church sup- tionary joined your church?' ports is making their town her said, 'My Father's world! I re- It's true that we keep on using headquarters while she's at peat the words often thinking the same old hackneyed terms home. That series Miss Appleonly of the part I can see with garth suggested on Hands, for my eyes' or words to that effect. in our meeting announcements. instance, could be used for any We just don't take the trouble other land as well as Africa. She went on to talk about Af- to think up more alluring ones." Remember, she had the titles rica, bringing in the titles of the listed, Hands across the Sea, different books and magazine The sun was slanting lower Hands that Rock the Cradle, articles and holding each one up Hand – Me – Down, Behindhand and the lake breeze was cool. or Beforehand, Han d i c r aft, as she mentioned it. Then she Sarah pulled her coat about her Hand-in-Hand. Can't you just closed with the last verse of the shoulders again as she scribbled picture how those topics could hymn, after saying something a few words in her tiny book. be worked out. It does take "Yes, and we mustn't use stilted imagination, though. I must about our obligation to help Af- phrases either. They put peo- say, I feel as though I never rica's people to see the Father's ple to sleep-people at a meeting again will be satisfied to follow 'the line of least resistance' in world and be able to thank Him need to be electrified. Even the presenting the cause of missions for it, too. I thought at our first furniture should be placed dif- -there I go again using set meeting we could give the girls ferently now and then, and the phrases! How would you say minister's wife mustn't always that, Sarah? Follow the line of a glimpse of the study plans that lead the devotions. In our case least resistance in broadcasting same way." it's the minister's daughter, but the fact that our missionaries I'm going to ask Flo this time to are heroes in the midst of a Sarah was still fingering her get two other girls to read with thrilling adventure-up against notebook, nodding her head to her the story of Philip and the all sorts of odds, yet they see reshow that she was listening. sults that make them realize they "One thing sure," she declared, Ethiopian eunuch. One can read are truly workers together with "I never would have promised to the narrative part, one will take charge of the party for new speak for Philip and the other God and must win in the long members if I'd not been getting run. When the girls really get some of those things they call for the eunuch. It will make the 'methods' from Margaret Apple- story more real." that view, they are sure to want garth. Now I know just what to help. By the way, Miss Ap- I'm going to suggest to the com- "Another thing to think about in devotions is hymns. Alice plegarth and some of the other mittee. Remember the game we leaders are going to be here played on Saturday afternoon, told me she simply hadn't the with the name of a famous per- heart to sing '0 Zion Haste' ever again next summer." son on every girl's back. We'll again. She says we always sing use people connected with Af- it. I told her that if she'd come "Well, I'm telling you right rica, missionaries like Living- and lead us in some really new stone and Jean Mackenzie, and hymns, or even some old ones now, so am 11" a few like Cecil Rhodes and that we don't sing so often, we'd Haile Selassie. For refresh- JANE GILBERT, give the stand-bys a rest for a ments we had a whole bunch of year. And with just a little Vice-Chairman, Eagles Mere, Pa., bananas, and cookies cut in the originality, there are ways of Conference, June 26 to July 3. varying the use of even an old shape of the map of Africa, hymn to advantage."
spread with a mixture of peanut "If I wasn't so full of this Af- rican party," said Sarah, "I'd butter and chile sauce-weren't they good? And the peanuts we had to hunt for all around the room. The girls will love that
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTlVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~'~I~–==~~~~~~~~~===—-I~ LET US REMEMBER JESUS INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: BENEDICTION: A Lenten Service of Worship* Vocal solo–"My Task"-Ashford. (Remain standing after benedic- tion.) INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: PERIOD OF MEDITATION. LEADER: "The Palms"-Faure. LEADER: (Continue to play softly as ac- ("Into the Woods My Master Went" companiment during the reading Let us remember Jesus: Who loved to be played softly during reading of the poem.) men, yet retired from them to pray, of poem.) rose a great while before day, LEADER: watched through a night, stayed in o Master of the Galilean Way, the wilderness, went up into a Judean hills are holy, Judean hills mountain, sought a garden. Who, Forgive us for the vows we fail are fair, when he would help a tempted dis- to keep: ciple, prayed for him, and for the For one can find the footprints of perfecting of those who received Forgive us that we so neglect thy Jesus everywhere. sheep, him. One finds them in the twilight be- So idly waste this shining harvest neath the singing sky, INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: day!
Where shepherds watch in wonder Vocal solo-"Into the Woods My What matter if we cannot under- white planets wheeling by. Master Went" – Lanier. (F irs t stand stanza.) His trails are on the hillsides and The mystery of Love that is Di- down the dales and deeps; PERIOD OF MEDITATION. vine, He walks the high horizons where LEADER: Nor pierce the veil! Dear Lord, vesper silence sleeps. our faith increase Let us remember Jesus: Who be- He haunts the lowly highways lieved in men to the last and never To know that, since our hands where human hopes have trod despaired of them. Who through may reach thy hand, all disappointment never lost heart. The Via Dolorosa up to the heart Who disregarded his own comfort Our lives are made all-powerful, of God. and convenience and thought first through thine, of others' needs, and though he suf- He looms,·a lonely figure, along the fered long was always kind. Who, To heal a wounded world and fringe of night, when he was reviled, reviled not bring it peace! again, and when he suffered, threat- -Molly Anderson Haley. As lonely as a cedar against the ened not. Who humbled himself lonely night. and carried obedience to the point Poems from "Quotable Poems," Vol. I of death, even death on the cross, Judean hills are holy, Judean hills and endured faithfully to the end. Clark-Gillespie, Willett, Clark &anCdo.p, ra1y9e3r1~' are fair, New York. Music, meditation INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: from HNew Hymnal of American Youth" For one can find the footprints of Jesus everywhere. Vocal solo – "Into the Woods My H. Augustine Smith, Appleton D. Century, -William L. Stidger. Master Went." (Last stanza.) New York.
PERIOD OF MEDITATION. UNISON PRAYER AND CONSECRATION Officers, 1937 LEADER: (Standing) : President – Mrs. Millard Robinson (Methodist Episcopal). As we worship together- o Christ, our only Saviour, so come Let us remember Jesus: Who, First Vice-President-Mrs. Orrin R. though he was rich, yet for our to dwell in us that we may go forth Judd (N. Baptist). sakes became poor and dwelt among with the light of thy hope in our us. Who was content to be subject eyes, and thy faith and love in our Second Vice-President–Mrs. Augus- to his parents, the child of a poor man's home. Who lived for thirty hearts. tus Trowbridge (Protestant Epis- years the common life, earning his To the preaching of good tidings copal). living with his own hands and de- of salvation we consecrate Third Vice-President- Mrs. J. W. clining no humble tasks. Whom the our powers; Downs (Methodist Episcopal common people heard gladly, for he To the healing of broken bodies South) . understood their ways. and the relief of distress we Recording Secretary – Miss Dorothy consecrate our gifts; A. Stevens (N. Baptist). INTERLUDE OF MUSIC: To the leading of every soul to the knowledge and love of Treasurer-Mrs. Norman V. Peale Vocal solo-"When the Lord of Love Christ we consecrate our in- (Reformed in Am.). Was Here"-Brooke. (First three fluence; stanzas.) To the Christianization of the Chairmen of Committees world, PERIOD OF MEDITATION. To the building of the Kingdom of Annual Meeting: Miss Laura H. Parker (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). LEADER: God: Chautauqua: Miss Amelia D. Kemp We consecrate our money, our ef- (Un. Lutheran). . Let us remember Jesus: Who was Conferences and Schools of Missions: mighty in deed, healing the sick and forts and our lives. Amen. Miss Carrie M. Kerschner (Evan- the disordered, using for others the powers he would not invoke for RESPONSE: gelical Reformed). himself. Who refused to force Editorial and Publicity: Mrs. J. men's allegiance. Who was master "Hear Our Prayer, 0 Lord." (Vo- and Lord to his disciples, yet was cal or instrumental.) Henry Callister (Friends). among them as their companion and as one who served. HYMN: Eva Clark Waid Memorial for World • Prepared by Charlotte Mary Burnham. "0 Master, Let Me Walk with Peace: Miss Emma Jessie Ogg Thee." (Four stanzas.) (Presbyterian, U. S. A.).
[158 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Finance: Mrs. Mary D. White (Con- one another and to demonstrate the Western Hemisphere and to ex- gregational-Christian) . the inclusiveness of the home tend this policy of good neighborliness mission program. In reporting to all nations, regardless of geograph- International Relations: Miss Elinor the year's activities at the busi- ical propinquity. ness session novel methods were K. Purves (Presbyterian, U. s. employed – panel discussions, 2. To exercise moderation with re- round tables and skits, thereby spect to our military establishments, A.). making the presentation of re- to the end that the influence of the ports interesting and stimu- United States may be on the side of Legislative: Mrs. Bessie H. Payne lating. peace and not on the side of war. (NatI. Baptist). Important actions were taken, 3. To accept membership in the Migrant: Mrs. Kenneth D. MiIIer a few of which are reported in World Court and through such action (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). V. this Bulletin. The Liquor Com- relate our nation in a helpful way to Chairman: Mrs. D. C. Turner mission appointed at the 1936 the development of a world commu- (Congregational-Christian) . Annual Meeting, to study the re- nity of law and of justice. lation of the Council of Women Nominating: Miss Edna M. Spring- for Home Missions to the Liquor 4. To extend the existing neutrality horn (Un. Lutheran). Problem presented a very com- legislation to include an embargo on prehensive report including the basic war materials to nations resort- Office Administration: Miss Ann follow i n g recommendations ing to war, in order to keep the Elizabeth Taylor (Presbyterian, adopted by the Federal Council United States from being drawn into U. S. A.). Biennial Meeting last December war, while at the same time it coop- and which were adopted by this erates with other nations for the Pension Plan: Mrs. Edmund B. Chaf- meeting. preservation of peace. fee (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). 1. That temperance education be 5. To work to secure national and Programs for Local Interdenomina- strongly reenforced in church and international control of the arms tional Groups: Mrs. Fred S. Ben- community and that denominational traffic. nett (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). and interdenominational boards and agencies charged with this responsi- 6. To extend stilI further the ad- Race Relations: Miss May Huston bility seek to cooperate in the publi- ministration's program of trade agree- (N. Baptist). cation of study courses for youth and ments and to facilitate through such of temperance literature; action the easing of economic tensions Study Courses: Miss Margaret Mars- throughout the world. ton (Protestant Episcopal). Vice- 2. That exploration be made as to Chairman: Miss Mabel M. Shei:o- the possibility of taking the profit out 7. To make clear the fact, by Presi- ley (Presbyterian, U. S. A.). of the manufacture and sale of liquor dential proclamation or otherwise, and the Research Department of the that the armed forces of our country World Day of Prayer: Mrs. Daniel Federal Council investigate and re- are not, under any circumstances, to A. Poling (N. Baptist). Vice- port on this aspect of the liquor be employed for the protection of the Chairman: Mrs. E. E. Cooley problem; economic or other material interests (Presoyterian, U. S. A.). of American nationals in other lands. 3. The securing and furnishing of Young People's Work: Rev. Frederick data which may be used by educa- 8. To take such steps as may be ad- R. Thorne, D.D., Chairman (Pres- tional agencies in presenting the sub- visable to insure the improvements of byterian, U. S. A.). V. Chair- ject; American-Japanese relations and, in man: Miss PrisciIIa Chase (Con- cooperation with other interested na- gregational-Christian) . 4. That the press of the country be tions, to labor for the restoration of urged to consider the harm done to a treaty structure for the Pacific. Joint Indian: Rev. Mark A. Dawber, themselves and their readers by liquor D.D., Chairman (Methodist Epis- advertising and, together with the 9. To place upon a strictly volun- copal). Vice-Chairman: Miss radio and the screen, be urged to elim- tary basis all military training in Helen M. Brickman (~ef'd in inate the emphasis on drinking habits; civil colleges and universities and to Am.). provide for the elimination of all mili- 5. That the Council of Women for tary training in high schools. ANNUAL MEETING Home Missions, in the interest of na- tional safety and welfare, most sol- That it make known this endorse- The Council of Women for emnly calI upon the people of this ment in a letter to the President of Home Missions and the Home land to arouse themselves to the men- the United States. Missions Council held their An- ace of this growing evil and by pernual Meeting January 11-14, sonal influence, by coIlective and polit- That it commend to the women of 1937, in Asbury Park, New Jer- ical action strive for such practical the Church through the denominasey. The first two days were measures of restraint and control as tional Boards the statement on peace given to the business sessions of are necessary for the protection of adopted by the Federal Council of the two Councils and the last society. Churches at its meeting on December two to the National Conference 11, 1936, asking them to study the on the City Church. The Fel- The above recommendations nine point program, included therein, lowship Supper which officially had been adopted at the Biennial to make known their attitude to the opened the Annual Meeting of Meeting of the Federal Council government of the United States the Council of Women for Home of Churches on December 11, and to the people of their communi- Missions was in every sense a ties, and to develop in their own and fellowship. Mrs. Millard Rob- 1936. other people's minds the will to peace. inson, President, presided. The program, informal in nature in- International Relations YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK cluded greetings from fraternal delegates and then three-minute The Committee on Interna- It was reported that at the accounts given by a representa- tional Relations recommended: Conference of United Christian tive named by each constituent Youth Movement at Lakeside, Board describing the outstand- 1. To implement stilI further its Ohio, in the fall of 1936, it ing achievement in the home Good Neighbor policy with regard to had been decided to include mismission work of each board in sionary emphasis in the promo- 1936. Seldom has any feature tion of Christian Youth Building on an Annual Meeting program a New World, and material is done more to acquaint us with being prepared for this by the Youth Committee of the Mis- sionary Education Movement.
~i'==O=u=r=w=o=rl=d=–W=i=d=e=o==ut=lo=o=k==~ir
J1t A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events "
~. EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO .~~ LATIN AMERIOA Preaching Restricted quainted with us, told of what we were doing, .of the impor- Ouba's Oooperative School Rev. C. S. Detweiler, of the tance of Christianity for the American Baptist Board, made world. He ended with a cordial The c.ooperative idea in rural a recent visit tQ Central Amer- invitation for all to attend Chriseducation has been highly suc- ica, and reports that it is prac- tian services." cessful in San Miguel de los tically impossible for any m.ore Banos, Cuba, where a Presbyte- new missioOnaries to enter Costa Bibles, Testaments and tracts rian Mission has an experi- Rica and Guatemala. With SoOme in Chinese have been sent for to mental rural proj ect. For three difficulty the Protestant missioOns help follow up this important months ,the idea grew upon the in these countries have been able opening. community, and 25 adults and to secure replacements f.orthQse 22 children were found who whQ have left, but are not al- A More Liberal Order needed and wanted the school. l.owed to increase the staff. Evangelical missi.onaries have New thinking is observed in A thatch-:mofed house was been affected by new restrictions Colombia. Youth is impatient put up; the next move was to upon their work in town and with the old order and is workprovide a teacher. She will country. The g.overnment is re- ing for liberal principles in edumaintain her own home, and the quiring all pas,t.ors t.o secure a cation, and a relaxation of the young women of the community license, and .only thus are they inhibitions of the Roman Cathwill take turns living with her, permitted to hold services. olic Church. This attitude has in order to learn home making been reflected in a 71 per cent from her.-Monday Morning. -Watchman-Examiner. increase in the enrolment of Protestant Sunday schools since Ohristian Literature for The Ohinese in Guatemala 1932. Mexico Dr. E. M. Haymaker, editor Legislation recently passed by F.or the first time in the his- of Guatemala News, describes a the Colombian Par I i am en t tory .of evangelical wQrk in Mex- new work which the newly ap- marks the great changes now in ico, Sunday School Association pointed Chinese consul helped tQ progress. Three articles .of the publicati.ons are being sold in inaugurate. He is a Christian Constitution have been deleted: books,tores .other than their own. Chinese, while his wife is the Works by Kagawa, Compton, C. daughter of a Chinese pastor Article 38. The Roman Catholic F. Andrews and others are in and granddaughter of a former religion is the religion of the nation, prQcess of translatiQn. The first one. Both are deeply interested protected by the public authorities, reof a series of booklets intended in their Christian faith. spected as an essential element of sofor student evangelism appea,red cial order. early this year. There are about 742 Chinese in Guatemala at present. Article 41. Public instruction shall Prof. G. Baez Camargo be- be organized and directed in agreelieves that this literature pro- Dr. Haymaker felt that some- ment and harmony with the Catholic gram that is being carried .on thing ought to be done for them, religion. modestly, but effectively, will and talked over the matter with prove to be .one of the greatest Mr. LeQ, the consul, with the re- Article 55. Buildings destined for spiritual adventures in the his- sult that some .of the mission- worship, seminaries, and episcopal tory of the evangelizati.on of aries were invited tQ tea at the houses shall not be subject to taxa- Latin America. consulate to meet a group of tion, nor taken for any other service. Chinese. This gave the oppor- Personally, and through the tunity of meeting no less than -Indian Witness. SUPP.ort .of friends in England thirty of the principal Chinese and America, Prof. Camargo of the capital where there are Beginnings in New Field has launched a literature project some 200 located. "There was .of another type: a Christian no beating about the bush as to E. K. Pinn and D. Michell, quarterly especially dev.oted t.o the object of the tea," writes w.orkers f.or the Evangelical the intrQduction .of the GQspel Dr. Haymaker. "Mr. Leo, in UniQn of South America, have to students, professors., social explaining whQ we were and changed their field from Chinleaders and educated persons. why he wanted them to be ac- chellos to Talavera, Peru. Work at the £Qrmer place is being c.on- -W. S. S. A. News. [160 ] tinued by two young Peruvian Christians.
These missionaries find in Talavera a mQre .open-minded, liberal spirit, "but," they say, EUROPE Outlook in Spain "while it is a pleasant change Toward Church Unity Dr. Juan Orts Gonzalez benot to be called 'devil,' 'Or 'athe- lieves that now, more than ever ist' or to have people surrepti- In St. Paul's, London, a contio'usly looking f'Or our tails, in- ference was held last October, before, the Gospel of Jesus differenc·e and materialism can attended by delegates represent- Christ can be made known in prove as great enemies as fa- ing most of the church b'Odies 'Of Spain even to devout Catholics, naticism. Many people are glad the W'Orld. Plans, are being de- if appropriate efforts are made. to have us here to visit the P'O'Or vised f'Or the cl'Oser drawing toand sick, but do not want to be gether 'Of all denominations. A He writes: disturbed in their life 'Of im- great pageant is to be held in m'Orality, 0 r m'Oney – making, London at a date to be fixed, the "A few months before the revdrink or other besetting sin." background to which will be a olution began, the Bible Society choir 'Of 1,500 voices. Preceding succeeded in publishing adver- Encouraging aspects in the this dem'Onstration, which will .tisements in the two great prochange are improved health, be broadcast 'Over a world-wide letarian papers of Madrid, El friendliness of the majority, network by the British Br'Oad- Socialista and Claridad, with more level c'Ountry so that they casting Corporation, two world very satisfactory respons,e in the can walk farther, and the coop- conferences will be held, one in eration 'Of teachers in all'Owing Oxford,and the other in Edin- way of sales. Shortly afterthe children ,to attend prayers. burgh, the object of which will wards, Claridad published an These children have mem'Orized be the removal 'Of all barriers article undoubtedly written by many hymns and passages of which prevent unity. an evangelical, in which it was Scripture. Lantern meetings, ;stated ,that ,the Gospel of Jesus with slides 'Of the Life 'Of Christ, -Alliance Weekly. prove helpful. Christ is the greatest basis for Church Union in France formulating the just claims of -South America. the worker; and the editor, a leading Marxist, in presenting the article said: 'This is a vital topic; and we invite all 'Our Unity in the Reformed Church readers who can write to take Religion in Argentina's of France seems about to be part in the discussion of it.'
Schools achieved. The Synods of the Scarcely a day passes in which Reformed Evangelical, and of the leading papers, in criticising The law in Argentina provides the Reformed Church have for the hierarchy and the fascists that, in respect to religi'On, some time been working toward who claim to interpret Chrisschools are neutral ground, so union; the acceptance of a com- tianity better than anyone else, that "religious teaching may mon confession of faith had, do not quote the example and the only be given in the public however, yet to be achieved. words of Christ in refutation of schools by authorized ministers Last June, this was accepted by their claim. of the various cults to children both synods. It is probable that of their own c'Ommunions before the regional synods will accept "The greatest proof which I, or after school hours." This has the new statutes in the spring personally, have experienced of hitherto saUsfied Christians, of 1937 and that a Synod consti- the receptiveness 'On the part of Jews, Moslems, Buddhists and tuted by the first united church the Spanish people to religion 'Other religi'Ous bodies who con- will take place in 1937 or 1938. has been affol'ded by ,the results The question will arise as to of my newspaper evangelism. tribute their share 'Of taxes f'Or whether the two faculties of the- With the generous help of the the upkeep 'Of the schools. The ology of Paris and Montpellier United Society for Christian Litpresident of the National Coun- should be united. erature (London) and of the cil on Education recently de- Methodist Board of F'Oreign Misclared that as a religious back- During 1935 the Societe Cen- sions (U. S. A.), I have already ground for moral teaching was trale Evangelique worked in 40 been able to publish more than necessary in the schoo~s, the law thirty articles of this type in El should be altered so that Roman departments of France; in 13 Popular of Ma.laga. Several Catholic clergy might give in- of these it was the only Prot- thousand persons have read struction during school hours in estant body represented. The those articles, and a great many Sunday schools showed prog- of the readers have seen Christ all public schools. Non-Catholic ress, instructing 1,600 scholars, and His Gospel in a different children would have the alterna- and of these 419 were confirmed Cay, evidenced by the personal tive of receiving any instruction and received as members of the testim'Onies I have received." in morals and civics. The pro- Reformed Church. In different posal is regarded as an attempt churches 370 new members were Must Not Pray for Hitler received. The difficult task of to reintroduce 'sedarian instruc- keeping spiritual contact with A very curious thing has haption in public schools, and the scattered French Protestants Argentine press is critical, hold- was vigorously maintained, and pened in Germany. The Scriping that the existing law is the this Society is now maintaining tures enjoin prayer for those least discriminating towards all 70 evangelization centers. classes 'Of the community. who rule over us, but no one is -The World Today. allowed to pray for Hitler. Re-
cently a pastor was censured for church and state are separate the sweet potatoes must be uprooted praying that this ruler might be and in which Freethought is ac- or all would die of hunger! Meangranted "guidance to his spirit tive. Affirmative answers are while Gure Christians were praying so he may submit humbly." This said to have come from Mexico for rain; they also prayed for the was interpreted by the Minister and the Spanish Loyalist Gov- witch-doctor's soul. of Culture as an implied criti- ernment. It is also reported that cism of Hitler's policies! a Russian :£actory has received That night the Lord bountifully an- large orders for life-size statues swered the prayers and sent an -The Presbyterian. of Christ, Moses, Mohammed, abundance of rain! No more has been the Pope, Luther and others to said about our potatoes. Protestantism in Austria be used ,as targets at shooting contests. Lagos Cathedral Evangelical Christi1anity continues to increase in Aus,tria, AFRICA After a brief furlough in but more slowly than in 1934 Great Britain, Dr. F. Melville when the movement was partly To Educate the Blind Jones, Bishop of Lagos, Nigeria, due to a new law obliging every has returned to continue buildcitizen to join ,some church. The The first steps to assist the ing the cathedral, which he new members are eager to learn; blind in Egypt, of whom there undentook on his appointment and as the Pr'Otestant churches are a great many, were taken in 1919. Dr. Jones and his wife in Austria insist ,that candidates by the missionaries. Their suc- have between them spent ninety for membership shall receive a cess has apparently stirred the years in Nigeria, and it is their course of Bible instruction, the Moslems to similar efforts. Al earnest desire to see the catheknowledge of the Word of God Ahramannounces that the dral finished before they retire. made a great impression on their Sheikh of the Azhar proposes The chancel, transepts, lantern hearts. Many have been soundly the instruction of blind students tower, and one hay 'Of the nave converted, and their testimony in the elements of mathematics, are completed. Of the £18,000 has brought in 'Others. reading and writing. A scheme which it has cost, all but £1,000 has emerged to form an i<Az_ has been contributed by the Af- -Alliance Weekly. haric-Institute of the Blind." rican people of the diocese. To The Braille method will be used complete the building, £4,000 ad- Conference in Athens and the necessary educational ditional are required. appliances will be ordered from Twenty..,six Greek Orthodox abroad. -Tke World Today. -Life of Faith. theologians recently held a conference in Athens. Three were Rain and Potatoes Active German Mission from Jugoslavia, three fr'Om Bul~ria, seven from Roumania, Miss H. Griffin, of the Sudan Bethel Mission was founded six from Greece, four from the Interior Mission, writes: in Berlin 50 years ago when Ger- Russian Theological Academy man colonies were acquired in in Paris and two from the The millet was ready for trans- Africa. Since 1891, the Mission Polish Orthodox Church. The planting but there was no rain, and has worked in the hinterland, <:Ecumenical Patriarch was rep- if rain did not come soon, the grain and in the Usambara mountains, resented. would die. Several sacrifices were Tanganyika, and ,after 1907 in made and chickens killed but no rain Ruanda. After the war the Papers were read on church fell. The witch doctor was called and Mandate for the latter region and state, the possibility of an- after much talk and noise, water was was given to Belgium and the other <:Ecumenic Council, social taken out of a hole in a rock which Belgian Protestant Missionary work and missions, biblical criti- is believed to control the rain. They Society is at work there today. cism, ,and church culture. These threw the water in the air, calling, papers will be published by the "Send more rain!" Beer was then The Bethel Mission has 18 Athens faculty. The Bucharest poured into the hole, but still no rain chief-stations and 169 ou.t-sta- Orthodox theological faculty will came. tions, 10 native pastors, 339 men lay plans for the next conference and 59 women helpers, and 17,- to be held in 1939. In the in- Finally five chickens were brought 945 Christians. In the 174 vilterim an effort will be made to out, and with them rested the fate of lage schools and two intermeestablish a joint magazine for our sweet potatoes! Gure people eat, diate schools for boys and two the promotion of theological but never plant sweet potatoes because for girls there are 8,501 p"l~pils. scholarship throughout the Or- of evil spirits. When we planted ours In the Bukoba field the mission thodox Church. on the compound, we were told they is experiencing a remarkable re- would bring :floods and spoil the vival among the heathen. .New Antireligious Treaties harvest. Until now the rains had been groups constantly offer them- normal and nothing had been said, selves for bapUsm and the' ca- The Soviet Government is pro- but with the scarcity of moisture pacities of the few missionaries posing to draw up antireligious things were different! The – five are strained to the u.tmos.t. There treaties with other governments, chickens were to be the deciding fac- are two medical centers. It has according to press reports from tor in revealing the cause of the also the only nerve hospital con- Leipzig. This pact is to be of- drought. ducted by a mission, with a cafered to all countries where pacity for 100 patients, as well As each chicken was beheaded the as a mental depar:tment. Alto- witch-doctor said, "If the sweet pota- toes are not the cause, rise up in the air, if they are the cause, lie quietly on the ground." The chickens re- mained quiet, conclusive proof that
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
gether the mission, including Bantu S. S. Convention Scho'0ls. Plans have been made doctors, teachers and other mis- The first Bantu S. S. CQnven- to extend this in 1937. sionaries, has 92 German work- tion was held at Port Elizabeth, The publicatiQn '0f an Arabic ers. December 14-16. The meetings bQok of f'0lk songs has helped tQ Spain and the Cameroun were in the nature of a workers' introduce grQUp singing, as conference and schQQl of meth- Arabic music is almost whQlly Civil war in Spain has reached ods. Bible ,teaching through the a S'0lo perfQrmance. A Syrian medium of the Sunday schoQl w'0rker was able last year to con- West Africa. The colony of adapted to Bantu life and cQndi- duct a school which did not re- tions, was discussed. Lectures, quire any '0utside financial help. Spanish Guinea, which lies just She used discarded dress ma- demonstrations and discussiQns terial to make aprQns and cutsouth tofofthWe eFsrtenAcfhricCaamPreersobuyn~ dealing with Bantu child nature, tings of bolts of strong muslin is par preparation of the lessQn, class tQ make sacks fQr carrying books teaching and Sunday s c h 0 01 tQ the school. She used worn terian Mission. In Ootober, the out tQwels tQ make baby bibs management were given; also and had the boys dOl carpentry seapQrt town of Rata was shelled practical demonstratiQns, with repair for schQol benches, mak- ing use 'Of wood already on hand. by gunboat fire. Refugees, from Bantu children, of methQds of All Hterature is furnished by the worship, instruction and expres- Central Committee. the coast fled across the border sion work. The meetings were open to Natives of all denQmina- Newman School of Missions intQ French territory. For three tions.
days truck loads of Spaniards -South African Outlook.
came to Elat and to the near-by government station of EbQlowa.
MOIst 'Of them had fled without having time tQ collect any per- sQnal belQngings, and American and French residents had tQ sup- ply ,them with clothing, fQod and Imagine This! A writer in the Near East sleeping accQmmQdations until Bulletin remarks that "if Palessome place could be prepared for Zulu peQple sang and ap- tine has the deepest valley and them. Christian mission work plauded at a meeting where has gone on without interrup- mQney was solicited fQr missiQn- the saltest sea, she has added to tiQn. -Presbyterian Banner. ary work! Rev. H. A. Stick had this distinction by having the been instructed by the Zulu An- Leprosy in Nigeria nual Conference tQ stir up inter- longest strike on record," adding est amQng Zulu churches in mis- that this gives Christian forces .A r~cent report on leprosy in sionary work among the Batswa, opportunity for prQmoting rec- NIgeria recommended that leper the Shangaans and the Chopes colonies should be the care of in Inhambande, East Africa. onciliation. Despite the strike, missions as far as possible. The SubscriptiQns were made rang- Administration of the Northern ing frQm 10 cents to $30. Many Newman School of Missions in Provinces has, therefore, ap- gave $5, which is the equivalent proved a scheme for the exten- in an American wa,ge earner's Jerusalem has not lessened its sion of the work of missions in mQney tQ $25 'Or $30. Even a enrolment; the total was 8l. this direction. The Sudan In- "heathen"-with three wivesterior Mission will undertake gave $5.50 and promised $2.50 Among the students last year the chief responsibility fQr lep- more for his trio of spouses. was a Japanese, Rev. Y. H. rosy work in the north; other There are just two ordained Af- SacQn, whQ is preparing to sucsocieties accepting increased rican ministers in a field 200 ceed tQ his father's Old Testaparticipation are the Church miles long by 50 wide, trying to Missionary Society, American serve 90 churches. The rest 'Of ment chair in the Japanese Baptist Mission and the Sudan the work has tQ be dQne by un- MethQdist TheolQgical Seminary United Mission. educ,ated laymen. near TokYQ. In Southern Nigeria, a new -Overseas News. The student grQUp also inleper colony has been opened to accommodate 1,000 patients. cludes tWQ German missionaries from Egypt, two from the Dan- ish Mislsion in Aden; others from India and Mor'0cco. Fif- teen missionaries in all took ex- aminations in person, and one by corresPQndence.
The Government of Nigeria, Na- WESTERN ASIA INDIA-BURMA-SIAM tive Administrations, the British Empire Leprosy Relief As- Schools in Syria sociation, the Mission to Lepers, The Near East Bulletin lists World Y. W. C. A. Conference all have shared the cost. The encQuraging signs in educational When it is remembered that Church Missionary Society has WQrk in Syria. One factQr in the first organization of women, provided the doctor. The Sul- promoting efficiency was the "The Female Sense Society,"
tan of Sokoto, spiritual head of mimeogmphed material sen t formed in 1807, had to have a Islam in West Africa, has agreed frQm America tQ help the teach- man to count their mQney and to the opening of a dispensary ers. The second factor was the offer their prayers, it is clear at Chafe, in the province of So- great improvement in Teacher that the Y. W. C. A. Regional koto, by two young Christian Training Schools ; and a third C'0nference in Ceylon was a Africans.-The World Today. has been the VacatiQn Bible milestone. In 'Order tQ ensure
more Far East participation, Hindu Temples Opening Generous Hill Women this conference was held in Cey- The doors of Hindu temples The Hill women in Assam, lon instead of in Europe, as are gradually being 'Opened to who have very little money, usual. The subjects discussed Depr,essed Classes, and the re- through their donations of rice, were: cent proclamation of the Ma- saved a handful at a time from 1. My country as a background to the haraja of Travancore, already the daily meal, are able to sup- work of the Y. W. C. A. referred to in these columns, port not only an evangelist, but which gives to all Hindus the to start little village schools. 2. The place and contribution of These are often taken up by the women. right to enter and worship in all mission and raised to a higher state-eontrolled tem,ples', is the 3. The message of the Y. W. C. A. in latest evidence of the growth of status. asiatic countries. sentiment supporting the de- Women in the Telugu field, 4. The problem of international rela- tions.
5. Leadership. mand of the Depressed Classes. after hearing of the cut which Among other helpful lectures Gandhi insists that it is for caste the Home Board had to make, were those of Miss Anna Rice, Hindus to right this wrong, and how their mission was try- National Secretary for U. S. A. whether the Depressed Classes ing to meet the situation, met to- She said: make the demand or not. gether for a half hour prayer "We are faced with two spe- The action of the Travancore service. Then one woman said cial dangers: (1) That we be- state will make it difficult for it wasn't enough to pray, and come an instrument for agita- other Hindu states to refuse to tors, and drift with the tide make similar proclamation. If gave a jewel worth Rs. 75. away from our purpose. (2) temples in South India, strong- Others followed till they had That we retreat from the prob- hold of untouchability and Hindu lems of our environment and fail orthodoxy, are opened, the strug- raised in cash and pledges nearly to make our spiritual inspiration gle is as good as won. Rs. 200, and voted to make it productive." Rs. 500, to send to the Home -Indian Witness. Board as an expression of ap- In the session on "Findings" preciation. In the News -Baptist Missionary Reit was agreed that: Any reputable citizen of Bom- view of India.
We must feel individual responsi- bay would read the average Sheep Without a Shepherd bility for humanity's victims. American daily with horror, and would probably be filled with In the little town of Jampur, Religion to be effective must develop pride that in India, papers do evil was so rampant that the a practical program of work that not flaunt tales of gangdom, little group of Christians were truly reflects present-day needs. robberies, murders and kidnap- sorely beset. There had been no ping. ordained minis·ter there for We need to rid ourselves of violent three years, not even a village emotions and hateful impulses and However, one may read in a reader for a year and a half. fear; we need to have tolerance and Bombay paper such items as Dr. Noel Fletcher writes: Some respect sincere experiment; we must this: of the group had been won by strive for racial amity and the pres- their Moslem neighbors into the ervation and creation of beauty. "Mr. S. K., a prominent young citi- fold of Islam. "Dr. Miss Sa- zen of M., was found on Tuesday, We need an affirmation of individ- drowned in a well near his home. His ual Christian faith. We must not only believe but allow truth to function in our lives. Personalities are more important oldest son was very ill with a fever hiba," said the faithful old than programs or methods. which seemed hopeless. So the father sweeper at the rest house where -Malaysia Message. had gone to visit a famous holy man we stayed, "please will you write and ask what might be done to save Thirty-Year Service Pins his son. The holy man told him that the name of my padre on a slip if there should be some other death of paper for me? Sometimes a The U nit e d Presbyterian in his family the god would be ap- sahib comes here, and when he Board rec'Ognizes the service of peased and spare the life of his boy. knows I am a Christian he asks So the father decided to give his own me who is my padre. For three missionaries who have served 30 life for that of his son." years since Padre Chambers years 'Or more by a service pin, Sahib left, I have not known, consisting of a cross and crown Or another like this: and I feel ashamed." .
of dull gold, set with amethysts "L. B. was sentenced to be hanged -C. M. S. Outlook. and pearls, surrounded by a in Poona on Wednesday for the murwreath of laurel leaves. At the der of his son. It seems he had been Burmese Buddhism annual meeting of the Sialkot told that there was a treasure buried in his land. He was in desperate need Mission, Misses Nancy Hadley, of money, so he went to a holy man to Mary Kyle and Flora Jameson ask how he might find the treasure. Burma is the most .actively 'If you will sacrifice your child to the were each presented with this goddess you will find the gold.' So, Buddhist country in the world; thirty-year service pin. Thirty- during the night while the mother was one might say Burma and Bud- asleep the father stole the child and dhismare synonymous, and one such pins have now been killed him." there is no sign of weakening in awarded. What was done about the holy this religion. Every day one -Women's Missionary men? Nothing. may see monks on their journey- Magazine. -Western India Notes. ings. The proportion of monks
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to the population is said to be 1 language of those who are study- "Materia medica," he says, in 30. A boy is known as a ing. During the rainy months "as practiced in ancient Chinese "little animal" till he has been of July to October, I spent every fashion, is a thing to behold. to the monastery school for a spare moment translating med- Only three major possessions while; then he is called "a little ical literature. Ten men began were needed by an enterprising man." That happens in the life the course in November, 1935; fellow in order to set himself up of every boy. Village boys come nine of these finished the last of in the profession of Chinese daily to Buddhist schools to be March. The course is so ar- quackery; a bland and scholarly taught reading, writing and re- ranged that those who spend countenance, a collection of alligion, and in consequence lit- only one year will have a good leged drugs, and a lot of nerve. eracy is higher in Burma than practical knowledge with which Add to these a mortar and pesin any other province of India, they can go to their villages and tle, a cutting board, several and religion is stronger. begin the long tedious process of sharp knives, a bottle of river teaching the ignorant villagers water and place to hawk his -The Layman. the value of modern medicine. wares, and the quack was ready Three more years of study will for business. Training Kachin Leaders be offered to those who really desire to take up medicine for a The modest ethics of the mod- A triennial Leadership Train- life work." ern medical profession were ing Institute for Kachins was unknown to him. He advertised held near Bhamo, one of the -Moody Institute Monthly. that he could cure anything, and Kachin mission stations in upper to his credit it must be stated Burma, last year. Over 5,000 Literacy in Siam that he at least tried. He was Kachins assembled for the meet- all things unto all men, that is, ings, some traveling for twenty The government has under- to all afflicted men, and to his days, many on foot. Kachins taken to create a literate nation shop flocked the sick, the lame, are giving liberally in their sup- within ten years, and teachers the halt and the blind. The maport of this leadership training are at a premium. Training jority of his patients survived, institute. Eleven young people classes at Wattana Wittaya, and those not too seriously affinished the two years' course Presbyterian Academy for Girls, fected got well, as they would and have gone out into the work. cannot begin to supply the de- have under any circumstances. Many of the young peo,ple of the mand. Refusing to send out school go into the villages round half-trained teachers, they have Church "Comes of Age" about each week-end and the started a practice s c h 001, many changes taking place tes- attended by 60 youngsters from In a letter to the Board, a tify to their earnestness and ef- neighborhood families, teaching Presbyterian missionary tells fectiveness. them the regular government how a church in Nanking "came curriculum of studies, and do- of age." -Watchman-Examiner. mestic science as well. "For some time, we have been Doctor Multiplies His Talent Wattana Wittaya is located on working on a policy whereby, the Sam Sap canal, the "canal beginning with April, 1936, any Dr. Richard S. Buker has, been of 10,000 mosquito smarts." The church which could not take full pioneering in North Burma long name means Academy of Pro- responsibility for its pastor's enough to get his bearings in gressive Knowledge. The stu- salary was going to have to give the matter of making his life dents take the Red Cross exam- him up for such part of his time count. He tells how he plans to inations, Girl Scout tests, and as they did not pay for. So the mUltiply his ministry: the temperance pledge. Two mission was preparing to use Christian Endeavor societies, part of the time of Pastor Dju, "The tremendous call of thou- one f:or seniors, one for juniors, of the Second Presbyterian sands of villages about me, which meet regularly. Church of Nanking, but we have not the slightest chance of reckoned without the church receiving even simple medical On Sundays groups of stu- people. The elders and deacons care during sickness, continually dents visit the homes of the peo- had a meeting and decided that bears upon my mind. I am the ple living along the canal, for the church could not afford to only doctor with a medical de- whose children the academy let any part of Pastor Dju's time gree who can possibly go to these maintains a day school of 40 go into other work, and they villages. My great desire is to pupils. -Monday Morning. went out among the church spread myself so as to be of members to raise his entire salmore value. The only way for CHINA-TIBET ary. In a short time they anme to do this is to teach others nounced to the Presbytery and what I know. The Passing of the Quack the mission that the church was prepared to call Pastor Dju as "A building for the teaching is Dr. W. H. Dobson, South its full-time pastor, completely practically completed; now there China Presbyterian missionary, supported by the church." must be funds to feed the stu- thinks that with the passing of dents, and provide them with the cure-all quacks, one of the books and incidentals. There most colorful institutions of old must be medical literature in the China will become history.
Taking the Gospel to Prisoners meating Chinese life, and cites hope that it may contribute to- a number of them. Here are wards a larger understanding of A Scandinavian missionary three: the problem, and help all those at Changan, Shensi, writes in serving in the rural church to China's Millions of opportuni- A well-to-do young Chinese couple, plan more intelligently and acties for prison preaching. so wealthy that they did not know tively for the future. In Kiangsi what else to seek in life, decided to the provincial government has In answer to a long time of prayer commit suicide together. They hired adopted a three-year plan to and waiting, a new door finally opened a room in one of the large new hotels carryon work along four linesfor Gospel work among the men pris- in Shanghai, and turned on the radio to stimulate village self-governoners in the provincial prison. As to drown the noise of their suicide. A ment, to organize the farmers mentioned in earlier letters, the work Gospel appeal happened to ring forth, for self-protection; to develop among the women prisoners started and both were soundly converted. rural education; and to raise long ago. There are not very many people's economic level, for the women, and the matron is an earnest Many missionaries have stopped at realization of the self-govern- Christian, which made an opening Wing On's large department store in ment, self -dependence, selfeasier. The situation is different with Shanghai. Among other goods ex- supply and self-protection of the the men, for there are over three hun- ported from that shop are hundreds of rural population. dred in number, which makes gath- tons of soda crackers. Under the lid ering for meetings more risky. 'I'heir of each tin is a slip of paper, neatly -Chinese Recorder. officials are non-Christians and, though printed in red characters, which very friendly, could not be expected reads: "Jesus said, I am the bread of For Neglected Seamen to show any hearty interest in Gospel life: he that cometh to me shall never work. But a visit to the prison by hunger; and he that believeth on me Although a great deal has been members of our Field CommitteE: was shall never thirst." done for seamen in other nawell received, resulting in an official tions, Chinese seamen had been permission to hold meetings for men A little outpost was too poor to neglected until Mr. B. J. Tan, every Saturday. Brother Swenson, raise a regular preacher's salary. An who worked among seamen in the Bible-school teacher, and others excellent evangelist and teacher, England for 20 years, organized take part in these meetings. Several known among us as Nathanael, of- a Seamen's Mis,sion in Hongof the prisoners have already decided fered to go and help that little com- kong three years ago. Mr. H. for Christ. munity last winter, without any stip- R. Wells describes this work in ulation as to salary. Just inside the the Chinese Recorder. New Ways for Old door of the little mud chapel two large barrels were placed. Into one of The mission is making good prog- Here is a story told in the these, contributions of grain were ress since the opening of the new United Church Record of Can- poured; and into the other, cabbages, headquarters last May. The men are ada. onions or turnips were dropped-and glad to have a place to rest, read one day a new gown was dropped for books, newspapers and magazines, Canton's old execution ground is Nathanael! write letters and play games while being used for better purposes in these they are waiting on land for situadays. Its most frequent use is for Christianity or Communism? tions. athletic meets; but Easter Sunday saw it serving another purpose still The problem of livelihood is Sunday evening service is well atmore remote from its original use. receiving increased attention. tended since the opening: some of the Soon after sunrise people oegan to The New Life Movement was men join us in our daily prayer meetstream from all parts of the city- quickly followed by the People's ings, morning and evening. We visit some in buses, some in cars, some in Economic Reconstruction Move- the boarding houses once a week, and rickshas, and some on foot-towards ment, which is devoted largely ships alongside the wharves, carrying the East Parade ground, and by half to the welfare of farmers, since The Word of Life, cheer and comfort, past eight the scene which in former 80 per cent of China's popula- and distrii:>ute cards with "Golden days witnessed many a criminal pass tion belongs to that class. There Texts." Not merely the men themon without a ray of hope, was re- has been a striking increase in selves, but their wives and children sounding to the voices of five thousand the number of cooperatives; the are helped when the men are inpeople singing "Jesus Christ is rben Government and several banks structed in the principles of Christian today, Alleluia." The singing was led are trying to help the farmer morality. by three bands from the Pooi Ying, by extending loans, and there is Pooi Ching and Ling Naan schools, a national bureau for the im- Tibet to Modernize and by a choir of five hundred young provement of rice and wheat and men and women gathered together a central bureau for the im- Gordon Enders, son of a Presfrom the various churches. The provement of cotton. The prob- byterian missionary to India, as hymns were well known and suitable lem is how to translate plans advisor to the grand lama of to the occasion, so that the huge con- into action, because of wide- Tibet will have an important gregation was able to follow whole- spread illiteracy and the peas- role in the modernizing program heartedly the lead given by the choir ant's suspicion of new methods. planned for that country, schedand bands. Dr. T. Z. Koo's message The alternative, "Christianity or uled to start this spring. was short and to the point, empha- Communism," is stirring Chr-issizing the radical change in the lives tian forces to pay more attention Century-old stores of gold will of Christ's disciples as unimpeach- to community welfare. be removed from mountain monable evidence of the resurrection. By asteries and used to build highthe help of a loud speaker, the whole A start in this direction has ways, railroads, and establish assembly, accommodated on tiers of been made by Nanking Theolog- air lines and modern communiseats arranged in a large quadrangle, ical Seminary which has begun cation systems, according to Mr. was able to hear every word. a study of 100 representative rural churches in Ghina, in the The Gospel Spreading Life China's Millions says that many instances may be quoted to prove that the Gospel is per-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Enders. The grand lama does integrate it into the life of the and rural evangelism in pubnot plan to modernize Tibet in- nation. lishing a weekly magazine called dustrially, although power plants Severance Medical School in The Christian Herald. will be estahlished on mountain Seoul, Korea, was the first misstreams. He wishes to give his sionary hospital to be thus in- Social Gospel in Korea people certain advantages of the corporated. -Living Church. An article in a recent Chris- tian Advocate shows how new modern world, without import- Church Union in Japan ideals are influencing an ancient ing the industrial world's prob- country. A popular type of lems. The lama will try to es- The National Christian Coun- town work is the Well Babies' tablish a spiritual nation intent cil was instructed by the All- Clinic which not only looks after on keeping peace. Japan Christian Conference held last November to lend its good the baby but also influences the -Dayton News.
JAPAN-CHOSEN offices in furthering the work of mother and ultimately the whole the Commission on C h u r c h home. It also acts as a link be- tween the sick mother and the Population Increase Union appointed by that body. hospital. The provision of clean, Japan's population increased That Commission has been at standardized food for babies has 1,100,000 in 1935, according to a work during the year on the resulted in a revolutionary report from Tokyo. The aver- change in child nurture and age rate of increase has been questions of the form of or- gives prospects of lessening the from 800,000 to 900,000. The ganization for a United Church, notoriously high child mortality. birth rate for 1935 was 31 for The soy bean may be the means 1,000, while the death rate was a creedal statement and pro- of providing a cheap, nutritious, 16 for 1,000. The number of cedure. It has drawn up a premarriages was 556,730, showing liminary report, to be presented clean, milk substitute. an increase of 44,076 over the to the Council's Annual Meeting, It was once believed that Koprevious year. The number of expressing the following concludivorces was 48,528, or 0.70 per rean women could not study, 1,000, showing a decrease of 82 sions: That the United Church sing or play. Now one of the in actual number and of 0.01 in in i.ts organization does not the rate from 1934. necessarily require the realiza- departments of the women's col- tion of organic union, but the lege in Seoul trains Korean -China Weekly Review. adoption of a system of govern- women to be music teachers. Another early belief was that ment whieh will respect the Korean girls could not and autonomy of the various com- munions. That it is advisable to adopt the creed in the proposed would not take part in games. Faculty All Christian draft for Church Union – pre- Now the girls' college has a Wilmina School for Girls in sented last year – but incor- physical director, and the new porating the Apostles' Creed. plant includes a well-equipped Osaka is rejoicing because the That headquarters should be set gymnasium. This same girls' principal and everyone of the up in the center of the Empire; faculty of more than 60 J ap- college has a department of home that steps. should be taken to co- economics where an attempt is anese teachers are Christians. ordinate and unify the husiness being made to apply the benefits The number of students in- offices of .the various denomina- of science to the household econcreased from 450 in 1930 to tions and then advance by coop- omy of Korean homes. 1,060 in 1936. Each year about 100 girls from this school are erating on a nation-wide scale to In short, it has been proved baptized, with the full consent of bring about gradually a walking in many ways that Korean wom- and working together; that any en can do everything that women their families. -Monday Morning. new evangelistic campaigns, do anywhere. either within or outside Japan, Charter for Medical Center should be planned on a coopera- Carrying On in Korea tive basis through the above- Permission has been granted mentioned central headquarters; A letter from Mr. and Mrs. by the Minister of Home Affairs and that in order to nourish the Harry J. Hill, of Pyengyang, to incorporate St. Luke's Inter- faith of absentee church mem- says that in spite of the fact that national Medical Center under bers facilities should be made never in their 19 years of serv- Japanese law. The college of for the passing of church mem- ice have the forces of darkness nursing had previously been in- bers from one communion to an- been so determined as now, corporated, but the medical other. center as a whole had, from its doors are wide open to evanearly history, continued to exist C. E. in Chosen as a private mission enterprise. gelism ; and never a finer group The institution had grown to Nearly 1,300 Christian En- of volunteer workers. In Ocsuch proportions that those in deavor Societies, with 35,500 tober, 117 girlsoome for the members, are inactive operation Junior Bible Institute, one from Manchuria.
charge of the work felt that this in Chosen. The national C. E. The name of the all-year Bible step was necessary to safeguard Union is joining with the de- School for Women has been its future, and more thoroughly partments of religious education changed to Women's Biblical
Seminary. Calls for its grad- tion and wider knowledge, to under the transforming influence uates come from all over Korea, better material living and more of the one Bible saved from the 'and from J apanand Manchuria. widespread commercial activi- "Bounty," as it was taught to the These young women are leading ties, and best of all to better women and children by Young many to Christ in factories, hos- moral and spiritual progress. and Adams, after all the rest pitals, street chapels, homes and had been murdered and killed. government schools. The Evangelical Church in the Today we thank God for His Philippine Islands has helped Word, which was ,the means of The Institute for Blind and the people on their way by en- saving us from heathenism, and Deaf Boys now admits little deaf lightening their minds and com- doubtless cannibalism. . . . girls, as there is no other place forting their souls through the in Korea where they may learn Gospel of the Christ who said, "In your letter you ask to read and write, and use the "I am the way, the truth and the whether the National Bible Sosign language. This work is not life; no man cometh to the Fa- ciety of Scotland might have the under the Mission, but under the ther, but by me." privilege of s.ending a further Korean General Assembly. Fif- supply, if there was need. That teen blind and 20 deaf and dumb Rhine Mission Jubilee offer is unsurpassingly kind, for are taught by four part-time which we would return grateful blind teachers, one deaf and The Rhine Mission last year thanks. . . . Many of the older dumb and four part..,time sighted commemorated the 75th anniver- folk need large-print Bibles. teachers; with a blind evan- sary of its work in the Batak Our popUlation now numbers gelist calling regularly in homes country, Dutch Indies. The 215, including children who canof the blind. climax of the occasion was the not yet read. I leave it to you unveiling, in the Church square to send as many copies as you ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC at Siporok, of a monument 20 think advisable. I would be very feet high, a four-sided, trun- grateful also for a Teacher's "On Their Way" cated pyramid, which bears the Bible in large size, also one for inscription in Batakian on a my nephew, Richard Christian, Rev. Charles N. Magill, D.D., marble plate; "The Lord hath who is in need of one." was recently asked what he done great things for us, therethought was the most marked fore are we rejoiced." The New Britain's Village Schools material change that had taken monument stands on the spot place in the Philippines since where the first meeting of the In "Man in the Making," the his arrival in 1905, and he Rhine Mission was held. The author, R. R. Marett, defines replied: "Improvement in trans- Batak church is now numbered savagery as "intellectual confuportation." Facilities for trans- among the greatest and most im- sion combined with physical disportation have increased perhaps portant native churches of the comfort." Pioneer missionaries one thousand per cent. The world. to New Britain some 60 years rough mountain trails and the ago, Dr. George Brown and his dusty quasi roads of the dry sea- Bibles for Pitcairn Island band of Fijians, found people son and the mudholes, called who fitted ,this definition, but it roads, of the wet season, have The story of "The Mutiny on can no longer be truthfully apbecome first class highways over the Bounty" is well known. By plied to the majority in these w h i c h speeding automobiles, the reading of a Bible, which islands. busses and trucks carry multi- had been carried ashore from the tudes of people and the products ship, the whole of the island was The first aim of the mission of the country. Thirty years ago changed, and became a moral has been to assist the natives to travel was on foot, or on ponies, community in which the Gospel a right relationship to God; secor in two-wheeled rigs. This created an atmosphere of love ondly, to develop character and was slow, uncomfortable and ex- and peace. In 1848, when the citizenship; and thirdly, to enpensive. People did not travel news came to Britain of this re- able them to acquire those skills much as compared with the markable tllansformation, the which will assist them to protravel of today. Now there are Edinburgh Bible Society sent vide for their material welfare. thousands of miles of splendid out fifty Bibles for the benefit of New ethical standards and new roads and tens of thousands of the colonists. motives have been supplied as motor-vehicles in operation. old ones disintegrated. Village Every year millions of pas- In 1935, the Secretary of the schools have also worked toward sengers are "on their way." National Bible Society of Scot- raising standards of health. land, sent a letter ,to the descend- This includes such training in Within three decades there ants of the mutineers. Extracts practical gaI'dening as will enhave been introduced and put from the reply sent by Mrs. sure a more consistent and varinto effective operation "ways Edgar Christian, wife of a fifth ied supply of food. Often a naand means" to help the people generation descendant of Flether tive community is sick largely not only in traveling over high- Christian of the "Bounty," will because of improper diet. ways, but in progress to better be of interest: "We raIl know government, to better laws and how the scenes of vileness, The future of these mission quicker justice, to fuller educa- cruelty, and murder gave way schools is uncertain. Either the Administration will gradually
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
establish its own elementary study and to aid Sunday school from pastors to whom a quesschools, in which case the mis- teachers and officers in their tionnaire had been sent. sion system will no longer be re- church work, by making five quired; or the Administration tours. Five teams, visiting 72 In response to the first queswill assist in maintaining schools high schools and 58 churches, tion: "Have you had or do you of greater efficiency than is pos- reached more than 5,000 church plan some evangelistic effort sible with limited financial re- members and 6,000 high school during the present c h u r c h sources. students. -Monday Morning. year?" In response to this ques- tion, 655 ministers answered -Missionary Review of For Better Movies yes; fifty-five answered no; and Australia. eleven did not answer. The "Legion of Decency" sug- NORTH AMERICA gests some restrictions to insure In response to the question as proper motion pictures. Here to whether or not they felt there What Makes Criminals? are a few: was a growing spirit of evan- gelism among the pople, the an- Dr. Amos O. Squire, for many No picture shall be produced in swers were as follows: Yes, 398 ; years head physician at Sing which evil is made to appear attrac- No, 196; no answer, 127. Sing Penitentiary, in an address tive, and good unattractive; in which on "Youth and Crime in Modern the sympathy of the audience is In answer to the question as America," revealed some star- thrown on the side of wrongdoing, to whether or not the spirit of tling facts. He said: evil and sin, or against goodness, evangelism was growing among honor, innocence, purity, or honesty; Sunday school teachers, 443 of "In 1900 the average age of in which law-human or divine-shall the 721 pastors answered yes; criminals in America was forty; be ridiculed, or sympathy be created 148 answered no, and 130 did today it is. twenty.,three. Forty for its violation; in which the treat- not answer. The ministers were per cent of the atrocious crimes ment of crime makes heroes of crim- asked to give the number of adcommitted in America are by inals and seems to justify their ditions they had had during the youths still in their teens. One actions. first six months of the church hundred and seventeen thousand year. A total of 5,521 additions are now imprisoned in Federal -Alliance Weekly. on confession of faith was reand State prisons, while 200,000 ported by six hundred ministers. more are confined in county jails An Atheist Converted The other 121 ministers either and reformatories." reported that they had had no Martin S. Charles was a additions or did not fin out that His explanation of this, in a young preacher whose Christian part of the report. word, is the breakdown of Amer- faith was undermined by false ican home life. He said: teaching that he became an Twenty colleges of the denom- atheist. He founded The God- ination indicate that they have The breakdown of religious author- less World magazine, conducted some definite plans for keeping ity has left character seriously un- twenty-two public de bat e s the claims of Christ before the founded. A boy whose character has against Christian ministers, and students under their direction. no deep religious foundation experi- held offices in the Association for ences a serious shock if his home is the Advancement of Atheism. -Christian Observer. broken up. Perhaps his parents be- Then, after twelve years, he was come divorced, or they separate, or supernaturally stopped in this Elyria, Ohio, Men's League they live together, but in perpetual career, being convinced of the strife and unpleasantness. The effect reauty of the existence of the The men of Elyria, Ohio, on the boy is to unhinge him, and he One whom he had denied. He United Presbyterian Church drifts into crime. Forty-five per cent has recently been conducting a who formed a local Men's Misof the boys who are coming to Sing "Back to the Bible Mission" in sionary League in November, ~ing, having previously served a term Fort Wayne, Indiana. 1933, have no thought of quit- In the Reformatory, are children of ting, for since the last anniverbroken homes. Conceit, if pursued -So S. Times. sary a new project has develintensely enough and long enough, oped, in addition to their foreign tends to produce a definite mental Presbyterian Diamond Jubilee mission obligation of supportunbalance. Character, religiously ing a native missionary in India. founded, will stand up under serious The Diamond Jubilee of the When the pastor, Rev. George shock. Southern Presbyterian Church, A. Brown, visited Colorado last was celebrated last December. summer he found a small mining -Christian Advocate. One of the chief objects was the town, Tellurite, without a resi- promotion of a renewed spirit of dent minister for many years. Christian Education Tours e van gel ism throughout the Getting in touch with church of- Chur.ch; and in particular to ficials, Mr. Brown has been the Seven denominations – Pres- win 25,000 new members on con- instigator of placing a missionbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, fession of faith in the home ary there, and the Men's League Baptist, Congregational, Chris- Church and 10,000 in the for- will contribute to this project. tian and Moravian-Jamestown eign field. College, and the State Council of With a foreign and home proj- Christian Education worked to- Dr. B. K. Tenney, secretary ect now a definite part of their gether from October 19 to No- of the Jubilee Committee, re- activities, the local league begins vember 8 in an effort to acquaint ports on replies so far received high school students with the North Dakota plan of Bible
the fourth year with renewed Keystone School of the Bible have carried on daily advertise- ment about Christianity for vigor and a determination to A new international training some months, and a number of keep growing. Since last year enquiries have been received. In several new men's missionary school has been opened in Pitts- India, a weekly article inserted leagues have been formed. burgh at 535 Penn Ave. The in a Karachi paper has brought school has a directorate of nine enquiries from people of all -Elyria Daily. ministers and thirteen laymen. classes and faiths. An experi- It is conservative in theology. ment in Christian journalism is Stewardship at Asheville also being carried on in Moham- The President is Rev. A. Gordon medan countries; while in Spain Ike and Mike were two pigs MacLennan, D.D., pastor of the the editor of El Popular, a raised for the Lord by several Shadyside United Presbyterian widely read paper, has agreed to Asheville Farm School boys. Church of Pittsburgh, Pa. The publish a Christian article of Daily the owners cared for their Dean is Wm. S. Hawks, B.A., 1,000 words every Sunday for a charges and watched them grow. year. Following the corn harvest the from the Davis Memorial Bible boys gleaned several bushels of School of Binghamton, N. Y. Leper Statistics corn from the field for their pigs. The school is supported entirely Finally, having grown round and by voluntary contributions and is one of the 66 cooperating in- fat, the pigs were sold. After all stitutions throughout the coun- Medical returns from fiftyexpenses were paid the proceeds try which includes the Standard four leper homes and hospitals went as a contribution to the Training Course of the Evan- in India, China, Korea and young people's missionary budg- gelical Teacher Training Asso- Africa where work is mainet in the presbytery. ciation. Eight men compose the tained by the Mission to Lepers, The Lord's Acre Club at Ashe- faculty. afford some indication of prog- ville Normal School, organized ress made during the year: two years ago, has twenty-three Negroes in Detroit Eleven thousand, nin~ hundred and members who annually clear a twenty-two patients had been under plot of ground of brush and The Negro population in De- treatment for not less than three troit has risen from 40,838 in months. Of theseweeds, and plow, plant and hoe 1920, to about 135,000 in 1936, it. One member stays during the larger portion of this in- One thousand and fifty-four had bethe summer to cultivate the crease coming from villages and come disease arrested cases without crops. From the sale price all rural sections of the South. deformity (i.e., symptom free). Housing conditions are reported expenses are met. The net pro- as bad; health conditions, as Five hundred and twenty-seven had ceeds the first year were fifteen might be expected under these become disease arrested cases with dollars and the second year sev- housing conditions, are also bad. deformity. enteen dollars. Six hundred and ten churches Three thousand, nine hundred and -Presbyterian Banner. eighteen had much improved.
Two thousand, eight hundred and fifty-three had slightly improved.
One thousand, two hundred and two minister to the Negro popula- were apparently stationary. Awards for Missionary tion. Forty-five per cent of Of the remaining cases some had Sermons these are "store-front or house become worse and a considerable num- Awards for the best sermons churches." Numerous cuI t s ber had left or died. Seven hundred on foreign missions are offered flourish among the Negroes and and seventy-six of the cases arrested without deformity had been discharged by the Centennial Council of the constitute a serious problem. and 168 of those arrested with de- Presbyterian Board of Foreign The report warns that the Negro formity. In addition, upwards of Missions, in connection with is fast drifting away from the 7,500 lepers had been treated as outtheir centennial this year. For patients. Where the attendances had faith of our fathers into some- been regular the results had been enthe best sermon which has been thing else. Thousands of them couraging; 142 outpatients were repreached to an actual congrega- have become communists asking ported to have become arrested or tion, $150 will be awarded, with "Who is God?" "What good is symptom-free cases. the church?" They have been $75 for second place, $25 for told that it is the mother of race The chief problem in the conthird, $10 for fourth and, for hatred, prejudice, war, capital- ism, lynching, injustice and trol of leprosy is to prevent the each of the six next best ser- slavery. mons, there will be awarded a infection of children. Where copy of "One Hundred Years," -Presbyterian Banner. the centennial history by Dr. this can be accomplished the dis- Arthur J. Brown. MISOELLANEOUS ease should become negligible Each sermon should be typed, within one generation. .
-Without the Camp.
on one side of the paper and New Newspaper Evangelism Lutheran World Front should be accompanied, on a sep- arate sheet, by the name and ad- Newspaper evangelism, first A "Lutheran Front," massing dress of the writer, and the ser- tried out in Japan, is steadily the more than 80,000 members mon's text and theme. It must reaching into other countries. of this body behind a very defireach Room 913, 156 Fifth Ave., In China, the movement is still nite evangelical program for New York, before April 1, 1937. new, but two Hankow papers world betterment, will take vig-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
orous form within the next four day schools. Remarkable growth ment is organized to inaugurate years. Headquarters for this is reported from the former and maintain in the educational program will be established in German colonies; Tanganyika work of the church such definite increased over 40,000, the Cam- programs of teaching and wor- Berlin. For the achievement of Luth- erouns 10,000, and Southwest ship, based upon the Word of eran Solidarity a series of spe- Africa 8,000. The Union of God, and interpreting the life cific tasks has been mapped out. South Africa increased over and teaching of Jesus Christ as There will be gathered "an en- 100,000 since 1932. Brazil in- shall lead to interracial undercyclopaedic file of information creased 43 %; Argentina, 34'fa. standing, international concord concerning a II L u the ran The situation in the larger and the ab-owlit.ioSn. of war. Churches of the world." There Sunday school constituencies in S. A. News.
will be prepared for publication Burma, Ceylon, India, China and Christian Humanitarian in 1940, a revised edition of Japan has not changed materi- League "Lutheran Churches of the ally, though Japan reports an in- World," first published in 1930. crease of eight thousand. The A Christian Humanitarian Periodical bulletins will be is- loss reported in China is more League has been established and sued to the Lutheran Church apparent than real, as the figures held its first meeting at The Press of the world. A "Central for Manchuria and Mongolia Hague at the close of last year. Bureau of Relief" will be estab- have been deducted. India con- This League has set up as its lished. The executive secretary tinues to have the largest Sun- general principle: "The only will be the official representative day school enrolment in Asia, of the Lutheran Churches of the with Korea holding second place. just basis for the construction world. There is to be built up of a new social life is the Chrisan international Lutheran pulpit North America, Sunday school tian doctrine, which sets us the stronghold of the world, shows task of being human; that is to and lecture exchange. a falling off, though it should be say, in all respects and under all The Executive Committee, noted that other youth move- circumstances to do our Chris- ments and religious education tian duty in the spirit of truth, recognizing that the present day projects have increased. Eu- justice and love. For the buildis one "of enlarging relation- rope, as a continent, shows a net ing up of a new social life, emoships," a day when "religious loss, but gains are reported in tion and reason must be healthily Poland, Greece, and even har- and normally developed and bodies that have always laid assed Spain. Russia is out of work together in harmony. Reclaim to ecumenical character the picture entirely. ligion, truth and justice are the are pressing those claims with most important foundations of new vigor," have issued a dec- Peace Resolution this new social life." laration as to Lutheran participation in general world-wide re- Perhaps the most important The urgent necessi.ty for a ligious movements, saying: and far-reaching action taken concerted effort against atheism by the Oslo World's Sunday was emphasized at this meeting. "The Lutheran Churches of School Convention was the Peace the world should proceed with Resolution. Every Convention Forward – Day by Day united front on their relations since 1904 has adopted a peace with ecumenical Christian move- resolution, but this Convention The Protestant Episcopal ments, general cooperative or- realized that better than a reso- Church has issued a booklet ganizations, or C h r i s t ian lution is the development of containing daily Bible readings Churches claiming universality. Christian men and women who with comments, practical sug- They should agree among them- can reach across national bound- gestions for Christian living, selves as to their united partici- aries and extend the hand of fel- and prayers called "Forwardpation or nonparticipation." lowship to those of all races and Day by Day." This booklet has been widely distributed; alto- -International Christian Press.
Achievements in Religious nationalities, with a desire for gether 3,625,000 copies have Education mutual understanding and com- been bought and paid for. In mon endeavor in behalf of the addition to regular congrega- There are nearly a million welfare of all. There can un- tions from coast to coast, this more Sunday school pupils in doubtedly be no lasting basis for manual goes into prisons, re- the world today than there were peace that is not built upon a formatories, hospitals, sanatofour years ago. Africa is cred- more vital Christianity, without riums, camps, schools, and to ited with more than half this which peace pacts and interna- the employees in bus i n e s s gain, or 581,721. Notable gains tional treaties will continue to be houses.
were made in Belgian Congo, mere scraps of paper. The Peace Translated into Japanese it Angola, Rhodesia and French Resolution adopted by the Oslo has been distributed to 271 con- Equatorial A f ric a. Uganda Convention differs from those of gregations in Japan. It goes to made its first report showing an former Conventions in that it everyone of the Church's for- enrolment of 2,000 in the Sun- calls upon all constituent units eign mission fields. In Canada day schools and over 100,000 re- of the Association in every field and the United States it goes ceiving religious instruction in where the Sunday school move- into homes of scattered settlers.
'~I========='==========i~
Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I Iril~==~~=======-=~~ An Advancing Church in Latin The third chapter, "The Hun- writes and whom he describes. America. By Kenneth G. Grubb. 256 pp. 38. 6d. Marshall, Morgan dredth Milestone," gives an out- The description of scenes in the & Scott. London. 1936. line of the history of the Evan- various countries is true to life, Mr. Grubb is a past master in the art of condensation. The gelical Movement in L a tin and the value of the text is enlittle book whose title is given America, since its founding, now hanced by a number of wellabove and which has less than 80 pages is multum in parvo. more than a century ago; the chosen illustrations, unusually Rarely does a reader find so much information condensed fourth, "God and Cresar," deals clear and attractive. Throughinto so few pages, and in such with the rising tide of national- out the book, but particularly in short space, and the information given is unusually correct and ism as it impinges on the prog- the chapter on Peru, there is up-to-date, inasmuch as the author has recently made a close ress of the Evangelical churches, frequent and sympathetic refer- and personal study of the coun- and the fifth and closing chapter ence to the Indian population, tries and the problems of which he writes. The seventeen re- deals with "The Significance of and a moving presentation of publics of Hispanic America, as the Indian," that submerged the physical, spiritual, and ecoalso the three Caribbean republics, Cuba, Santo Domingo and portion of the population that nomic needs of this portion, Haiti, plus the island of Puerto Rico, are brought under review might well call out with the which, in some cases, is the main this small volume, and he who reads its chapters carefully will Psalmist, "No man cared for my jority of the entire population. be much more knowing in regard soul." W. E. B. No doubt some of his readers to our friends, the other Americans, and the problems with will not agree with what the auwhich they contend. Why South America? By A. Stuart thor believes to be the best meth- The first chapter, "From Mex- McNairn. 145 pp. 28. 6d. Marico to Cape Horn," is, in a sense, shall, Morgan & Scott. London. ods of organization and carry- 1936. an introduction to those that fol- ing on the work of the churches low, since it gives much of the This is a book by an author physical and historical setting who is thoroughly familiar with and groups of believers. But all his subject. He was for a numof the various republics and ber of years a missionary in intelligent students of missions their peoples. In the second South America, and, in more rechapter, the author comes to cent years, has served as a mis- will applaud his insistence on grips with what is evidently the sionary secretary, in which posi- tion his long experience on the the necessity of the missionary main problem of the book, in his field has no doubt been of great treatment of "The Necessary service to his board. By fre- to give his time to the raising up Evangelical Church." T his quent and extended visits to all church will be, in essence, we are parts of the continent, Mr. Mc- of "faithful men who will be told, "a Fellowship of the Burn- Nairn has become thoroughly ing Heart," a band of brothers familiar with this field. able to teach others also," thus whose hearts God has touched. While the book, very natu- making it possible, in time, for It will be a band, not necessarily rally, gives more attention to the of intellectuals, but of all re- work that is being carried on by the missionary himself to pass deemed sinners, a true expres- the Evangelical Union of South sion of the communion of saints America, the missionary board on to other fields that are as yet and of their reunion in the Body with which the author has been of which Christ is the living long identified, it will neverthe- unreached. W. E. B. Head. less interest and instruct a much larger community of readers. Pastor and People. By O. C. S. Wal- The references to history and lace, D.D., Litt.D. 128 pp. $1.25. other developments of the differ- Broadman Press. Nashville, Tenn. ent sections of the continent are 1936. reliable and informing, and the reader will correctly gather the In twenty-five brief and inti- impression that Mr. McNairn mate chapters, Dr. Wallace dis- not only knows, but loves the cusses many of the problems land and the people of which he which face the modern minister and his congregation: pulpit poses and voices, understand- able speech, postsermonic "let- downs," songs and singers,. offi- cers and officiousness, meddle;. some men and flattering women, ushers and their larger calling, the minister as a steward and a man of God, the sacraments, and a host of other important ques- tions. He writes with sympathy, clarity and insight, and with a Any of the hooks noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[172 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
wealth of fresh illustrative de- thought does not concern itself many influences are promoting tail. with obsolete theories regarding it, especially in Turkey, Egypt, the death of our Saviour. Nor and Persia. Hugh Walpole once wrote, "If can it accept belief in the actual an author is to survive a year or resurrection '(page 231). Even With the new economic role two after his death he had bet- the Synoptic Gospels must be in which women are playing ter cultivate the spirit of kind- stripped of supernaturalism be- their part and crossing the liness in his work." In this fore they are trustworthy. threshold of professional life, short volume the vet era n there is, of course, the danger preacher and teacher – he was Aside from this viewpoint, the of liberty becoming license. The eighty November last – demon- book contains many excellences. author points out the effects of strates the ministerial embodi- The weakest chapter, next to old social customs on health and ment of that essential virtue. that on Christianity, is that on the higher standards that are Islam, where the author or the now advocated. The two later R. 1. LINDQUIST. proof reader is responsible for chapters deal with the widening many curious blunders. sphere of women's interests and Living Religions and Mod ern the pressure of change on Islam Thought. By Alban G. Widgery. S. M. ZWEMER. itself by the new womanhood. 306 pp. $2.50. Round Table Press. New York. 1936. Moslem Women Enter a New World. The illustrations are remark- By Ruth Frances Woodsmall. 431 ably fine, and the author's style The title of this book and the pp. $3.00. Round Table Press. is attractive. The book gives author's qualifications as Profes- New York. 1936. very few references to authorisor of Philosophy at Duke Uni- ties and no statistics; the latter versity lead one to expect great In many respects, this is the is understandable. As the authings. Throughout the book is best book we have had in Eng- thor remarks, scholarly and thought-provok- lish on womanhood in the world ing, and presents a comprehen- of Islam. Miss Woodsmall is Statistics today are half-truths tosive and ethical view of the General Secretary of the World's morrow. The subtle nuances of world's living religions. The ar- Y. W. C. A., and spent nine years change are of real significance. To rangement is logical, and the in the Near East. Later, through see one woman from a high-class author has a concise style with a traveling fellowship, she jour- family of Mecca today unveiled would facility for factual classification. neyed beyond the Near East into be a more surprising symptom of Persia and India. Long-time change than the thousands now un- To the Christian, however, residence might give a more in- veiled in Istanbul. I have tried, therewho accepts the ecumenical timate portrayal of the present fore, primarily to understand the creeds and the historicity of the conditions, but none could do it trends of Eastern life, the currents Gospels, this book is a dis- with greater sympathy and a already visible on the surface and the appointment. Christianity is bolder sweep of the pen. undercurrents which determine the placed with the other living re- main movement, using statistics, ligions only as the climax of hu- The rising tide of social where available, only as subsidiary man effort to understand God change is flooding the Near East indications of change. It is evident and the universe. The author and obliterating many Islamic that the very essence of change makes begins that chapter by saying: customs. On its crest it carries it impossible accurately to portray it, a new freedom for womanhood. for while you have stopped to record Founded by a Jew, in its funda- But the undertow is still very trends of change, life has moved on. mental spirit Christianity is essen- strong, and it is here that one Today a new book each month could tially a continuance of prophetic would like the important state- scarcely keep up with the changing Judaism. With allowance for the ef- ment, made by the author her- status of Moslem women; whereas fects of differences of individual char- self, underscored in the preface, formerly one every century would acter and environment, Jesus and and as a footnote on nearly every have given a fair picture, for there Paul may be considered in the line of page of the volume: "Ninety was no change. Hebrew prophets. per cent of the people in the Near East are still untouched by We have two criticisms, how- Religion is even now in proc- the film, but the remaining ten ever. The first is that the causes ess of development. There are per cent represent the important for all thi,s social upheaval and many pathways which lead to progressive minority who s e the dawn of a better day are not God. thought today is in a large meas- sufficiently indicated. One would ure determined by the film" (p. expect an appreciation of the The religious wealth of mankind 27). fact that the whole educational will most probably be increased by program for womanhood in Mosscholarly adherents of particular re- What is true of the film is lem lands is due to the initiative ligions remaining faithful to their re- true of all the other social and of Christian missions. A second ligions and striving to realize the intellectual changes so admirably omission, which is less excusable, elements of value in them. The way sketched as milestones in prog- is that the author gives so little to comprehensive truth and unity is ress. The trend is undoubtedly attention to Islam and its teachnot likely to be found in the present away from polygamy and the ing regarding womanhood, as universal adoption of anyone existing old freedom of divorce. The the background for her picture. religion. marriage age is rlsmg. There The appendix of three pages, in is an educational awakening, and which some badly translated The living religions, treated verses of the Koran are quoted, by the author, are all measured is scarcely adequate. by such a twenty-inch yardstick. According to the writer, modern
Previous writers on the sub- two religions. It may lead many proper Christian home, or it will ject (Robertson Smith, Perron, to a fuller knowledge of the not be done at all. Mansur-Fahmi, and 0 the r s) Christ of whom Isaiah testified. seem to agree that the position Each church must be domof womanhood in Arabia before The Church and the Churches. By inated by Christ, the Christ of Islam was better than it became Karl Barth. 92 pp. 75 cents. Wm. the Scriptures. through the legislation of the B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. Grand Prophet. No less an authority Rapids, Mich. 1936. FRANCIS SHUNK DOWNS. than Professor Duncan B. Macdonald states: "I do not think The World Conference on With Christ Into Tomorrow. By that there can be any question Faith and Order to be held in Hunter B. Blakely. 8vo. 160 pp. that the position of women in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August, 50 cents, paper; cloth, 75 cents. Islam is practically due to the 1937, has doubtle,ss been the oc- 1936. Presbyterian Committee of attitude of Mohammed himself. casion for the writing of this Publication, Richmond, Va. 1936. Monogamy would be the rule in book. Professor Barth is such Islam, while the veil would a fearless and forceful thinker, This mission study book, writnever have existed except for with a flair for fairness and yet ten by the pastor of the First the insane jealousy of Moham- with such a forthrightness of Presbyterian Church, Staunton, med." It is not true, as we read style, that anything coming from Virginia, signalizes the concluon page 376, that "customs, his pen is eagerly read, whether sion of seventy-five years' hisrather than the actual teaching or not we agree with all of his tory of the Presbyterian Church of the Koran, resulted later in positions. in the U. S. The six chapters the veiling and seclusion of are as follows: women" ; nor that "by incor- The four chapters are sugporating the various social re- gestive in their headings: The Our Groping World forms such as the restriction of Unity of the Church, The Mul- Our Adequate Christ polygamy and inheritance rights tiplicity of the Churches, The Our Compelling Mission directly into hi,s religious teach- Union of the Churches, a Task; His Universal Church ings, Mohammed proved himself and The Church in the Churches. His Abiding Method to be a practical idealist." Ex- Professor Barth maintains that His Ultimate Victory actly the opposite is the fact. because the one and only Word Mansur Fahmi, an Egyptian of God has once for all been The author says: "My hope in Moslem, states: "The ancient uttered in the fact of the Incar- Arab woman was happy in her nation, the Church is one in the sending this little book on its home. She lived. Soon Islam, task to proclaim this coming of with its diverse institutions, its God to earth and "to summon way is that the reader may be theocratic laws, and the conse- men to believe in its reality." If quences that followed, changed we are to realize the unity of stimulated to think creatively the Church we must first accept the customs and the activity of Jesus Christ as the Head and concerning the Christian duty of women was paralyzed." This is Lord of the Church. "Jesus Christ as the one Mediator be- world evangelism, and to face very different from the idealized tween God and man is the one- Islam of Miss Woodsmall's book. ness of the Church, is that unity squarely the personal obligation within which there may be a S. M. ZWEMER. multiplicity of communities, of for giving Christ to a needy gifts, of persons within one The Shepherd Prince. A Historical Church, while through it a mul- world." Romance of the Times of the tiplicity of churches are ex- Prophet Isaiah. Translated from cluded." Therefore he concludes, Dr. Blakely is one of the lead- the Hebrew masterpiece of Abra- if we listen to Christ, it is "un- ham Mapu by B. A. M. Schapiro. thinkable that great e n t ire ing young ministers of his de- Introduction by the late Robert groups of communities should Dick Wilson. 400 pp. $2.75. stand over against each other in nomination. His book is sim- Brookside Pub. Co. New York. such a way that their doctrines 1936. and confessions of faith are mu- ilar in purpose and plan to the tually contradictory." In this classic the translator larger book, "Missions Tomorhas preserved the fire, pathos Dr. Barth concludes his book with a statement of the essential row," by Latourette, and forms and intensity of the author's ro- conditions under which it would mance interwoven with drama be possible to share in such a an excellent companion piece to and tragedy. Both Christians genuine effort of union towards a living Church. Real unity is that volume. It is ideally adaptand faithful Jews will find a advanced as we listen to Christ fresh concept of the God of in our own Church. Union work ed to mission study classes and must be done wit h i n the Abraham. The novel helps one churches, he believes, as its reading groups not only in the to understand the Jewish race and reading it should help to Southern Presbyterian Church cement the bonds of friendship but for a wider circle. Approxibetween the followers of these mately ten thousand copies have already been used in mission study circles during November.
Mrs. W. W. Draper's "Helps for Leaders," in teaching "With Christ Into Tomorrow" (price 15 cents) is issued by the same publishers. H. KERR TAYLOR.
Tangled Waters. By Florence Cran- nell Means. $2.00. Houghton, Mifflin Co. New York. 1936.
Too many American Indian stories are told from the white man's point of view. Once this meant contemptuous ignorance of native traditions; today, on the other hand, we often find a
forced and artificial enthusiasm the blanket secretly woven by of more than seventy years, which takes no account of their the young girl in defiance of which has carried the Gospel to hopeless incompatibility with tribal taboos, copying a sacred every province of Inland China modern life. Such new juveniles sand-painting for a collector who and to its almost inaccessible deas "Singing Sands" by Grace pays liberally; the search for pendencies, begins with the over- Moon, and "Indians Today," by hidden treasure; the desper- whelming sense of God's Love Mario and Mabel Scacheri, are ately sick child carried out of and the desire to be given some really part of the current super- the hogan by a superstitious fa- self-denying service for Him ficial propaganda for Indian cul- ther and left to die alone and un- which filled the heart of young tures as something to be pre- tended, till happily rescued by Hudson Taylor shortly after his served, or revived, among con- the indignant white doctor; the conversion. This longing for an temporary young Americans of plans for a forced wedding "Outlet for Love" pointed him Indian descent. broken up at the last moment by to China's measureless need and For these reasons, "Tangled Altolie's school friend and a led to the founding of the Waters," is the more welcome to plucky little missionary woman C. 1. M., though he first served thinking people. This story will -all these are woven into a for four years under a Society not only please the young girls strong plot. whose running into debt trou- for whom it is primarily in- "Tangled Waters" is recom- bled him. He "could not think tended, but will interest and in- mended, not only as a story but that God was poor or unwilling form their elders. It combines as giving the right clue to a very to supply any need of whatever a vivid and sympathetic picture human and troublesome prob- work was His." The history of of present-day Navajo life with lem. It has passed the scrutiny the Mission is one long record the frank and intelligent treat- of several specialists in Navajo of answers to the prayer of life, and is especially advised for faith. Love always found a ment of a typical situation. Mrs. Means, who has spent missionary societies and school way, often an adventurous one many weeks in Arizona during libraries. which taught the missionary to nine years past, introduces us to "I think it is the difference laugh at rough places, to suffer a family of native sheep-herders, between their beliefs and ours," extreme perils undauntedly, and characteristically dominated by says Altolie, speaking of her to be "strong as death" through the fiercely conservative old white friends, who do not trem- the terrors of 1900. Love found grandmother. The N a va j 0 ble before malicious spirits in its reward in the great awakenwomen, as is usual, do most of air and water or fear to touch ing of China which followed, the' work. The native "singer" the dead and dying, even when seized its opportunity and, or "Medicine-Man" must be their nearest and dearest. "I, through all testings and discalled when there is illness and too, would like to live without tresses, with undismayed courhe is well paid for his mum- fear!" ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN. age and unfeigned fidelity, though pressed on every side mery. Altolie's stepfather is a By Love Compelled. The Call of the and meeting financial ordeals in confirmed gambler. The old lady, his mother, is planning to China Inland Mission. By Marshall forced evacuations, ever made Broomhall. 126 pp. 35 cents, the same reply, that it would trimarry our heroine as soon as paper. London, Hodder & Stough- umph "at all costs," even cap- possible to the ne'er-do-well son ton, 1936. Marshall Broomhall, chief aide tivity and the loss of life itself. of a richer family.
The fifteen-year-old girl has for many years of Hudson Tay- If anyone has been deceived wholly natural and spontaneous lor, founder of the China Inland by the specious claims of theaspirations toward the marvel- Mission, years ago gave to the oretic Communism, one chapter ous new opportunities presented world a detailed history of that of this book, with its ghastly picby school and mission. Presently unique missionary enterprise. ture of Red massacres and deva bad fall opens the way, and at He has now rendered an equal astations, should prove an adethe mission hospital she is put service to the many who would quate antidote. into a bed "like a warmed snow- lose the benefit of that volumi- The last chapter describes the drift." Here· she meets with nous work through its very size, close fellowship of the organizaterror, soon merged in joy and by presenting the gist of it, tion, under wise leadership, with confidence, the white doctor with brought down to date, in this equal provision for all members bright blue eyes "of a keen kind- modest and cheap form, stress- from funds never directly apliness." Since more time is ing the heart and sinew of this pealed for but always supplied needed to heal a torn tendon, greatly blessed enterprise in the for every emergency. Altolie is placed in a near-by "faith which worketh by love." school for regular treatments, Previous publications of the C. H. FENN.
and there by an attractive boy a Mission have laid the greater Mexico Today. Col. Irving Speed little further along the new road stress on Faith: in this book, Wallace. 364 pp. $2.00. Meador she is encouraged to forget "Love rings out from every Pub. Co. Boston. 1936. homesickness and press on to page with a marvelously clear Of the making of books on better things. note." Latin America, or on this or that The cloud-burst in the canyon; This brief "sketch" of a work country of the 20 which form
that geographical entity, there as .more or less of equal im- j ects. It is interesting to note seems to be no end; and very portance. Some fault is found that Dr. Lane refers to THE with both Church and State, in MISSIONARY REVIEW more freoften the reading of them has their somewhat confused rela- quently than to any other magabeen a weariness to the flesh. tions, but the author gives credit zine except the North American Many have been written after a to each. Review-which has been in exhurried trip around the con- istance 30 years longer. Many writers on Latin Amertinent, in a comfortable steamer, ica reveal an evident dislike for Frank Mason North, 1850-1935. A and after having seen the sights the people, and approach their Biographical Sketch and Appreciaof some important cities from a subject with a fully developed tion. Published by his friends. modern hotel as a base. Such superiority complex. Colonel 1936. books may be interesting, but Wallace shows that he likes Mexico and the Mexicans, and A Christian is known by his such information as they give is he envisages the time when there friends and his achievements. will be a closer cultural under- Frank Mason North was a man not likely to be true to the facts. standing between the United greatly beloved and highly hon- States, Canada, and Mexico, ored by many and the influence In "Mexico Today," Colonel even to the point that, should the of his life and work extends occasion arise, their flags may around the world. He was born Irving Speed Wallace gives us a be "unfurled in one united de- in New York, was graduated book of a different type. He has fence." from Wesleyan University and in 1873 became a minister of the not been content with the usual Anyone who reads "Mexico Methodist Episcopal Church. trip around or across the con- Today" with care and attention, For twenty years he was a pastinent. His writing is limited to will be much more intelligent in tor; for another twenty years the republic of Mexico, and he regard to our neighbor republic, he was corresponding secretary wrote only after years of travel much more sympathetic with the of the New York City Church government in its attempt to Extension and Missionary Soand adventure, not only in the raise the moral and cultural ciety and for twelve years was larg cities, but also after per- level of the people, and will corresponding secretary of the sonal experience with mountain understand more fully the strug- Board of Foreign Missions. His gles which that people has other activities, offices and contrails and life in the most re- undergone in its attempt to free nections were too many to. remote hamlets. He went among itself from the shackles of feud- cord. As a poet and hymn alism and the bondage of an ec- writer he was well known and an untutored and semicivilized clesiastical system which sought some of his songs are widely population, as well as making no advantage save its own. used in many churches. They contacts with representatives of will live even where the author W. E. BROWNING. is unknown. A son, Dr. Eric the cultured classes. Therefore, M. North, is secretary of the the reading of his book is not Missions in Magazines. By Ortha American Bible Society. only interesting; it is also illu- May Lane. Pamphlet. Tientsin minating. In twenty chapters, Press Ltd. Tientsin. 1936. Gordon. A Drama in Three Acts. By E. J. Richter. Pamphlet. 50 he gives us a great deal of infor- Here is an interesting study cents. Capano Press. New York. of the treatment of Protestant mation in regard to methods of foreign missions in American "Chinese Gordon" is ever a Transportation, the Six – Year magazines from 1810 to 1935. heroic Christian figure, a martyr Plan, the New School System, It is a treatise in preparation for to the cause of British rule in the the degree of Ph.D. in the Grad- Sudan. This drama presents Home Life, the National Sport uate College of Iowa State Uni- briefly and accurately the events -which is bull fighting-makes versity. The aim of the study CUlminating in the fall of Khar- is to show how much and what tum in 1885. Twenty-five chara very sympathetic reference to kind of Protestant missionary acters appear besides sheikhs, the present able and energetic information American maga- dervishes and tribesmen. The President of the Republic, and zines will print; also the scenes take place in London, adds attractive references to changes in this respect in the Cairo, Khartunl, and the camp past 125 years. Most modern of the Mahdi. It is not a misquaint old Spanish customs of editors of secular magazines are sionary drama, and may be a the people. not interested in the religious little difficult to stage, but it has aspects of missions but will a stirring appeal for those who There is no chapter specially print articles dealing chiefly believe in the necessity of prodedicated to the relations of with political, sociological and moting peace and human wel- human interest values. This fare by the use of British armies State and Church, but there are study will be of especial value to and the sacrifice of men and several references to the reli- editors, mission board officials money. gious situation, written from an and writers on missionary sub- unbiased standpoint. His description of a conversation with an innkeeper in one of the smaller towns, whom he asked why the bull ring is always near to the church, comes very close to the real heart of the question. The innkeeper, after due reflec- tion, said that he supposed they were "put close together so that the folks could go to the bull fight from the church and lose no time." Both were classed together in the life of the people
Lights in the Near East. By of "A History of Korea," "The Van- Rev. Andrew Gih, the evangelist
Abdul-Fady (Arthur T. Upson). guard," and "Korea in Transition." the Bethel Mission, Shanghai, who re- 128 pp. Illus. 2s. 6d. Marshall, Dr. Gale is survived by his second cently visited America, was born as Morgan and Scott, London. 1936. wife, Ada Louise Sale Gale, a son, a the son of a Buddhist scholar. In daughter and two stepdaughters. his youth he was antagonistic to the The author was, until re- Christian message, and vowed that he cently, Director of the Nile Mis- *** would never become a Christian. sion Press in Cairo. He is one of the few foreigners ever in Dr. Thomas N. Chalmers, a clergy- The Presbyl:erian Egypt who could, unaided, write man of the United Presbyterian articles in Arabic which needed Church and head of a Christian Mis- A weekly religious newspaper in no correction before publishing. sion to the Jews in New York, died its lo6th year of continuous pub- This book is made up of reminis- in Tampa, Florida, on January 29, Iication under the same name. cences of his busy life; of strik- at the age of 78. Dr. Chalmers was ing examples of divine guidance, born in Riverside, Illinois, and at- It is conservative and evangelwhich were to him "High tended Monmouth College and the ical, gets its news by telegraph Lights." United Presbyterian Seminary in and keeps abreast of the times. Xenia, Ohio. After pastorates and a During the author's ,thirty- lectureship, he served as a missionary It goes into every state of the three years of active service, he to the Jews in Chicago and Pitts- Union, the District of Columbia, has issued over 700 publications burgh, in 1908 founded the New York and U. S. possessions. through the Nile Mission Press, Jewish Evangelization Society, and many of which he had written. was editor of the Jewish Missionary It goes to Asia and AFrica, South Magazine. America, Canada and New Zealand New Book. and into twelve countries of Eu- *** rope. Ethel Ambrose – Pioneer Medical Missionary. Compiled by Mrs. W. Miss Annie Van Sommer, the Subscription Price, – H. Hinton. 256 pp. 3s. 6d. Mar- founder of the Egypt Mission Band, Ministerial Rate, – shall, Morgan and Scott. London. died at the age of 83, at her home in England on January 9th. During the 50c. extra—Canadian postage Changing Russia. F. J. Miles. 144 past forty years Miss Van Sommer $1.00 extra—foreign postage pp. Is. Marshall, Morgan and spent much of her time in Egypt and Scott. London. was a valued member of both Field THE PRESBYTERIAN and Home Councils of the Egypt Mis- Missionary Romance in Morocco. sion Band. She founded the beautiful 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. By James Haldane. Illus. 190 pp. Rest Home for missionaries at Fair- 2s. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London. haven, near Alexandria. She was II If you use greatly interested in the distribution The Church Through Half a Cen- of Christian literature through the PRINTING tury. Edited by Henry P. Van Nile Mission Press and in promoting Dusen and Samuel McCrea Cavert. prayer through the Fellowship of Y OU will profit from an ac- 426 pp. $3. Scribners. London. Faith for Moslems. quaintanceship with us. We do the job complete in our own Agnes Dickinson-Missionary to the *** plant, whether it be large or Chinese. Margaret Ness. 80 pp. small. 45 cents. Woman's Missionary So- The Rev. John MacNeill, D.D., of ciety, Presbyterian Church of Can- MacMaster University, Hamilton, On- While our specialty is Books, ada. Toronto. tario, died at his home in Hamilton Magatines and Pamphlets, yet on February 11th at 63 years of age. we have a variety of modern Definite Experience-Convention Aid Dr. MacNeill was President of the equipment to meet all the re- and Deterrents. A. S. Wilson. 128 Baptist World Alliance from 1928 to quirements of your particular pp. Marshall, Morgan and Scott. 1934 and of the Canadian Baptist job. You will find our service London. Foreign Mission Boards. prompt, careful and courteous.
The Father and His Sons. Arthur *** Will you allow us to estimate B. L. Karney. 68 pp. Is. S. P. G. on your next printing? We be- London. The Rev. Herbert C. Withey, pio- lieve you will be delighted with neer Methodist Episcopal missionary our product, price and service. The History of Jewish Christianity. in Angola, Portuguese West Mrica, Hugh J. Schonfield. 7s. 6d. 255 died in Malange, Angola, on February The EVANGELICAL PRESS pp. Duckworth. London. 11th at 64 years of age. Mr. Withey was born in Lynn, Mass., and went to Print…. of Heritage of Beauty. Daniel Johnson Africa with his parents in 1885 under The Mi••iona,., Review of the World Fleming. 94 pp. Illus. $1.50. the leadership of Bishop William Friendship Press. New York. Taylor. M.r. Withey became an au- PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE thority on the Kimbundu language Third and Rally SIr••1s Hettlsbur., P.. Immensity-God's Greatness Seen in which he reduced to writing and into Creation. Clarence H. Benson. 140 which he translated the New Testa- pp. $1.50. Scripture Press. Chi- ment and a part of the Old. He also cago. translated "Pilgrim's Progress" into Kimbundu and Portuguese. For many Jesus According to Mark. Albert years he was editor of the Angola Hughes. 188 pp. 60 cents, paper; News, a Sunday school monthly and $1.00, cloth. American Bible Con- the only periodical in Kimbundu. ference Assn. Philadelphia. *** Obituary Notes Personallteml (Concluded from second c(1)er.) (Concluded from page 113.) He was a master of the Korean language, edited an Korean-English dic- Rev. George Freeman Bragg, D.D., tionary of more than 80,000 words, colored clergyman, celebrated in Jantranslated several volumes from uary the 50th anniversary of his ordi- Korean into English and from Eng- nation, and the 45th as rector of one lish into Korean. In addition to of the pioneer Negro parishes of the "Korean Sketches," he was the author St. James Episcopal church, Balti- more. Dr. Bragg has a notable record for the fostering of mutual under- standing and good will between the White and Colored races.
THESE SPECIAL
The Missionary Review ti.~World The June Number will contain special articles on Christ and Rural America Christian Achievements in Rural Churches The Challenge of the Rural Community Trends in Rural Life in Twenty-five Years Cooperation in Rural Parishes The Church in the Country Community Evangelizing Our Rural Foreign Born The Larger Parish Project Leaves from a Colporteur's Notebook Solving Some Rural Problems The Youth and the Country Parish Rural Life in the Southern States A Rural Pastor's Job Some Unchurched Rural Districts Rural Responsibility of the City Church Woman's Work in a Country Parish Special October Number CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD A Survey of Islam Today Why Preach Christ to Moslems? Results of Missions to Moslems Women and Children in Moslem Lands The Bible and the Koran Some Great Missionaries to Moslems The Influence of Christian Literature Islam in India Today Some Evangelized Moslem Fields Notable Christian Converts from Islam Articles by Christian Moslems Order These Copies Now for Yourself and for Mission Study Classes 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year The Missionary Review of t:he World Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Edito:r
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1937
1937
Hope for the Renaissance of China E. Stanley Jones Christ Comes to the Navajo c. G. Salsbury How Chinese Spend Sunday in Peiping James P. Leynse When a Missionary Stopped at the Ranch Antonio H. Perpetuo Jonathan Goforth of China J. A. McMillan Conflicting Issues in Spain Juan Orts Gonzalez The Outlook for Missions Tomorrow Review by Courtenay H. Fenn 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea1'
to Remember Mr. Rome A. Betts, who has served Mukden Medical Mission and prin-
the American Bible Society as as- February 7-13-Negro History Week. sistant to Dr. George William Brown cipal of the Mukden Medical College. February 8-13-International Council A very stimulating life of Dr. Christie since March I, 1936, has been ap- was written a few years ago by his of Religious Education, Executive pointed Associate Secretary of the wife and published by James Clarke Committee and Associated Meet- Society, effective January I, 1937. He & Co., London. * .. .. ings. Chicago, Ill. will be responsible for financial culti- February IS-Annual Meeting of The vation, including that of annuities, Dr. J. Gresham Machen, the Missionary Review of the WorId, founder of the Westminster Theolog- 156 Fifth Ave., New York. legacies, special gifts, and gifts from ical Seminary, Philadelphia, the presi- FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- individuals. Mr. Betts is a member of the Board of Directors of the dent of the Independent Presbyterian ARY ASSEMBLIES Board of Foreign Missions, the first February 2-4-Winter Haven. Y. M. C. A. in Summit, New Jersey; moderator of the newly organized February 4-S-Ft. Myers. is president of the New Jersey State February 4-S-Sarasota. Association of the Y. M. C. A., and a Presbyterian Church of America and February 6-11-St. Petersburg. the well- known New Testament February 7-10-Clearwater. member of the Boys Work Committee scholar, died of pneumonia at Bis- February 1O-12-Tampa. of the National Council of the Y. M. February 13-16-Tallahassee. mark, N. D., while on a speaking C. A. * * .. tour. Dr. Machen was born in Balti- Personal Items Dr. John R. Mott, Chairman of the more, Md., on July 28, 1881. After Dr. S. G. Inman, for 20 years Ex- being graduated from Johns Hopkins ecutive Secretary of the Committee World's Committee of the Young University and after studying in Geron Cooperation in Latin America, was Men's Christian Association, and Dr. requested by the Department of State Fletcher S. Brockman, forme1' secre- many in 1905-6, he became instructor to act as special adviser to the United in New Testament E x e g e sis in States delegation to the Buenos Aires tary general of the Young Men's Princeton Theological Seminary. In Christian Association for China, have Conference. … … … been decorated with the Ordel' of the 1906 he withdrew to form the West- minster Seminary and later set up an Bishop Azariah, of Dornakal, South Brilliant Jade by the Chinese Gov- independent board of foreign mis- India, is to be in the United States ernment. this year to attend the General Con- sions. Dr. Machen was the author of several scholarly volumes, including vention of the .E.. pi.s.. co.p.. al Church. BASIS OF CHRISTIAN "The Origin of Paul's Religion," "New STEWARDSHIP Testament Greek for Beginners," and Rev. Dr. George A. Wieland, rector "The Virgin Birth of Christ." He is of the Church of the Epiphany, Se- 1. God is creator and owner of all survived by two brothers, Arthur and attle, Wash., has been appointed ex- things and has put man in the Thomas Machen, both of Baltimore, ecutive secretary of the field depart- earth to develop it. Md. ment of the National Council of the * * … Episcopal Church. 2. Every man is a steward and must Rev. George J. Geis, the last of a give account to God for all that triumvirate of hardy, pioneer mission- … … … is entrusted to him. aries-Roberts, Hanson, and Geis- Rev. Tokio Kugimiya is the new 3. God's ownership and man's stew- died in Burma, on October 28. These Methodist bishop of Japan to succeed ardship ought to be acknowledged three men established and developed the late Bishop Akazawa. gladly in the use of time and all work among the Kachins of Burma- talents. a work that is one of the outstanding … … … examples of missionary promise and 4. This requires, as part of its ex- achievement. John L. Dube, of South Africa, is pression, the setting apart for the first Zulu to receive the degree of the work of Christ a portion of If you use Ph.D., an honor conferred by the Uni- income recognized by the indiversity of South Africa. His grand- vidual to be according to ability PRINTING father was a Zulu chief. Dr. DuM and the Will of God. founded Ohlange Institute, near Dur- YOU will profit from an acban; also the largest Zulu newspaper 5. The consecrated port,ion ought to quaintanceship with us. We in Natal. In 1935 he was awarded be administered for the work of do the job complete in our own the Silver Jubilee Medal by King God and the remainder, used for plant. whether it be large or George V in recognition of his service personal needs and for. other small. to the Zulu people. good purposes, should be recog- nized as no less a trust. While our specialty is Books, ••• Maga:cines and Pamphlets, yet Most Christian stewards begin with we have a variety of modern Mr. Kenneth Maclennan, for 25 setting aside at least a tenth as de- equipment to meet all the reyears secretary of the Conference of voted to the work that Christ came quirements of your particular British Missionary Societies and as- into the world to do. The proportion job. You will find our service sociated with the International Mis- should increase as income increases. prompt, careful and courteous. sionary Council since the Edinburgh Conference in 1910, has recently re- Obituary Notes Will you allow us to estimate signed and his place as secretary of on your next printing? We bethe conference of British Missionary Dr. Melvin Fraser, for 36 years a lieve you will be delighted with Societies is being taken by Mr. J. W; missionary in West Africa under the our product, price and service. C. Dougall. Mr. Maclennan was Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., died brought up in a Scottish family of at St. Augustine, Florida, on Decem- The EVANGELICAL PRESS seven in which the. father never ber 14th at the age of 78. Dr. Fraser earned more than £1 a week. "But," was graduated from Lafayette Col- Printers of said Mr. Maclennan, at a farewell lege in 1882 and from the theological The Missionary Review of the World dinner, "we had a rich life. My fa- seminary in 1887. He sailed for Afther left us an honored name, a horror rica in 1894 and rendered very effec- PlANT AND MAIN OFFICE for debt and a fidelity to truth." tive service, one of his contributions Third Ind Reily Streets Hlrrlsbura, P.. to the work being the translation of the Bible into B…ulu…. …
Dr. Dugald Christie, one of the honored pioneer missionaries of the Scotch Presbyterian Church to Man- churia, died in London, England, on December 7th, at the age of 81. He was educated in Edinburgh Univer- sity, and until his retirement two years ago, was superintendent of the
MISSIONARY POINTS TO REMEMBER IN CHRISTIAN GIVING *
REVIEW OF THE WORLD 1. Christians should ask money for the Lord's work from Believers only. DELAVAN L. PIERBON, Editor The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, VOL. LX FEBRUARY,1937 No.2 that THEY bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it will- ingly with his heart ye shall take my offering (Ex. 25: 1, 2). Take Publication and Business Office– ye from among YOU an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a Third and Reily Sts.• Harrisburg. Pa. willing heart let him bring it (Ex. 35: 5).
Editorial and Executive Office— 2. Money should not be received from unbelievers for the Lord's work. 156 Fifth Avenue. New York City. Entered as second-class matter at And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not Act of March 3, 1879. take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldst say, I have made AJram rich (Gen. 14: 22, 23). 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. And King David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full Published· ' monthly, except August. price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer All rights reserVed. Copyrighted 1937. burnt offerings without cost (1 Chron. 21: 24).
an~r~~~t, a~~nt~ate~~~~::I~uNg[:::. Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God (Ezra 4: 3). The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we, his servants, will London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, 10 shillings a year. arise and build; but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem (Neh. 2: 20). MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Because that for his name's sake they went forth taking nothing of the LISHING CO., INC. Gentiles (3 John 7). The sacrifice of the wicked is an abotl'j-ination to the Lord (Prov. 15: 8). BOARD OF DIRECTORS But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my stat- utes? (Ps. 50: 16). ROHERT E. SPEER, President See, also, 2 Cor. 6: 14-18, and Mat. 17: 24-27. A. L. WARNBHUIB, Vice-President W ALTER MCDOUGALL, 'llreasurer 3. Three things are to be remembered in Christian giving: DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary First-The PERSON to whom we give is the Lord. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord (Ex. 35: 5). WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord (Ex. D. J. FANT 35: 29). MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things from you, an WM. B. LIPPHARD odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God ERIC M. NORTH (Phil. 4: 18). SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Second-The PRINCIPLE, or how to give. Editorial Chat (a) SysteJnatically-not irregularly nor impulsively. The annual meeting of THE REVIEW Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him will be held in the Assembly Room on in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16: 2). the 8th Floor, 156 Fifth Avenue on Thursday afternoon, February 18th (b) Individually. at 2 o'clock. This will be a business Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him meeting to receive annual reports and in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16: 2). to elect directors for the ensuing year. For I mean not that other men be eased and ye burdened (2 Cor. Personal notices with proxies will be 8: 13). sent to stockholders. (c) Proportionately. *** Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16: 2). Some very important articles are to And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or appear in the next number of THE of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the REVIEW, including the presidential ad- Lord (Lev. 27: 30). dress of Robert E. Speer on "Things Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But we say, That Change and Things That Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings Abide," an address that made a deep (Mal. 3:8). impression at the recent Foreign Missions Conference in Asbury Park. (d) Cheerfully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him *** give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9: 7). The paper by Dr. Speer, "A M:is- For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power sionary Appraisal as of January 1, they were willing of themselves (2 Cor. 8: 3). 1937," has been reprinted in leaflet form and copies may be had by writ- (e) Sacrificially. ing to the Board of Foreign Missions And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow of the Presbyterian Church, 156 Fifth hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their Avenue, New York. abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had (Luke 21: *** 3,4). Their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liJerality The plans for coming months in- (2 Cor. 8: 2). clude a special number of THE RE- VIEW (June) devoted to Christ and Third-The REWARD of giving. the Rural Life of America, the home mission topic for the year; another It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20: 35). issue (October) will be devoted to the But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Mat. 6: 20). foreign mission topic, "Christ and the For God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9: 7). Moslem World." For with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Heb. 13: 16). Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in *** mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if The following testimonial to THE I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bless- REVIEW has come from the secretary ing, that there shaH not be room enough to receive it (Mal. 3: 10). for Young People's Missionary Education in the United Church of Can- THE LATE C. I. SCOFIELD. ada: • From The Oentral American BuUetin, Dallas, Texas. "I look forward to continue to read THE MISSIONARY REVIEW and con- [ 65] gratulate you on the wonderful work you are doing'."
DR. F. C. STEPHENSON.
A TYPICAL NAVAJO INDIAN HOGAN
AIR VIEW OF THE GANADO MISSION TO THE NAVAJOS, ARIZONA (See pages 75 to 80)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1937 Topics of the Times "FIRST THERE IS GOD" said, and those words seem to stand out as the The reason for Christian missions and all the token and symbol of a Christian's whole life. abiding results are due to the fact that God calls us into partnership with Him. Missionary enter- That was the heart of the message to the conferprises are successful in proportion as they work in recognition of that partnership. ence and to men everywhere. First there is God.
From January 6-8 some three hundred repre- In the world around us we see going on a struggle sentatives of sixty-six boards and societies met at Asbury Park, N. J., to confer in the annual meet- between the forces of light and the forces of darking of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America. The discussions and spirit gave one a ness. God is calling us to take our part in that sense of the depth and strength and spiritual vitality of the missionary movement in the United struggle. This is a challenge to carryon the States and Canada. Though budgets may be low, a movement that holds the support in prayer and great work of Christ's Kingdom around the world. personnel of so large and widespread a group as that represented at the conference must play a The program of the conference was divided into great part in the life of the world. two major topics: (1) Has progress been made Dr. Robert E. Speer, the chairman, is entering his last year of service as a mission board admin- in carrying into effect the Jerusalem program for istrator. From his youth, for forty-five years, Dr. Speer has served the missionary movement rural missions such as to deserve the confidence and his keynote speech to this conference, of which he was one of the founders, summed up his pene- of Christians deeply concerned about the world's trating judgment. He rebuked those who care only for the present and the future, and the critics economic, social and spiritual needs? (2) Does who think that a man is out of date because he is most deeply concerned with what happened in the foreign mission movement have an essential Judea and Galilee over nineteen hundred years ago. These things deal with the timeless and part in making real the ideal of a Christian world eternal. There are many things that change. Within the memory of living missionaries, a great community? If so, how can this fact be made Church has grown up in Korea, built up through clear to the young men and women of the churches in North America? There was a general feeling that we are entering into a period of renewed dedication to the Christian ideals of a world Christian community; this calls for new methods and should lead to new discoveries of the value of the Christian faith and the richness of God's pro- vision.
Another important topic considered was the 1938 meeting of the International Missionary Council, to be held in Hangchow, China.
If the conference was in any sense a cross-sec- tion of the thinking of the churches in North America the signs of the times are full of hope.
, A': L. WARNSHUIS.
the years of national trial. At the end of fifty WHEN LAYMEN ARE ON FIRE years of mission work there are more Christians in Korea than there were in all the Roman Em- Thirty years ago the Laymen's Missionary pire at the end of the first Christian century. So Movement was organized in America and for the past fifty years have been a period of great twenty years exercised a profound influence in the change all over the world. But there is the Church at home and on mission work abroad.
changeless also. "First there is God," Dr. Speer New spiritual energy was released in the Church [67]
and was harnessed for practical service. Many sufficiency of Jesus Christ for men and women of every laymen were quickened to vital faith, more conse- race and every rank of society. crated service and loving self-sacrifice. Giving was increased through a new sense of steward- The evidential value of all this became inescapable. ship; laymen journeyed to the mission fields at That Jesus Christ by His ever-present Spirit was seen to their own expense to see and report on the work, be giving power and peace in every conceivable situation and Christ was glorified as He was lifted up and in life brought unspeakable comfort in face of the national followed into all the world. Laymen's Mission and international confusions of our time. The evidence Movements sprang up in Great Britain and else- was cumulative in value, for its momentum increased with where. Gradually most of these have died down every new illustration, until missionaries are seen to be and disappeared. Today the Church in Amer- presenting to the people of every land a unique Master ica, its members and the work, feel the need who is actually producing unique lives and inspiring of an awakening and renewed activity on the part unique movements. Failures only served to show that in of Christian laymen. The remnant of the original such cases the conditions of victory had not been fulfilled. Movement still carries on bravely from its Chi- And whatever the opposing forces the result was always cago headquarters but the Church as a whole is the same. For the sixty missionaries had to tell of the not reached-so far as the men are concerned. pernicious influence of materialism in the West, of an atheistic communism in the East, and of a growing mili- In Great Britain twenty years ago the Meth- tarism everywhere. But it was demonstrated that when- odist Laymen's Movement was organized to bring ever Jesus Christ is allowed to do His work, by means of together missionaries on furlough and laymen for a worthy portrayal and a sincere acceptance, He is seen conference and prayer on the world-wide mission to be always victorious. The consequence is that the dis- of the Church. This Laymen's Movement now illusioned coolie in China, the disillusioned student in meets annually at Swanwick for these conferences India, the disillusioned farmer in Africa, and the disillu- for three days and exerts a powerful influence on sioned materialist in Western countries find all alike that the spiritual life and activities, especially of in Jesus Christ they obtain a satisfied mind and heart. British Methodists. A year ago, when retrench- A new proof of the universality of the appeal of Jesus is ment in missions seemed inevitable, the laymen thus provided by missions overseas. The dynamic of the . rose to the occasion and as a result an increase of indWelling Christ meets the needs of every type of hu- over £80,000 ($400,000) in gifts was reported at manity, and meets those needs when all else hitherto has the close of the year. failed. At the foot of His Cross, East and West actually meet in brotherly love.
It is time for a new and more widespread Lay- men's Missionary Movement in America, such as has already begun, locally, in the United Pres- byterian Church in Elyria, Ohio.
The "Laymen's Swanwick" is a time of fellow- RUSSIA MARCHING ON – WHITHER ship, of prayer and conference and of preparation for the coming year. Missionaries gain a better Many changes have taken place in Russia in the understanding of the Church and the missionary past fifteen years – politically, socially, intellecsociety and their problems, while the laymen at tually, economically and religiously. Many of home gain a new vision of the field and what these are good, others are evil because they are Christ is doing in other lands. The result is new opposed to God and His laws. stimulus, new power, new knowledge and renewed consecration. Twenty years ago Russia was counted a "Chris- tian nation." While the Church was under State Dr. J. F. Edwards, recently editor of the control and spiritually weak, outwardly it was Dnyanoooya of Poona, has this to say of the value strong. While many of the clergy were corrupt of these Swanwick conferences to the missionary: and worship was formal and ritualistic,. the For the missionary himself the opportunity was price- churches were filled. While the masses were less. As one sat through those conferences it was as if ignorant of the Bible, the vast majority of the a panorama of the world's diverse civilizations passed be- peasants were humble and devout believers in fore one's eyes. India, China, Africa, Japan, Korea, Christ. Today the Marxist revolution and the Europe, America and the far-off islands of the seven seas, spread of atheistic Communism have almost put each presented the vast proJlem of life in all its varied the churches out of existence. Antireligious and settings. Never had the writer been so impressed by the atheistic propaganda have led to the closing of weltering chaos of our present-day world as he was when over 14,000 churches and 43,000 Russian clergythese missionaries painted their word-pictures. The amaz- men are reported to have been murdered or have ing thing was the way in which Jesus Christ, by His Liv- died in prisoILcamps. Not only is the teaching of ing Spirit, was seen to be actually solving that problem religion to youth forbidden but antireligious muamong all these varied races of the world. Whether it seums are exploited and atheism is systematically was the untouchables of India who were being portrayed, taught in schools and universities. The League or the black folk of Africa, or the suffering millions of of the Militant Godless, organized ten years ago, China, the deepening impression all through those six days claims that one-half the population is now was that a complete presentation of Christ and a whole- atheistic. hearted acceptance of Him yield unfailingly the same resuIt: triumph and transfiguration. As each day came and went it left its own unshakable conviction concerning the
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
In 1897 a census of Russia showed a population Eternal, all-wise, all-powerful and all-loving God, of 125,000,000. Today there are reported to be as He is revealed in Christ and the Bible. As 180,000,000 in Russia and Siberia. While the Dr. Fulton J. Shean, of Washington, D. C., said country is under the control of the Communist in a recent address: Party, with Stalin as practical dictator, there "The prevalence of human dictatorships is a feeble attempt to achieve from the outside the are only about 1,000,000 members in this ruling unity that the Christian achieves from the inside. . . . When the body loses its soul, it disintegrates party. They claim that about 43 % of the youth into the elements which compose it. When the soul, God, leaves the body of society, it begins to are now "communist minded" and have been trained to deny the very existence of God.
In spite of the fact that the constitution (pub- lished in June 1935) proclaims freedom of con- disintegrate. That is why Russia, which is the science and the right to hold religious services, most anti-Christian nation on earth today, prethe Government does all in its power to discour- sents as its symbol of unity a corpse, the body of age religious faith and Christian worship. Free- Lenin-a perfect symbol of that to which Godless dom is proclaimed for antireligious propaganda communism must lead-=-dust, dissolution, death." but Christian evangelism and religious education are forbidden. President Yaroslavsky of the Religious Conflict in Palestine Militant Godless League says: "We will continue our antireligious propaganda for there are still The total population of Palestine is a little over millions of Christian believers in the Soviet 1,300,000; of these about 63 % are Mohamme- Union." dans, 30% are Jews, and 7%, or 90,000, are Repressive measures are carried on against Christians. The Jews are increasing in number Russian Orthodox Church members, Evangelical more rapidly, through immigration, than are the Christians, Roman Catholics, Moslems and Jews. other communities. A considerable proportion The leaders of the State are opposed to any recog- of Evangelical Christians are comparatively well nition of a supreme God for they fear that such educated and quite influential, the most of them recognition may interfere with the dictates and being either themselves converts from the Greek program of the State, as supreme. Orthodox Church or their descendants. Open But religious and Christian faith are far from profession of the Christian faith on the part of dead in Russia. Fifty percent of the farmers Mohammedans has thus far been rare. The still persist in their Christian faith and worship. number of Protestant schools and hospitals in Half of· the youth of the land are reported as the country have had an excellent effect in the clinging to belief in God and some 40,000 com- general dissemination of Christian truth among munities still maintain churches. Vital religion the people and it is hoped that this will produce also persists among the majority of Lutherans, more tangible results. As in most other parts Baptists, Stundists and other Evangelicals. In of the Near East, there is great need for a some regions personal evangelists are reported to forward movement in faithful, loving Christlike be active and groups to study the Bible have been witness to the Mohammedan masses and also to formed in factories and elsewhere. the nominal Christians.
If Russia continues in her denial of God she is The number of Jewish converts is small, though doomed, for she denies the realities that make for somewhat larger than those from Islam. The life and depends on the things that pass away. Jews appear to be under the influence and control Materialism is dominant in Russia today. The of the conservative minority. The Sabbath is very U. S. S. R. is being militarized in the nth degree strictly observed, no shops or other houses of for dependence is on physical forces and on the business being allowed open. Last summer an engines of death. effort was made to place paid advertisements in All progress made in Russia in the last fifteen the Hebrew daily papers stating the willingness years is on materialistic lines. Thus education, of a Christian gentleman to send a free copy of economic improvements, collective farming and the Gospel to anyone who would apply for it, but the socialization of the State have brought great not one of these papers would accept the notice.
changes, many of them beneficial, but the Commu- The Palestine Post of Jerusalem, a more liberal nist Internationale for 1936 declares that one of Jewish daily, did print it, however, and there the chief objectives of the cultural revolution is were some responses. It is reported by Evan- to fight against religion. All education and life, gelical missionaries through the country that according to Communist ideas, are based on a there is a very encouraging readiness now on the godless conception of the universe. On this rock part of Jews to buy copies of the New Testament.
the Ship of State in Russia is sure to split, for There appears to be among them generally a fear no nation can long survive that ignores or denies of missionary propaganda, especially that carried the basic fact of the universe. That fact is the on in institutions, and it is possible that the most
effective work will be, at least for the more im- live in the suburbs but spend their working hours mediate future, quiet, personal testimony. in the city. A striking effect of these develop- The troubles between Arabs and Jews have not ments has been the disintegration of city neigh- brought with them any increased hostility to borhoods as such.
Christianity but the attitude of Jews toward Many diverse problems are involved in the Christianity and Christian nations has been much urban process. These include the social, economic affected by recent events. and religious situation among Negroes. The en- There has been a league of Christians – Prot- tire question of child life in the city, with its estants as well as others – with the Mohamme- juvenile delinquency problems, was presented dans in this anti-Jewish and anti-British move- along with an interpretation of the present pro- ment. It has been due almost entirely to fear of gram of the Church in its attempt to meet the being eventually crowded out of the land by the needs of the young in city life.
Jews who, the others are free to confess, are their Secretary Ross W. Sanderson, of the Baltimore superiors in education and financial ability. Federation of Churches, reports that 44 cities, Christians also fear that they may later suffer at each with a population of 100,000 or more, now the hands of the Mohammedans who outnumber have interdenominational federations or councils the Christians in the ratio of 8 to 1. Those com- of churches, with paid executives, and four others petent to judge think that it will take a long time have councils of religious education. A number – perhaps years – completely to restore normal of other cities have similar organizations without conditions. paid executives and some county councils of reli- The missionary's hands are extraordinarily full gious education employ executives who serve at this time and we do not need to search out urban as well as rural areas.
openings for the Gospel message. We seek to The need for frequent appraisals of the pro- show by personal testimony and, where necessary, grams of city churches was emphasized by Dr.
by reasoned proof, the uniqueness of Christ and Channing A. Richardson, Chairman of the Com- the exclusiveness of historical Christianity. We mittee on City Work. Changes in housing and must remind others of the nonearthly, nonpoliti- business areas are so rapid that, within a period cal character of our calling and of our duty cheer- of twenty years, houses deteriorate and property fully to accept suffering in this present age. becomes out of date. Pastors and church federa- W. L. MCCLENAHAN. tions ought to face changing conditions while the * churches are still vigorous and able to adapt them- THE AMERICAN CITY AND ITS TRENDS selves to new constituencies, rather than to wait until the membership is depleted and leadership A significant aspect of the Home Missionary has disappeared. situation in America is the development of metropolitan centers which include areas larger than "Evangelism in our great cities is feasible," dethose within the confines of the cities. "City clared Dr. Jesse M. Bader, of the Federal Council growth itself is spotted," said Dr. Charles H. of Churches of Christ, and he pointed out meth- Sears, at the recent Home Missions Conference ods by which people can be won to Jesus Christ. at Asbury Park. "Out of 746 larger cities, 354 Many problems in the rehabilitation of city life have failed to keep pace with the general growth have an economic basis, yet it is clear that even of population; 512 places classed as cities actually when economic problems are solved, the Church lost population between 1920 and 1934, and four has a spiritual mission and a spiritual contribuof these were cities of more than 100,000 popula- tion to make to the life of our cities.
tion. Along with this, however, there was a dis- In view of the great need of reaching the unproportionate growth in some urban centers con- reached youth of America the Home Missions spicuous, among which are New York, Los An- Councils took decisive steps to extend still further geles, Chicago, and Detroit." the ministry of the church to the boys and girls.
The American city of the present is distinctly It was apparent to alert observers that a real a modern development, owing partly to newer in- unity of Protestant forces is in process of achieve- dustrial trends which have physically separated ment, at least in national areas, a unity which the general management of large industrial enter- may lead to church unions of various sorts but prises from actual production. Due to this and which is not dependent upon them. Church bodies other causes, our metropolitan areas are becoming are learning to work together and, although 'im- vast aggregations of specialists, many of whom patient souls may easily become restless because • The American City, City Population Trends, Social, Economic progress seems slow, yet the advance is real and and Religious Problems of City Life, and the Relation of the Christian Church to these matters occupied the major portion of the there is a growing determination on the part of attention of the annnal session of the Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Missions at Asbury Park, New Protestant forces to face the problems of the fu- Jersey, January 11-14. ture together. JAY S. STOWELL.
for the Renaissance of
–tEl I By REV. E. STANLEY JONES, D.D., of India* I . – ~==========================~ T HE eyes of the world are fastened upon China sufficient to sustain the complex life we have built at this tragic time. Many are wondering through the scientific age. what is going to come out of the changes that are taking place in that vast land. Those of us The task of the West is complex, and yet it is who have been privileged to look into the soul of exceedingly simple; it is to make the Reforma- China find our hearts steadied by the facts we tion parallel the Renaissance; to bring up the have seen beneath the surface. In order to under- inner spiritual life so that it may sustain the stand the situation and outlook, one must look at outer material life. If we can do that, our civthe parallels between what took place in the his- ilization may be saved; if not, this new freedom tory of Europe and what is taking place in China will destroy us. In the World War, we looked today. over the brink of the abyss and turned pale, for we saw the possibility of our vast civilization For a thousand years, Europe was under the tumbling to ruin. If such a catastrophy happens sway of tradition; men were not allowed to think again, there is a vast likelihood of the West crumduring the Dark Ages; the minds of men were bling to destruction. cramped, unprogressive, grooved, set; it was an unproductive period. They all had to repent on Five Simultaneous Revolutions bended knees. Life was held by tradition. At the close of that period came two liberating move- Now in China, we find parallel things taking ments. One, called the Renaissance, gave birth place. The Chinese are a people who have an to the new freedom of the mind, and brought amazing culture, stretching back for thousands of forth the scientific age, and later came the me- years. When your forefathers and mine were chanical age which has given tremendous power dressed in the skins of animals, the ancestors of into the hands of Western civilization. But as the present-day Chinese were dressed in silk. At men gained new freedom of mind, they also felt that time they were the most progressive, enlightan innermost necessity for something deeper; ened people on earth. It was in the 15th century, for a new inner life to hold up this material civ- with the coming of the Reformation, the discovilization. Out of the necessity of the case, men ery of America, the perfection of printing, and turned back to religion to gain power by which to the birth of the mechanical age, that the Western live and a new movement was born, deep within world began to pull ahead of China. When the the nature of man. The Reformation came as the first envoys from Portugal began to enter into result of the turning back to the personality and trade relations with China, they were taken into power of Jesus to discover resources by which men a temple and for three days were taught etiquette may live. That discovery gave a regenerating im- so they would be sufficiently cultured to be able pulse to Occidental civilization. Had thatdiscov- to go in to speak to the Chinese viceroy. When ery been given fuli sway, we would not be in the George III of England tried to open trade with position we are in today. In Western civilization China, the Emperor sent a letter to the King of we have inherited two outlooks on life. One is a England in which he said in effect: "I can underpagan, selfish, grasping, greedy outlook; the stand why you want to begin to trade with us, other results from the knowledge that Jesus of but we have no reason to wish to establish rela- Nazareth has given us life based on love, sharing, tions with you, for we have everything we need. cooperation and brotherhood. Western civiliza- You must be very lonely in your little island, so tion at the present time is the struggle between far away from civilization! The only hope for those two ideals. The tragedy is that the Renais- your nation is for you to come over to China." sance has outrun the Reformation so that we have more intelligence than goodness. We have more When we deal with China we deal with a highly power than we have character to handle that cultured people. Remember she has the memory power and as a result there is a breakdown of civ- of ages sounding through her culture. ilization. The character developed has not been In the city of Peiping, I saw five hundred gods gel~S~e t~~~sf~n~~i~~. an address given in America after an evan- worshipped in one temple. Among them was Marco Polo. The Chinese had deified their first visitor from the West. He was the only one of the five hundred standing, looking ahead; the [ 71 ]
others were sitting in calm composure as though time to recover from one before the other came past centuries were looking through their eyes. upon us. But in China today the strain is terrific, For one thousand years, China has said, "The past in that all five have been precipitated in one genwill rule the present as the dead have ruled the eration. When David Yui told Ramsey MacDonald living." Now China has come to the end of that about these five revolutions taking place in China, period; a new age has started; a Renaissance Mr. MacDonald said, "Why in the world did you due to this new freedom of mind. It is an entire have them all at one time?" Mr. Yiu replied, new age in China that has precipitated five great "Mr. MacDonald, which one should we take first?" revolutions at one time. First there is the intel- We couldn't choose; the whole thing was precipilectual revolution, turning from the traditional tated into the mind of Chinese youth. The stuattitude toward the scientific; second, the eco- dents are being subjected to what is perhaps the nomic revolution has changed life founded upon greatest modern spiritual and intellectual strain the old "guild system," to a system of competi- since the world began. They are compelled to do tion; third, the social revolution has changed life the political thinking as well as social, scientific founded on the family to one centered in the State. and religious. As a result conditions are still As a result home life is now breaking up and the chaotic and some are tempted to be discouraged. center of allegiance is leaving the country – at least in theory. The fourth, revolution, is politi- India is also going through these five revolucal. Under the Manchus, the emperor was re- tions, but has had the advantage of the framesponsible to Heaven alone; not to men. Once a work of British stability; China has no such year he went to the temple and gave an account framework; in fact, other nations have taken adto Heaven for his stewardship in ruling the peo- vantage of China to further their own ends. ple. Now they are trying to base government on What is China's great need at the present time? the will of 400,000,000 people. If in the past It is power to remake character, character suffitwenty-five tragic years in China they have not cient to stand the pressure of all these revolutionbeen able to achieve unity, we must be patient. ary movements. When one of the dikes in China, What is twenty-five years in a nation that has built to prevent floods, was very weak, they gave existed for nearly five thousand years. It took a money into the hands of an engineer to make relong time to achieve unity in America. There are pairs. He put part of the money into the dike and 400,000,000 people in China, and to achieve unity the rest into his own pocket. As a result the dike in such a vast concourse is no easy thing. Many was poorly constructed and broke. A million peothink that China is in the throes of dissolution ple perished because of the dishonesty of that and that Japan will conquer the whole country. man. It was Chinese character that broke and Be patient. But though Japan may drive a wedge caused the whole country to be flooded. The whole beyond the Great Wall into the heart of China, structure of human life rests upon character. In it will really be like entering the mouth of China, China, some new moral force must be loosed that and we may yet watch China gulp her down as can make character, because character in China she has done with every other conqueror. Japan has been decaying. Chinese businessmen are is making a tragic mistake, for Manchuria is among the most honest in the world for they have likely to be the Alsace-Lorraine of the Far East. a code of morality in their business dealings. A The Chinese can stand more knocks and get up merchant said to me that if you ask a Chinese smiling, than can anyone else on earth. It may manufacturer to make the silk cheap but very take fifty years before she recovers, but what is beautiful, and tell him that it doesn't matter how fifty years in five thousand? long it lasts, the Chinese will straighten up and say, "That is against our morality." As officials, The fifth revolution is the most important of all the Japanese are more honest than the Chinese -it is a spiritual revolution founded in a great for their loyalty to the Emperor keeps them measure on superstition; men face this situation honest. On the other hand, the Chinese political without an inner steadying of morals, for the edu- officials constitute one of the weakest places in cated soul of China is a vast vacuum; the old is China's whole life. They have inherited this, for dead, the new is not yet fully born and men are under the Manchus officials were paid no salary, confused; they do not know how to live. In the but were supposed to get as much as they could Strait Settlements, a man sent in an application out of their office which they held for life. Now for one of his children to attend school. In the officials are -in office for a short time and many column where he had to indicate his religion, he have become very rapacious. In one place the wrote the word "confusion." (He meant Con- taxes had been collected in that province for six fucian.) The religion of the educated Chinese to- years or more in advance. To pay these farmers day is "confusion." had to surrender their land as they could not keep the soil on these terms. Where China has had These five revolutions were spread over five honest officials, China's life has prospered. I was centuries for Europe and America and we had
HOPE FOR THE RENAISSANCE OF CHINA
at one place humming with activity; twelve thou- to that box; you may vote in folly and ruin or, sand miles of telephone lines were being put up, if high character and intelligence control the baland ten million dollars had been provided for flood lot box then righteousness will rule. Democracy prevention and relief; there were also hundreds may be good but it is not good enough. of miles of good roads. I was told that the secret of this good work was that the head of this con- Where, then, can we turn for regenerative struction was a man of Christian character, and power? The national religion of China is dead, every dollar appropriated for the construction as far as the educated mind is concerned. In was honestly expended. Confidence was created in many places, they have bricked up the idols in the the whole situation because of this gentleman's temples or have changed temples into schools. character. Multiply that kind of man through On two of China's sacred mountains you will see China and the situation is largely solved. One people, not worshiping God, but gambling or governor of a province said to a friend of mine: smoking opium. China's soul today is a vast "I need two things for reconstructing the prov- vacuum. The old is dead; the new has not yet ince-money, and honest, capable men to expend been born. If maxims could save a people, China that money. I can get the first, but not the would be the most saved on earth; if beautiful second." banners and sentiments could save a people, China would have been saved long ago, but back of the Five Enemies of Progress beautiful sayings there is no regenerating Power. Where, then, shall we turn? The head of the Renaissance movement in China said to me: "There are five great enemies in China Two great forces are bidding for the soul of -poverty, disease, ignorance, lack of unity and China-the one is Communism; the other Christ. dishonest officials." "We could do anything, if we Communism already possesses nearly one-fifth of could get unity and honesty." the nation. Christianity is not to be identified with capitalism and the spirit of capitalism must China needs new power that will regenerate be changed. Communism has some good ideas and life and will make men sufficiently honest and some strength. It is going to be a mustard plaster trustworthy. Where can you get this power? on the back of capitalism and capitalistic society We once believed education could do it. A states- to make people think. Many of us are like an man in England said, in 1840: "If we can put Englishman who never thinks until he feels a over compulsory education by the end of the cen- pain! If Christianity were rightly applied to coltury our problems will be solved." Compulsory lective life which would be allied to Communism education came – but their problems were not minus the class war, minus compulsion and masolved. Education is good, but it is not enough; terialistic atheism and plus the Spirit of Christit may make a man clever but does not make him then it might save China. At present, Christianunselfish; it may make him more of a rascal so ity and Communism are' bidding for the soul of that instead of stealing people's pennies he steals China. The Nanking Government is endeavoring millions. Professor John Dewey, of Columbia to suppress Communism in China by military University, went to China and when he returned force, but General Chiang Kai-Chek said to me: he said: "I really believe, after all, you mission- "The minute the force is withdrawn, Communism aries are probably working toward the right end." comes back for it is feeding on the discontent of Some power is needed to turn bad men into good the peasants. Military force is· not enough." men; selfish men into unselfish men. Education Communists are patiently teaching the students does not go deep enough to the roots of character in every university by a system called the "cell to change a man there. system." A missionary who was among a number of prisoners held captive by Communists, said There was a time when we thought Democracy that before they were freed they were put through would solve our problems. Today we have grown a course in Communism. Ordinary soldiers were tired of Democracy and are turning to dictators- then given an opportunity to come into the Comwhy? People say that Democracy is all right but munist army, or, if not, they were given Compeople haven't sufficient character to conduct a munist literature and sent home to scatter it. democracy as it should be conducted. Therefore we ask one man to do it and save us the responsi- We must be as devoted and faithful in spreadbility. Western civilization seems to have lost its ing Christianity as Communists are in spreading nerve, and has therefore turned to dictators. In their doctrines. Eight years ago it looked as if Ceylon when the people were given the suffrage the anti-Christian movement might sweep Chrisone woman dropped her ballot in the box and then tianity out of China; it did sweep many missionstood before it with folded hands· saying her aries out, and it almost seemed as though the prayer to the new god, the ballot box. There was work that had been built up with tears and a time when we folded our hands, but we know prayers would go down into ruin. But a few years now that everything depends on what you bring later the missionaries were back again. Christ
never knows defeat and the true Christian can- At the close of a meeting in India the chairman not give up the conflict as lost. The Christian said, "If what the speaker has said is not true, it movement today is stronger on account of having does not matter; but if it is true, then nothing stood against terrible and fierce opposition. The else matters." In the midst of this chaos of things anti-Christian movement has expended itself and there stands this figure of Jesus Christ. Most of left the Christian movement stronger than before. us have missed the way, as we showed in the In one place the Communist took Christian World War. Human society cannot long hold topreachers through the streets of a city to a place gether unless it is held together by the love of where they were going to execute them. They Christ. If we have enough Christianity to save promised to let them go if they would say they China, we have enough to save the whole Far were not Christians. But a pastor said: "I can East. do more for Christ dead than alive." A second man said, "I love my people and my country, and I believe that some day Jesus will go through I would like to live for it, but I love my Christ and through the hearts of the people of China. more, and though you kill me, I will not deny In the city of Tientsin, I met a wonderful Chris- Him." A woman jumped on the table and said, tian, a man who made me feel that he had strength "We need that kind of a man in China; a man and stability, that one could you trust. He was who has convictions and is ready to die for them." building up a new type of official who would go They let him off. A few months later, when the out unselfishly to serve China. I asked him the citizens chose three men to govern that city, that secret of courage and strength amid this chaos pastor was one of the three. and he told me that he was once the most discour- aged man in China. He said, "I saw my country The Answer of Ohrist sinking straight into ruin and knew that we had to have some regenerating power. I turned to China is a vast land in a state of great hesita- Confucianism, which they told us was the right tion. When I was in China a few years ago, the way; but I found Confucius teachings gave us no question they asked was: "Has Christianity any power. Finally I suggested that some of us who answer to our national, social and personal were recognized as leaders ought to commit suineeds ?" I could hear tramp, tramp, tramp for cide so as to shock the country into doing some- Communism, and I had to deal with actualities. thing." But before he did this he began to read Unless Christianity really works there is no need the New Testament and found there not only good talking. But we can stand in the midst of that teaching but power to make bad men become desperate situation and say, "Yes, thank God, if good; the impure become pure; hopeless men truly tried, Christianity does work, and we do not gain hope; there he found something regeneraknow anything else that will." But there is one tive. Instead of committing suicide that regenradiant Figure that stands confronting the situa- erating life of Jesus Christ entered his heart and tion-that is the Figure before whom we bow in darkness and shadows vanished. The man went reverence and love. Jesus Christ is making a straight out, not to commit suicide, but to serve supreme bid for the soul of China today. China, by bringing it into living contact with Christ. That is the type of man real Christianity In Canton, where the anti-Christian activity produces when Christ is given an opportunity. was strong, people could not get into my meetings unless they came before hand to the Y. M. C. A., Have you this living Power in your life? Stand gave name and address and obtained an admission back of us missionaries as we stand reaching out ticket. Nevertheless before I arrived, thirty-five our arms to these nations of the East. Do not hundred people had signed up. From July until continually call us back from our task to awaken December, I was speaking four times a day. On in you, at home, more missionary enthusiasm and the last night of the meetings when I asked for devotion. Stand back of us with your prayers and those who really wanted to give themselves to support. Every Christian ought to be interested Jesus Christ, one thousand signed the cards. One in the Cause we represent. thousand of the students, business and professional men decided to become Christians. A second thing I ask is that you give yourselves more completely to Christ. Many of you have What a challenge to the people of the West who lost your nerve and your radiance. Jesus C"9rist know Christ, to bring to these people the Gospel can come into your hearts and give you new life. of Jesus Christ. Have we enough courage and The modern theory is that a man can disregard strength to do it? If so, the nation can be saved. the laws of God and the love of God, if he likes. I see no other hope than in Jesus Christ. We But that is a false theory. Whatever you have must cease being apologetic for being Christians. been doing, lay all you are and have at the feet The time has come to say quietly, "I am a Chris- of Jesus Christ and He will cleanse and empower tian and am proud of it. Christ has all there is you and send you out a new creature to do mighty of me." wonders in His Name.
Comes to the Navajo*
By C. G. SALSBURY, M.D., Ganado, Arizona Superintendent of the Ganado Mission to the Nava;o Indians, conducted under the auspices of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
I T IS a strange contradiction that in the very supporting. They have now increased from 8,000 center of what we think of as enlightened and in 1869 to nearly 50,000. The main source of Christian America, there should be 25,000 their livelihood is sheep raising, while rug weav- square miles where people live in the rankest ing, silversmithing and the harvesting of pinon ignorance and superstition. Only about one in nuts also add substantially to the family income.
twenty of the Navajo Indians are Christian; the There are 13,000 Indian children of school age others are for the most part ignorant of God and on the Navajo Reservation but the Government full of superstition. Their "medicine men" still has provided school accommodations for only hold sway over many of the tribe and exert a about 7,000, leaving 6,000 who are neglected. Not powerful influence through their incantations and more than 20 % of the tribe can speak English charms. and most of them cannot read or write.
Long before Coronado or Cabeza de Vaca Three great problems add to the difficulty of blazed a trail through the Southwest, the "Dineh" doing organized work among the Navajos: or Navajos established their homes in the desert 1. The people are widely scattered. There is wastes of what is now northern Arizona and New not one good sized village or town in the whole Mexico. When I arrived on the Navajo Reserva- reservation. tion nine years ago, having spent twelve years on 2. The lack of good roads hinders communica- the Island of Hainan in the South China Sea, it tion and service. was a surprise to find a people with almost iden- 3. The language is a barrier to those who seek tical physical characteristics as the Hainanese, to help but cannot take the time to learn the Nav- and with many words in the two languages so ajo tongue. nearly alike that it seems that the two peoples must have had a common origin. In face of these difficulties five or six Protestant denominations are conducting work on the reser- The Navaj 0 Indian is not the stolid, unemo- vation.t tional creature that many writers and artists have pictured him. He has a keen sense of humor, an The Navajo country is a land of contrasts. appreciation for music and real love for his fam- Flat stretches of sand, supporting sagebrush and ily. They have always been a proud, independent saltweed and cacti, lead up to mountains with forand self-reliant people. During the late fifties ests of yellow pine or stretch off to distant mesas and early sixties of the last century, they were brilliant with color, to jagged buttes or to a courageous fighters and gave the American Gov- rugged mountain skyline. Eastern skies may be ernment so much trouble that Kit Carson was stormy, full of lightning and slanting lines of sent out with orders to "annihilate the perfidious distant rain while western skies are a calm, serene butchering Navajos." He did not annihilate them blue, the perfect augury for a beautiful summer's but brought them into subjection and, in 1864, day. about 10,000 were taken as prisoners to Fort Sumner, New Mexico. At the end of the four And roads! A true Easterner never saw anyyears, due to the ravages of disease and confine- thing like them. Two parallel tracks across the desert can scarcely be called a road. The road as ment, only about 8,000 Navajos were left. On t The Christian Reformed Church has a work centered at Rehtheir promising to live peaceably and in accord- bofoth~urNseesw. MeTxhiecro~ with a small hospital, a physician and a number ance with the treaty, these survivors were re- is also a boarding school for the lower eight turned to their old home – the Navajo Reserva- grades, and a community program carried on at difl'erent paints. tion. Since that time they have been at peace At Farmington the Methodists conduct a grade and Junior high with their neighbors and have been largely self- school. • Included in this material by Dr. Salisbury are a number of ex- The Baptists have a mission with a married mis·.Ionary at Keams tracts from articles by various authors that appeared In the Ganado Jfission Bu!!etin.-EDIToR. Canyon. A small hospital near Crown Point is conducted by the Seventh- Day Adventists. The Presbyterian Board of National Missions assumes responsi- bility for the greater share of the work being done on the Navajo Reservation in ArizOll9.. Missionaries are stationed at five govern- ment centers, while educational and medical work is located here at Ganado, the largest mission station for Indians in the United States.
[ 75]
one saw it yesterday may have been a dry, sandy dens, and fine water supply. Ganado is constructrack, while today it may be a mudhole. Friday tive and is building for the future, with its school there may have been a bridge over that wash, but and hospital and its staff of consecrated men and on Saturday the rains may cause one to make a women of charm and intelligence. long· detour. The program of the mission is made up of four No contrast is greater than the difference in main lines of work: evangelistic, medical, educavarious types of people and their homes. At the tional, community and field service. Presbyterian Mission station at Ganado you see clean, neat and attractive school girls and boys; 1. Every worker at Ganado is first of all a there may be equally attractive girls and boys out- Christian evangelist – whether doctor, engineer, side the schools, but they usually are neither clean nurse, girl's director, teacher or farmer; each has a direct and intimate part in the Christian RED POINT-A FAMOUS NAVAJO MEDICINE MAN religious program of the station. We have a pas- tor, but others take part in the preaching services nor neat. Healthy, happy babies born in Ganado and prayer meetings. There is the regular Sunhospital lie beside pathetic little undernourished day school on Sunday morning, the preaching children from a distant Indian hogan (hut) . service at eleven, and in the afternoon the Gospel The neat two-room, windowed cabin of a Chris- Teams conduct services in camps and community tian Navajo woman stands in contrast to the centers in the district. The intermediate or junior windowless igloo-type hogan of her non-Christian high school Christian Endeavor meets each Sunneighbor. day at six o'clock and at seven the senior society and student nurses. At eight o'clock the whole A visitor is also impressed by contrast between staff gathers for the weekly staff meeting to hear Ganado and the surrounding desert. Ganado is reports and to discuss plans for futUre improvean oasis in the desert, beautiful with its green ment. God's guidance is earnestly sought to make lawns and blooming gardens, thanks to irrigation our service more effective. and hard work. The mission station is self-contained with its powerhouse, laundry, dairy,.gar- The hospital evangelist spends his full time in work among the patients and this has proved to be one of the most effective means of reaching the Navajos with the Gospel.
One of the doctors writes: Today there are two outstanding needs among the Nav- ajo people. The greatest is a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The other is an understanding of the opportuni- ties offered them by medical science. Few people can give much thought to the needs of the soul when their bodies are in distress. When Jesus was on earth he not only ministered to the sinful souls of men but to their bodily needs as well.
The medical missionary, with a heart full of the love of Jesus, his mind and hands trained in the art of medical science, has the privilege of obeying the last command of the Great Physician. One would think that a doctor, offer- ing himself to a people in need, would be much sought after, but in many cases the Indians are antagonistic be- cause of their strong belief in the medicine man. But there is a gradual turning away from superstitious beliefs.
The doctor's great opportunity is to live a Christian life among the people, ministering to their sick bodies. He can also make the sting of death less painful and can tell the Red man of the love of Christ and His wonderful offer of salvation for all who believe in Him.
The Mission field doctor, nurses and community workers seize every opportunity to bring Christ's love to barren, needy hearts. In the high school and in th~ dormitories we face the task of build- ing into the lives of these future leaders the ideals of true Christian citizenship. Unless our main emphasis is on the spiritual phase of our work, then we labor in vain. One soul won to Christ in Sage Memorial Hospital amply repays for all the money spent to build and equip and maintain the work all these years. Here is one instance:
CHRIST COMES TO THE NAVAJO
John McKerry was converted when he was a missionary work in that great untouched field patient in the hospital about two years ago. He where there are no roads on which one can travel spent much time in reading the Bible both in with an automobile.
There are no marble halls or terraced floors in Sage Memorial Hospital at Ganado but it is a well planned, businesslike hospital and its 80 beds are usually full; last winter we reached a record of 142 in-patients at one time. There is a staff of four physicians, a dentist, a technician, a dieti- tian; eight graduate and twenty-four student nurses who represent sixteen tribes or races. All are high school graduates, most of them are mis- sion school graduates, coming from homes as widely separated as California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nevada, Alaska and Arizona. They are not preparing to be nurses just because they Navajo and English and often asked to have pas- WILL HE BE A FUTURE LEADER?-A NAVAJO BOY sages explained to him in order that he might preach to his own people when he went back to want to do something different or to earn a livehis home in the northern part of the reservation. lihood, but because they have seen a vision of how John was soundly converted and now his home is they may serve Christ that way. Freedom-loving open to all who wish to come. He delights to tell natures sometimes chafe under the discipline and the Bible stories to them and tried to point them to Christ. He asks us to pray for him that his father may soon accept Christ.
One of the greatest problems in hospital evangelistic work is keeping in touch with those who have confessed Christ and have gone out to their own homes-away off to places where we cannot reach them readily. John can travel all over that part of the country on horseback preaching to his own people, in their own language, the message of salvation. He may also be able to do some real
hard work but stronger than the love of freedom ending with the twelfth grade. The high school is the love of the Great Physician, and the desire offers an academic course for those who wish to to have a share in His healing ministry. enter college or university and its graduates may Patients come to Ganado from far and near. enter the state university without examination. Some have never slept in a bed before; some have The larger number, who do not wish to take adnever before known the care of anyone but the vanced academic work, can take practical courses Indian medicine man. Often five or six medicine in farming and dairying, carpentry, power plant men themselves are in the wards for treatment operation and auto mechanics. The purpose is to and they are just as responsive to the kindly touch develop Christian leaders in the various profes- and the relief of suffering as anyone else. What sions and occupations and to inculcate the Spirit a contrast there is in the cleanliness, scientific of Christ with each lesson. In this way we instil skill and loving care given to the sick at Ganado the principles of Christianity..both by precept and and the treatment of the sufferers by the Indian example.
To care for the distinctly / religious training, there are Bible teachers on the faculty; but the instructors in secular subjects ,also use every op- portunity,.tp drive home the vital truths in the teachings ~QfChrist. Most important of all is the personal interest each teacher takes in her pupils. She seeks not only to imprc:>ve' their minds, and to raise their standard of living 'and improve their moral tone,but earnestly endeavors to win them to Christ.
The community and field activities of the Mis- sion are among the most important phases of the work. At Cornfields, a community center is main- tained with a white worker and interpreter. Here are facilities for bathing, laundering and sewing. Camp visitation, classes for children and various vocational projects are also carried on.
"Do the Indians appreciate your work among them?" is a question often asked by our white friends. Today we can say, "Yes, we know they do." For example: A few days after a serious fire at Cornfields, when our community station there was destroyed, we went to the Sunrise Trad- ing Post to buy a few needed things. About six- teen or eighteen Indians were standing about out- side the store.. While talking to some of them, the head Indian of the Cornfields Valley stood up and addressed the crowd in his native tongue. He told them that we had lost everything in the fire and medicine men! They claim to be able to .cure all said: kinds of diseases w. ith l.heir. rattles, sand paint- "They never refuse to come to our hogans when someone is ill or to take a sufferer to their hosings, prayers, songs an, chants. When a medi- pital; they never ask us if we are Protestant or cine man sings over a sillk one, the "sing" is held Catholic; they treat us all alike, and even care for in a hogan or Indian hut', and is a sort of incanta- our medicine men. Now they have lost everything tion to drive away the evlI spirit that causes the and we ought to show that we appreciate them. disease. When one is sick the medicine man must We are glad that they are not going to leave us." :tind out the cause and then certain songs are sung Then the judge stood up and repeated some of rotfor different symbols. A medicine man is paid the things mentioned by the headman. After that every ceremony, either in money or in sheep he took off his hat and put it on the ground asking or goats. In this way the people are being kept the Indians to make their contributions. We saw in darkness. silver money and tin, square and round, fall into the hat. God had touched the · hearts of these Training Mind and Hand At Ganado, Christian education is well rounded, brown friends to show us that our work has not beginning with the teaching of the alphabet and been in vain.
Essentially the same community program is When finally we walked into the hogan a wail from the carried on at Tselani by a graduate nurse and her cradle board lying by the fire showed that everything was interpreter, with even greater emphasis on health all right. There was nothing to do but start back, patch up the car, and return to the Mission. This is practicing medicine in the desert.
Whatever the activity, our great desire is that we may be of real service in bringing a great and neglected people to the feet of our Lord. It is as true among the Navajos as among any other peo- ple that the outstanding members of a community are, nine times out of ten, Christians who show by their lives that they have been born again. When conversion goes beyond the head and reaches a man's heart all things become new. This includes his outlook upon life, his attitude toward his family and his fellowmen, his attitude toward his animals and all his possessions, and his attitude toward his work.
One of our church members who lives some ten miles down the valley has a little farm. His main crop is corn. This brother depends upon the rain- fall to water his crop and he is not afraid of hard work. Every year he is envied by all around and about two years ago an attempt was made by non- NAVAJO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, GANADO MISSION instruction. The Mother's Meeting includes a cel- DR. SALSBURY AND TWO NAVAJO NURSES, GANADO ebration of the birthdays of children of whose birth we have record. We weigh and measure the Christian Indians to deprive him of some of his infants, and those who are old enough are re- land. One of the arguments against him was that warded with a few raisins. Then comes a health he was a Christian, and had more time than talk and a Gospel message. The importance of others to care for his crops because he never went keeping a record of the date of the child's birth is stressed, and in the Gospel message we refer to the birth of Jesus and our need for the "new birth."
Practicing medicine among the Navajos does not lack variety. Another of the doctors writes: A call came from Nozilini, 17 miles away, saying that someone was waiting at the trading post to guide us to a camp to attend a child-IaJor case. Mrs. Main, Dick Baldwin, an interpreter, and I left the Mission at 11 a. m. and arrived at the trading post at Nozilini after having traveled over some of the worst roads in the whole state. At the store we picked up our guide, a Navajo woman, who told us that we were to go about six miles "in that direction" (pointing with her lips). We went about two miles up the side of a mountain on a wagon trail, with occasional very steep inclines, but in manreuvering one particularly bad place, the center of the car dropped down on the solid rock and the wheels spun around. We must go on; so with medicine case in hand, we started up the hill on foot, going over rocks and ravines until we reached the top of the mountain where the snow was deep. After what seemed to be hours we came in sight of the hogan some 1,000 feet below us.
to the heathen sings and dances; therefore he not the way," said a little Navajo boy, shaking his ought to give some of his land to his neighbors. head as he watched the new white teacher place a miniature hogan in the sand box. "The door is When the Gospel of Christ enters the heart of wrong; it must always face the sunrise." He a Navajo it opens his eyes, it strengthens his knew the custom among his people. No hogan is hands and fills his heart with love. Can we say built whose low door does not face the rising sun. anything more of the white man who has had the Gospel for generations after generations? The Navajo may continue to build their hogans with the doors to the east, but their new hogans If you can dream and not make dreams your master will have windows with screens, and will contain If you can think and not make thoughts your aim, clean beds and a change of clothes. Even though the Indian boy may lay aside his athletic sweater If you can meet with triumph and disaster for a blanket when he returns to his people, it And treat those two imposters just the same. . . . does not mean that he will let lice nest in his hair or will send for a medicine man to wave feathers Kipling's "If's" are applicable to those who are over his baby that has fallen into the fire. The attempting to construct a program that will meet educated mothers may wear blankets but their the State's requirements for a standard school, that will fulfill the church's expectation in preparing the young people for life, that will satisfy NAVAJO VISITORS AT THE GANADO MISSION CHAUTAUQUA the business world's demands for efficiency, and babies will be clean and rosycheeked from proper that will create within the heart an urge for better care and wholesome food. homes and communities of cleaner living and purer thinking. The Indian is not a creature apart from the rest of humanity, but is one of God's children, with Such is our hope for Ganado, and toward that human problems and passions, with a body and goal our plans are being made and our efforts are mind and soul, all hungering and thirsting for the directed. Weare trying to meet the requirements best life of which he is capable. The door of the of the State in education and to make better citi- hogan, facing the rising sun, is symbolical of the zens by teaching the Indians to be honest, skilful door of hope, of faith, of opportunity for the Navworkers. We are also training interpreters who ajo nation – the greatest of all Indian tribes in will help to create better interracial understand- America. ing. In all our efforts to bring the best that modern civilization has to offer, we do not want the "Stir me, oh, stir me, Lord, I care not how, . Indian to lose the arts of his forefathers, either But stir my heart in passion for the world; native or acquired, so that we also offer work in rugweaving, basketry, pottery making, silver- Stir me to give, to go-but most of aUto pray, smithing and tanning. Stir, till the blood-red banner be unfurled.
If we build aright in this work for the Navajos **** we know that their future is assured. "That's Stir me to give myself so back to Thee, That Thou can'st give Thyself again thro' me."
BESSIE PORTER HEAD.
a Missionary Stopped at the
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I N THESE days of unbelief and skepticism to- After marriage, he established a large cotton mill ward the Bible, it is the blessed privilege of near Rio-Feio and sixteen workmen from the vil- each Christian who has seen the power of God lage helped to operate the mill. The cotton was working in marvelous ways in the hearts of men, then carried on mule back some forty miles to a to give a personal testimony to the power of His railroad station.
precious Word. About forty miles from Rio-Feio was a mission- Brazil is the largest country in that great con- ary station, where there resided Mr. Landes,a tinent of South America, known to the missionary missionary after God's own heart. At four o'clock world as the "Neglected Continent." Near the on one of those afternoons in Brazil when the sun little village of Rio-Feio, in the state of Sao Paulo, poured down hot rays, there came a missionary, lived Sr. Fernando, the subject of this narrative. Mr. Kyle, traveling along the dusty highway.
Education without Christ is apt to become a Senhor Fernando, the infidel, was busily engaged curse to the individual and to the world. Sr. directing the workmen as they bailed the cotton, Fernando was the son of a lawyer and received a in front of the mill. He was working with all the good education in the finest school of Rio de fervor of a man trying to satisfy the hunger of Janeiro. Because of this intellectual preparation, his soul by heaping up treasures upon earth.
he was led to reject the superstitious forms of Soon the traveler's steps led him nearer to Rio- worship which prevailed in that country and Feio, and the missionary approached the cotton which still hold chained in darkness there and in mill. With weary feet but happy heart at the op- other parts of the world, three hundred million portunity of offering a hungry man the "Bread of souls. One illustration will be sufficient to show Life," Mr. Kyle addressed the atheist.
how utterly foolish were their superstitions and "Sir," said he, "I would like to show you one of why their forms of worship were rejected by the my Bibles which is the Word of God."
young man, as being unreasonable and so inade- Instantly the atheist was filled with the old quate to save anyone. hatred toward God and the Church, and he re- From a little railroad station, in the state of plied to the servant of God in a torrent of insult- S. Paulo, there was a path that led to a small ing words. The missionary was about to depart chapel- the shrine "Da Aparecida," meaning when the atheist saw the sorrow and disappoint- "The One Who Appeared." The path to the chapel ment in his eyes, and noticed that his shoes and was usually lined with beggars, most of whom clothing were covered with dust. Senhor Fer- were lepers and begged alms from "penitents" nando's heart was filled with human sympathy for that passed by. The women came to worship at the tired stranger and, disgusted with his own the shrine, while the men came to gamble in tents impetuous and uncalled for outburst of anger, he near by. Within the chapel there was an image asked the traveler to go into the house and rest of "Virgin," which, according to the tradition of before resuming his journey.
the church, had fallen from heaven in that place The remainder of the afternoon Senhor Fer- where the chapel was built. On the walls of that nando continued to direct the workmen at the chapel could be seen the arms, legs and other mill, but at six the day's work was ended and the parts of the body made of wax, placed there by atheist went into his house where he found the worshipers as a testimony to the curative power stranger asleep on the floor of his office. When he of that image! awoke, refreshed, the evening meal was served.
Senhor Fernando, a cultured and intellectual As they conversed together, the missionary said man, could not accept these and other teachings to the Master of the house: of the Church of Rome and, knowing no other "Sir,I was looking over the books in your office form of worship, he became an atheist. and did not find a Bible such as I am carrying Though educated and trained for a physician, with me, so I am leaving one for you."
he had to give up this career, because of ill-health. Though pressed to remain over night, the ( 81 ]
stranger said that he must hasten on and dis- away the sin of the world." "Night," for Senhor tribute more Bibles before the shadows of the Fernando, had gone and the dawn broke into the night closed down upon him. The atheist watched full light of day. He became a new creature in the missionary disappear in the distance and then Christ Jesus! A wonderful miracle had been returned to his office and opened the book which wrought in his heart. the stranger had left. A little over a year ago Sr. Fernando went to He began to turn the leaves until his eyes fell be with the Lord but before he went he often spoke upon the first verse of the first chapter of the of that night with the servant of God. He used Gospel according to John. Then began to read: to say that his experience was similar to that joy- ous experience recorded in Luke, of those two In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with disciples walking to Emmaus, accompanied sud- God, and the Word was God. The same was in the oegin- denly by a Stranger, and who "said one to anning with God. All things were made by Him and with- other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while out Him there was nothing made that was made. In Him he talked with us by the way, and while he opened was life; and the life was the light of men. And the to us the Scriptures1'" Sr. Fernando and his light shineth in darkness; and the darkness compre- household believed, and were baptized the next hendeth it not. . . . That was the true light which day by Sr. Braga. lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the Persecution followed this new servant of God. world knew Him not. He came unto his own, and his Sr. Fernando began to share the Glad News with own received Him not. But as many as received him to all his friends and neighbors. Fearless toward them gave he the power to become the sons of God, the priest and to the traditions of the Roman even to them that believe on His name, which were born, Church, he went to the priest to tell him of the not of blood, nor of the will of man but of God. . . . wonderful Gospel of salvation, as found in the Book. The priest became enraged, and with up- As Sr. Fernando read these inspired words, the raised hands said that the laws of the Church Spirit of God was softening his rebellious heart. forbade anyone to possess a Bible; he declared There was a peculiar fascination in this book, that his orders must be obeyed absolutely without such as he had never seen before in any other argument or explanation. He denounced Senhor book. Eagerly he read on and on, chapter after Fernando as an heretic and ordered him to give c.hapter, far into the night. With the first faint over the Book to be burned publicly. But the new rays of morning, the light of the Gospel began to disciple of Christ would not give the Book and shine for him. Not returning to his work, he returned home more eager than ever to preach spent the whole day reading, sometimes in the Old the new-found Gospel. His listeners increased in and sometimes in the New Testament. The work- numbers and they secured an empty hall in the men and the wheels of the cotton mill went on village, where Rev. Braga was to preach. The without the master of the house to direct them. priest summoned other priests and followers, made them intoxicated, and they stoned the meet- Senhora Gabrielle, the devoted and affectionate ing house and broke up the service. That night, wife, became anxious. As each succeeding sleep- the same mad, intoxicated crowd surrounded the less night came and went, her anxiety deepened house of Senhor Fernando, throwing stones, firing for fear that insanity might have touched the guns and making threatening marks on the outmind of her husband. Even the little daughter of side of the house with their knives. Each night three, and the still more inquisitive little boy of they set guards so that no one could come in or go five, whose name was Antonio, grew troubled out. The fences were broken down; the cattle when they saw the father neglecting them and and the horses were driven away; the fruitful his work from day to day, engrossed in the new tropical orchard was cut down. book which the stranger had left. The workmen in the cotton mill proved faithful Finally, after two weeks, as is the custom in to the master of the house, and came with their some missions, other workers followed up the trail guns and ammunition, stationing themselves at of the first missionary. Mr. Landes, accompanied the doors and windows, ready to defend the soby Mr. Braga, father of the well-known minister, called heretic and his family. A most vivid im- Erasmo de Carvalho Braga, came traveling the pression of those two weeks was left on the mind, same dusty road, under the same Brazilian sun. as the little boy, Antonio, remembered his moth- As they aproached the home of Senhor Fernando, er's face; that look of anxiety and great fear, unlike the reception given to the first missionary, mingled with tears as they waited for the end. Mr. Landes was warmly welcomed into his home. Provisions became low until they were without The host lost no time in putting the Bible into the food. Mr. Braga, the faithful missionary, did not hands of Mr. Landes, and the servant of God ex- forsake them, and after prayer, he went early in plained that he had come for the very purpose of explaining the message of that Book. Late into the night these two men talked together, the minister pointing to the "Lamb of God that taketh the morning to seek food in another village. He The father reflected for a moment and then was at the hazard of his life, but he knew that said: the same God who could work such a miracle in Sr. Fernando could perform another miracle to "That is so my son. . . . I will give my consent, save his life. All roads leading out of the village if your mother will agree to it." After the mothwere guarded, but when Mr. Braga came upon er's consent was obtained, with money sufficient four guards, they were sleeping. So he succeeded for only a few days after his arrival in the great in obtaining the necessary provisions and on his city of S. Paulo, Antonio started out to prepare return he found them asleep again. for his life work. His plan was to get some work in the city and in the odd moments take up his Finally, the mob sent word that the house would studies at Mackenzie College. The work he found be burned and their lives forfeited if they re- was of such nature that he did not have any time mained. The priest provided a horse for each of left for studies. He went down to his knees to the grown persons if they would leave early the ask his heavenly Father to come to his rescue in next morning while it was still dark, taking no opening the necessary doors. possessions with them. Very early the next day the little family arose, bade adieu to their posses- At about this time Antonio made the acquaintsions, mounted the horses and rode away. ance of a devoted young man of about his own age, Philip Landes, now a missionary in Brazil. *** He was a student-teacher at Mackenzie College. These two congenial souls, who loved the Lord, Years passed-years full of hardships and per- became very close friends and spent many evesecutions but always with the joy of the Lord in nings together in fellowship and prayer. One their hearts. Forced from one place to another, day when this boy was out in one of those torren- Sr. Fernando left in each place a little group of tial rains characteristic of tropical countries, an believers that developed in later years in organ- old gentleman crossing the street slipped on the ized churches. wet pavement and fell on his knees ~and side. Antonio hastened to help him up, taking him to The little lad, Antonio, grew to manhood and the dental office where he was employed. Here came to the United States where he prepared to the man washed his hands and brushed his be a minister of the Gospel. clothes. Then the old gentleman, with thanks on his lips, went his way and the incident was for- How He Cares for the Travelers gotten for the time.
Prayer is the key that unlocks the doors before One evening Antonio and his friend Philip were the spiritual traveler. As said the evangelist, talking together about the possibility of an open- D. L. Moody: "Elijah had such a faith that he ing for study at Mackenzie College when Philip could lock the windows of heaven by prayer and said, "Why don't you go tomorrow and ask the carry the key in his pocket for three years and six vice-president of the College if there is a place months. No rain came until he took out that key where you may be able to study and work your and asked God to open those windows again." way through college, as I am doing. In the United States many young men do that sort of thing." A great student found in the Bible, exclusive of So the next morning, at the office of Mackenzie the poetical books, 667 direct personal prayers for College, a timid young man confronted the vicespecific things, and 454 answers to these pray~s. president, a man of very austere outward appear- The writer desires to give a personal testimony ances. He was tall, his hair was long and almost to God's faithfulness in answering the prayers reaching his shoulders; he had a very sharp proand petitions of His children also today. file and was wearing thick large glasses. His clothes fitted loosely on his tall, bony frame, and One day ten years or so after his conversion, as he looked at the timid young fellow before him, Sr. Fernando's eldest son, Antonio, came to him he said: "And what can I do for you?" The boy and said: told of his desire to study, and confessed that he had no money but would work in payment for his "I desire to go away to college and prepare my- education. The vice-president frowned and inself for God's work." quired if there were any letters of recommenda- tion. "None" was the prompt reply. "Mr. Landes "That is all very well, son," Sr. Fernando re- knows me slightly" was added with hesitation. plied, "but you know that in persecution we have The man pondered for a while and then added, lost all the means we had and I am not able to "Your face is not a very good recommendation for help you now." you and it is just as well that you do not have any "Yes, father," replied the son, "but have you not been teaching us that if we ask anything in Jesus' name that is according to God's will, He will grant that petition? I believe that somehow the Lord will open the way for me." recommending letters because I have taken some yes, thousands of students to a higher life of servhere with a large number of letters of recom- ice, and led many of them to know the Lord Jesus mendation and they turned out to be disappoint- Christ. During the following years many were ments. You are the first one that ever came here the difficulties overcome because the Lord opened without any recommendation whatever. That doors in answer to prayer. We tell only one more makes me wish to try you. You must see my fa- instance where His grace was sufficient to the boy ther, however, because he is the president and will who dared to take God at His word. have the last word to say on the subject." He turned to his desk and wrote something on a piece It was during the young man's first month at of paper and told the lad to take it to the president Princeton Seminary. Because of ill health, caused of the College, Dr. Lane. So, with a prayer in his by ptomaine poisoning contracted on ship, his heart the young man went across to Dr. Lane's doctor advised him to have an operation perhouse and knocked at the door. If the son was so formed. He went to New York and made argruff what about the father? Under that gruff- rangements to have the operation performed ness he later discovered a helpful and affectionate during the Christmas vacation of 1909. One probheart. A young lady came to the door, Miss Fanny lem arose – the ever-present question of money. Lane-daughter of Dr. Lane-and inquired what All his expenses in the hospital would amount to he wanted. When the lad answered that he had about $150.00 but he did not have much more a message for Dr. Lane, she replied, "Father is than that to defray his expenses during the year very busy and nervous today – may I give him at the Seminary. So he took the problem to his your message?" At that moment a voice like a Father in prayer. roar came from within, "Let him come in, I have just a moment for him." Under a gruff exterior One week before he left for the hospital, the there was a heart of gold and Dr. Lane later be- little church of McCuchenville, in Ohio, where he came a firm friend of the young man. There, had testified many times to the power of God, seI1t seated by a desk was a man about sixty years old, him a check of $25.00 as a Christmas present alof medium height, stocky build, looking more like though they knew nothing of the operation. Two a judge than a physician, more like a minister or three days before his start for the hospital in than an educator. He looked fixedly at the young New York, some one left $125.00 in an envelope man before him until his gaze made the lad un- inside the door of his room as a Christmas prescomfortable. Then he said, without reading the ent but those who sent these gifts never knew anynote: thing about the operation. Being a newcomer to the Seminary, Antonio had not as yet made close "Are you not the young man who, when I fell friends to whom he would reveal personal the other day in the street, helped me into Dr. matters. Norris' office?" But that was not all. After the operation was "Yes," said the boy, "I remember helping some- performed and the time required was spent in the body." hospital- about fifteen days – under the best of care, he came down to the office to pay the bill. "I was that 'somebody,''' said Dr. Lane, read- To his amazement he was told that his bill was ing the note. Finally he said, "Yes, tell Rufus paid and they would not reveal the name of the (the vice-president) to find a place for you; if one who had paid it. That is a good commentary there is no place tell him to make one. . . ." Then on' Ephesians 3: 20: ". . . he is able to do exhe added, "Tell him to make you my secretary." ceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. . . ." The person that paid that hospital So the young man became Dr. Lane's errand bill may have been that great young servant of boy, a position which Dr. Lane dignified by call- God, William W. Borden ("The Borden of Yale"). ing him his secretary. He was the only visitor that the young man had while in the hospital and they were classmates in Thus the Lord opened the way for the lad to the Seminary. study in Mackenzie College and, with the fellowship of young Landes, those became days of great It may be well to pass on to any young person blessing. who may read these lines, the advice that Sr. Fer- nando gave to his son, as he accompanied him to After leaving Mackenzie College, through the the statioD just before the young man left home advice of his friend Philip Landes, Antonio left for the last time. "Son," said he, "silver and' gold Brazil and went to the United States to further I have none to give you, but one thing I have done, prepare for the Lord's work. When he arrived at I have pointed you to the Lord. That will prove Wooster College in Ohio, he had only five dollars better to you than much riches. Keep close to in his pocket, but God was with him and that was Him and you will lack nothing that you may better than a million dollars. At the station he need." The son has found it so. was met by Professor John Howard Dickerson, a wonderful man of God, who inspired hundreds, What one pilgrim has experienced, everyone life. Then the Christian life becomes the most may have. F. B. Meyer tells us how the blessing melodious music to the eternal ears of God. of God's presence in its fulness came to him. He says: "Sixteen years I was a minister in Midland THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER town in England, not at all happy, doing my work for the pay I got, but holding a good position 'Twas battered, scarred, and the auctioneer amongst my fellows. Hudson Taylor and two Thought scarcely worth his while young students came into my life. I watched them. They had something I had not. Those To waste his time on the old violin young men stood there in all their strength and But held it up with a smile. joy. I said to Charles Studd: 'What is the difference between you and me? You seem so happy, "What am I bidden good people," he cried, and I somehow am in the trough of the wave.' He "Who will start the bidding for me? replied: 'There is nothing that I have got which you may not have, Mr. Meyer.' But, I asked: A dollar, a dollar! now two only two; 'How am I to get it?' " Two dollars and who'll make it three?
"Well," he said, "have you given yourself right Three dollars once, three dollars twice; up to God?" Going for three?" but no!
"I winced. I knew that if it came to that, there From the room far back, a gray-haired man was a point where I had been fighting my deepest Came forward and picked up the bow, convictions for months. I lived away from it, but when I came to the Lord's table and handed out Then wiping the dust from the old violin the bread and wine, then it met me; or when I And tightening up the strings, came to a convention or meeting of holy people, something stopped me as I remembered this. It He played a melody pure and sweet, was one point where my will was entrenched. I As sweet as an angel sings. thought I would do something with Christ that night which would settle it one way or another. The music ceased and the auctioneer And I met Christ" . . . and so he goes on to tell With a voice that was quiet and low how he came into full fellowship with Christ and the joy that became his after that. But he did Said, "What am I bid for the old violin?" not gain the victory until he had consecrated all And he held it up with the bow. of his life to Him. So that is the secret of "Victory with God." Every pilgrim may have this vic- "A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two, tory if He allows the master full control over his Two thousand, and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice; And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We don't quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply, "The touch of a master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune And battered and torn with sin, Is auctioned cheap to thoughtless crowd Much like the old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, A game, and he travels on.
But the master comes and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand- The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the touch of the master's hand.
NATIVE ABILITY IN PREACHING Even though a white man may have been born in the country and may have grown up with the natives as I happen to have done, yet he cannot fully grasp the native ways of think- ing nor can he put things in the way that appeals to them. I have been greatly impressed lately with the clear and forceful illustrations natives can use, illustrations which sometimes (without any careful explanation) would be quite obscure to a white man but which pour a flood of light on the native mind. . . .
I was listening to a native preaching with great earnestness and power. He was trying to show the evil of the natural heart and that it was not so much God Who had cast out the sinner as it was the sinner who was rejecting God, and he suddenly shouted out the word "Mungazi"! The people looked startled and then a dawn of comprehension appeared on their faces. .
After the preacher had finished, I asked him to explain what mungazi meant. He re- minded me of a huge parasitical fruit which grows like a large pumpkin on the trunk and near the top of high trees. This fruit is called mungazi. It attains a huge size, sometimes weighing fifteen pounds. Then it slowly rots at the heart.
Eventually it begins to lose its hold on the parent tree and in distress calls out, "Kanda wa ngumbake!" (Oh, don't let me go!) The parent tree replies, "I am not letting you go; it is you who are so rotten that you are letting go of me." And then, crash! down falls the mungazi. The moral, now that I have explained it, is quite obvious, but to the native, it was only necessary to say the word and the point the preacher wanted to elucidate became per- fectly clear.-Rev. W. Singleton Fisher, in "Congo Mission News." .
Issues in
i –e§f By DR. JUAN ORT GONZALEZ, Madrid, Spain I~.- ~I ==============================~ O UTSIDERS, pondering the terrible loss of In view of this wide difference in these ideals life and property caused by the present and in programs, it is not surprising that most civil war in Spain, are apt to overlook the Protestants of Spain, including ministers and layvital national issues which are at stake in that men, foreign and national workers, as well as bloody struggle. The life-and-death nature of the many liberal and highly cultured Roman Cathwar now being waged, for all those who follow the olics, are opposed to General Franco and his assolead of the Government, was expressed a few ciates in the Rebellion. months ago in the Spanish Congress by its President, Martinez Barrio, when he said: It may be asked, If the Central Government is not opposed to religion, why have the Madrid "We prefer to die standing up for our ideals forces burned so many churches and convents, and than to live kneeling before a military dictator." why have priests and friars been killed or put in Definitely distinct ideals in politics, economics, jail? If it is not "Red," then why are some of education and religion are held by the two op- its ministers Communists and Marxists?
posing sides in Spain's civil war. Those held by The best evidence that the Government is not the government of Madrid, which just now has its opposed to religion in general is that the Protesheadquarters in Valencia, may be briefly stated as tant churches have not been disturbed in terrifollows: tory under its control. In the Basque Provinces, In religion, absolute freedom and complete separation which have remained loyal to the Government, the of church and state. Roman Catholic Church is as free as before. In regions where the Government has acted differ- In politics, the establishment of a federal republic sim- ently, it is because bishops, priests and friars have ilar to that of the United States, ruled by the majority sided with the Rebels. Churches have been dein both central and regional governments. stroyed where cannon and ammunition were found in them or where they have been fortified and used In economics, a better distribution of wealth and higher as Rebel strongholds. wages for workers. (Those previously existing in Spain have been the lowest pa:d in Europe.) These measures It is reported that General Franco's soldiers are to be based on the constitution of the country and not have killed Protestant ministers and Catholic on any communistic theory. priests, have imprisoned the Catholic Bishop of the Basque Provinces; and have put in jail friars In education, the aim is to wipe out the prevailing and nuns who were loyal to the Madrid governilliteracy which has been the shame of every cultured ment. Spaniard, and the establishment of "La Escuela Unica" (one school for all classes). While there are members of the Spanish cab- inet who are Marxists, Syndicalists or Commu- General Franco, the leader of the Fascist or nists, these men have been chosen to help the war Rebel Party, has promised that the Roman Cath- against Fascism, and they have given their promolic Church shall have even greater power than ise not to use their official position to promote she has enjoyed during the last decades of the marxism, syndicalism or communism. monarchy. .Many believe that this will involve the suppression or rooting-out of Protestantism, The Outlook for Religious Liberty the dissolution of Masonic lodges; and the expulsion of Jews.
In politics, it is believed that a rebel victory will be followed by a military dictatorship for at least If the Government wins the present war, we be- five years. . lieve that the country will enjoy complete reli- In economics, it is expected that there will be gious liberty. Government leaders have assured a nullification of the agrarian laws of the Re- me that the expression in the Constitution, "a lay public which aimed at a better distribution of Republic,'~ does not imply irreligion or o~cial land. There will probably be also restoration of atheism. Those words only guarantee equal free- rights and privileges which great landlords en- dom to all moral religions, with special privilege joyed during the monarchy. to none.
Education, many think, will again be put largely If the Rebel forces win, I see no hope for true in the hands of Roman Oatholic friars and nuns. religious freedom. The following statement has [ 86 ]
CONFLICTING ISSUES IN SPAIN
just come from a Spanish Christian evangelist: civil war started. Sayings of Christ and other "General Franco's regime would mean the re- passages of the New Testament are quoted in newal of the claim, 'One nation, one church'-a these papers repeatedly, largely to demonstrate statement made by General Queipo de Llano." In the fact that the Roman Catholic hierarchy is not Cordoba, the chief of the Rebel forces said to the really Christian, because its conduct is out of har- Protestants, "Leave Spain, or you will all lose mony with the teachings of Christ. your heads." For half a year before leaving Spain, my work The Central Government still controls more in Newspaper Evangelism brought me hundreds than half of the Spanish territory of the penin- of inquiries from all classes of persons. These sula, including the regions that are most produc- included four Catholic priests, and many teachers, tive in agriculture and industry, with about two- professors and lawyers, though by far the larger thirds of the twenty-four millions population. number came from Marxists and Communists. Statistics published in September, while I was in My experiences in this connection, together with Barcelona, showed that more than seventy-five per the results obtained from the thirty-five articles cent of the registered automobiles of the country published, have convinced me that the majority were in the hands of the Government. of Spaniards who regard themselves as unbeliev- ers are opposed rather to the Roman Catholic The regions that are poorer in agricultural and Church and her superstitions than to the true industrial production, as well as less densely pop- Gospel of Christ as revealed in the New Testaulated and less cultured, such as Old Castille and Extremadura are in the hands of the Rebels. ment. Galicia, although now in their hands, gave a large The greatest opportunity for evangelistic work majority to the Government in the general national election of February, 1936, and when it in Spain in the near future is offered by the attivoted for autonomy. The same is true of the tude of millions of nominal Catholics, who are dis- Canary Islands. gusted with the hierarchy of their church. The bishops have been found to possess huge private General Franco has fought his most successful fortunes, while multitudes go hungry; relics, battles not so much with native Spanish soldiers which the people had been taught to venerate as as with the help of from forty to fifty thousand "incorruptible bodies of saints," have been found Moors and fifteen thousand foreign legionnaires. to be made of wood and stuffed with ashes. As a It is reported that he is now asking Germany for result many Spaniards feel ashamed to be called sixty thousand soldiers to help him win the war. Catholics. This is the attitude of many of the lower clergy, of lawyers, and of many highly cul- Religious Problem for the Future tured laymen.
From the establishment of the Republic in If the Government wins the war and if a Spain, a campaign against religion was conducted national campaign of evangelization is then conby the Anti-God Society, but instead of gaining ducted, presenting the Gospel of Christ as Protground, the movement has lost impetus. Al- estants understand it, aided by newspaper evanthough the militia is largely composed of Marx- gelism and radio talks, the Evangelical leaders of ists, syndicalists, anarchists and communists, the Spain have well-grounded hopes that the new leading Spanish newspapers of those groups have Spain which will emerge from the present strugshown more respect for religion than before the gle will exhibit a receptive attitude towards Christ and His Gospel.
REQUISITES OF THE MODERN MISSIONARY 1. He must be missionary-minded, with a spiritual purpose and ideal, no matter what his special work may be.
2. He must be sure of the Gospel, realizing that its unique value and its universal application for salvation.
3. He must be educated and prepared, an effective public speaker and personal worker; a man who is wanted in his own land.
4. He must be one who can get along with people – good, bad, and indifferent. I 5. He must have the spirit of John the Baptist as toward Christ: i. e., "He must increase, 1 but I must decrease." II 6. He must have an undying zeal for service.
7. He must be a man of prayer.
8. He must be a living exemplification of the things that abide: faith, hope and love. This means self-control. I ~
Chinese Spend Sunday in
-~ ii By the REV. JAMES P. LEYNSE, Peiping, China I r.l<-o- ~i-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~ W E INVITE you to come and spend a Sun- A Ohildren's Sunday School day with us in the Presbyterian Mission, Peiping, where Chinese evangelists and At 8: 30 a. m., the church bell rings again, this volunteer church workers cooperate with the missionaries in a variety of activities. It is a picture time for the children's Sunday school. There are of mission work in miniature. six Sunday schools with an average attendance of At the Early Morning Watch 400 children in the Presbyterian Mission. The At seven o'clock the church bell rings for the Morning Watch. Most of those who attend are rows of round-faced little pieces of humanity, each earnest soul workers, desiring to begin the day with a season of united prayer. For these Chinese with two eyes like black marbles, are taught by Christians the days are passed when superstition led them to bow down before a shrine at home for volunteer church leaders, students of our mission they have exchanged idol worship for prayer and Bible reading. But some have not yet succeeded schools, and missionary ladies. The Chinese chilin having all the idols cast out of their homes. There is, for instance: dren have very few opportunities to come together Mrs. Chao, a little woman toddling on unbound and so naturally they are keenly interested in the but broken feet, who always comes to the Morning Watch. She is still patiently enduring the Sunday school. The average child has never had Kitchen God of her mother-in-law in the corner of her kitchen. a birthday party, a picnic, a summer outing, or a Mr. Li, wholesale seller of sesame cakes, has a week-end visit, although he may have been to a neglected dusty shrine of the God of Wealth in his factory, placed there by his old father. temple fair and heard occasionally a story-teller And Mrs. Ho, the teacher, who lives with her in his courtyard. Some of the boys and girls are five sisters-in-law in one family home, under the superintendence of grandparents, parents, an true soldiers of Jesus Christ and have succeeded uncle and six respective husbands, has a dilapidated idol of the God of Earth in her two-room in driving the idols away from their homes. dwelling, another idol in the gateway, and a large picture of all the gods of heaven and earth in the A few months ago Lofty Aim, though only living room. All are kept there to please the grand old lady of the family. eleven years old, persuaded his parents to discard their idols. With his own pennies he hired a rick- sha, loaded it with the dusty images, labeled them "unwanted," sat on top of the load and took them back to the temple.
Little Pear Blossom, a girl of ten, led her moth- er to our women's meetings, and later on, upon her constant urging her father attended a series of our revival meetings. She kept on inviting Gospel Teams to yisit her home and as a result her par- ents have joined a Bible class. .
A Glimpse of the Ohurch Services Shortly before 11 a. m. several bells ring for church service.
In the north and west sections of Peiping, Sun- [88 ] AN EVANGELISTIC MEETING AT PEKING GOSPEL HALL day services are held in three Presbyterian revival m.eetings, church gatherings, prayer meetchurches, at Truth Hall school, the architectural ings, women's enterprises, Bible classes, lay-leadschool, the school of engineering, in the home of ers' training classes and cottage meetings, held at a church member, and in a room outside the all seasons of the year. Peace Gate. Each Sunday morning 300 to 400 men and women, in cotton or silk garments of Church members have opened their homes for dull blue, black and grey, fill the church which is weekly evangelistic meetings so as to win their located almost in front of our house. The ma- neighbors to Christ. Relatives, friends and neighjority of these people have been won from the bors are especially invited and while Chinese outside community as the students of the schools evangelists lead these meetings, the people themworship in their own student church. selves witness to their new-found joys and power in the service of Jesus Christ. At all our meetings, volunteer lay-leaders hold the chief place. In America a professional min- Mrs. Yeh was recently won to Christ at one of istry may seem essential, but in our field the lim- these home meetings. As a result she suffered a ited resources and great needs have not made that great deal of persecution, and was locked up by practical, even if it seemed best. For four years her husband to prevent her from attending "the the city churches have done without mission-paid Christian devil meetings." But prayer and papastors and evangelists, as those on the mission- tience brought victory to her. paid staff devote their efforts to the unevangelized regions. Our city churches are not yet ready to Mrs. Wang, who once had a special bolt made call their own pastors. In the meantime I am in- for the gate of her house to prevent our Chrisvited to give advice at committee meetings and tians from visiting her, now goes around to spread assistance at the various church services. The the Glad Tidings at various neighborhood gathemphasis at all meetings is upon spiritual things. erings. The message, always from the sacred Scriptures, is direct as an arrow and finds quick response in In the Street Gospel Halls the hearts of listeners. The majority of our Christians are won from A widespread interest in reaching the masses the darkness of superstition to the light of Jesus has been developed and there are many crowded Cht:ist in our two city chapels. Five evenings a week the Evangel is preached in these halls which are located at two business centers. Often an
evangelistic meeting, a Bible class, a children's fore heard the Gospel or even saw a Bible. One meeting, and the English night school for busi- day aimlessly walking about he drifted into our ness boys and girls are going on at the same time. Gospel Chapel and the message struck home. He joined a Bible class, studied the Word and became l1i the morning and afternoons the places are used converted. Long before he was baptized he took his stand with those who proclaim the saving for women's meetings, Bible classes, and a school knowledge of Jesus Christ and tasted the joy of for poor children. At one of these street halls bringing souls to the foot of the Cross. twelve gatherings of a purely evangelistic nature are held each week. Our Adult Sunday School Among the many converts won this year at In the main hall of the church, at 12: 15 p. m., these chapels is Mr. Shen, a former magistrate. the adult Sunday school meets with missionaries and Chinese volunteer workers doing the teach- ing. At these Sunday school classes we learn to know the intimate problems of the Chinese. Worthy Aim attended faithfully but no one sus- pected that behind his calm countenance there were tales of persecution and opposition. His fa- ther, a clerk in the office of the Buddhist Lama monastery, objected fiercely to his son becoming a Christian. He scolded him, reviled him, beat him, locked him up, refused him food and cursed him. But quietly Worthy Aim read his Bible and redoubled his prayers. Seeing this, the father be- came "almost persuaded." He arranged a mar- riage for his young son to a young lady whom he had never seen before and Worthy Aim persuaded his father to invite us to hold a service at his wedding. While there the father consented to his son joining the church. He even attended the church service when later his son was baptized.
A STREET SCENE IN PEIPING The Grip of Opium Attracted by the singing, he entered the hall. Every day we see evidences that China is in Then the message aroused him, and evening after need of a great nation-wide spiritual uplift. Mulevening he returned. Later he stayed for the titudes of the Chinese are in the grip of opium aftermeeting and enrolled as an inquirer. "The and everywhere we note signs of the fact that eyes of his heart" were gradually opened to his narcotics are eating away the vitality of the peosins, and one day he yielded to Christ as his ple. At testimonial and report meetings we are Saviour and became a changed man. He has now often deeply moved by the tales of grave demordeveloped into an ardent personal worker who alization that tears at the heart of old and young, often is found witnessing in the Gospel Halls. men and women. Many turn to the church in the hope of finding freedom from their bondage. Another outstanding result of this work is Mr. Chang, formerly a military officer, who never be- Mr. Glorious Purpose Wang is one of those who, through the power of prayer, recently es- caped the clutches of the opium devil. He lost his position and gambled away his possessions. His wife left him and his children were taken to the homes of his relatives. Then one day one of our evangelists brought him to a revival meeting. At first Glorious Purpose was too dazed to understand what the Gospel was all about, but graduaHy his heart opened and one evening after kneeli~g down at the platform he arose a changed man. I A Gos- pel team took interest in him, helped him fight the power of the opium habit, and led him step by step to complete victory.
HOW CHINESE SPEND SUNDAY IN PEIPING
ROY CHAPMAN ANDREWS TRU9K USED TO TRANSPORT EVANGE'LISTS TO MEETING PLACES Volunteer Chinese Workers among people of their own social standing, they illustrate their simple Gospel message by a vital Each Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, groups personal experience of God's saving grace. It of volunteer workers go from the church to hold always impresses the people that without material meetings. Almost every afternoon, usually under renumeration these workers enthusiastically try brilliant sunlight with the fine grey dust of the to win souls for Christ. Sometimes they preach streets as pavement, Gospel Teams of volunteer in a very informal setting, while the family vischurch workers go over the city to hold religious ited takes their meal alongside a traveling kitchen, gatherings in homes, courtyards, factories and which a coolie of "Bitter Strength" has carried shops. For years I have given close attention to into the open courtyard, stove and all, by a bamtraining Chinese Christians into a force willing boo pole slung over his shoulder. Sometimes the and able to lead people to Jesus Christ, and in family gathers in the parental living room for a this way to make each church member into an more formal gathering, together with the sons, ardent evangelist. The Chinese come to our home daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, who all live for counsel at all hours of the day, mealtimes in- in the parental enclosure. At other times the cluded. There we share our experience, knowl- neighbors are invited in, forming quite a goodedge, hopes and aspirations. Last year after a sized audience. series of revival meetings, led by the famous Chinese evangelist, Dr. John Sung, we formed ninety- For several years Mr. Mu, the father of one of two city-wide Gospel teams. Each group is made our successful women evangelists, had been visup with from two to five members who have prom- ited by various teams and a score of evangelists. ised to go out preaching at least once a week and For over 20 years he habitually smoked opium. to report to the superintendent of their district. He was of an irritating disposition, fiercely anti- Twice a month on Sunday afternoons all groups Christian, and when drunk he reviled the evanmeet in our church for a general report. gelists. During all these years he never worked, but stayed almost continuously in one small room. Some of these volunteer workers lack education At last he could hardly walk; his eyesight became and training; the others are shy in approach, impaired and his mind was so dull that "he could tactless in fervor or hasty in enthusiasm. But all sleep inside a drum." Naturally his home was unare earnest soul workers, made alive by the re- happy. For years his daughter had prayed for generating power of Jesus Christ. Laboring
his conversion, and finally she solicited the help , around his neck, pauses in front of the speaker.
life of a group of church workers. Great was the re- Lips wide open, feet apart, he listens in bewilder- joicing when Mr: Mu and wife found new in ment, off and on, taking a bite from his necklace. Christ. Both were baptized just two weeks be- At other times a dusty donkey driver is all ears fore the sudden death of Mrs. Mu. Faithfully each for the Gospel songs but keeps his eyes fixed on week Mr. Mu is now attending meetings and his bowl,while audibly he eats soup, course mac- though past 60 years of age, he has joined a class aroni and strips of cabbage, with a pair of chop- to learn to sing Gospel songs. sticks. Sometimes a coolie vender remembers Street Gospel Meetings suddenly his trade, and the preaching must be stopped' for a moment while he lustily shouts: At seven o'clock every night the church bell "One copper cent for a big sweet potato. Warm rings for the evening meeting. Frequently a vol- your hands with it first and eat it afterwards." unteer worker tells about some street meeting or But usually the people are quiet and attentive and they are always eager to accept tracts 'and cards inviting them to attend church services.
Outside the City Gate Some volunteer workers rented a house outside the Peace Gate and changed its name to a little "Hall of Happiness." Regularly they go out there to evangelize the neighborhood and to spread Glad Tidings to the country people working in the fields. Whenever they start to sing by the road- side, stooping figures in blue cotton leave their harvest of peanuts, maize and kao-liang. Solid- wheeled blue-hooded carts stop to enable their occupants to crawl out, and women with babies in arms leave their mudhouses to listen. There in the glorious and splendid sun, shining all day long, words of eternal life are poured out into ears who never heard the Gospel before, yet the people live within the radius of a few miles out- side Peiping, a world city of the Orient.
VOLUNTEER LAY LEADERS WHAT CHRIST SAID about the work outside the city gates. Knowing I said, "Let me walk in the fields." -that swiftly running water is a good place to catch He said, "No; walk in the town." fish some church members go occasionally to the street of the Eternal Happiness Monastery, one I said, "There are no flowers there." of the busiest markets of Peiping. On market He said, "No flowers, but a crown." days there always gathers a very picturesque audience, including carefree gentlemen in silks I said, "But the skies are black, and painted ladies in satin gather around the im- There is nothing but noise and din"; provised platform, together with perspiring ricksha-pullers. Weary laborers in blue cotton gaze And he wept as he sent me back; at the colored evangelistic posters. Sometimes a "There is more," he said, "There is sin." Mongol, wearing a string of crabapples strung I said, "But the air is thick, And fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick, And souls in the dark undone."
I said, "I shall miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose tonight If I am to miss you, or they."
I pleaded for time to be given. He said, "Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven To have followed the steps of your Guide." GEORGE McDONALD.
Goforth of
-<illi By REV. J. A. MacMILLAN, N,w Yock III>– AMONG the missionaries of our day, Jonathan In Toronto jail and in a mission in old St. John's .r- Goforth has held a leading place for nearly Ward he labored earnestly and successfully for the half a century. The immediate cause of souls of men. "The Ward" was known as a tough his retirement from that field was not age or ill place in those days, but he went about among the health, but total loss of eyesight. Blindness was worst characters, holding open-air meetings, and a heavy handicap to a man in his seventy-fifth endeavoring to gather his hearers into the mis- year, but he continued to speak on behalf of mis- sion conducted by the young people of old Central sions, and was constantly in Presbyterian Church. During demand. one summer vacation he called Early Impressions on no less than nine hundred and sixty families. Other Born in 1859, in the atmos- summers were spent on the phere of the Scotch Pres- Home Mission field. By all byterianism of southwestern these methods he was gaining valuable experience and eno n tar i 0, he inherited the riching his knowledge of the art of winning men. strength of character and religious intensity peculiar to First Years in China those sturdy pioneers. The reading of John Bunyan's Grace Abounding to the Chief Graduating from the college of Sinners, Richard Baxter's in 1887, he married Miss Saints' Rest, the Memoir of Rosalind Bell-Smith, an ac- Robert Murray McCheyne, by complished and faithful help- Dr. Andrew Bonar, and sim- meet through the ensuing ilar literature, left a lasting years of service. In January, impression, and determined 1888, the young couple left for the choice of the Christian China, under the Canadian ministry as a life work. The Presbyterian Church, to open flame of missionary enthu- the field of North Honan, siasm was kindled by words north of the Yellow River. On of the great herald of the Gos- landing in China, Mr. Goforth pel in North Formosa, George received a message from Rev.
Leslie MacKay. At the close J. Hudson Taylor, founder of of a strenuous furlough, and the China Inland Mission, ad- · having been disappointed in REV. JONATHAN GOFORTH, D.D. vising him that the suggested obtaining the h e 1per s for field was one of the most anti- whom he had fervently sought, he had uttered the foreign in China; that the C. I. M. had only just pathetic farewell: "I have tried in vain to get succeeded, after ten years of eifort, in entering someone. Now, I am going back. I have not the southern part of the province; and closing much longer to live; soon my bones will bleach with the emphatic admonition, "If you would on the Formosan hillside. No young man has enter that province, you must go forward on your yet caught the vision. There is no one to take knees." It was an exhortation quietly accepted my place." The heart of young Goforth "caught by the new workers, and prayer became the very the vision," and responded in full surrender, keynote of their advance.
"Lord, here am I; send me!" Towards the end of 1888, Goforth, in company Dr. Jonathan Goforth entered Knox College, the with Dr. J. Fraser Smith, a graduate in medicine, Presbyterian Theological School in Toronto, when set out on a tour of the chosen field. Over 1,200 twenty-three years old. His evangelical zeal was miles were covered by mule cart, thirty walled shown by his seeking, on the first day spent in the cities and hundreds of villages entered, and in- city, for an opportunity to do service for the Lord. formation gained which proved of value in laying [93 ]
plans for the occupation of the district. It was in the meetings at times, and painful confession not, however, until 1895 that the first permanent with tears was common. station was opened in Changtefu, Honan. A spirit of curiosity had by this time partly dis- After the formation of the United Church of placed the intense fear and hatred with which Canada, Dr. Goforth remained with the continforeigners were viewed, and it had become pos- uing Presbyterian Church. It became necessary sible to purchase property. The Goforths threw to seek a new field of labor and Feng Yu-hsiang, open their home to the people that all curiosity the "Christian General," invited Dr. Goforth to might be gratified. One thousand eight hundred act as chaplain to his army. Later, when General and thirty-five men, beside women and children, Feng accepted, for a time, the advances of the visited the house in one day. Faithful testimony, Russian communists, the missionary found himpatience and kindness eventually brought conver- self in strong disagreement with the General's sions, and churches began to be established. changed viewpoint, and once more took in hand the staff of the pioneer. A new field was located Five years later occurred the fierce "Boxer" in Manchuria, thl'ough the invitation of the Scotch uprising and the Honan missionaries found it and Irish Presbyterian churches. necessary to flee towards Hankow. On the way they fell in with enemies, and Dr. Goforth re- Later Years in Manchuria ceived a number of painful head wounds, the marks of which he carried to his grave. Twenty- Dr. Goforth was past 70 years of age when the four days were occupied in the journey to Han- time came for tHeir furlough in 1930. They rekow, through which the party were preserved by turned to Canada, and later once more went forth the grace of God. Later, after the troubles had to service in Manchuria. But blindness was resubsided, the stations in Honan were reopened, lentlessly gaining ground. Both Dr. and Mrs. and increased evidences of divine favor were Goforth underwent delicate operations, and in the manifested. case of both there was the entire loss of sight of one eye. Later the other eye of Dr. Goforth failed, A Gifted Evangelist and, as they would cheerfully acknowledge, there was but one eye between them. Dr. Goforth was gifted as an evangelist and spiritual teacher. Though receiving a copy of the Retirement was granted in September but, autobiography of Charles Finney, he was stirred though seventy-seven, Dr. Goforth had no thought to an intensive study of the ministry of the Holy of lessening his activity. Hundreds of invitations Spirit. Later came opportunity to visit Korea, poured in upon him, to none of which a deaf ear and see there the marvelous working of God in was turned. The evening before his sudden transthe revival in that land. He traveled through fif- lation, on October 8, 1936, he delivered an address teen of China's eighteen provinces, preaching in of which his son, Rev. J. F. Goforth, of Wallacethe churches of various missions. Thousands burg, Ontario, said: "He never spoke with were led to the Lord, and multitudes of native greater power; it had a pl'ofound effect upon the believers brought into a new relationship to audience." – From The Evangelical Christian, Christ. Strange conviction of sin was manifested Toronto.
I DIAMONDS FROM AFRICAN MINES I was invited to spend the week-end at the mines with an American engineer and his wife. . The wife was proud of her husband that he was a diamond expert, for years of training and experience were necessary to hold such a responsible position. Millions of dollars must be expended in developing the company; tons of earth must be excavated to discover a handful of precious gems to sparkle on my lady's finger, or to cut fine commercial glass. Thousands of black men were working from dawn to dusk to discover "the white man's stone," which, if cast into the fire would turn to ashes. I, too, am a mining engineer. I am mining for black diam.onds in Central Africa, the rarest and the most valuable stones of all. I am mining for jewels that do not turn to carbon, and I am proud of my high and holy calling….
I know a frail little woman, whose health is broken by having lived in the tropics and who cannot return to her Congo home, but while she was prospecting for God in that far coun- try she discovered a diamond-in-the-rough along the pathway. Being one of God's expert en':' gineers, she worked, and prayed, and polished until the black diamond that she discovered is now known as the "Kagawa of Congo." Single-handed he has won five thousand souls to Christ.-Julia Lake Skinner Kellersberger, in The Presbyterian Survey.
Outlook for Missions Tomorrow*
A Review by REV. COURTENAY H. FENN, D.D.
For Nearly Forty Years a Missionary in China HERE is another "Rethinking Missions," but "daring slogan," "The Evangelization of the world this time by a man who has spent years on in this Generation," a proper measure of the the mission field and has devoted his later Church's Commission. Yet Missions have always years to the study and teaching of mISSIOns at been the interest of only a minority of "Chris- Yale University. Moreover, the preconceptions tians."
with which he approached the writing of this The new day must grow out of the old for the book, were very different from those with which same nine forces are at work. Yet the emergence the preparation of the "Laymen's Appraisal" was of a new world culture; economic and social approached. Consequently, we have here Missions changes; the menace of war and eager longing Rethought on the basis of thoroughly evangelical for peace ; loss of faith in the older religions and convictions, and symmetrically laid foundations. the rise of new; revolt against Occidental domina While the title of the book is "Missions Tomor- tion, and a marked decline of missionary interest, row," nearly half of it is a review of Missions mark. the opening years of the new age. The Yesterday, another sixth is a sketch of Missions various causes of decline are set forth and the Today. Both are essential as a foundation on signs of an awakening, with the assurance of vic- which to build the future and as an introduction tory through faith in the God who never ceases to for readers who have not been close students of work.
Missions. Living as we are "in one of the great As to a "Program for Missions in the New ages of transition," we must know from what we Age," it is evident that missionary forces must are turning in order to be sure that the transition be reinforced and retrenchment must cease. The is to something better. Dr. Latourette sees more time has come to advance. New methods are re- to encourage in the record of past and present quired. Freshly opened doors must be entered.
than to discourage, and among all the influences New problems demand solution. This is not easy.
available for the making of a better world he finds The new age calls for pioneers. Yet much of the none more promising than Christian Missions. old must be continued, e. g. Evangelism, the win- They are not perfect as yet but are capable of ning of individuals and of groups; not the at- adjustment to the changing order of the new day. tacking of other faiths, but the making known of Never has the Christian Gospel been more univer- a better faith by life as well as word. Much more sally needed or more effective when rightly ap- attention must be given to the creation of Chris- plied than today. The author, from preface to tian literature. The mission of education and of finis, assumes a conviction of the truth of the medicine must continue in spite of government Christian message and declares himself "thor- limitations and tendencies to secularization. New oughly committed to the Christian missionary en- types of worship and of organization are bound terprise," yet this has not kept him from facing to come in, yet the Church must be kept in touch facts. with the past. Independence of peoples of other Dr. Latourette roughly dates the "amazing age" lands is growing and should grow; the mission- as 1815-1914, and in both that age and the new ary's function will be changed, and the new day one he notes nine main movements: (1) man's calls for the highest quality, able to help the na- increased knowledge of his environment; (2) in- tionals to efficient leadership. This requires im- creased utilization of environment; (3) emer- provement in theological education, which is on gence of mechanized civilization; (4) various lib- the way. Increased attention must be given to eral movements for welfare; (5) development of the children. An ingrowing community life must nationalism; (6) religious awakening; (7) West- be guarded against and the churches must be knit ern conquest of world; (8) disintegration of into a world-wide fellowship. Organic union is Oriental cultures, (9) enlarged missionary enter- not at once attainable, but universal Christian prise. This last, at its height, included 30,000 cooperation is possible. Oriental Christian lead- Protestant missionaries supported by contribu- ers now bring stirring messages to the West.
tions of $60,000,000 per year, and had adopted a Great and pressing problems for the world-wide • "Missions Tomorrow," by Dr, Kenneth Scott Latourette, of Yale Christian community are those of war and of University. 220 pp. $2.00. Harpers. New York. 1936. race. In Christ alone can their solution be found.
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Effective Ways of Working 'fested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I===============================~ MAKING A CHURCH MIS- modus operandi of the Church, ful ways we have found of making SIONARY MINDED Missions a power in the lives of our Rev. Wade H. Bryant, writing church members. An entire week is Probably few pastors and not in Church Business under the set apart for it. The best teachers a great many male church mem- we can get are secured and a missionbers are not so minded-at least title of ary is brought in for the assembly in a passive, miscellaneous way; address. The school is graded accordbut how many need to become Making Church Members ing to age. The youngest boys and actively and systematically mis- girls meet in the afternoon from four sionary, with a well-articulated Missionary to five, the other classes at night from plan for linking every depart- 7: 30 to 8: 30; and from 8: 30 to 9: 15 ment of church life up with the says: all assemble in the church auditorium world-wide Kingdom program of for a missionary address. . . . As a Jesus Christ. As emphasized It is the task of the whole church direct result of one school of missions repeatedly in this Department, to get the Gospel to the last man on a fund was raised to support a native a prime essential is earth as speedily as possible. The worker in China. This actually came church leader's problem is to build out of the overflow of missionary in- A Live Church Missionary this truth into the lives of all the terest. members. Here are some of the Committee means we have used to make Mis- 6. A Functioning Missions Commit- sions . . . a vital reality in our tee. The major purpose of this is to To be most effective this church: keep the entire church membership should include (1) a representa- leavened with the spirit of Missions. tive from each department of 1. A Missionary Voice from the It is elected by the church and is comchurch activity – woman's so- Pulpit. Sometimes the pastor deliv- posed of a capable and aggressive ciety, men's brotherhood, Sunday ered two special series of missionary representative of each organization in school and every youth organiza- messages at the Sunday morning the church. It has enlarged the mistion so that the planning of a services. The first included descrip- sionary library of the church; cOnyear's study and endeavor may tions of our missionary work in each ducted a spring and fall campaign to be cooperative and articulated of the fields, both home and foreign. secure subscriptions to missionary instead of diverse and impulse- The second was a briefer series and periodicals; helped furnish programs actuated. The national and in- presented the lives and work of great for Missionarv Day in the Sunday terdenominational organizations missionary pioneers, the aim being to school once each quarter, and put on now put out their material with appeal particularly to the younger the school of missions. this end in view. (2) A definite members and to impart to them the plan for mission study and en- ideals which burned in the hearts of The use of these various means of deavor, gearing in every depart- those early heroes. teaching Missions has resulted in an ment inclusive of the men's or- increase in our contributions per ganization and the senior sec- 2. Using Missionaries at Every Op- capita for Missions, in our oversubtion of the Bible school. Avoid portunity. In the course of the year scribing our missionary budget and the lost motion of uncoordinated, we had 16 different missionaries from in an increasing interest throughout discursive and diverse activity. 11 different parts of the world. Some the church membership. No business man would need this were present for just one service, principle called to his attention some spent nearly a week. . . . Both (The school of missions is often if church work were not habi- bv their presence and by their mes- held for six successive Sunday evetually and traditionally segre- sages they fanned the fires of mis- nings at the hour of the worship servgated from practical life, prob- sionary interest. ice, 'or in place of the usual midweek ably due to the sharp dividing meeting over a similar period, with line between "secular" and "re- 3. Supporting Two Foreign Mis- moving pictures in the assembly half ligious." All of life is "reli- sionaries. The members pay the sal- hour, the six-reel film on the life of aries of two missionaries working Livingstone being especiallv approgious" to a 100 % Christian; under our foreign board. Frequent priate this year. This may be rented puolic prayer is made for these; at a nominal price from The Reliand the most efficient practices their pictures hang in the church gious Motion Picture Foundation. of "secular" life should be in the building; their names are on the The beginners' and primary depart- church bulletin each week; and ex- ments of the Sunday school may· have tracts from their letters are read in their missionary sessions at the usual the services and published in the bul- morning class hour to avoid evening attendance. Wherever p 0 s sib Ie, letin. churches of a community gain by 4. Aggressive Missionary Organiza- uniting in such a "School of World Friendship," thus making possible not tions. The women are organized in a only helpful fellowship but a selected women's missionary society with 10 faculty and a combination of financial circles; the young women and girls resources for the pictures and other in five auxiliaries; the boys in two incidentals.-ED. ) Ro:val Ambassador chapters; and the youngest boys and girls in a Sunbeam band. The total membership of these organizations is more than 400.
5. A Real Church School of Mis- sions. This is one of the most success- [96 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
A School of Missions in modern methods of religious educa- mate, and we tried to impart to the tion. . . . Another point to be kept room a homelike atmosphere. After Far and away the most lasting in mind is that the courses and mameans of cultivating missionary terials are planned to be of permanent the suppers those present sat at ease value so that a library of resource for around a large ta.:>le. The minister interest in the local church is by any age group can be built up. . . . holding the annual School of sat with the leaders introducing the Missions previously referred to. Points for setting up such a school theme and steering the discussion. are as follows: As many churches are still on After the opening remarks each the hit-or-miss highway, the fol- (1) A competent committee through lowing digest of a leaflet on set- whom plans will be formulated, fac- leader in turn presented briefly some ting up such a school may be ulties secured, supplies provided and angle of the general theme. Then timely. It is from the Workers' interest and attendance promoted Manual of The United Christian should be formed. This committee they began to talk back and forth to Missionary Society: might suitably be the missionary edu- cation committee of the local church one another. Questions and comments The original plan regarding time and should include in its membership flashed around the table, and grad- was a period of six weeks, with meet- officers or representatives from the ings regularly on a weekday or some- church board and from each organiza- ually the outside fringe was drawn times on a Sunday night. . . . An tion in the church. . . . The pastor in and all present felt free to express efficient faculty must be enlisted and and church board should appoint the prepared for effective work. The best necessary committee for conducting their points of view. . . . The in- teachers in the congregation should the Church School of Missions. . . . be enlisted. . . . The committee in formal set-up, the conversational ap- charge of such a school should insti- (2) A capable director must be proach of the leaders and the natural tute a campaign of promotion found who sees the need and possibilithroughout the entire church contin- ties of such a school and who is en- and direct method of procedure led to . uing for several weeks in every de- thusiastic for missions as well as aJle partmental assembly of the Bible to direct and to win cooperation. excellent discussion. Some topics school, before classes, and in every meeting of the various organizations. (3) An efficient faculty must be en- were: listed and prepared for effective work. The plan of "minute men," each The best teachers in the congregation RACE AND NATIONALISM, AND WHAT presenting a one-minute talk on the should be enlisted. In many communi- RELIGION HAS TO OFFElR school, may be used effectively. Much ties there are school-teachers, libra- advertising in the way of posters, bul- rians, Y. W. and Y. M. C. A. secre- PEACE letins, personal announcements in taries, etc., who are not able because YOUTH AND RELIGION newspapers, letters, invitations and of regular duties to work continuously THE INNER LIFE personal telephone calls are effective through the organizations of the methods of awakening interest. church . . . but may be secured for In everyone of these discussions the this special service during the period A Booster Meeting is advisable, a of the school. interest was keen and many took part. dinner in connection with which will be of great help in getting people out (4) The committee in charge of the Each session lasted for two and a half and interested. At such a meeting, school should institute a campaign of snappy talks on "Why Hold a Church promotion continuing for several hours and had to be broken up by the School of Missions," "The Plan for weeks . . . in each meeting of the the Church School of Missions," "How various organizations. The plan of good night announcement. . . . In. our the School of Missions Has Worked "minute men" each presenting a onein Other Churches," etc., might be minute talk may be used effectively. community these Socratic Evenings given. After several such talks the Much advertising in the way of post- director for the proposed school ers, bulletins, announcements in news- have proved to be one way to meet should speak on "Possibilities for a papers, letters, invitations, etc., are Church School of Missions in Our effective methods of awakening in- the hunp'er of adults for intimate, Congregation." Following this the terest. practical discussion of the problems various members of the faculty should be introduced, each showing a copy For further information and sup- that perplex us in this era of tran- of the book he is to teach and giving plies, write to your own denomina- a brief, spicy preview of the course. tional headquarters or to the Mission- sition. . Some churches use the stereonticon, ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth moving pictures, dramatic and other Ave., New York City. (The outlines of two of these topics "eye-gate" methods for awakening in- terest. . . . It is desirable to have an Socratic Evenings showed that they were given a strong enrollment card printed giving the missionary flair. One may see their titles of books to be taught and the Under this title, Rev. Robert names of the teachers, also time and Merrill Bartlett, of Springfield, far – reaching possibilit;es in the place of the session, and a line for Mass., writes in Church Busi- names of nersons enrolling. . . . ness :* methdd for giving missionary educa- A seven-year cycle, not always Religious education has concen- tion without a formal program, and rigidly adhered to, is followed by the trated on the child and finding in this Missionary Education M 0 ve men t. field ample work to keep it busy, it enlisting the interest of men particu- which is an interdenominational board has not done its duty to the adult. representing 30 Protestant denomina- . . . Our church, in an effort to meet larly by the use of the discussion tions in America, in the preparation of the desire of the adults in our commu- method.) excellent study books and graded sup- nity for religious guidance, instituted plementary material for Adults, a series of Socratic Evenings. Our Missionary Activities of Young People. Seniors, Intermediates, various women's groups agreed to Juniors and children of the Pr:mary serve attractive, low-priced suppers a Bible Class and Beginners' departments. The at which the attendance was limited to Courses are prepared by those exceed- 75. We thought it best to keep the The United Presbyterian con- ingly well trained and with experience gatherings small, informal and inti- tains an article by Dr. A. M. Allen telling how the Men's • Copyrighted by The Duplex Envelope Bible Class of the Washington Company, Richmond, Va. Boulevard church in Cleveland unanimously undertook a mis- sionary project of their own among the underprivileged chil- dren in the southern mountains. Condensed somewhat the article runs thus: The purpose of undert'lking the support of a boy in one of our mis- sion schools was to gain that personal contact with the work of the Church which only actual acquaintance with the one helped can give. Several recommendations were received and finally the choice was made of a girl from Paint Creek, Tenn. The task consisted in furnishing the funds necessary to nlace this girl in the dor- mitory of a school where she could receive a high school education among Christian surroundings. . . . There was doubt in the minds of some as to the possibility of raising the neces-
sary $80.00 a year over and above the in the auditorium for which special have learned to strike back. But pa- regular offerings, which were not to tient, kindly good will finally break be interfered with. It was a trial of programs had been arranged. Effec- through walls of suspicion and dis- faith. . . . During the first year the trust. offerings amounted to the necessary tive demonstrations were presented $80.00 with $162.00 surplus. . . . Last each evening. In addition to these SepteJ.llber another girl was placed in the school. Besides it was possible to the young people gave a pageant and Visit and report on the treatment spread some support among three of the underprivileged and dispos- other schools, to provide glasses for two outstanding officials in the denom- sessed by the various governmental three students with defective vision, ination were special speakers. There and charitable agencies in your comto furnish clothing for all the children munity. What happens to people of one family who must otherwise were many short addresses on the dif- when they fall into the hands of the drop out of school, etc., etc. Money ferent fields. A great deal of in- police? What is the police court in from the fund, being loaned only to your town like? What happens to responsible parents and later repaid, formative literature was given out. them at the family welfare society, continues to be reloaned over and There was no admission to the ex- the juvenile detention home, the over again without interest. domestic relations court? hibit but two freewill offerings were How can interest be aroused and What opportunities are offered to maintained among such a group of taken which helped to defray ex- minority groups in your community men to prompt them to contribute penses. Individuals furnished the these hundreds of dollars? The an- in the matter of work? What opporswer lies mainly in the girls them- various exhibits with no expense to tunities for jobs, for advancement? selves-their regular and faithful cor- Who was the last hired? The first respondence . . . written in their the church. The chief expenses were fired? own quaint styles. Dr. McGranahan, printing, literature, express for panels in a letter to the president of the What about housing, recreation, class, writes that what impresses him from the Mission Board, etc. public utilities, sanitation, health of most about this relationship is not so minority groups in your community? much the good being done down South The chairman of the general com- Compare the condition of the poorest as the fun the Bible class men seem to group with that of the wealthy, the be having in doing it. He adds: "You mittee which made the plans wrote middle class and the poorer white seem to be getting a real kick out of population. it." . . . In the fall of 1934 eight of as follows: "We feel it was the bigthese men spent a glorious week-end gest thing the First Baptist Church visiting the schools in question. That trip will not be forgotten. of Portland has ever done in a mis- sionary educational way and we have The World Came to Portland been showing constant results because Dr. William A. Hill tells in of this effort. The missionary zeal in Missions how the First Baptist our church has greatly increased and church of Portland, Oregon, conducted a missionary exhibit we expect to have it show in a bigger which was an outstanding ex- way during the coming year." ample of the possibilities in missionary education: What happens to a Negro who lands For weeks the church was busy with Things Any Church Group in your town a stranger-how does he study and preparations, and in the Can Do find lodgings, what sort of accomfour days of the exhibit 6,000 people visited the booths and listened to the modations are availa.Jle to him, where explanations and addresses. The project was called "The World in the And put the accent upon the does he eat, how is he treated in the White Temple." . . . The plan in- "do"! This Department Editor matters of citizenship, railway and cluded exhibits in foreign mission booths representing Africa, Burma, postal service, police protection, jus- India, etc., and in home m'ssion labors in vain if the readers are tice before the law? booths of Americanization, work in Alaska, among Indians, etc.; of med- not mindful of the admonition, What are religious organizations of ical missions, promotion work for all minority groups like in your town? departments of denominational en- "Be ye doers of the word and not deavor, the Publication Soc i e t y, hearers only." The sole aim of How are their churches housed? schools, colleges, seminaries, etc., as her endeavor is to pass along What sort of leaders do they have? well as local work in the Y. M. and plans which are really workable Y. W. C. A., Council of Churches, Are they meeting the needs of their Girl Scouts, W. C. T. D., etc. . . . A young people or losing the coming most interesting display was a replica of Kodiak Orphanage in Alaska, and because they have w 0 r ked. generation? the moving pictures and stereopticon Among suggestions given in the slides in the picture room, these being What shapes the thinking of your accompanied by lectures by well in- current literature packet of The community toward minority groups formed travelers. . . . Effective dem- United Christian Missionary So- and toward other nations? Does paonstrations were presented in the eve- triotism in your community mean nings; the young people gave a ciety, the following is a conden- glorifying our national spirit at the pageant and outstanding speakers expense of others or does it mean apwere heard. sation of the outstanding points preciation of our national spirit along for all church workers: with that of the others? People visited the booths from 2: 30 to 10: 00 p. m. except during the hour Make a friendly approach to minor- Send the Department Editor ity racial or religious groups in your community. Choose your workers practical plans which you have from among those willing to subordi- worked out along this and other nate prejudices and try new paths. Choose with care the group you are to missionary lines.
approach, whether Negroes, Jews or others. Remember they have their prejudices and resentments, some- "Are you an active member- times more deeply rooted than your The kind that would be missed, own. Make contact at first with two Or are you just contented or three members of the group who That your name is on the list?
are likely to be sympathetic, and ex- Do you attend the meetings plain to them your desire for friend- And mingle with the flock, ship, letting them understand that you Or do you stay at home feel they have something to teach you. To criticize and knock?
Let the plans for friendship grow nat- Do you take an active part urally, not attempting too much at To help the work along, once. Or are you satisfied) to only just Remember minority groups are belong?
sensitive to slights even when not in- Do you ever go to visit A member that is sick, tended. Nobody wants to be segre- gated, even though in a choice situa- Or leave the work to just a few tion. You will occasionally meet re- And talk about 'the clique'?
buffs from Catholics, Jews, Italians or Think this over, member- other groups. Remember that rebuffs You know right from wrong.
from your own kind are a common lot Are you an active member, Or do you just belong?" and that as a protective measure they The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK WORLD DAY OF PRAYER From 1928-31, Miss Burnham was Children's Worker at War- Friday, February 12, 1937 burton Chapel, Italian, at Hart- ford, where she organized one FIRST FRIDAY IN LENT of the first nursery schools in The World Day of Prayer be- that city, working in cooperagins in New Zealand and the tion with various educational Fiji Islands, and as the Day pro- and welfare agencies. She was gresses, new groups in city, town, countryside, and hamlet, Director of Education and Sojoin in praise and prayer until cial Work at The First Church after some forty hours the Day of Christ, Congregational, in ends at Gambell on St. Lawrence Hartford, from 1930-34. While Island off the coast of Alaska thirty miles from the date line there she did much work in leadand about the same distance ership training in the field of from the Arctic Circle. All children's work and missionary these groups are praying that education, and organized and we may be one in our service for Jesus Christ – that barriers of supervised one of the first race and class may be broken F. E. R. A. schools at Center down-that we may truly learn Church House, attended by over to follow Him whose way is the four hundred young people and way of life for all men – that we may be faithful witnesses of adults. During 1935-36, she His love and His life-giving acted as Dean of Women and inpower-and that men may find structor at Dickinson Junior the way by which individuals and nations can live together in College and was on the faculty peace and understanding. of Dickinson Summer School of Christian Education. NEW ASSOCIATE CHARLOTTE M. BURNHAM THE APPEAL OF INDIAN SECRETARY YOUTH Associate Secretary In December, Miss Seesholtz "Lord, Teach Us to Pray!" introduced to you the new Ex- responsibilities the Council's ecutive Secretary of 'the Council program in international rela- One of our Religious Work of Women for Home Missions tions, legislative matters, con- Directors, while teaching a and editor of this bulletin-and ferences and schools of missions group of young Indian students now, in turn, it is her privilege and the Indian Work. Miss in one of the Government Boardto introduce to you Miss Char- Burnham, a member of the ing Schools, was asked, "Does lotte Mary Burnham who on Methodist Episcopal C h u r c h God really help anyone who October 15 became the Associate comes to the Council with a prays? What should we pray Secretary of the Council of training and experience that for – how shol1ld we pray?" Women for Home Missions. prepare her in an unusual way Does this remind you of another From time to time there will be for the work of the Council. group in far-off Palestine, one of messages from Miss Burnham whose members asked The Great in this bulletin, for in the re- After receiving a bachelor de- Teacher, "Lord, teach us to alignment of the work of the gree in religious education at pray" ? Those young men were executive staff of the Council Hartford Seminary Foundation groping their way from the old she will carry among her major she received her Master's degree religion of Judah with all of its from Trinity College, Hartford, traditionalism and formalism to Conn. In 1934-35 she did ad- an understanding of Jesus' in- vanced work at Yale Graduate terpretation of God as a loving School where she was Teaching Father "who giveth good things Assistant in the Department of to them that ask him." Education.
[ 99 ] These young Indian Americans, they are friends and advisers as well, homa for late cotton, drifted into the too, need guidance in their religious helping many young people through Imperial Valley, California, for early life, caught as they are in the transi- crises in their personal and school life. truck garden work, and then on up tion from the old to the new, often un- They encourage church membership into peas. The first crop rusted with able to accept the guidance of their and cooperate with the local ministers. the too abundant rain and the migra- own people who can see no good in the Does this type of training carryover tory worker pawned his rickety car white man's way of life or the white after the students have left the and the wheels of his trailer to get man's religion. And it is no wonder school? After a trip to visit former money for food, then starved until that many of the older generation can students, one of our Directors writes, relief funds brought him a few meals. see little good in these things when "We find that our graduates are do- There were still more dire conditions we remember the injustice and cruelty ing much better than we had heard. with the coming of the frost which blackening the relationships of the In most cases the Indian homes were nipped the late crop of peas. Several past. as neat as the white homes around hundreds had in some way secured them and sometimes better. At Happy gasoline to move onward-1,800 still But Indian youth today is looking Camp we visited two graduates who remained, the victims of malnutrition forward. In the boarding schools of are helning with church work. In a and discouragement. Whole families the secondary and vocational types little log church at Cottage Grove on must pick all day to secure six or maintained by the Government, many the Klamath River, Caroline Aubrey, eight hampers of peas; the combined young Indians are being trained for a graduate of Sherman, carried on the earnings could not feed the families. work this summer while the missionwork as leaders among their own ar" and his wife were at summer Low wages and irregularity people–as nurses, home economics in- school." of employment have long been structors, community workers, teach- underlying evils in the situation. ers, agriculturalists, stenographers, Fifteen national Home Mis- According to a recent study by in the trades, and in the professions. sions Boards unite in program the State Relief Administration Many others go out into our large and financial responsibility for of California: cities each year and are assimilated the work of the Joint Indian into the population. Many Indian Committee of the Home Missions In each of the last six years the Americans are holding important po- Councils. Funds are needed to largest number of agricultural work- maintain the work; more funds ers had employment for only half the sitions and many others have rendered are needed to cover adequately year. In 1930, 18 per cent had steady outstanding service to their own peo- the field. Will you help to an- work; in 1935, only 2 per cent had ple and to our Government. swer the appeal of Indian youth? no period of unemployment. The average yearly earning-s per family Ataloa, of Bacone College, Musko- "Lord, teach us to pray!" group, while only $381 in 1930, degee, Oklahoma, in addressing Indian clined to $289 in 1935. youth, said, "What a difficult but glo- CHARLOTTE M. BURNHAM. rious task Indian youth faces today! Earnings from agriculture were He stands at the place where many NOTES ON MIGRANT not supporting laDoring families six years ago and the need for a relief trails cross. How can the best in the WORK subsidy has steadily increased. A past be preserved-a priceless culture thoroughly bad situation is becoming that produced independence, strong even worse. leaders, a great art? And again, how select from the advancing civilization of the white man the things that are of value rather than those which degenerate and cheapen?
"Trained leadership is the only an- From the drought – stricken It is encouraging and signifiswer to these problems. This means areas of Oklahoma, Missouri, cant that when this national education where one may learn to Arkansas and neighboring 'share a life as well as make a living.' problem was brought to the at- We need religious leadership, moti- states, hundreds of families are tention of the United States vated by the teachings of Christ, that migrating to the extensive crop Senate in June, 1936, the followwill prove a new faith can minister areas of the Southwest. To ing resolution was adopted: to every phase of Indian experience, maintain their economic indeand relationships, with the same vi- pendence is their aim – and re- Resolved, That the Secretary of tality as the old religions. . . . But ports of the thousands needed Labor is hereby authorized and diwithout spiritual guidance, training, for the tremendous crop harv- rected to study, survey, and investiand unselfish devotion, Indian youth ests in California raise their gate the social and economic needs of will fail in meeting the challenge." hopes of employment. Often La ;orers migrating across state lines. they find no shelter available and Are we helping them to meet this the only thing left for them is to The children of these migrant build their own. The result is challenge? It is a challenge to us as numerous squatters' camps. families have been of major con- Christians to share our Christian To find shelter is by no means cern to the Council of Women heritage with them-the best thing in their only problem. In Califor- nia a small town became a city for Home Missions since the our civilization we have to offer. In overnight. Twenty-five hundred pickers arrived to harvest the Migrant Work was begun in an attempt to meet this need for reli- pea crop. Hundreds of families, many of them from the districts 1920. Through religious educagious instruction, Christian character of the sharecropper in Arkansas, building, and leadership training, Mississippi, and Texas, swarmed tion, public health programs, among young people in the Indian into the area in search of work. schools, the Council of Women for and recreational activities, the Home Missions and the Home Mis- Most of the army of 2,500 people sions Council, working through the had wandered from Arkansas or Mis- lives of thousands of children Joint Indian Committee, maintain a sissippi over the state line into Oklareligious education program in six and young people have been pergovernment boarding schools and several communities and day schools. manently enriched. . This program includes courses of study in the schools, in the Bible and In 57 areas in 12 states, Life of Jesus, Chapel Services, Young People's societies, clubs and recrea- churches of 17 denominations tional work, and is carried on by eight trained Religious Work Directors. cooperate through the Council But this is not all that they do- of Women for Home Missions in service to the Migrants. Work in 32 other states is not even be- gun.
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I Our W orld~wide Outlook IiI [ A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO I~ NORTH AMERICA rer ~ent of all. philanthropic giv- The Bishops' Crusade mg m the Umted States to reli- More Christianity in Public gion and the love of God. This is a two-year enterprise Life of a spiritual nature, initiated A fitting conclusion to what and led by the bishops of the Dr. E. Stanley Jones, one of was probably the best annual Methodist Church, and having the leaders in the National meeting of the United Steward- two phases or sections. Preaching Mission, declared that ship Council was a discussion of the Spirit of Christ must be em- the "Stewardship Approach to The first is called the Missionbodied in public as well as pri- Personal Religion." ary Forward Movement. Its vate life. purpose is to make the Church Religious Broadcasts vitally missionary and evan- "Today religion is at the judg- gelistic in spirit and attitude. ment bar in America," said Dr. More than 40 religious pro- The second is called the Alders- J ones. "We are in the process grams are regularly broadcast gate Commemoration. Its purof change and face three choices. over a national hookup each pose is wholly spiritual: it will The changes will take place week. Of the fourteen Protes- reemphasize the primary Methupder Communism, under Fas- tant programs, thirteen are odist principle of personal reli- CIsm, or under the Kingdom of supervised by the Department of gious experience; it will not be God on earth. The question is Religious Radio of the Federal an evangelistic movement, as can religion provide a goal and Council of Churches. The Jews commonly understood, but workpower to move toward that goal? have 16 weekly programs and ing within the Church, it will Let us make no mistake, how- the Catholics 10. This listing seek to revive personal religious ev~r. The system of religion does not include the vast number experience in the lives of MethbUIlt around Christ is at the of programs locally broadcast odist people. judgment bar but Christ and nor those broadcast at irregular His Kingdom are not. The call intervals over a national hookup. The objectives of the Crusade to. the world is not to modify correspond to what all candid HIm but to obey Him." -Advance. Christians recognize as the deep- est need of the day – personal -The Living Church. "Church of Christ in America" religious experience and its ex- pression in missionary and evan- Stewardship Conference Dr. E. Stanley Jones pleads gelistic service. for a "Church of Christ in Representatives of the major America," comprising all denom- -World Outlook. Protestant churches in America inations. "The figure that I met in Dayton, Ohio, last No- have in mind," he says, "is that Methodist Board Reports vember to consider the "Stew- of a tree with many branches ardship Approach to Religion." adhering to the central trunk, Bishop Francis J. McConnell,. Dr. H. C. Weber, canvass di- that trunk in turn adhering to President of the Met hod i s t rector of the Presbyterian the root-Christ." Each branch Board of Foreign Missions since Churcli opened the discussion by may have any particular form 1928, said at the 118th annual recounting the national evils of of self-government it desires, meeting of the Board in Novemgambling, extravagance and but let it not impose any par- ber: "Under all the circumwaste, indicating the need for ticular government on the rest stances the Board of Foreign organization against them on the at the price of unity. Out of Missions never was doing betpart of Christian forces in the such an organization there will ter work than now." spirit of a new propulsion of come a larger expression of stewardship ideals. A whole Christianity which will more The total receipts for 1936 afternoon was devoted to "The closely approximate the kingdom were …………….. $1,308,440 Stewardship Approach to Valid of God. Each nation would Philanthropy and Sound Church have a local expression of the The disbursements were ., 1,308,259 Finance," the principal address Church of Christ; for instance being delivered by Arnud C. the Church of Christ in Britain, Excess of receipts … $181 Marts, Acting President of the Church of Christ in China. Bucknell University. Dr. Marts The budget was balanced by a credited the motivation for 90 -United Presbyterian. deferred income emergency aid [ 101 ] of $30,432 by the World Service Commission. The secretaries, staff members, missionaries and employees, without exception, re-
linquished salary for two weeks eral Conference in Columbus, The first object of the moveduring the year in addition to Ohio, includes a plan for the for- ment is to inspire the churches their regular gifts to help bal- mation of Negro churches into to take up with fresh assurance ance the budget. This practice a separate regional body under their sacred task of leading men has been followed for three the General Conference. This into the life in God. The second years, and in a number of cases has brought reactions from other objective is to inspire believers has worked great hardship, how- countries. The Madras Guard- to express the spirit of Jesus in ever voluntary the gifts have ian (India) criticizes this fea- all the relationships of life. This been. ture of the union as one which two-fold purpose has been af- recognizes racial distinctions. firmed in all the meetings. Five new missionaries have To those who drafted the measbeen commissioned by the Wom- ure, it seemed advisable for -United Church Record. an's Foreign Mission Society- purely administrative reasons, three for India, one for Malaya and Bishop B. T. Badley calls Offerings in Fur and one for South America. attention to the fact that two Negro delegates ably advocated When their bishop visited the -Christian Advocate. the plan. Indians in the Canadian diocese of Moonsonee, they asked if they Atheism Association The Blackfeet of Montana might make their offerings in furs, instead of money. Charles Smith, forty-eight, The Methodist E pis cop a I native of Arkansas, is America's Church maintains missionary When the day came they ace atheist, his chief aim-broad- work on the Blackfeet Indian brought their pelts, carefully casting his disavowal of God. Reservation, with headquarters dressed, and at the time of the In 1925 he organized the Amer- at Browning, Montana. The offering, led by their chief, each ican Association for the Ad- work differs very little from one with great dignity arose and vancement of Atheism, which church work anywhere. There carried his fur to the chancel now claims 1,500 members, and is a very active Ladies' Aid, a where with a reverent bow he last fall SWUfig into action with Junior Epworth League, an In- presented it to the bishop. No an enlarged program of lectures termediate League, regular wor- one left his seat until the one and debates. Mr. Smith avers ship services, and a church ahead of him had returned and that there are now nearly 150,- school. Two hundred members sat down. There were 150 pres- 000,000 of the world's two bil- are enrolled in the church; 240 ent, so the presentation of the lion people who publicly admit in the church school. A number offering took an hour and a half. they believe in no divine power. of white people also attend the These were the Mistassinny In- In the United States he sets the church. Activities are not con- dians, at a place of the same figures at one million; but in fined to the town, but cover name between Hudson Bay and addition he asserts half the na- eight rural communities. The Lake Superior. tion actually practices no reli- Reservation is as large as the gion. state of Delaware. LATIN AMERICA Nearly all this Association's Indians are naturally reli- More Freedom for Churches claims, that more and more peo- gious. Taking the tribe as a ple are professing disbelief in whole, the religious views of the The Mexican Government con- God, are denied by the nation's Blackfeet are a mixture of sun tinues to show a more moderate clergy, led by Dr. Harry Emer- worship, superstition, Catholi- policy with regard to religion. son Fosdick, who says: "It is cism and Protestantism. It re- Both in Mexico City and Guadahard to believe in God, but it is quires an infinite amount of pa- lajara the churches and priests far harder to disbelieve in Him." tience to work with the Indians, seem to enjoy more liberty in A Baptist pastor of Seattle says: because they do not want to be the matter of services than at "Our community is suffering hurried or pushed into a pro- any other time in the past five from a general moral and spir- gram. years. Laws limiting such servitual sag, but there is no general ices still exist, but they are not turning to atheism." A San -Woman's Home Missions. eDiorced. Masses are well at- Francisco clergyman cites the tended and church bells are number of press notices of Sun- Evangelization in Canada again allowed to announce them. day services, the number of The churches of Sinaloa were Christian burials and the great Members of all churches in reopened several months ago, majority of hospital patients Canada are cooperating in a while the newly elected governor found to pray as evidence that campaign for the evangelization of Sonora has promised to 12eratheism is not on the increase in of Canadian life. The movement mit the reopening of churches that city. -Literary Digest. started with a dramatic meeting there. Probably not more than for witness in Montreal, at- three or four states are seriously Methodist Union and the tended by over 14,000 people, interfering with religious serv- Negro and gatherings with a similar ices. -Christian Century. spirit have been held in more The Methodist scheme for than a score of cities from the Home Missions' Outreach union which passed at the Gen- Atlantic to the Pacific. Sometimes Mexican converts in the United States wish to be
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
repatriated. Two such families, of inspection of teaching institutions, tist newspaperman and pastor when offered free transportation both public and private, in order to is writing for fifty-two news~ to their old homes in Mexico, ensure the achievement of the social papers in the Latin American looked forward to seeing their o.Jjective of education and the better republics. relatives, and also to bringing intellectual, moral and physical trainthem the happiness that they ing of those who are taught. EUROPE themselves had found in the Gospel, so they accepted the trip, With the addition of- two new Not a Struggle Between after giving up good employ- groups to the present mission- Religion and Irreligion ment, ignorant of what was ary forces it is hoped that a awaiting them in their old coun- marked advance will be made. A young Virginian who ar~ try. rived in Spain from the Olympic -The World Today. Games the day the rebellion Both fathers of these two fam- broke out comments on the sit~ ilies have been such ardent evan- From Island to Island uation in an article in the Pres~ gelists that each has had to flee byterian Tribune,' from his own village to escape In 1920, the Board for Chris~ death at the hands of his own tian Work in Santo Domingo Inasmuch as there is considerable parents or brothers, who had was organized for the purpose misunderstanding of the religious sitdisowned him for his heresy. of carrying out a religious, edu- uation in Spain, it is important to One of the men cannot get reg- cational and medical program in state emphatically that it is not a ular work because his religion the Dominican Republic. Rev. struggle betwe~n religion and irreprevents his joining workers' B. N. Morgan, working under ligion. It is a struggle between those syndicates. The other has em- this Board, has been broadcast- who stand for the freedom to believe ployment in the mission hospi- ing his weekly services, and thus and worship God in one's own way or tal. They have both known has reached not only his own to disbelieve; and those in the one deepest poverty and privation, church members and members Spanish institution of religion, the but they still say that carrying of other denominations but also Roman Catholic Church of Spain-not the Gospel to their own towns non-Christians. Recently, he a part of the government under the was worth the sacrifice. Their was told by a Puerto Rican pas- iniquitous dictatorship of Primo de work has not been in vain, for tor that several groups in that Rivera and the Monarchy, but the it has resulted in a group of con- island were taking radios into government. This church was the verts in each village, although their churches and tuning in chief landowner in Spain. It was also the relatives are not among each week to hear the sermons the most important industrialist, them. -Presbyterian Survey. broadcast by Mr. Morgan – in banker, schoolmaster and money- fact, depending upon his broad- lender. Its wealth has been estimated Church and State in Colombia cast for their entire evening at one-third of the national wealth. service. -Monday Morning. With monks, nuns, higher and lower The Liberal Government in clergy, it constituted a veritable army Colombia, which has now been Record-Making Cuban Baptists of occupation. in power for six years, has been able, in spite of organized op- Cuban Baptists are proud of a There was one priest for every 900' position, to strengthen its posi- list of records, which they be- persons, compared with one for every tion. A revised Constitution lieve have not been matched. 20.000 in Italy, the seat of the Papacy. affirms: They have almost 50 per cent of All told, there were 106,734 persons all church memberships. There either in the clergy or in the religious The State guarantees liberty of are two Cuban Conventions, orders, 25,474 of them priests and conscience. Noone shall be persecuted Oriental and Occidental, and 81,260 monks and nuns. In no other because of his religious opinions nor both have more than a hundred country did the clergy constitute such compelled to profess beliefs or observe churches with ten thousand a disciplined and powerful vested inpractices contrary to his conscience. members. terest. Only a major operation on Liberty of worship is guaranteed to the body politic could dislodge them. all provided that it be not contrary to The first statue erected in Christian morals nor to the laws…. Cuba honoring a Protestant was Spezia Mission in Italy The Government may form agree- to the Baptist physician, F. Rodments with the Holy See subject to riguez, philanthropist of Santa Through recent stormy times the approbation of the Congress, in Clara province. The first Prot- the Spezia Mission for All Italy order to regularize the relations be- estant representative sent to the has kept right on with its work. tween the State and the Catholic Cuban capitol as a legislator was Church on a basis of reciprocal defer- a Baptist, Sr. Eladio Gonzalez The environment has been one ence and mutual respect. Morales, superintendent of the of extraordinary difficulty, and Sunday school of the Baptist even of severe persecution. Another article, which for- church at Matanzas. Again and again it has been only merly stated that public educa- the direct interposition of God tion should be organized and di- Noone yet has written in the which has prevented the work rected in accordance with the Spanish language so man y being closed down, and the Catholic religion, has been re- Christian books as Sr. A. S. Rod- workers swept peremptorily out placed by a new Article (14) : riguez Garcia, a Cuban Baptist of the country. who died in 1934, in Sancti Liberty of teaching is guaranteed. Spiritus. Finally, a Cuban Bap- This Mission keeps rigorously The State shall have supreme power clear of politics. Its workers claim to be servants of the Most High God, ministers of the Gos- pel of Christ. They are held in high esteem, and honored for what they have done for the up- lift of the country.
A beautiful and spacious lack of pastors was stressed and wrapped in bits of paper stained with building for the boys' orphanage the vital need of filling this gap. blood. The nurse asked why he didn't has been erected in a magnificent Home missions were also repre- stop wearing the shoes, and he said position, is paid for and is now sented at the inaugural meeting. he had paid the rent on them and waiting government permit for meant to get his money's worth. its opening. -The Christian. Methodists in Germany -Presbyterian Survey. Religion for Foundry Boys Many of Methodism's roots are in Germany, and one of its Ethiopia on Way to Become In November, 1865, an or- most flourishing branches is Catholic ganization was founded in Glas- there. The work began in 1533; gow under the name of the Glas- in 1936 there were 55,000 mem- The Roman Catholic Church gow Foundry Boys' Religious bers, 280 ministers, 1,200 local is embarking on an intensive Society, and its object was the preachers, 1 , 0 0 0 preaching missionary penetration of Ethireligious, educational and social places, 430 churches and chapels opia. This Church is now at libelevation of the lads and girls of valued at about five and one-half erty for the first time to exercise the city who had no church con- million dollars. In eight hospi- its evangelical mission in pernection. The work has grown tals and thirty~three homes 1,000 fect freedom in vast territories until there are now seventy-four deaconesses do a splendid work; of Ethiopia where its presence branches, with an aggregate at- besides hospital work they paid was formerly opposed. tendance of about 8,500 mem- 60,000 visits in 1935 to sick, bers, superintended by 1,200 poor, lonesome, old people. In Extensive plans are being laid workers. The dominating Chris- the Theological Seminary at for s pre a din g Catholicism tian element is further pro- Frankfort-Main young men are throughout Ethiopia, and a band moted by union with churches prepared for the ministry, and of missionaries is being preand missions, and wherever in two tents nearly 100,000 peo- pared for this purpose. They found practicable, each branch ple hear the Gospel summer af- are to be provided with all the or meeting-place of the Society ter summer. means necessary for carrying is specifically connected with a their message into the more congregation from which its -Christian Advocate. urimitive and most distant reworkers may be drawn. gions, and will be put in a posi- AFRICA tion to open schools and hos- -Life of Faith. pitals. Observations of a Missionary The Book of Books The problem of providing re- Rev. James L. Jackson, Pres- ligious assistance for the white A colporteur in Roumania sold byterian worker in the Congo colonists is already partly solved a Bible to a man who had never BeIge tells of performing the by the presence in Ethiopia of before heard of it. Taking it marriage ceremony for a native large numbers of military chaphome he began to read it, and evangelist, whose bride was the lains. For missionary adminisafter a time remarked: first girl in Africa he had ever trative purposes the territory seen get married with shoes on. will be divided ecclesiastically "Wife, if this Book be true, Not only that, but this bride into five apostolic prefectures. we are wandering along a false carried flowers in a pickle bottle These will coincide with the five road." of water. She was very serious political subdivisions. about it. Reading further, he said: -New York Times. "Wife, if this Book be true, Mr. Jackson has other observwe are lost." ations: Changes in Morocco He still read on and at last called out: "Wife, if this Book Today we saw a native man pa- It was Mr. John Anderson, be true, we can be saved." rading up and down the compound Scotch Christian, backed by the carrying a raised umbrella over him, Ayrshire Christian Union, who -Dnyanodaya. though the sun was shining. His founded a mission for long neg- only clothing was a loin cloth. His lected Moroccans. It was no Coordination in Lithuania idea was not to keep off the heat but easy task, but gradually opposi- to impress the populace with his own tion has lessened and opportuni- On October 5th last, the Lith- importance. It is a common sight to ties for helpfulness were inuanian Protestant Association see some village chief wearing some- creasingly found. was founded, in which are united body's second-hand overcoat buttoned all Protestant churches and or- from top to bottom, even though the In recent years, changes of ganizations of the country. The day be extremelv hot. He is willing far-reaching importance have efforts to unify the Protestants to torture himself in order to make an taken place in Moroccan life. of Lithuania was begun very in- imnression upon the lowly village!"s. Education is playing a great tensively last year, and have re- part in changing the outlook arid sulted in the close collaboration Speaking of self-torture, one young ideas of the people, especially of Lutherans and Calvinists, man came to our nurse one day, wear- among the young, and these with the aim of reinforcing ing a pair of clumsy-looking shoes changed conditions have brought Protestantism. At the first and limping quite badly. He had been the missionary into contact with meeting of the Association the married about a week and had worn questions which could not have these shoes since his wedding cere- been asked twenty years ago, mony. He asked for some medicine to ease the pain in his feet. He took off his shoes and showed his feet
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
simply because the conditions swer all the Macedonian calls. I told that lie; I did not understand that prompt these queries today An evangelist sent out last year it, it seemed far worse to me to be did not exist then. Years ago went to a town where there was found out. I'll remember, really I the boys who came to mission not a single Christian. He has will." And then with a little enclasses had spent the greater been there only 10 months and gaging smile, "But really you need not part of the day cooped up in a there are now 28 confessors, an mind quite so much. God's got started small room memorizing the attendance of over 30 at the on us now." Koran. Today they come from Sunday service and a school of French schools with their heads about the same number of chil- -World Outlook. full of figures that measure the dren, which he teaches. distance of fixed stars. Books, The Miracle in Sierra Leone in both Arabic and French, are Increasing Interest in South as common as coins. The grow- Africa Bishop Wright, of the C.M.S., ing generation is convinced that sees many hopeful signs in quinine is more effective than The Dutch Reformed Mission Africa-not the least a growing quack medicines; and that vac- has various methods of increas- desire among African Christians cination is a surer way of wiping ing missionary interest: Mis- for a deeper spiritual life. He out smallpox than a thousand sionary sermons and prayer says: visits to saints' tombs. meetings throughout the parish; annual mission festivals in every It is a remarkable thing that from The opportunity of enlight- ward; annual collections by the a mass of freed slaves and their deening these newly-educated men deacons; annual "Synodal" col- scendants, neglected as they had been is being seized by the mission- lections by means of the envelope by the Church for nearly 2,000 years, aries at every station, and also system; work by the Christian left the victims of their system with in the markets and villages. The Endeavor t h r 0 ugh Sunday its medicine men, its human sacrifices, Scriptures and other Christian schools, prayer meetings in the its fears, its unlimited liability to debt literature are now being widely wards, sick-visiting among Col- and consequent pledging of men, womcirculated. Several years ago, ored and Native, and missionary en, and children, its truly awful and fifty Mohammedan con v e r t s meetings in the European con- widespread diseases -that from amid were questioned as to what had gregation under the minister's so great disability there has arisen first attracted their attention to guidance; an annual missionary the self-supporting, self-extending, Christianity, and what had week-end"; the buying of "mis- self-governing Church. brought about their conversion. sion shares" by young men; Nineteen replied that their at- conversations abo u t missions Christianity in Sierra Leone is tention had first been attracted during pastoral calls; visits of Quietly and gradually influencing the by reading the Bible, or some missionaries; local mission com- Moslems and heathen, and is changportion of it, and twenty-two at- mittees; mission evening of ing their estimate of values, as the tributed their conversion di- Children's Missionary Circles. non-Christian sees the happy family rectly to the Word. life and the prosperous economic life It has also been found helpful of the Christian. During my time in -Southern Morocco Mission. to found a home mission and Sierra Leone, a deputation of several guarantee the salary of a local scores of Moslem men, having come Metet Missionary Society missionary. to me to help them settle a quarrel, began the interview by saying: "We Esther Bartlett, of the West -South African Outlook. come to you as our spiritual head." Africa Presbyterian Mission, It may have been merelv a complireports the annual missionary "God's Got Started" ment, but that it should have been conference of the four churches said at all is a triumph for the power in the Metet District, held in the Miss Mabel Shaw has written of tbe Christian character of the Afbush 20 miles from Metet. It a book worthy of wide reading ricans who form our Church there. was entirely under the direction -"God's Candlelight." An inof the natives. Excellent talks cident at the close of the book -C. M. S. Outlook. on giving were made. When the illustrates at once the simplicity offering was presented on the of the African and the hope of WESTERN ASIA last afternoon it was found to be the world. double that of the preceding From Bigotry to Faith year. One of the laborers at There had been a lot of lying, and Metet makes thirty francs a Ana had been in the thick of it. A Presbyterian missionary in month. He gave forty francs Teheran was. greeted one day by to the missionary society. One "Don't you ever want to tell a lie?" a government employee whom he of the evangelists gave his whole She looked at me searchingly. had never seen before. As they month's salary. These offerings sat down to talk the man said: were in addition to their regular "Yes-I suppose I do at times." "I think I know Christ better contributions to the church. "There you are," said the child with than you do." Let the mission- a quick eager movement of her body. ary tell the story. This money is being used to "And God started long ago on you, so send evangelists to untouched many years ago that we cannot count When I asked how he knew Christ districts. It is not enough to an- them. And he has only just started he said that twenty-two years ago he on us. . . . Don't mind it so much," had been employed as a teacher in a she said earnestly. "God is rather Russian school in one of the cities of slow, isn't he? It took him a long Iran. He was a very bigoted Mo- time to get you white people ready to hammedan, and made fun of the come and tell us about him. I'm sorry Christian Russians. But one day he went by himself into the room of the priest, and there he saw a picture of Christ on the cross. This view of Christ's sufferings broke his heart, and he suddenly began to weep, wet- ting the picture with his tears. The priest came in, and he went out, not
telling his experience to anyone. But their way into the people's homes and the scene as one of utter desohe found a colporteur and bought a schools, against active opposition of lation. Whole buildings were Bible, and after going through the national priesthood? blown away before the wind, Old Testament (which he did not like and will have to be entirely remuch) he came to the Sermon on the 4. The cultural problem: How can built. The new hall in course Mount, and he knew that was what he the Bible exert its full effect on a peo- of erection, which was to be had been seeking. "I have read that ple largely illiterate? opened by General Evangeline a thousand times," he said. He told Booth on her visit to Bapatla me he had kept this love for Christ in 5. The economic problem: How can was ruined. his heart and had told no one, for fear the Bible be sold to a people too poor of losing it. "Tell it," I said, "the to buy it? It was comforting to the ofmore you give the more you will ficers who labor in the Colony have!" I left some books for him, 6. The sectarian problem: How can that in the height of the storm and yesterday when I returned I found men be found as colporteurs of the those stricken, primitive people he had just finished reading the Per- Scriptures, who are at the same time sung hymns of petiti.on to God sian translation of Pilgrim's Progress. zealous friends of the Bible, willing for protection, and several of the When he began to read it he had not to "endure hardness as good soldiers young Christian boys led the been able to put it down till it was of Jesus Christ," and yet free from people in prayer. finished. It was just the book he had the fanaticism of some particular been looking for for years, he said. sect? The damage was not confined As I was the first Christian with to the Leper Colony only. One whom he had ever discussed these 7. The administrative problem: How of the Army's hospitals near by, things, he asked me to come to see can the limited supply of workers, and built on high ground, was isohim in his home, where he would in- of financial resources be so employed lated, heavy floods covering the vite some of his friends to meet me. as to secure the maximum distribu- countryside for miles. It is cal- tion over the entire area, without any culated that the cost of restora- -Presbyterian Board News. waste through duplication of effort? tion will exceed £3,000, but the work is going forward. Nursing Schools in Iran 8. The publicity problem: How can those who sustain this Bible work be -Life of Faith. Among the best of new educa- kept informed of the needs of this tional enterprises in Iran are area, without antagonizing those Illiterate "Carries On" the nursing schools. Recently in groups which constitute the obstacles Teheran and in Tabriz and already mentioned? A native Christian, passing Meshed nursing schools have through a village, found a conbeen opened for teaching the -Bible Society Record. vert holding an open-air meetscientific and practical funda- ing on his own, with a congrementals of nursing, the care of INDIA-BURMA-SIAM gation of over forty caste men children, etc. The program has Moslem Increase listening intently. He was tellbeen approved and comprises a ing them: course of two years for girls According to The World Towith a 9th class certificate. It day, Moslems in India have in- "It is only recently that I have is designed both for educated creased during the past decade found this Saviour, but oh, the girls and for those women who by 2,500,000. The total Moslem joy and peace He has brought wish to form good, orderly population of 77,500,000 exceeds me! You have not that joy I homes. the combined Moslem popula- know so well, for I was all these tions of Arabia, Persia, Turkey, years without it, but the Lord Miss Fulton, of the American Egypt, Syria and Palestine. In- Jesus has brought it. He has Hospital in Teheran, is in charge dian Moslems have sent their saved me. If you trust Him He in Teheran, and the Misses missionaries to Europe, Africa can and He will do the same for Wooding and Pease of the and Arne ric a and support you. There is a Book in which American Hospitals in Tabriz mosques in Berlin, London, Aus- it is all written; I wish I knew and Meshed are in charge of the tralia, Brazil and Trinidad. how to read, that I could read two other schools. its beauty for myself, but I The National Christian Coun- can't; if I could, I would read -Translation Service. cil has issued a call to the it also to you that you might see churches throughout India to for yourselves; . but most of you Problems in the Levant take part in an evangelistic can read and I can tell you where movement during the next five you can find those who have that J. Oscar Boyd, Secretary of years. This movement is inthe Levant Bible Agency, lists tended to center in the church in Book." eight special difficulties that each locality, not in the mission. Just then, round the corner, confront missionaries who seek It will seek to enlist all Christo make the Bible known in tians in one great army of evan- came the native C h r i s t ian. "Bible lands." These are: gelistic volunteers, each bring- "There," eagerly shouted the ing their own special gifts to the caste man, "I wanted you to see 1. The racial problem: How can the task of witness bearing. the words in the Book itself, but Bible be released from historical as- I could not show it to you; but sociation with hated or despised races? Leper Colony Devastated God has sent this friend with His Book to come to my help and 2. The political problem: How can A cyclone last November prac- for your good. Friend, show a book be widely circulated where tically levelled to the ground the police forbid Bible colportage, and buildings of the Bapatla Leper even call the Bible subversive litera- Colony, where nearly 200 lepers ture? in various stages of the disease are cared for by the Salvation 3. The ecclesiastical problem: How Army. Letters from officers can the vernacular Scriptures find stationed at the Colony describe
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
them the words in the Book; let The Bible as Literature who have been trained at the them read for themselves, for Indian scholars often acknowl- School, 58 per cent are working they are words whereby I have edged indebtedness to the Bible, on farms, and 88 per cent are lived," and showing the Scrip- both for language and ideas. engaged in service of some kind tures as they talked, they con- Mr. M. R. Jayakar, in a recent for the rural community. tinued their testimony. address on "The Place of Eng- lish in Indian Education" advo- -New York Times. -Life of Faith. cated the study of English lit- erature, and said that there were Christian Leper Clinics Interest in the Villages in Siam The Christian evangelist who two characteristics of English Only about 5 per cent of is touring India's villages is literature well worth study, its Siam's lepers are treated in hoskeenly aware of a swing of in- simplicity and sweetness. Then pitals, so that thousands must he said, "For acquiring that ex- be reached in some other way. terest toward rural areas. There In recent years clinics have been are those on the move who have cellence, one book I would recom- opened in 18 centers, where inpolitical, economic, social or re- mend to you, namely, the Bible. jections are given by former pa- Do not abhor the New Testa- tients at the Leper Asylum at ligious ends to serve. He meets ment because it is the religious Chiengmai. There are over 500 many coming and going, and book of your rulers. Your presi- patients now being treated in dent just quoted a little sentence has discovered two things in re- from the Bible, and you noticed these centers; the only cost ingards to his own work. There how it stood out of the rest of volved is that of the medicines is more interest, and more op- the speech like a little j eweI. To that are supplied free. The only position than has been the rule. this, day, the Bible holds the requirement is that full reports He is having men of all types, be kept and that the patients be field, as being the simplest com- regular in attendance. The reeducated and from among the position in the English language, sponsibility for operating the lowliest, who come to him asking for information about the and I cannot do better than clinics falls on the people of the Christian religion. Probably recommend its study." community. Christian services Christian ministers have had more requests for immediate -United Church Review.
baptism from educated persons are held at every clinic, mostly within the last two years than Rural Reconstruction directed by Christian lepers.
during five or ten years pre- American Baptist mISSIOn- -Presbyterian Banner. viously. aries at Pyinmana, Burma, took Christians Learn to Read to farming in 1917 and acquired CHINA five acres to grow sugar cane, Westminster Catechism and rear pigs and poultry. The R .td It is possible to be a Christian, venture prospered and in 1918 eprm e and a good one, without being fifteen acres of rice land were Because the original transla- able to read the Bible, but Chris- added. In 1922 the Government tion by Dr. C. W. Mateer is now tian leaders in India don't believe in risking it. Indian vil- of Burma acquired 180 more out of print a revised edition of lagersl mostly come from low or outcaste groups, where educa- acres and leased them to the the Westminster Shorter Catetional privileges are conspicuous by their absence. One village m iss ion for an agricultural chism is soon to appear in Chi- Christian in 20 in the Punjab school, which was opened in nese. Dr. W. M. Hayes undercan read. That is a good many per cent better than his non- 1923 with an enrolment of 35; . took this work at the request of Christian neighbors' records. in 1932 it had risen to 104. The the Kwang Hseuh Publishing school is a happy instance of co- House, in collaboration with his operation between Government Chinese and missionary col- and the Mission. leagues on the faculty of the Moga School is making it pos- It is the rule at Pyinmana North China Theological Semsible to improve that percentage that the students in the Agricul- inary. After months of work by at once by issuing a series of tural School should spent three individual faculty members, the simple readers in Urdu, for Be- full days a week in practical whole faculty sat in daily sesginners and Primary children. field work. The farm is no mere sion for over a week during sum- This year, 15,000 copies of the' demonstration plot; it runs into mer vacation to finish the job. books were sold. Mission and 150 acres, of which 80 acres are Where all could not agree, the government schools throughout given to rice, while maize, sugar translation to be used was chosen the Punj ab and the Central and cane, vegetable gardening and by a majority vote. United Provinces have adopted fruit farming combine to utilize The revisers are guided by the them. They have been trans- the remaining 70 acres. Other following rules: lated into Hindi, and requests agricultural accessories are 107 Accuracy in t ran s I at in g have been received for permis- head of cattle, 144 pigs and 200 thought of the original; sim- sion to translate them into three fowls. Products to the value of plicity of Mandarin style; con- other important languages used Rs. 11,000 were sold from the formity to Scripture phraseology in India. -Monday Morning. farm last year. Of the students as far as possible; uniformity
of expression in question and pioneer of Baptist Missions to tuition for the next term. This answer as aid to memory. China, Lewis Shuck, began work year the highest average was at- a hundred years ago. tained by a pupil in the sixth There is a large demand in grade from a well-to-do family, the Chinese Church for the Reviews of a century of evan- quite able to pay her way. The Shorter Catechism and in one gelistic, educational, medical and student who was second is from "field" alone there is a waiting philanthropic work revealed the a very poor family and someorder for 2,000 copies. times it was feared she did not following facts: even have enough to eat. She -Christian Science Monitor. had had been working very hard, Number of students in Chris- hoping to win first place, other- Letter from Madame Chiang wise she would not be able to tian Schools (1877) ….. 5,900 return to school. When the Mrs. David Tappan, of the winner heard of this she imme- American Presbyterian Mission Number of students in Chris- diately said she would pay her at Hainan, received a letter from tuition, and thus enable the poor Madame Chiang Kai-shek re- tian Schools (1935) ….. 200,000 girl to come in on the free garding missionary cooperation scholarship. in the "New Life Movement." Number of students in Chris- Madame Chiang's observations Mobilizing Against Leprosy are equally applicable to the tian Colleges (1900) ….. 164 Western world. Here is her Dr. W. W. Cadbury, writing message: Number of students in Chris- for Leper News, thinks that one of the most encouraging move- Deeply appreciatin~ the great sac- tian Universities (1935) .. 6,696 ments of recent years is the rifies made by those members of the organization in 1926 of the' Chimissionary body who have elected to Proportion of Christian stu- nese Mission to Lepers, with serve in China, Generalissimo Chiang dents in Christian Colleges 41 % headquarters in Shanghai, di- Kai-shek and I have naturally sought rected by a group of able their cooperation in connection with Proportion of Christian stu- Chinese. Largely through the the New Life Movement. The prin- efforts of the members of this ciples of this Movement coincide so dents in Christian Middle Chinese Mission, two National closely with the work which the Leprosy Conferences have been Church is doing to ameliorate the lot Schools …………….. 33% held, the first in 1932, and the of the common man that there is second in 1935. This indigenous abundant room for the closest coop- In Canton there is a Baptist movement, if properly promoted €ration. church with over 2,000 mem- and organized, can be counted on bers, a middle school for boys, in the future to help meet the But unless the New Life Movement which with its primary students situation in that country. enjoys the cooperation of the women numbers 3,600, a middle school it cannot really be effective, because for girls with 700 students, a Dr. Cadbury says that when the four virtues upon which it is theological training school with he first went to China it was based should be inculcated when chil- over eighty students, and a reported to him that in one dis dren are being brought un in the home trict the magistrate, bent on ridand in the school. Simply stated these school for the blind with seventy ding the area of the scourge, virtues are honesty, courtesy, duty women residents. Practically erected a mat shed and invited towards others and towards oneself, the whole of this work is sup- all the lepers to a banquet. kindliness and obedience, as well as ported by Chinese funds, and Opium and wine were liberally true humility, or modesty of snirit. the leadership is almost entirely dispensed. Before the feast These are the pillars upon which the was over the building was set Movement is based. in Chinese ha:qds. on fire and soldiers stationed around it prevented the escape I would urge that the missionaries, Black Miao Christian of any of the unfortunates until especially the women's organizations, all were killed. He was also told strive to do more home work among Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Allbutt that in the province of Yunnan Chinese women, because the old con- went to work among the black when a leper reaches an adcepts of womanly behavior have been Miao in Kweichow seven years vanced stage, he is given a feast, languishing and there has been a ago. Mr. Allbutt writes in with abundance of wine to make tendency for a distorted view of China's Millions: him somewhat sleepy. A fresh western ideas of what is seeming and grave is dug. The victim is then proper to develop in the Chinese mind. A woman in our village has just wrapped in the skin .of a buffalo With the impact of Western ideas be- come to believe on the Lord. She is cow, recently killed, and buried coming sharper and more realistic it learning to read and is doing nicely. alive. is difficult for the Chinese woman to She came around the other day to ask know what is truly representative of Mrs. Allbutt to teach her, saying, "I In another province a friend western culture and life, and what is got very lonely with only unbelievers of Dr. Cadbury petitioned a harmful. around me." This weaning away magistrate for a gift of money from the world is a healthly sign in (Signed) a new believer.
MAYLING SOONG CHIANG. Once her boy fell into the river, but came out unhurt. The neighDors Baptist Centennial insisted that he had lost one of his souls, and that she should kill a duck Baptists in China have been to retrieve it. She did not know if celebrating the completion of a obeying them would be in accord with century of effort. The meetings the "Jesus doctrine," so she came were held at Canton, for it was around to ask. She was told to have in the near neighborhood, at nothing to do with the works of the Macao and Hongkong, that the devil-for such a practice is nothing less than demon-worship. The woman went back home happy to know the will of the Lord, and steadfastly with- stood the temptings of her neighbors.
Showing the Christian Spirit The student in Soochow Girls' School making the highest aver- age for the term is given free
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to aid in his relief work for traffic increases continually; at Home Office to approve the ex- ,lepers. The magistrate's reply night the main street is lighted penditure of twenty million yen by electric bulbs, and officials of over a period of 20 years to pro- was that he would give him $5.00 the various offices now communi- mote the health insurance sys- for every leper he shot! cate with each other by tele- tem in rural as well as urban phone. Lou d speakers are communities throughout Japan. Women Prepare for Nation erected in different parts of the Building city where people stand and -The Christian Century. listen to divers kinds of music, Mrs. Wai K. T. Chik, dean of together with lectures and in- Study Tour Planned women at Lingnan University, struction on matters regarded Canton, is in New York for a as important to the citizens. The American People's Col- year's study at Teachers' Col- The town now has dispensaries lege of New York is planning a lege. Lingnan is China's pio- and well – equipped hospitals study tour of Japan and part of neer coeducational school. "Only staffed by good Russian doctors China on a cooperative basis, three years ago," says Mrs. and even has a capable Russian particularly to observe and study Chik, "our new girls' dormitory woman dentist. It·is amazing the work of Kagawa at first was completed. We then had so to be met at the hospital door by hand in his own country. This few girl students that when we a white-uniformed Staff Sister tour is projected as a result of moved into the new building, it and, looking through the glass Kagawa's visit to the United seemed a great, empty space. partition, to see patients lying States last year. Social condi- Now, with 130 girl students, in clean beds in the wards. tions, labor movements, coopera- every room is occupied and we tive developments, international have to house ten of them in an- Illiteracy is being dealt with, relationships, and the influence other building. and there are now schools where of the Christian religion will be not only Chinese, but Tartars, the especial subjects of stUdy. "I do not think that people in Noghais, Mongols, Russians and The group expects to visit Yoko- America realize the speed at Turkis may each study in their hama, Tokyo, Nikko, Miya Nos- which China is going forward own tongue. In short, stand- hita, Kobe, Kyoto, Keijo, Muk- today, and how eager our youth ards are being raised from year den, Peiping and Shanghai. are to do their part in national to year. Consignments of Rus- rebuilding. One of my prob- sian Scriptures have arrived, -Christian Century. lems has been to make some of and are greatly appreciated. our eager, ambitious girls slow Ideals Not Enough up. I have to caution them that -China's Millions. they must not neglect their Rev. H. G. Piercy, C. M. S. _ _health. We have five girls who JAPAN-CHOSEN worker, in emphasizing the im- have graduated in agriculture. portance of continued and ade- The domestic science course has Kagawa's Return Celebrated quate missionary effort in J a- the largest number of girls en- pan, says: rolled. Then comes science, so- Dr. Kagawa was honored ciology and education. Ten with a great welcome dinner at A study of world politics at the American girl students live in the Tokyo Y. M. C. A., when he present time is sufficient to show the our dormitory. These are ex- returned from his trip to the great part that Japan is destined to change students from Stanford, U. S. The Kagawa Fellowship, play in the near future in world af- Oregon and Pennsylvania Uni- composed largely of mission- fairs. . . . The question is: What versities." aries sympathetic with, and co- sort of influence will Japan's be as operating with Kagawa, also she takes her place increasingly in in- Mrs. Chik believes that the gave a reception for him in his ternational life? Will her influence Christian colleges in China have own settlement in Honjo, at be such as to advance and further the a special contribution to make in which more than 200 foreign Kingdom of Christ, or to hinder its national rebuilding. "The Chris- guests were present to welcome coming? Christian forces in Japan tian faith is a stabilizing in- Kagawa back, to greet his wife are making their influence felt, and fluence," she says. "It helps to who carries on so ably in his ab- Christian ideals are also penetrating build character and personality sences, and to inspect the new from outside. But it is not the in- and these are needed in our cooperative kitchen unit of the fluence of ideals which will bring the great movement." Honjo settlement. Kingdom of Christ in Japan or any- w.here else, but the life of the Church -New York Times. Dr. Kagawa's health is better which is His Body, and His chosen than it has been for some time. and commissioned instrument for the Changes in Urumtsi In spite of the heavy evangelis- proclaiming of His Gospel. It is thus tic program he has already the building up of that Church in this Misses Mildred Cable, Evan- undertaken, he finds time daily land which is of paramount impor- geline and Francesca French, for writing on two novels and tance – in numbers, no doubt, but intrepid workers for the China other literature. He is also above all in faith and depth of spir- Inland Mission, in a letter writ- working to bring to realization itual life. ten from Urumtsi, Sinkiang, an important health project, and tell of vast improvement since has succeeded in inducing" the -Life of Faith. their previous visit. Motor Church Dedicated in Kyoto An event of international in- terest was the dedication of the new Church of the Resurrection
in Kyoto last October. This visitor had given him. This, he Soembawa, were without a wit- parish had its beginning over proudly explained, was the out- ness for Christ.
30 years ago. fit which he usually wore when 5. Little has yet been done The Governor of Kyoto pre- traveling with the government for the millions on Celebes.
fecture graciously came in per- official. Mr. Dixon observes that 6. Until 1929, East Borneo son and delivered a speech of the prime requirements of a was unoccupied. Alliance miscongratulation and good wishes. pioneer missionary, after the sionaries have led 2,000 Dyak~ Speeches were made by 11 other spiritual, are: a good physique, to accept Christ.
dignitaries, including the Bishop plenty of zeal, determination 7. In addition to the above of the diocese and a member of and a sense of humor. there are countless other islands the Japanese Diet, who is also throughout this vast Dutch col- chairman of the parish social Bibles for Pitcairn Island ony, where as yet no missionary service patrons' association. The 140 great – great – great- work has been attempted. Parts The present land and build- grandchildren of the "Bounty" of the interior of New Guinea, otherwise known as Papua, have ings have so far cost 94,122.03 mutineers on Pitcairn Island are not even been explored. yen, of which, through the rec- looking forward to the arrival tor's efforts, a considerable part of a shipment of Bibles, the first -R. A. Jaffray. has been raised in Japan. The they have received since 1848. investment represents the con- The National Bible Society of MISCELLANEOUS certed efforts of a large group Scotland, which eighty – eight of people both in Japan and in years ago provided the Bibles An African Film the United States, and both now disintegrating, is sending a Christian and non-Christian. new copy for every man, woman A three-reel silent 16 mm. Its activities have the interest and child on this island, midway motion picture film has been and sympathy of both govern- produced under the auspices of ment authorities and the com- between South America and the Harmon Foundation and munity. -The Living Church. Australia, two square miles in under the supervision of Rev. area. Prior to 1848, the only Emory Ross, Secretary of the ISLANDS OF THE SEA American Committee on Work Bible on the island was one in the Congo and formerly a mis- brought ashore from a ship- sionary in Africa. This reel re- Pioneering Among Dyaks wreck. -Literary Digest. views the history of the African continent, its physical character- H. A. Dixon writes in The The "Uttermost Parts" istics, religious beliefs and meth- Pioneer of a trip to carry the Gospel to the Benoea tribe of Few realize the extent of Hol- ods of life. Some of the effects Dyaks. Sometimes it was neces- land's possessions in the East of industrialization are depicted sary to walk for hours in the India Archipelago. The total as a challenge to Christian misrain, and in the tropics it pours, population of islands under the sions. The film reveals the treeven more than the proverbial Dutch flag approximates 65,- mendous need of Africa and will "Morton's salt." Chinese paper 000,000. To several millions, be of special interest and value umbrellas were soon in shreds; no missionary has yet been sent. in the mission study circles swollen streams had to be Until recent years, no work had which are taking up this subject forded, steep and slippery moun- been started in the following during the present year. For tains crossed. seven distinct areas: further information write to Informal services were held 1. The lower half of Sumatra, Harmon Foundation, 140 Nassau in twelve villages. Some of the all south of the equator, is prac- Street, New York, N. Y. people seemed intensely inter- tically an. unoccupied field. The ested and eag.erly asked ques- extreme north of Sumatra is also Missions in Four Stages tions, others were openly hos- unreached. The Courier Mistile to the message. One chief, sion started a work in South Dr. Harry W. Fonger, Secre- tary of the American Bible Sowho also holds the unique posi- Sumatra in 1933. tion of medicine man or priest, 2. The islands of Bangka, ciety in the Philippine Islands, . was especially antagonistic. The Billiton, and 200 smaller sur- says that while the aim of misreason was obvious. Should his rounding islands, and the Riouw sions has not changed, the methpeople become Christian, he Archipelago are without a Gos- ods vary according to countries could no longer deceive them, his pel witness, except for one Chi- and conditions.
position and income would be nese missionary. We can trace most missionary work lost. 3. West Borneo, inhabited by through at least three or four stages.
Arriving at another village, tens of thousands of Dyaks, is In the first, the missionary worked the chief came out in all his re- another great unoccupied field. alone. Later, he trained the nationals galia to "show off" for the bene- The Alliance Mission has one of the country to which he went and fit of the missionary. His para- missionary couple commencing sent them out. In the third stage the missionary worked with those na- phernalia consisted of pajamas, work there. tionals in a spirit of close cooperation. an ancient felt hat, green tinted 4. Until a few years ago the We seem now to be entering a fourth eyeglasses, his best knife, and a stage in which the missionary is workthermos bottle, which a former three islands immediately east ing in large measure under the direc- of Java, Bali, Lombok, and tion of the nationals.
'~I–===-=—-='='="""""""''''''''''''''''=~'==========''I'~
[ Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,==-=-=-======~=======~_,~1- One Hundred Years. By Arthur Jud- Everywhere the Presbyterian This notable record includes son Brown. Maps and Statistics. Church has supplied a leadership a wide range of information re- Vol., one. Books, two. 1,140 pp. that has placed the whole Church garding circumstances that have $8. Fleming H. Revell Co., New of Christ under peculiar obliga- affected the missionary work of York. 1936. tions. all denominations, the peoples and the religious and social, eco- The sub-title interprets the With its seven Missions dis- nomic and political conditions tributed over the whole of of the great mission fields in main title: "A History of the China, its three in the north and Asia, Africa and South Amer- Foreign Missionary Work of the west of India, its original two ica. The author has opened up spread over the full length of the rich fields of investigation and Presbyterian Church in the two great Islands of Japan, the missionaries of the Presbyterian has amassed a vast fund of val- U. S. A.; with Some Account of Church have naturally influenced uable information. His intro- the peoples and policies of those ductory chapters are peculiarly Countries, Peoples and the Poli- three great intellectual nations cies and Problems of Modern of Asia and the missionaries of valuable to church historians Missions." This is a high aim, other Churches working in those and administrators: First Misbut it has been realized with lands. Similarly the mission- sionary Societies, Founding and singular faithfulness and abil- aries working more alone, as in Development of the Board, Rise ity. In very truth, this is the Persia, Syria, Siam, Korea, and Development of Woman's record of Acts of Apostles of Brazil, and comparatively, in the the 19th and 20th centuries and, Philippines, have made large Boards and Societies. This last as the "Acts" of the first cen- and fundamental contributions chapter pays a high and most tury was fortunate in its author, to the building up of the so this record is fortunate in its Churches of Christ in those deserved tribute to the large and chronicler. It is reminiscent of areas. effective and sustaining part the classic history of English taken in missionary work from Missions, "The History of the Dr. Brown makes it very the beginning by the women of Church Missionary Society," by all churches. Eugene Stock. plain in these great Chapters The chapters on China, India, The Presbyterian Board of that the Presbyterian Board and Japan, will especially draw Foreign Missions has been one the attention of all those interof the major factors in the and missionaries alike have ested in the building up of the worldwide extension of the Kingdom of Christ in non-Chris- Christian Church. Its Centenary hewed to the line that leads to tian lands. It is easy to see that is to be commemorated this year. the author's three great loves The missionary enterprise of the Indigenous Church. The are: the Missionary, the Indigethis Church has been spread nous Church and Cooperation over the great continents of statistics at the end of this vol- and Union. His advocacy in Asia, Africa and South America these three major interests is and the wisdom and daring of ume give an impressive illustra- telling. He surrounds the main the planters have been equalled thought of each of these notable by those of the cultivators. tion of this fact. This is per- chapters with so much of infor- mation about country and peo- The Missions of this Church haps the natural outcome of the ple and national movements. It fall naturally into two classes: is wide observation, keen insight those in the great mission fields aim of Missions as, in season of China, India, Japan and and wise counsel. Africa where the other mission- and out of season, this Board has Dr. Brown's last chapter, Surary-minded Churches of Europe and America are also repre- emphasized; to make Jesus vey and Outlook, is masterly. sented, and those in Persia, Christ known in the non-Chris- There is much in its content for Syria, Siam, Korea and parts tian world, with a view to the strong mIssIOnary addresses; of Latin America where the building up of churches, self- much of insight, vision, courage Presbyterian Church has worked supporting, self-governing and and well founded hope and exalmost alone, or so much so as self-propagating, through which pectation. It is a stirring presto constitute a unique work. Christianity shall become nat- entation. uralized and nationalized. To this great end the three depart- ments of missionary activity- Evangelistic, Educational and Medical- have been distinctly contributing.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIJlW publishers on receipt of price [111 ]
The Presbyterian Church has sage of such men as Columba, change. But the things that Columbanus, Augustine, Willibeen fortunate in the chronicler brord, Boniface, Gregory, and change are of interest and con- Anskar. of her great missionary enter- sequence, and this interest and Whether medieval missions prise. A responsible adminis- have a lesson for the enterprise consequence are greater when today is an open question. The trator for thirty-four years, a contrast with modern missions they are bound in with the things is marked in many ways. The visitor several times to the mis- staff was predominantly mascu- that do not change, as it is the line; today it is predominantly sion fields of his own and other feminine. In the Middle Ages it intent of this little volume that was financed by the State, and churches, always a keen and conversions w ere sometimes they should be. R. E. S. brought about by force through sympathetic but discriminating a dominant race, or a non-Chris- tian ruler who accepted baptism. observer, holding the pen of a The mass movements of those The China Year Book – 1936. By days were not similar, except in H. G. W. Woodhead. 18th issue. ready and persuasive writer, numbers, to the mass movements 510 pp. North China Daily News, that characterize the work in Shanghai. 1936. Price, Fifteen Dr. Brown has made this a India. Nevertheless, the devo- Chinese Dollars. tion and heroism of these aposmighty story of a mighty move- tles of Europe awakens admira- On dipping into this long fa- tion. Their missionary message miliar pUblication, the reviewer ment. centered in the doctrine of God as triune, the importance of the was tempted to read this ency- The book is well supplied with sacraments (especially b a p- clopedia of things Chinese al- tism), and the coming Judg- Maps and Appendices and a full ment. most from the first page to the last. It surely is "a mine of in- Index. As the Presbyterian The author gives a full and exceedingly valuable bibliog- formation," made ready for easy Church looks back upon its raphy. But it is unfortunate digging by means of its full that there is no comparative Story of achievement and looks chronological table. An outline Table of Contents and its co- map of medieval Europe would pious Index. Its "Standard forward to other years in the have been helpful as an aid to Chapters" are annually revised, find the names of places men- while many new chapters are future, until the Kingdom of tioned in the text, many of which prepared by experts for the cur- are unfamiliar. S. M. ZWEMER. rent volume. Numerous official Jesus Christ shall be established documents of immediate interest East and West. Edited by Basil are recorded in full. throughout the world, she will Mathews. 206 pp. $1.75. The As- sociation Press, New York. 1936. To the many in the West, who have with her and her noble of- still think that China's history is These ten papers by Nicol all in the past, a few hours spent ficers and missionaries the ad- Macnicol, Sir Frederick Whyte, with this book will bring amaze- Hendrick Kraemer, Kenneth La- ment and pleasure and will promiration and sympathy of all tourette, Ruth Woodsmall, John vide a liberal education in things R. Mott and others, were pub- Oriental. In addition to general the churches whose aim is one lished in anticipation of the information on Geography, Eth- World Conference of the Young nology, History, Language, Eduwith her own. W. 1. C. Men's Christian Association in cation, Government, Finance Mysore, India. Most of the and International Relations, The Medieval Missionary. A Study papers bear this obvious conno- there are new chapters on For- of the Conversion of Northern Eu- tation. They deal with the eign Trade, The Currency, The rope, A. D. 500-1300. By James changes which are taking place Tariff, Public Health, Railways, Thayer Addison. 176 pp. $1.25 in Asia and with the relation- Highways, Aviation, The Smug- paper. $2.00 cloth. International ships of East and West, social, Missionary Council, New York. economic, political and religious. gling Problems, The Permanent 1936. They supply a thoughtful view Constitution, The National Eco- of the contemporary situation In the Foreword to this is the under the categories of the con- nomic Council, Industrial Laws, second of a series of monographs temporary mind. Both this sit- The Radio, and an up-to-date published by the 1. M. C., Pro- uation and this mind will "Who's Who" of 650 prominent fessor Kenneth Scott Latourette living Chinese-all of which invoices the need that many have long felt for a comprehensive dicate that China is very much account of the conversion of the alive and if given half a chance peoples of western Europe. In one sense this scholarly produc- will render a good account of tion fills the need, but it is not herself. China's old religions a comprehensive his tor y of are also described and the in- Christian missions in the Middle troduction and progress of Ages such as we have in Maclear, now out of print, as well Christianity is outlined. The as out of date. Rather has Pro- consultation of many other fessor Addison given us a critical survey of medieval missions books would not supply the in five interesting chapters amount of vital information conwhich deal with the education and the motives of the mission- tained in this volume in most aries to medieval Europe; the decisive part played by rulers in accessible form. c. H. FENN. the conversion of the people; the relation between missions and monasticism; the increasing influence of the Papacy down the centuries; and, lastly, an appraisal of the content and character of the missionary mes-
of Money – A. A. Hyde of Among the ShadoW'S. By Sarah Eliz- DO YOUR S.S.PAPERS
Wichita. By George Irving. 8vo. abeth Blacklock. 251 pp. $2.00. ~ 157 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Fleming H. Revell Co., New York. BIBLmUTH? Co., New York. 1936. 1936. ~=:f ~ ,- ~ COUNCIL FmES -==,. True Christian stewardship is Dr. Howard A. Kelly, in his an art and a science. Albert foreword for this book, says the For Young People Alexander Hyde, of Wichita, chief reward of the medical who died on January 7, 1937, practitioner lies in the sympa- For Juuior!'; nnd I~lcrmediak& was a courageous, cheerful and thetic relations he establishes magnificent giver for he was a with his patients. The author HlPPYHOURS ~ great-hearted, large-visioned, in- seeks to portray this type of telligent steward of the wealth Christian service in the lives of entrusted to him. Once he lost two doctors, but the narrative his money but it only strength- lacks in literary quality. ened his character and clarified his vision. He recouped his H.H.F. losses, made a fortune in mentholatum and with the proceeds My Robber Captain. By C. G. Kilp- ""'~ Forthc p'im",iCS~="'= counted it a joy to promote the per. 166 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdwork of Christ by his gifts to man's Publishing Co., Grand Rap- Samples of our many causes in many lands. ids, Mich. 1936. r…."'4If Papers and Quarterlies ~ Mr. Hyde followed Andrew Here is thrilling adventure, Carnegie's prescription and died faced with faith and courage, in ' "~ sent free on request ==- ' a comparatively poor man in fi- the midst of danger and suffernancial resources because he had ing. The author was held cap- " £5T.1886 been his own executor while he tive by Chinese robbers for lived. But he was rich in faith, many months, hearing no news .' CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS INC.. in love, in friends and in good of his family and uncertain as to works. his fate. But through it all, he , .Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg!…Pa. discovered a brotherly kindness The story of his boyhood in in the robber captain. After In Mid-Atlantic. C. C. Watts. 64 New England, his pioneering his release in 1930, he again pp. 18. S. P. G. London. days in Kansas, his struggle took up his missionary work against adverse physical and under the Basel Missionary So- Living Religions and Mod ern economic conditions, his bank- ciety at Kayang, China. Thought. Albon G. Widgery. ruptcy, his return to prosperity $2.50. 306 pp. Round Table Press. and his Christian stewardship H. H. F. New York. -all this is told effectively in this authorized biography. Mr. In Mid-Atlantic. By Rt. Rev. C. C. Missions in Magazines. Ortha May Irving was one of his trusted Watts. 64 pp. Is. Society for the Lane. Tientsin Press, Ltd. Tientand loved friends in the Y. M. Propagation of the Gospel. Lon- sin, China. C. A., the organization through don. 1936. which most of Mr. Hyde's benev- Frank Mason North, 1850-1935. A olence found expression. Con- This little volume contains the Biographical Sketch by His Friends. tact with the man in life, and with his life story in print, is substance of lectures by the Pastor and People. O. C. S. Wallace. Bishop of St. Helena, addressed 125 pp. $1.25. Broadman Press. deeply stirring and richly re- Nashville. to passengers who visited St. warding. One is fortunate to be Helena. The lectures are pub- The Restraining Hand. R. A. Boss- hardt. 288 pp. $1.00. China Inable to live and think with such lished in the hope of stirring a land Mission. Toronto and Phil- adelphia. a character, even for an hour. sympathetic concern for the The Sunshiners. Isabel Platt. 192 Island's people. H. H. F. pp. lB. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London. We Sing America. By Marion Cuth- New Books bert. 117 pp. Illustrated by a Twelve Wonderful Women. E. H. graduate of Howard University. An Advancing Church in Latin Amer- Farrance. 96 pp. lB. Pickering Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. ica. Kenneth G. Grubb. 80 pp. Is. & Inglis. London. Friendship Press, New York. 1936. World Dominion Press. London. Twelve Marvellous Men. E. E. These stories for children Among the Shadows. Sarah Eliza- Enock. 94 pp. 18. Pickering & beth Blacklock. 251 pp. $2.00. Inglis. London. under twelve are full of factual Revell. New York. Tangled Waters. Florence Crennell material which paves the way to The Doctor's Best Love Story. Means. $2.00. Houghton Mifilin. Walter L. Wilson. 127 pp. B. I. C. New York. an understanding of the prob- Assn. Chicago. The Untouchables' Quest. Godfrey lems American Negroes must East and West. Basil Mathews. 206 Phillips. 95 pp. 40 cents. Edin- pp. $1.75. Assn. Press. New burgh House Press, London; Misface. There are also good York. sionary Education Movement, New York. sketches of Negro men and wom- The Hindu Jajmani System. W. H. Wiser. 192 pp. Lucknow Pub. World Treasure Trails – A f ric a. en who have achieved distinction House. Lucknow, India. Nellie A. Reed. 127 pp. 50 cents and $1.00. Women's Missionary Soin literature, music, the fine arts, Home Life and the Bible. Emma ciety, Free Methodist Church, Wi- Williams Gill. 189 pp. $1.25. nona Lake, Ind. science, education and the pro- Broadman Press. Nashville. Why South America? A. Stuart Mcfessions. H. H. F. Nairn. 145 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall Morgan & Scott. London.
The Cross of Christ the Throne of God. F. J. Huegel. 192 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, Morgan & Scott. London.
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The Missionary Review of the World — 1936 Index
INDEX-1936 VOLUME FIFTY-NINE
THE MISSIONARY EVIEW~ Founded in 1878 DELAVAN L. PIERSON Editor 1888 to 1911 By ROYAL G. WILDER Editor ARTHUR T. PIERSON Editorial Associates MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, "Effective Ways of Working" MISS ANNE SEESHOLTZ, "Home Mission Bulletin"
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Index-1936
Page Index to Authors Page Abel, Russell W. ………….. 91 Page M'Timkulu, Donald G. S. 462 Aitchison, Estella S. ……….. 47 Alexander, Will W. ………… 292 Harvey, Martin L. ………… 306 Olcott, Mason …………….. 585 Allen, Roland …………….. 89 Helser, Albert D…………… 488 Aurell, A. E. …………….. 599 Hill, C. L. ……………….. 301 Pak, Mrs. Induk ………….. 83 Banninga, John J ………….. 586 Hinman, George Warren ……. 45 Bergsma, Stuart ………….. 15 Hoffman, Rolla E………….. 574 Pickett, J. Waskom ………… 167 Bernheisel, C. F …………… 134 Hoffmann, Jr., Conrad ……… 399 Berry, L. L………………. 308 Hogenboom, L. S. …………. 197 Pierson, Emma Belle D….•…. 393 Bingham, Rowland V. ……… 346 Holden, E. R. …………….. 250 Bronson, Julia H………….. 126 Jenkins, C. S. …………….. 525 Platt, Charles A. ………….. 416 Brown, Arthur Judson ……… 130 Jolobe, James J. R…………. 471 Brownlee, Frederick L. …….. 311 Jones, Mrs. E. Stanley ……… 20 Ransom, Reverdy C. ……….. 285 Butler, Clementina ………… 187 Jones, L. Bevan …………… 358 Camargo, Gonzalo Baez …….. 178 J orquera, Laura …………… 139 Rawlinson, Frank …………. 34 Chandra, V. R…………….. 407 Keita, Jean ………………. 474 Clark, Alden H. …………… 423 Kellersberger, Julia Lake …… 172 Rich, William A. ………….. 27 Clarke, Virginia M……… 493,553 Kern, Paul B. …………….. 239 Richter, Julius ……………. 414 King, William R…………… 117 Roseberry R. S. …………… 592 Coan, Josephus R. …………. 304 Kingsley, Harold M………… 291 Collier, Casa ……………… 193 Kinnear, James E. ………… 356 Ross, Emory ……..•……… 451 Conning, John Stuart ………. 577 Kurtz, Robert M. . .. 392,452, 453, 454 Cram, W. G………………. 116 Latourette, Kenneth Scott …… 363 Rothenburger, Leila Avery ….. 419 Dass, Mrs. Mohini ………… 412 Laubach, Frank ………….20,122 Deming, Mrs. C. S. ………… 595 Ledbetter, J. S……………. 315 Saba, Bokari …………….. 472 DuM, John L. …………….. 588 Lester, Muriel ………….. 79,147 Elder, E. E. ……………… 567 Liley, Arthur V……………. 195 Schwab, Jewel H………….. 475 Emanuelson, Oscar Emil ……. 528 Limouze, Arthur H. ……….. 243 Seesholtz, Ann ……………. 50 Fisher, Commodore B. ……… 71 Little, John ………………. 312 Friere, Jose Ilidio …………. 250 Lowe, Mason ……………… 418 Seigle, Albert …………….. 347 Gam, Samuel King ………… 86 MacBeath, Andrew ………… 468 Shepherd, Robert H. W……… 485 Gih, Andrew ……………… 402 Mackenzie, W. Douglas……… 41 Goodsell, Fred Field ……….. 127 Martin, S. H. …………….. 43 Smith, Herbert ……………. 519 Granberry, John C. ………… 32 Mathez, Rose …………….. 250 GruJb, Kenneth G. ………… 579 Matthews, Mrs. D. ………… 238 Southwell, George C. ………. 523 Hakken, B. D. ……………. 78 McDowell, John …………… 235 Haldane, James …………… 231 McLeish, Alexander …….. 349,455 Speer, Robert E………….. 7,388 Hall, John S……………… 462 Melrose, Paul C. ………….. 360 Squires, Charles W………… 137 Hamilton, Charles R. ………. 35 Miller, F. S……………….. 600 Steytler, John ……………. 490 Harrison, Paul W…………. 361 Miller, George A. ………….. 29 Taylor, J. Dexter …………. 343 Harrison, Mrs. Paul W…….. 186 Molaba, Bernard ………….. 531 Temple, William ………….. 119 Hart, George …………….. 189 Monro, Hugh R. …………… 390 Tobias, Channing H. ……….. 295 Hartman, L. O. …………… 170 Moody, Millicent ………….. 201 Wa~oner, Henry ………….. 140 Moreland, J. Earl …………. 93 Walne, Florence …………… 583 Warnshuis, A. L. ………….. 388 Watson, Robert …………… 87 Wesley, Charles H…………. 279 White, Mrs. John P. ……….. 175 Willis, J. J ……………….. 478 Windsor, J. Enos………….. 25 Wood, John W……………. 423 Work, Monroe N…………… 289 Wyckoff, Charlotte C………. 353 Wysham, William A……….. 234 Zoeckler, George F. ………… 74 Zottele, Pedro …………….. 30 Zwemer, Samuel M. . ……. 339, 538 Contributed Articles Africa, Bedouin Women in North, Africa, Signs of Progress in Arabia, Reign of Christ in, Paul Arthur V. Liley ………. 195 West, R. S. Roseberry …. 592 W. Harrison …………. 361 – Church of Christ in Uganda, – Unoccupied Fields, John Stey- Australian Aborigines, Among, J. J. Willis ………….. 478 tIer ………………… 490 Mrs. D. Matthews …….. 238 – Drums of Congo and the Gos- – Volunteers Wanted ……… 406 Bantu, Printed Word Among the, Robert H. W. Shepherd … 484 pel, Virginia M. Clarke '" 493 – What Christ Has Done for – Gospel and the Women of Banyankole, Erica Sabiti .. 582 Berbers, Visit to the Atlas, James Haldane …………….. 231 West, Jewel H. Schwab … 475 – What Christ Has Done for – Gospel Among Primitive Peo- My People, Bernard Molaba 531 Blots on National 'Scutcheons, Muriel Lester ………… 79 ples, John S. Hall …….. 465 – What Results in Central, Vir- – Hindrances to Mission Work ginia M. Clarke ………. 569 Brazil, Educational Achievements in, J. Earl Moreland …… 93 in, C. S. Jenkins ……… 525 African View of Indigenous Afri- – Medical Missionary Tour, Al- can Religions, Donald G. S. – Evangelization of, John C. M'Timkulu .;………… 462 Granberry …………… 32 bert D. Helser ……….. 488 – Memories of Forty Years in, Africans, Material Progress and Bulletin, Council of Women for the, John M. Springer …. 481 Home Missions ……. Monthly Rowland V. Bingham ….. 346 – Pageant of 0 n e Hundred – on the Witness Stand, Various – Chile-From Bondage to Liberty, Authors …………. .471,533 Laura Jorquera ………. 139 Years, J. Dexter Taylor .. 343 – Pioneer Mission Work, Her- America, Home Missions in Mod- – Printed Page in, Henry Wag- ern, E. D. Kohlstedt …… 597 oner ……………….. 140 bert Smith …………… 519 – Progress and Challenge, Alex- – Through a Missionary's Eyes, – Social and Religious Problems Mrs. E. Stanley Jones and in, Pedro Zottele ……… 30 ander McLeish ……….. 455 Frank C. Laubach …….. 20 – Revival in Central, Andrew China, Bethel Bands in, Andrew Arabia, Contacts with Moslems, Gih ………………… 402 MacBeath …………… 468 B. D. Hakken ………… 78 – Roman Catholic Activity in, – Cooperative E van gel ism, [~ Frank Rawlinson……… 34 Kenneth G. Grubb …….. 579 Page Page Page Christian Home, Undergirding Iran, Changing Attitudes in, Negro Christians, Some Outstand- the, Clementina Butler …. 187 ing, Channing H. Tobias ., 295 Commodore B. Fisher …. 71 Christianity the World Needs, – Religious Changes in, George – L e s son s from Experience, Frank C. Laubach …….. 122 John Little ………….. 312 F. Zoeckler ………….. 74 Church, Building a Missionary- Islam and, Christianity in Africa Negro Progress, Beacon Lights minded, J. Enos Windsor. 25 of, Charles H. Wesley …. 279 Today, Samuel M. Zwemer 538 – that Gives and Likes It, A – Evidences of Modernism in, – – Some Helps and Handicaps to, Reverdy C. Ransom …. 285 George C. Southwell …… 523 James E. Kinnear …….. 356 Congo Crosses, Julia Lake Kel- Japan, Handwriting on the Wall, View of White Man, Harold M. Kingsley …………. 291 lersberger ………•.••.. 172 A. E. Aurell …………. 599 Effective Ways of Working, Ed- Japanese Return Home, When, Today, Great Need of the, C. L. Hill ……………… 301 ited by Estelle S. Aitchison George Warren Hinman .. 45 ………………… Monthly Jews, They Are, John Stuart Youth and the Church, Martin Egypt, Awakening of, Mrs. John L. Harvey …………… 306 Conning …………….. 577 P. White ……………. 175 – – Challenges White Youth, – Church in Old, a Young, E. E. Kil Sunju, Korean Preacher and J. S. Ledbetter ……….. 315 Evang-elist, C. F. Bernheisel 134 Elder ………………. 573 Negroes, Experience in Work Ethiopia as a Mission Field, Korean Christian Testimony, F. with, Frederick L. Brownlee 311 Stuart Bergsma ………. 15 S. Miller …………. . . .. 600 Two Generations Since Eman- – Missionary Experiences in, – Woman's Story, Mrs. Induk cipation, Monroe N. Work. 289 Mrs. Anderson ……….. 191 Pak ………………… 83 What Negroes Are Doing for Evangelistic Value of Medical Negroes, L. L. Berry ….. 308 Kwato, Six Heathen Chiefs Come Work, Rolla E. Hoffman .. 574 to, Emma Belle D. Pierson 393 New England as a Home Mission Faith, Need for More, Roland Field, Robert Watson ….. 87 Latin America, Results of the Allen……………….. 89 Gospel in, George A. Miller 29 Ngombi-Black Man with a Fatimah Learned to Love, When, White Soul, Casa Collier .. 193 Letter from Iran to America, Wil- Mrs. Paul W. Harrison '" 186 liam A. Wysham ……… 234 Papua, Among Headhunters in Filipino Superstitions, Some, Ma- Pagan, Russell W. Abel… 91 Leaders, Two Notable, Alden H. son Lowe ……………. 4, 8 Clark and John W. Wood. 423 Pastors – "Beginning at Jeru- Foreign Missions, New Era of, salem," William A. Rich ., 27 Maine, Religious Destitution in, Julius Richter ……….. 414 Charles W. Squires …… 137 Payne, Daniel, Christian Edu- – – Next Step in, Paul B. Kern 239 cator, Josephus R. Coon ., 304 – – With a Forward Look, Men and Missionaries, White, Oscar Emil Emanuelson ., 528 Philippines, The Pageant of the, Robert E. Speer ………. 7 German Christians, Difficulties Mexico, Recent Progress in, Gon- Charles R. Hamilton …… 35 zalo Baez Camargo ……. 178 Portugal, Liberty to Captives, of, Conrad Hoffmann, Jr. . 399 Grenfells, Two Pioneering, L. S. Mission Doctor's Daily Dilemma, Jose Ilidio Friere, Rose Mathez and E. R. Holden . 250 Hogenboom ………….. 197 S. H. Martin ………… 43 Hainan, Limko Christians of, – Fields and Their Evangeliza- Sat Tal Ashram, At the …….. 203 Sen Lai Tsang, Missionary to Paul C. Melrose ………. 360 tion, Unoccupied, Alexander Hinduism as Seen from Within, McLeish …………….. 349 Korea, Mrs. C. S. Deming . 595 V. R. Chandra ……….. 407 Miissionaries and Motion Pictures, Siam, Casting Out Demons in, If I Were Black, Leila Avery Samuel King Gam …….. 86 Albert Seigle ………… 347 Rothenburger ………… 419 Missionary Views on Simpler Liv- Tennessee Mountains, Pioneering India, Christian Mass Movements ing, Muriel Lester …….. 247 in ………………….. 253 in, J. Waskom Pickett …. 167 Missionary, Why I Am a, Flor- Tribes without the Bible, One – Fire-Walking Festival in, Mil- ence Walne ………….. 583 Thousand ……………. 40 licent Moody …………. 201 Missions and Peace in the Pa- Unity. As Seen by a Zulu, John -'- How Christ Found Me in? cific, Kenneth Scott Latour- L. Dube …………….. 588 ette ………………… 363 Mason Olcott ………… 585 – Wanted a Demonstration of, Indian Girls, How Education Missions, Divine Constraint of John J. Banninga …….. 586 Christian, William Temple. 118 Helps, Charlotte C. Wyckoff 353 Venezuela, Converted Priest in, A 535 Hill States in Need, George – Marching on Christian, Fred Field Goodsell ……….. 127 Whitman – Spalding Centennial, Hart ……………….. 189 Arthur H. Limouze ……. 243 Outcastes, The Emancipation Missions, When Youth Looks at, Chas. A. Platt ……….. 416 Women Pioneers for Seventy-five of, L. O. Hartman …….. 170 Years, Julia H. Bronson .. 126 Shakers of the Pacific North- Moody (D. L.), Ambassador of Christ, John McDowell …. 235 World, This Enlarging, Arthur west ……………….. 246 Judson Brown ……….. 130 – Womanhood Owes to Christ, Moslem Seeker Who Found God, L. Bevan Jones ………. 358 Yun Chi Ho of Chosen……… 44 Mrs. Mohini Dass …….. 412 Zululand a Century Ago, W. Irak, Nestorian Tragedy in …. 77 Negro as a Human Person, Will W. Alexander ………… 292 Douglas Mackenzize …… 41 Academic Matter, No Mere, R. M. Editorial Topics of the Times India, Crisis Among the Out- Kurtz ………………. 454 castes ………………. 163 Crime Wave, Stilling the ……. 564 Africa, Looking Ahead in, Ray Criticisms and Confidence …… 5 India, Encouraging Signs in …. 340 Edmund Phillips ……… 518 Economic Standards, 0 v ere m- India "Exterior" Caste Movement Africa, Why Study, Emory Ross 451 phasis on, R. M. Kurtz …. 453 in, Robert E. Speer ……. 388 America, What Is Wrong with? 276 Ethiopia-A Prey …………. 276 India, Five Year Evanglism in . 278 Candidates, Disappointed …… 565 Facts vs. Feelings …………. 518 India, Meeting the Challenge of, 565 Chosen, Student Evangelism in . 165 Foe, Ancient, An ………….. 392 India, Saving the Women of …. 4 Chinese Youth, Difficulties of .. , 230 Foreign Missions, Foreigners on 68 Indian Christianity, Gandhi and 164 Christian Message of Peace …. 563 German Evangelicals Stand. Firm 6 Indian Untouchables, Stirrings – Union and Division …….. 391 Godless Movement, The, R. M. Church and the Youth Movement, among………………. 69 Kurtz ………………. 452 Iran, Awakening in ………… 227. R. M. Kurtz …………. 453 International Missionary Council Islan, Present-day T r end sin, Church, Conference on Rural, Plans for Meeting at Hang- Samuel M. Zwemer ……. 339 William R. King . . . . . . . . .. 116 chow, 1938, A. L. Warn- Italy, Unrest in …………… 164 shuis ……………….. 387 Page Page Page Italy, Waldensians Sufferers in . 228 Missions Proved, Value of 342 Student Volunteers at Indianap- Japanese Shrine Problem …… 115 olis ………………… 67 Latin America, Cooperation in " 166 Missions, Unity or Union in …. 229 "Life Changers" Around the Summer-Retreat or Advance .. 340 National Preaching Mission …. 277 Sunday .School Con v en t ion, World………………. 3 Mexico, Furthering the Gospel in 117 Negro, Interest in …………. 275 World's, Hugh R. Monro .. 390 Mission to University Women " 341 New Year, Good Cheer for the ., 3 When You Become a Unitarian, Missionary Opportunity, Our, W. Palestine, Outlook in ………. 516 Russia, American Christians in . 118 R. M. Kurtz ………..•. 392 G. Cram …………….. 116 Youth, For Our Unevangelized, Spain, Turmoil in …………. 515 R. M. Kurtz …………. 517 Book Reviews Across the Years, Charles Sted- EI Jimmy, Outlaw of Patagonia, Origin of Religion, The, Samuel M. Zwemer ………….. 110 man Macfarland ………… 620 Herbert Childs ••……… 443 Our Korean Friends, Frederick Africa-Special List prepared by . Ethiopia, John H. Shaw …….. 620 S. Miller ……………. 222 Emory Ross ………….. 509 Ethiopia, a Pawn in European Out of Airica, Emory Ross ….. 510 African Myths, Carter G. Wood- Popular Hinduism, L. S. S. O'Mal- Diplomacy, Ernest Work .. 110 ley …………………. 271 son ………………… 336 Fine Art of Soul Winning, Wil- Pratt: The Red Man's Moses, Afro – American F 0 I k Son g s, liam Wistas Hamilton …. 160 Elaine Goodale Eastman .. 220 Henry E. K~ehbiel ……… 335 Five Foreigners in Japan, Her- Puritans in the South Seas, Louis Allen, Richard, Apostle of Free- bert H. Gowen ……….. 384 B. Wright and Mary Isbael . dom, .Charles H. Wesley .. 332 Forty Happy Years in Japan, Fray ……………….. 559 Racial Myth, The, Paul Rodin .. 334 Along This. Way, James Weldon George P. Pierson and Ida Religion in the Republic of Mex- ico, G. Baez Camargo and Johnson …………….. 335 G. Pierson …………… 271 Kenneth G. Grubb …….. 111 Answer of God, The, Marshall From Fetish to Faith, W. J. Platt 336 Rivalries in Ethiopia, Elizabeth Broomhall …………… 112 From the Farm to the Bishopric, P. MacCallam ………… 63 Arabia and the Bible, James A. Serious Aspect of the Ethiopian Charles Henry Phillips .. , 332 Montgomery …………. 447 Gold By Moonlight, Amy Car- Situation, Joseph J. Cooksey 223 Arthington's Millions, A. M. Soul of Egypt, The, Allison michael …………… 223, 272 . Chirgwin ………….. " 445 Hearts that Understand, Louise Douglas Boutros …..•… 559 At the Point of a Lancet, William Spalding, Henry Harmon, Clif- Harrison McGraw …….. 446 Warder ……………… 383 I Discover the Orient, Fletcher ford Merrill Drury ……. 444 Blind Spots, Henry Smith Leiper 334 Stories from Brazil, William S. Brockman …………. 112 Camp Fires in the Congo, Mrs. Anglin ………………… 620 Indian Thought and Its Develop- John M. Springer …….. 511 ment, Albert Schweitzer ….. 619 Story of the American Negro, The, Corinne Brown …… 559 Carey, Wiliam, S. Pearce Carey 445 In Spite of Handicaps, Ralph W. Case for Foreign Missions in In- Story of Child Life in Old Peking, Bullock ………………. 335 Margaret Rossiter White …. 620 dia, E. C. Dewick …….. 272 Jesus Through Japanese Eyes, China Christian Year Book- Student Volunteer Movement for Toyohiko Kagawa …….. 222 Foreign Missions, Jesse R. 1934-35, Edited by Frank Wilson ……….,…….. 223 Kagawa, Apostle of Japan, Mar- Rawlinson …………… 446 Students and the Christian World garet Baumann ………. 444 Mission, Edited by Jesse R. Wilson ……………… 446 Christ and the Indian Church, A. Kingdom of God in Japan, The, Sunday, Billy, The Man and His J. Appasamy ………… 445 C. Barnell Olds ………. 272 Message, William T. Ellis. 336 Christ and the Student World, Korean Young Folks, Frederick Taking Hold of God, Samuel M. Zwemer …………….. 383 Robert P. Wilder. '" .. '" 112 S. Miller ………………. 619 Christ in the Great Forest, Felix T u r k ish Transformation, The, Land and Life of Africa, Mar- Henry Elisha Allen …… 110 Faure ………………. 445 garet Wrong ………… 510 United States and the Caribbean Christian Giving, Clarence Ed- Area, Dana G. Munro ….. 333 Levucka Days, C. W. Aston ….. 619 ward Macartney ………… 620 Literature for the South African White, John, of Mashonaland, C. Christian Youth in Action, Frank F. Andrews ………….. 222 Bantu, R. H. W. Shepherd. 509 W. Herriott………….. 63 Making the World Christian, P. Wider World for Women, A, Lucy Christ's Alternative to Commu- W. Peabody ………….. 443 E. Burroughs, A. J. Brown, nism, E. Stanley Jones … 220 With the C. M. S. in West and John I. Freeman….. 64 Africa, Phyllis L. Garlich . 112 Congo Crosses, Julia Lake Kel- Missionary Education of Young Wolff, His Romantic Life and lersberger ……….•.•.. 510 Travels, Joseph, H. P. Pal- People,. The, John Irwin .. 446 mer ………….. ; …… 221 Consider Africa, Basil Mathews 510 Moody Still Lives, Arthur Percy Cooperation and the World Mis- Year Book of Negro Churches, Fitt ………………… 446 Compiled by Reverdy C. sion, John R. Mott …….. 64 Negro Book List prepared by Ransom……………… 64 Crossing Africa, Stella C. Dunk- Lloyd C. Imes ………… 332 elberger …………….. 511 Netherland Indies, The, John Daughter of Abd Salam, The, . Rauws, H. Kraemer, F. J. F.
Florence Mary Fitch ….. 443 Van Hasselt and N. A. C.
Duncan M a in of Hongchow, Slotemaker de Bruine ….. 63 Alexander Gammie ……. 220 Norton and the Gospel Mission, Education of the Negro in the Ralph, Edith F. Norton .. , 111 American Social 0 r d e r, Omwa! Are You Awake? P. H.
Horace Mann Bond ……. 336 J. Lerrigo …………… 560
The Missionary Review of the World — December 1936
1936
A Young Church in Old Egypt E. E. Elder What Results in Central Africa?
Virginia M. Clarke The Evangelistic Value of Medical Work Rolla E. Hoffman Wanted, A Demonstration of Unity John J. Banninga Sen Lai Tsang, Missionary to Korea Mrs. C. S. Deming Home Missions in Modern America E. D. Kohlstedt Roman Activity in Pagan Africa Kenneth G. Grubb 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember CHl1Rc:H Here Is t:he
M"N"GEMENT> Christ:mas Present: for Your December 9-11 – Biennial meetiDg, Federal Council of Churches, As- Past:or and Missionary bury Park, N. J. '::~::."~: ,. ~~: :.W GIVE him a year's suhscription to Church Janu.ary 4-6–Committee on Women's Management. A hright, dynamic profes- Work of the Foreign Missions Con- ference of North America, Asbury sional magazine for clergymen which keeps Park, New Jersey. them in touch with the newest developments January 6-8-Foreign Missions Con- ference of North America, Asbury in the home field. Park, New Jersey. A recently added "Minister's Wife Department" brings in material January 11-14, 1937 – Annual Meet- on programs and methods for the women's activities in the church. ings, Home Missions Council and The Council of Women for Home $2.50 per year; $1.25 for six months Missions. Asbury Park, N. J. (We will send an attractive gift card to your heneficiary if you so request) February 8-13-International Council of Religious Education, Executive CHURCH MANAGEMENT Committee and Associated Meetings. Chicago, Ill. Auditorium Building :: Cleveland, Ohio NATIONAL PREACHING Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Mrs. A. L. Wiley, Presbyterian MISSION sions. For almost 60 years, Dr. Mc- missionary of Ratnagiri, India, on Afee has maintained some form of June 23, received the Kaiser-i-Hind Nov. 29-Dec. 2-Philadelphia. official connection with the foreign medal, third class, in recognition of Dec. 3-6–Boston. missionary enterprise of the Presby- her faithful work among the children Dec. 6-9-New York City. terian Church in the U. S. A.-first as in that area. Many tiny tots have Foreign Missions chairman of his grown to Christian manhood and FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- presbytery and then, in succession, ARY ASSEMBLIES synodical chairman, Board member, . womanhood under her care. October, and for the past six years, one of its January 16-19, 1937-Jacksonville. 1936, marked the end of 41 years of January 19-20–Lake City. • • • secretaries. service which she has given in India. January 20-22-Daytona Beach. Dr. John A. Rodgers, Secretary January 20-22-DeIand. for Annuities and Special Gifts on the … … January 23-27-Miami. Presbyterian Board of National Mis- January 26-27-Ft. Lauderdale. sions, retired on October 1. .T~e Rev. Charl~s Hodge Corbett, January 27-29-Palm Beaches. mInIster of educatlOn of Bay Ridge January 30-February 2-Orlando. ••• Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., February 2-4-Winter Haven. has been elected to succeed the late February 4-5-Ft. Myers. Dr. Edmund B. Chaffee as editor of February 4-5-Sarasota. The Presbyteri4n Tribune'. He was a February 6-11-St. Petersburg. missionary in China for seventeen February 7-1o-Clearwater. years, teaching in the North China February 10-12-Tampa. Union College. He returned to Amer- February 13-16–Tallahassee. ica in 1925.
Dr. Charles E. Maddry, a secretary of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mis- Personal Itellls sion Board, is home after a tour of Rt. Rev. Frederick Rogers Graves, the Board's missions in South Amer- ica. of the American Episcopal Church, • •• has been asked to continue hiB service in China where he has been for fiftyfive years. He had submitted his Mrs. A. K. Reischauer, of the Pres- Obituary Notes resignation because of advancing age byterian Mission in Japan, has been (now 78) but the House of Bishops awarded a special diploma for distin- The Rt. Rev. HoefnrMy eDxaicmo,eredlieAdveis~ asked him to hold on until the general guished service to the deaf. She was retired Bishop the pioneer in introducing oral educa- Houston, Texas, September 20, in his • • convention. • tion for the deaf in Japan, and 83d year. He had retired in 1928 founded the deaf-oral school, "Nippon Working quietly and steadily for 20 Geo. Evangeline Booth left Lon- Rowa Gakko," in Tokyo. years, during a period of one revoludon in November to undertake a world campaign, calling first at Port Said .::sFREE FOT tionary ~risis after another, Bishop to inspect one of the newest Salvation Min;"eT. Aves guIded the struggling missions Army centers. She expects to spend of the Episcopal Church in Mexico more than a month, including Christ- Why God Used D. L. Moody isnatmoestoilmidearmitiyniasntedrinsgtretnogtthh~' at the mas, in India, and conduct no fewer By R. A. Torrey British than sixty-five public gatherings at and American colonies in the critical various centers. The General will The Shorter Life of D. L. Moody years when open warfare was an al- Itllend six days in Ceylon, thence to By Paul R. Moody and A. P. Fitt most constant threat. Java, Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai and Peiping. She will go on to Th_ two hooks will he given [0 the fint 1000 * … … Korea, reaching Japan on March 10, miniatere who will agree to conduct a "'Moody Day" and return to England across the lervice on Sunday, February 7, 1937, and win Dr. Bruce Kinney, recently retired preach an appropriate message in oheenance of the as on!! of the representatives of the United States. .> . . CeDtenary of D. L. Moody's birth. ~merIc~n ~aptist Home Mission So- CIety, dIed In Cleveland, Ohio, on Oc- Dr. Cleland Boyd McAfee reached W,.ite A. F. GaylorJ. Director tober 15. He was for 43 years a minhis 70th birthday on September 26, D. L. MooJy Centenary Celebration. ister .of Christ and 38 years ago was and on that date retired from the secretaryship for Japan, Siam, Chosen The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago w: appomted as a frontier missionary in and the Philippine Islands under the 153 INSTITUTE PLACE CHICAGO. ILL. the e~ whe!e he was superintendent of mISSIons In Utah and Wyoming (Concluded on 3d CO'IJer.) REVIEW OF THE WORLD High Speed DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor at Low Cost VOL.LIX DEC., 1936 No. 12 Speed is often so important when crossing to the Orient. That's-why Publication and Business Office– busy travellers go by Empress. You Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. go faster . . . in maximum comfort . . . and at surprisingly low cost. Editorial and Executive Office- 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. Only 10 days to Yokohama by Entered as second-class matter at Empress of Asia or Empress of Russia. Or via Honolulu in just 3 Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under days more by Empress of Japan Act of March 3, 1879. (largest, fastest liner on the Pa~ific) or Empress of Canada. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. low round-trip fares . . . First, Publlsbed monthly, except August. Tourist and Third Class. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. British agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, When your Call London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy. 10 shillings a year.
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by Willard
LISTENING TO THE GOSPEL ON THE BANKS OF THE NILE (REV. OSCAR BOYD PREACHING FROM THE IBIS) Photograph by Willard Price EAGER LIDARNERS IN THE BOYS' SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIA BUILDING MATERIAL FOR THE CHURCH IN EGYPT
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1936 Topics of the Times THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE OF PEACE sponsible for the war spirit. Russia, the commu- nistic Union of Soviet Republics, denies God's au- Thousands of sermons will be preached in thority and ideals and depends on armaments to Christian pulpits on Christmas Sunday, advocat- maintain peace with neighbors and within her own ing "Peace on earth, goodwill among men." But, borders.. Japan, the militaristic monarchy, seeks while God is the God of Peace, and the Gospel is to attain her ends by regimentation and force of the Gospel of Peace, Christ distinctly said, arms. Germany and Italy, the fascist totalitarian "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; states, declare for an "armed peace," with their I 'came not to send peace, but a sword." This armaments able to defy all antagonists. Even startling statement has been proved true, for England and America are joining in the race. strife has characterized national life during the There may be an armed truce, and a restraint whole Christian era-though war is contrary to from active warfare, but it is due to fear of force Christ's mission of peace. and not to the spirit of friendly harmony which Look over the world. Never were nations so fe- underlies all true peace.
verishly arming themselves and preparing for war What then is the Christmas message of peace?
as they are today; never was so much spent on It is that Christ came to proclaim God's love and armaments and war materials; never have there His desire that men should cease from rebellion been so many wars and rumors of wars-political, against His will and should be at peace with Him.
economic, social and religious. This is in spite of This is the only effective basis of "peace among the influence and ideals of Christ and the peace men." The sword of strife will be sheathed, or propaganda and pacifist movements. There can turned into a plowshare of peace, when men join be no doubt that Christ desires peace, but if He in allegiance to Christ and yield their wills and came to establish general peace among men and their lives and their possessions to the Will of nations, there does not seem to have been much God. There is no other way ; all peace movements progress toward reaching His objective. Never- promoted on any otlier basis are futile. As long theless God is the God of Peace; Christ preached as men fight against God they will naturally fight peace and bequeathed His peace to His disciples, against one another, if they can and dare. "There and they "preached peace by Jesus Christ" (Acts is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." God 10: 36). and the State cannot both rule supreme over men's What, then, is the answer to the present prob- wills; neither can both God and self be supreme.
lem ·of disunity and strife in the world? The an- The most effective emissaries and promoters of swer is that there is only one basis of human peace on earth today are not "pacifists" who decry peace and that is "peace with God." The reason all conflict, or social workers who merely seek to for the "sword" that divided households as the bring about better living conditions. but they are result of Christ's coming to earth over nineteen the peacemakers who are recognized as "children hundred years ago-and that still divides families of God"; they are the Christian missionaries and and nations-is the fact that men are out of har- others who are seeking to win men to Christ and mony with God., We have neglected the one neces- to a life in harmony with God's will. Christ came sary basis of unity. As long as we-as individuals primarily to save men from sin-the sin of disoor as nations-are each seeking selfish ends, so bedience to the Will of God. He proclaimed for- long will we fear one another and put our trust giveness and peace by His sacrifice on the Cross in armaments. No one form of government is re- and so opened the Way of Life in God.
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Christmas is a time to preach peace, but only ity, must be taught in the home, the school, the the peace of God based on loving obedience to His church and the place of business. Law must be revealed will and manifested by love to our fellow shown to be not an enemy to liberty but a protec- men. It is love that brings peace because love tion and an ally to progress.
works no ill to one's neighbor. The Star of Beth- (7) Belief in God as a loving Heavenly Father, lehem and the Cross of Calvary are both the Chris- . and the just Ruler of human affairs, must be tian symbols of peace. taught to children from their earliest years. The movie and the streets often make crime seem easy, STILLING THE CRIME WAVE pleasant and profitable. Self-control and rever- ence for God must be shown by precept and ex- The government, social reformers, parents and ample as the Way of Life that brings happiness Christians everywhere are greatly disturbed be- and success. cause of the extent of crime and its spread in all Public libraries must be purged from unwholeparts of the world. The cost of crime in the some books and newsstands must be cleared of United States is estimated at thirteen billion dol- papers that present low ideals and lawless heroes. lars a year, seven times as much as we spend for Good reading is more influential than most forms education. The number of condemned criminals of good advice. It is a matter of record that only in penal institutions runs into hundreds of thou- two per cent of criminals!, when brought to trial, sands and lawbreakers out of jail are even more have been active members of any church. numerous. The worst feature of the situation is that youthful criminals are increasing. In Great As the basic cause of crime and lawlessness is Britain, a recent report states that forty per cent sin, so the only cure for these evils is a. turning of the crimes were committed by persons under to God and an intelligent regard for His laws. twenty-one years of age; and the situation is even The New Testament gives us three definitions of sinworse in America. The chief causes of crime and lawlessness are (1) "Sin is transgression of the law"-a posi- tive disobedience to the revealed Will of God. idleness, ignorance, lack of high moral standards, broken homes, a desire to obtain money for power (2) "Whosoever knoweth to do good and doeth and: self-indulgence, and· an antipathy to all re- it not to him it is sin" ;-it is failure to follow the straints. But the basic causes of lawlessness are light we have. selfishness and a disregard for God as the Heavenly Father and Lawgiver. (3) "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin"-it is doing what we believe to be wrong, and failure What then is the cure for the present-day law- to live in harmony with faith in God as He is relessness and crime? Prof. Robert H. Miller of vealed in Jesus Christ. Manchester College, Indiana, gives a seven-point program: It has been the experience, both of individuals and of communities, that when the Gospel of Christ is accepted, and men take Him as their (1) Increased appropriations for education. Saviour and Lord, crime and lawlessness disap- Chicago has established a special school for "in- pear and men become good neighbors and good corrigible" boys-a school that instructs and citizens. This is evidenced in the word that has keeps them busy with wholesome technical train- recently come of the transformation of a very ing and recreation. . primitive, lawless people of Papua (in the South (2) Keep young folks busy. Do not let them Seas) . These people were sorcerers and took a be idle and out of work. Six million between the pride in murder. Their women all refused to acages of sixteen and twenty-one are now out of cept a man as a husband until he had murdered school and out of work. someone. They were superstitious and ignorant (3) Vocational training-teach every child to in mind and filthy of body. They were shiftless use his or her hands and mind in some useful em- and poor, and filled with fear and enmity. The ployment-something creative in which he or she Australian Government attempted to control. to can find satisfaction. discipline, to cajole or to punish offenders but (4) The Church must increase her ministry to without success. All the men served jail sentences youth-in the home, school, church and business. and then returned to their old life. Then came Environment must be improved and leisure hours messenger§ of the Gospel of Christ-people of occupied to profit. their own race who had experienced Christ's (5) Punishment for wrongdoing must be made transforming nower. These messengers did not more sure. swift and fitted to the crime. Senti- begin by teaching the savages to build better ment must not interefere with justice. Youth houses and to make better gardens, nor did they must learn that crime does not pay but that crimi- begin by teaching them the evils of crime and adnals do. vantages of law observance. They simply told (6) Respect for law, and for those in author. them of their own experience of Christ, the Son
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
of God, who so loved them that He came to give 800,000 people in Travancore moving Christward. His life for them; they revealed the effect of His The leaders express a desire to see their whole love and His power in their own lives by their un- community embrace Christianity and a large selfish, joyful service. The pagans were astound- body of Indian Christians have offered to give ed at this new way of peace and power and they their services as volunteer evangelists and teachresponded to the teaching. Before long they de- ers for this ingathering. The difficulty is to care stroyed their paraphernalia of sorcery, gave up for their transportation and training. "Hundreds their evil ways and began a new life. Crimes of of villages are crying out for teachers and tens violence and theft and sins of impurity have now of thousands are seeking Christ." The awakening been discarded. Of their own accord whole vil- is reported also in the Punjab, the United Provlages now rise early in the morning, go for their inces and elsewhere. The Bishop of Dornakal bath and have their "quiet time" to learn God's estimates that in his district alone one million will. They have discarded fighting and send their people are moving Christward. children to school; some have built new, clean villages, with communal gardens, and live as one The opportunity and challenge is likely to grow great family. during the coming months as the disillusioned Untouchables seek some escape from the oppres- Here is an example of the natural fruit of Chris- sive bonds of Hinduism-already they are turntian teaching, without any attempt to coerce or ing to Christ and asking for baptism at the rate persuade the people to accept any specified rules of 15,000 every month. This is influencing the or regulations. These former savages are al- caste Hindus also as they see the new birth and ready an example to civilized America and the re- new life of those whom they have despised. sults have astounded government officials. Where are teachers to be found to train these "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is lib- open-minded seekers? The Indian churches are erty." He who stilled the stormy waves on the poor and the mission boards are still short of Sea of Galilee is the One who can still the crime needed funds. There is still money available for wave today, if men will but obey Him, as did the the things men want most. The boards at home winds and the sea. might unite in presenting the facts to Christian stewards at home and offer, if suitable teachers MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF INDIA are found who will volunteer to give their time, to finance one-half the expense for their board Because of its ancient culture, the number of and travel for a five year campaign if the Indian religions, the size of its population and the multi- churches will care for the other half. The mistude of its unevangelized villages, India presents sionary forces in these areas also need strengtha peculiar and powerful challenge to the Church ening- and new vernacular literature must be supof Christ. The first Christian testimony is re- plied for the growing churches. ported to have come to India nearly 1900 years ago and Christian missions have been carried on It would be unwise for American and British there for the last six hundred years. Protestant Christians to assume the whole financial responsiwork began in 1706 and the first British mission- bility and control but they can still act as true aries entered one hundred and forty years ago; partners of the Indian churches in the work of yet today not more than one in one hundred of winning and training these under-privileged the people are even nominal Christians and the classes for Christ. Prayer circles should also be number of non-Christians is at least double that started in churches at home and in India. The of 100 years ago. The encouraging fact is that National Christian Council and the National Misthe knowledge of Christ and His teachings has sionary Society of India might be the clearing permeated India and the general attitude of the house for a united campaign that will be cooperapeople has changed from one of bitter hostility tive and will avoid waste and overlapping effort. to one of respect and inquiry. "The task before the Church in India. is tremen- dous," says the Bishop of DornakaI. "It will tax Christian missions are largely responsible for all our available resources; but God is our partner the development of modern education in India, and will not fail. In the work of His Kingdom for the advance in modern medical service and nothing is impossible." for the elevation of women and children. The British Government has promoted peace, justice, DISAPPOINTED CANDIDATES education and economic betterment. Candidates for political office are not the only Great mass movements toward Christ have been ones who suffer disappointment when election reported in many places during the past fifty time passes. Missionary candidates are also too years, with whole villages of the Depressed often disappointed-sometimes even after their Classes ready to come under Christian instruc- election, but more often because of failure to be tion. Today the Rev. T. G. Stuart Smith reports selected and given a field of service.
Among the elect some are disappointed when mission field. One applied who had nursing qualithey reach their field, because they find that they fications, but not the spirit Of Christ. She was are not adapted to the work or field assigned. sent at large expense but within one year had In spite of carefully prepared candidate papers to be recalled after having done harm rather than and examinations, their physical, mental or spir- good. A lesson was learned. When a doctor apitual equipment may be inadequate. Others, who plied for the same field, a frank letter was sent have an ambition to devote their lives to preach- to him, setting forth plainly the difficulties of ing the Gospel to the unsaved, are sometimes pioneering without much modern equipment; he called upon to fill vacancies in schools or colleges was warned of the financial sacrifices necessary, to teach purely secular subjects-and little time the problems involved in living in a small intimate and strength is left for evangelism. One mission- circle, the need for vital prayer life and Bible ary in India bewailed the fact that an under- searching, and the fact that evangelism by word staffed teaching force in the mission college neces- and life is the primary work of the mission in sitated his being called to teach and to neglect which all were expected to take a part. That evangelistic work for which he had volunteered. doctor went prepared for what he was to face. Or the business or executive end of the mission may be so absorbing that there seems little or no Disappointments of candidates and in canditime for purely Gospel work. dates, and disappointments on the mission field and at home cannot always be avoided but they Disillusionment also sometimes comes because can be greatly lessened by greater care in the of false ideas of missionary life gained from ro- study of the fields, more frankness in dealing mantic authors and speakers who present the with candidates and more earnest prayer and cause at home. The needs, opportunities and sacrifice, with a determination to know and follow rewards, of field work are sometimes so attrac- the spirit and mind of Christ in the work to tively presented that young men and women vol- which He has called us. The missionary enterunteer who are not ready to endure the hardness prise is not a human undertaking but a divine of pioneering, who do not realize the difficulties calling to follow a divine Leader. No man or of the field to which they are going; they are woman, called of God to work for Jesus Christ in not prepared for the disappointments due to work- the salvation of men, need be idle or disappointed ing with and for uncongenial and unresponsive because of lack of support and opportunity. Even people, or to live without the comforts and cul- invalids may have a great part in the work tural opportunities of the homeland. through prayer and gifts and personal testimony wherever their lot is cast. "For if there be first Other disappointed candidates are those who a willing mind, it is accepted according to what never reach the field because no one will take the a man has, not according to what he has not." responsibility for sending and supporting them. But at times general appeals come from the field D. L. MOODY CENTENARY which arouse interest that cannot be harnessed to action. A recent article appeared in THE REVIEW The life of D. L. Moody, the famous Evangelist, which told of the religious destitution in many finds its lengthening influence in the Moody Bible districts, in Maine. Two missionary-minded Chris- Institute of Chicago, founded by him fifty years tian teachers wrote to the author of the article, ago. The year 1937 will witness a world-wide offering their services freely to conduct summer celebration of the centenary of the birth of the Daily Vacation Bible Schools. The reply failed great Christian evangelist and educator. His to mention any needy towns or any way of serv- ministries in Great Britain and America added ice. Disappointment and failure was the result. many thousands to the ranks of those accepting A similar experience is noted with regard to of- Christ as Saviour and awakened sleeping profers to help other churchless communities in the fessors of the Christian faith to vital action. United States. The Hartford Band has offered to go to any needy field but no one is ready to On February 2, 1936, nearly six hundred send them. churches in the United States and six other lands, celebrated "Moody Day" with heart-kindling serv- What is the remedy for these disappointments? ices that resulted in the winning of many to Christ Is it not first to be found in accurate information? and in aw!kening or deepening interest in the The fields must be studied in detail, as Robert study of the Word of God, and the winning of Arthington studied them, so that the facts will souls. Another "Moody Day," with a much wider be known; the candidates must be studied indi- observance, will be celebrated on the centenary vidually as to fitness and they must be fully in- of Mr. Moody's, birth, February 7, 1937. It is formed as to facts. There is no excuse for hoped that more than a thousand pastors and knowingly sending out unqualified candidates churches will join in prayer and action for the merely because a place needs to be filled. One spiritual good of all who participate. case in point-a nurse was sorely needed on a
A Young Church in Old Egypt*
By the REV. E. E. ELDER, Cairo Missionary of the United Presbyterian Church T HIS young Protestant Church in Egypt, the Christian church as the ultimate aim. The city cradle of one of the oldest civilizations, has of Assiut, 250 miles south of Cairo, and a strong passed its seventy-fifth birthday on April 13, Coptic center became his base of operation. A last year. The first American missionaries ar- number of vigorous churches sprang up in the rived in Cairo a little over eighty years. ago. In southland and by 1885, a year before his death, five years portions of Arabic Scripture and reli- there were in all Egypt nineteen organized con- gious books were dirstributed, a few mission gregations-six of them having pastors of their schools started and religious services organized. own. Most of these congregations were in the In September, 1859, the Lord's Supper was first immediate vicinity of Assiut, although there were administered by missionaries using the Arabic also mission workers in Alexandria and Cairo.
language and the first four converts were received The total membership was about 1,700.
into the evangelical fellowship. These included During the second quarter century many other a Coptic monk, an Armenian, a Syrian and an towns and villages further north in the neighbor- Egyptian. The first Evangelical congregation hood of Minya and al-Kom al-Akhdar, towns midwas organized in Cairo in 1863 and that- same way between Assiut and Cairo, were opened to year the Presbytery arranged for training classes evangelical preaching. The number of missionto prepare young men for Christian service. aries connected with the American Mission in- From these small beginnings, three-quarters of creased about threefold, some of them being loa century ago, there has de,veloped a church which cated in the great unevangelized centers of the numbers over 21,000 members, meeting in 143 Delta where more than half the population of organized congregations and 201 unorganized Egypt lives. Struggling churches, dependent circles. Of these congregations 114 have their largely on the encouragement and guidance of the own ministers; fifty-nine are self-supporting, and missionary, were organized in the provincial capcontribute to the general work of Synod. itals. A few months ago the editor of one of the prom- During this middle period the number of stuinent religious weeklies of America visited the dents in the Sunday Schools grew steadily until seminary for the training of pastors and was in- in 1910 there were almost 17,000 enrolled. At terested to learn that the building was erected al- the turn of the century the presbytery was dimost entirely from funds collected in Egypt by vided into four presbyteries and they in turn were the Egyptians. He was happily surprised to find organized into the Synod of the Nile. From the that the inscription over the building did not read, very early days of the American Mission's efforts, "The Seminary of United Presbyterian Church of Egyptian cooperation and leadershiJf had been the North America," but "The Theological Seminary longed for goal. By the close of these twenty-five of the Evangelical Church." years a plan had been formulated looking to finan- The seventy-five years of the Evangelical cial independence of the EgYl>tian Church. Church's history may be roughly divided into By 1910, seventy-two organized churches with three equal periods. During the first twenty-five many other centers could boast of more than years the dominant figure in the development of eleven thousand members. Twenty-two were self- Evangelical Christianity was Dr. John Hogg, a supporting.
Scotchman who believed that the method of win- The third quarter of the church's history conning the Moslem population to Christ was to evan- tinues the increase in organizations in the southgelize the Coptic Christians. Often a stumbling- land, but the remarkable growth again moved block to Moslems, they had long since lost under northward. At the opening of these last twentypersecution any incentive to preach the Gospel. To five years there was but one ordained Egyptian gain Egypt for his Lord, Dr. Hogg thought not pastor in Cairo. In March, 1912, just seventeen only of converting individual souls but of planting years after his ordination, another minister was an independent, self-sustaining, self-propagating called to become the pastor of a second congrega- • See Frontispiece. tion in the capital city. In March, 1929, the Prot- [567 ]
estant leaders of Cairo were gathered for the or- pose for His Kingdom knows no boundary of dination of another Evangelical pastor over a geography or race of social position or former church newly organized. One of the speakers re- religious loyalty. Facing the 13,000,000 Egyptian minded the audience that during the seventeen Moslems, we know that the work is far from be- years seven more congregations had been organ- ing completed. Just now the great problem of ized. If one is surprised at the remarkable our American economic life is the reemployment growth of these seventeen years, he may be of people without work. No one would consider amazed to learn that in the six years that have that the problem for 13,000,000 unemployed was since elapsed five other congregations have been solved by putting a meagre 50,000 to work. The formed, thus bringing the total of Evangelical present Evangelical Church in Egypt is only the congregations in Cairo and suburbs up to four- "seed corn" of an abundant harvest.
teen. All but four are financially independent. The young church, with all its strength and One of them, in addition to supporting the usual leadership, is still weak because of the conditions church work of a city congregation conducts a that surround it. Christians in America, although thriving day school for girls, and gave in 1934, largely outnumbering the Jews, have had little $850 to the mission work of the Nile Valley. success in persuading them to acknowledge and Many movements in the Church show that the follow as Lord One who was of their own race.
aim of the early missionaries for a self-govern- In Egypt the small Evangelical Church, drawn ing, self-propagating church was being realized. largely from the ancient Coptic race, is confronted A Laymen's and Elders' Society, organized in with an overwhelming Moslem majority whose 1918, contains the following paragraph in its first history is full of bigotry and persecution. How annual report: much more difficult is it to persuade members of The work in the cities and districts has steadily pro- a proud majority to accept teaching presented by gressed. There have been fruits of a spiritual awakening, a vigorous yet suspicioned minority of a despised the grace of giving, and"the spirit of brotherhood. May we not be able to prove to America that we are a worthy people. It is hard to find a strong enough analogy child able to carryon the plans of the church by the to picture the extreme difficulty of winning Mosstrength we have gained from her. Our Egyptian Church lem Egypt to Christ. Imagine what would be the now spends $75,000 annually on its work, why should it situation in America if the Negro population were still continue to beg $5,000 from the church in America commissioned to win the white people to a differfor the work of Synod when by fostering the Laymen'~ ent religion than that which they now profess. It and Elders' Movement we may be able to arrive at self- would be twenty times harder if only one in support and progress towards the greater work of reach- twenty of the Negroes had even a slight conceping the millions of unsaved in Egypt for the glory of the Lord. tion of the reality of their commission. Add to In 1926 the Synod assumed full responsibility that what would be the case if the convert must for the education of its ministry and the new not only change his religion but his social posi- Seminary building was occupied. One of the tion, his family relations and even his race. We missionaries has acted as chairman of the faculty might say, "We know the Negro has deeper reliand another serves on the Board. In Basil Mat- gious emotions than white men, but must we bethews' "Forerunners of a New Age," an inter- come Negroes in order to follow his religion?" pretative report of the 1934 Conference on Train- The thinking Moslem may admit the excellence of ing of the Ministry of the Younger Churches, he Christ's teaching, but very often he questions its expresses an fdeal that fits the situation in Egypt. application to him.
The real shaping of the life of a seminary-if it is to Missionary retrenchments and withdrawals of produce a life-giving ministry~must be in the hands of workers have led the young church in Egypt to the people of that lang. The control must be national. wonder how keenly America appreciates the crit- But to concentrate on control as such is not the Christian ical situation in Moslem lands. The attitude of way, for fellowship is the root of the ministry, and fellow- Americans seems often to be expressed: "In sevship transcends the chasms of East and West. enty-five years a church should reach maturity.
In spite of its seventy-five years the Evangelical 'It should now be left by itself to finish the work Church of Egypt is a young church. The task so well started." The ministers of the young of bringing the teeming population of the narrow church, almost to a man, believe that foreign mis- fertile valley of the Nile and its delta into fellow- sionary help is needed to complete the work so ship with Christ, the Saviour, has only begun. well begun. The Cairo Ministers' Association On the other hand a church with a community of gave to a missionary going home on furlough the 50,000 members and adherents, with an educated following message for the church at home: "Sup- ministry and its own church buildings, is well ad- port your work abroad; send out more mission- vanced towards the Christian ideal. Christ's pur- aries."
Results in Central Africa?
By VIRGINIA M. CLARKE, Bolenge, Africa Teacher in the Congo Christian Institute JOHN A. MACKAY has said that, "the evangel- brotherhood, a deepening of their characters and, istic task is, therefore, to make infinitely above all, a growing church which is rapidly be- meaningful and inescapable the heart of the coming more truly indigenous and has a real con- Gospel, God's revelation of Himself in Jesus viction of the need for a continued spread of the Christ in such a way that personality in its whole- Gospel by means of a more adequately trained ness shall respond to God." Innately religious, Christian leadership. the African has responded to the stimulus of God's love by becoming a Christian who is con- In the Mondombe field Bontamba Mark was scious that his whole life should be influenced by sent as an evangelist to a remote village. After Christ's principles. The Bible has become for only one year the things he had accomplished were him an inspired Book, guiding his thoughts and very evident. Seventeen new houses of better conactions through every hour of every day. This struction and with more adequate ventilation had consciousness of the impelling power of God's been built in the Christian village, sanitary con- Word has resulted in many changes in the Afri- ditions were improved and a clean water supply can's heart, character, attitudes and environment. was assured. A new church building had been erected, two schools were flourishing and fifty- The particular Africans whose progress we are three inquirers were ready for baptism. In the now considering belong principally to the Bank- Bolenge Christian village a number of wells have undo tribe dwelling in the Belgian Congo along been dug, many of them with good clear water. the equator where the Congo River crosses it for New little houses are being built of brick which the second time, in a territory which extends east each home builder has shaped and burned himfrom four to five hundred miles, and reaches self. An ingenious method of building is often north and south about two hundred miles. Living followed. While the family continues to live in grouped together in villages ranging from two the old mud house the brick walls are erected hundred to a thousand people, these Congolese are around the house. When the new roof is in place hearing the Gospel story from teacher evangelists the old home is torn down and the new house entrained in one of the six principal mission stations closes the family. Mark Njoji, the pastor of the which are seeking to serve this great field, Bo- Bolenge church, has just completed a fine brick lenge, Coquilhatville, Lotumbe, Monieka, Wema house, well pointed with cement on the outside and Mondombe. Although many of these evan- and the inside walls smoothly plastered with white gelists have received as yet only a quite limited clay. There he can shelter the many friends and education, their few months or years at the mis- relatives who seek his "house by the side of the sion station in close contact with the missionaries road." and other leaders have resulted in a zeal to win their people for Christ, a desire to improve their In Congo from time immemorial the birth of moral, physical and economic conditions, and a twins has necessitated a complicated ritual, but feeling of brotherhood with all rather than with one year twins were born to a. Christian couple just one closely affiliated group, such as the family attending the Congo Christian Institute at Boor clan. lenge. The parents were brave enough to disobey the heathen superstitions. The mother went to Because of the consecrated efforts of the mis- the mission hospital for the confinement. and sionaries and the native Christian workers rested quietly in bed for ten days instead of takthroughout more than thirty years of this mis- ing a twin on each hip and dancing the length of sion's existence some very definite results of the the village the day after their birth as custom dicimpact of the Gospel on the lives of these particu- tated. These twins were bathed and fed like reglar Congolese are now becoming evident. These ular babies and were not forced to fast at interresults encompass the whole life of the people, for vals. Each baby had a basket bed covered with a we are finding not only better homes, hygiene, piece of mosquito netting. The father actually sanitation, gardens, but also an increasing respect continued to go to school and to study as though for womanhood, a larger measure of charity for he were the father of only one. those outside the family, an expanding feeling of In addition to these exterior aspects of better [569 ]
hygiene and better homes there are more subtle "The women here are the rej oicing of this changes. There is a growing companionship be~ church!' That is very unusual praise for a tween husband and wife and a mutual respect for Congo man to give to women and so marks an each other's personality. One elder in the Lotumbe advance in the men's attitude. As a result of the church and his wife always begin and end the day continued spread of Christian ideals throughout by praying together. Numbers of young couples the Congo its womanhood is being gradually en- are learning through their association in the Sun~ nobled.
day school class, known as the Brave Hearts, to In a heathen society the Congolese feel no reeat together and to share their joys and problems sponsibility for those outside their own immediwith each other. No one who has not known ate families. But after they have heard the story Africa intimately can realize how radical is this of Jesus they learn to care for others. As a change in attitudes and customs. The establish- church or as a missionary society they share troument and development of the Christian home, as bles of their members and try to help them. The the parents learn to nurture their little ones in church at Lotumbe took up a collection for some the faith, is one very outstanding result of the of their members whose houses had burned down, Gospel in Central Africa. they paid for medical treatment and finally burial What About the Women? for a friendless old man who had wandered into town; they brought food and clothing for a sick Someone has said in substance, that no nation and crippled woman who was without a home, and can rise higher than its womanhood. In Congo they gave money each week to a former evangelthe woman's place has always been a degraded ist of the despised Batswa tribe who was ill with one. She is considered a piece of property, a tuberculosis. These are only a few of this housekeeper, a gardener, the bearer of children, church's charitable deeds, and they might be dubut never as a loved companion to be respected plicated in every church in Congo.
and cherished. A Congo proverb says, "To eat The Women's Missionary Society of the Bolenge with a woman is to eat with the devil himself." Church decided to give some gifts of food to one In spite of these traditional attitudes, Christ's of their members who had recently been left a love and principles are resulting in an increased widow with nine children. They brought live fish, respect for women, their personalities and abil- dried fish, manioc, onions, plantains, palm nuts, ities. Manners and little courtesies are often in- two kinds of cakes made of sweet manioc, corn dicative of an inner spirit or attitude, as in a and other food as well as a money gift of fifteen situation which occurred at Lotumbe two years francs (about fifty cents). On their regular meet- ago. A number of the young married couples had ing day the women gathered at the church with just finished a feast in the open air. The Sunday their gifts in large baskets and basins and went vesper service was soon to be held there. Before singing to her home. She had been warned in ad- the meeting the young men were sitting together vance so was wearing a clean dress for the first visiting while the women were putting things time since her husband's death. The house was away in a nearby house. When the women came freshly swept and the children were clean. One out of the house most of them took places some of the women made a little speech presenting the distance away, but the wives of the graduates of gifts and two others prayed. The widow was the Congo Christian Institute came over to where so moved by this expression of their Christian their husbands were sitting. There were not love that tears came to her eyes. The women had enough chairs so those husbands stood up cour- to explain to her that these were outright gifts teously and gave their chairs to their wives. Of and no one expected to receive anything from her, course that little incident doesn't sound a bit for in Congo a gift means that something must strange or unusual to the American woman who be given in return.
is accustomed to every courtesy, but for a heathen The Gospel has meant to the Congolese that in- Congo woman-well, it is simply unheard of. stead of being members of many unrelated tribes Some missionaries were going up the Ubangi with fierce jealousies, hatred and strife predom- River on the mission steamer, "The Oregon." They inating, they now belong to one fellowship with reached Bobolo, where there is an evangelist and love, loyalty and mutual helpfulness as their a good church. Captain John Inkima told them watchwords. This idea has been very aptly ex- about the church there and how the women had pressed by the students of the Congo Christian In- done most of the work of building it. He said stitute, a secondary school established seven years that at one time the men all went back to heathen- ago at Bolenge for the training of a higher type ism, but some of the women kept the church go- of Christian leadership. To that school come stu- ing. Later an evangelist was sent to them and dents of many tribes whose fathers and grand- the church reawakened. Then Captain John said, fathers were traditional enemies. In one gradu-
WHAT RESULTS IN CENTRAL AFRICA?
ating class of fourteen there were nine distinct ries on the affairs of the church with only occatribes represented. From the beginning of the sional counsel from the missionary. To attend the school they have marveled at the strong bond of Sunday morning service at this church is a real Christian love which bound them together and experience; for the pastor, the choir of ten male made them as one tribe. One student in writing voices and the audience join together to make a home to his parents said, "Here we do not belong truly inspiring and reverent period of worship, to different tribes, but to one tribe-the tribe of of which the celebration of the Lord's Supper is God." made the climax. Churches like this one are being duplicated by the score in many outstations This unity was put to the acid test when the throughout the Congo. very first Batswa students entered the school. The Batswa constitute the semi-pygmy slave tribe of Fortunately many government officials realize Congo which for generations has been despised the importance of the Christian evangelist and by the Bankundo and with whom no social inter- give him their support. One government official course was possible. But when these Batswa stu- after visiting with an outstanding evangelist of dents stepped off the boat they were greeted as the Lotumbe field aoout how best to stop some long lost brothers by those in the upper classes. objectionable heathen practices, said to him, Later when one of the Batswa wives was ill and "After all, one of you evangelists can accomplish could not go to the garden and prepare food for more than many soldiers because the people have her husband and four children one of the Bank- learned to respect and love you." Undoubtedly undo women volunteered to help her. She had a the lives and work of some of these earnest nabusy day, for there was water to carry from the tive evangelists, as well as the growth and despring, cassava to dig in the garden, bread to be velopment of the Christian Church in Congo, are made, and greens to be prepared. Having finished outstanding results of the Gospel in Central the household duties she sat down and visited Africa. with the sick mother, telling her all that had been done in school that day. What a revolutionary In the final analysis the very finest results of thing it was for her to have such close contact the Gospel are to be found in the changed lives with a woman of the Batswa tribe! The Gospel and characters of the people who have been message is being exemplified in these young folks' touched by its power. It is impossible to mention lives as they daily practice actual Christian all of the splendid Christians whose lives have brotherhood. been an inspiration to others, for their number is legion. Elima Salome is a deaconess in the Lo- A Phenomenal Growth tumbe Church. Her husband, Mbomba David, is an elder. For years they have kept their Chris- Thirty-one years ago an early missionary of the tian light shining before all people. Elima is a Disciples of Christ Mission, who was leaving leader among the women and was president for a Congo to go on furlough, left one mission station, long time of the Missionary Society, which sup- Bolenge, and about two hundred Christians. To- ported an evangelist in a distant village. She is day there are six stations and over forty-two thou- a Sunday school teacher as well, giving every Sunsand Christians. In the whole of the Congo the day of her radiant personality and Christian ex- Protestant Christians and adherents number more perience to the little ones of Lotumbe. Visiting than a million. All of these, of whatever mission, the sick, sharing with others her food and her belong to one church, L'Eglise du Christ au knowledge of Christ's love, Elima Salome exempli- Congo. This forward step has meant a great deal fies what a true Christian should become. to each individual Christian, for now each one feels more closely bound to his brothers in Christ Among the graduates of the boys' boarding throughout Congoland. This union has likewise school in Bolenge in the early days was Mpoku been a challenge to the Christians to continue Enoch. Early in 1908 he became a Christian and their efforts for a more truly indigenous Church has never once wavered in his faith since that in the Congo. day. A week after his baptism he went to a dis- tant village as a school-teacher. The next year At Coquilhatville, one of the provincial capitals he returned to the mission station and learned to of the Congo, there is a splendid Protestant set type and finally became foreman of the mission Church group which is an inspiration to all be- printing shop. Later Mpoku became enamored cause of the fine way these Congo Christians are of machinery and spent several years as an enconducting the work of their church. The board gineer on river steamers. When he returned to of elders, deacons and deaconesses called as their Bolenge in 1920 he was made a deacon of the pastor Bokomboji Pierre, a graduate of the Congo church. Then while acting as foreman of the Christian Institute, who is one of the five ordained sawmill he was chosen as assistant pastor of the ministers in the Bolenge field. This church is Bolenge Church and in 1927 was ordained to the now self-supporting, and the board of elders car- ministry. While continuing his pastoral duties
he attended the Congo Christian Institute and There are many more in this fine company of graduated in 1933. Since his graduation Mpoku's Congo Christians. There is Lokofe Moses and ministry has been continually blessed. He travels his wife, Weci Marie, who are both supervising for months at a time through the back country schools in Lotumbe; there is Imbanda Joseph villages, strenthening the churches, encouraging who, although holding a government position, is the evangelists, preaching the Gospel and building finding time to build a church in a village where churches. Everywhere Mpoku Enoch goes his there was none; there is Litele Samuel, who is winsome smile, his loving character and powerful the first traveling Sunday school secretary of this words bring many of his brothers to Christ. particular group of churches; there are innumer- able others, men and women, preachers, teachers, A young school-teacher, a graduate of the nurses, carpenters, brick masons, mechanics, Congo Christian Institute, went home and began hunters, fishers and clerks who are living changed his work. Perhaps he expected to find conditions and more abundant lives because of the redeeming very different, for he wrote the following to his power of Christ's Gospel. However, these Congo white teacher: "I am weary in spirit because I Christians and their missionary leaders have a wanted to begin teaching and preaching at once. certain worry deep down in their hearts as they see the present shortage of missionary funds with r find there is no house in which I may live, no its corresponding shortage of both missionary and native leaders to guide the ever increasing numchurch in which I may preach, and no school in ber of young Christians along Christ's difficult which I may teach. Now I must start right at the path. One of Congo's proverbs is, "Bambola very beginning. I have labored in the forest itswa, ioiya, wijima." (Light the lamp, put it bringing in poles for building, and I have cut out, darkness.) The Church of Christ has lighted boards for blackboards. I can't open my school the lamp of God's love in those hearts. Is the materials for there is no place to keep them, and Church in America going to let them drift into they would soon be spoiled. How much there is darkness again for the lack of sufficient guidance to do! We write the lessons on the sand of the and counsel? Or will the Church at home supply village path." What a strong spirit that young the lamps to enlighten Africa? teacher must have! Although he is disappointed in his situation, he is going to work to do and dare for Christ whom he serves.
Into the Forests of Central Africa* What a Pioneering Trip Means to a Missionary REV. A. G. MILL and his wife have lived in his wife have held this fort. Several times a year the Upper Congo for the last twenty-six he makes long trips into the dense forests back years as respresentatives of the English of the river. In a recent letter to his sister he de- Baptist Missionaty Society.. Fifty-five years ago scribes one of these journeys: ThOl:'):las J. Comber and George Grenfell started "As you know there is no summer and no winter in Africa in the generally accepted sense of these work'on the mighty Congo. In his little steamer terms. We made preparations for our tour in June when the intense heat is tempered by the the "Peace," Grenfell explored the Congo Basin heavy rains. We had no road maps to consult and wd~ the discoverer of the great Ubangi trib- since there were no roads. We lra-d no worries about taking dress-up clothes since we would have utary.N'o;wmission .stations, not only of the no social functions to attend-no grand churches in which to worship and no high-class hotels to English Baptist Society but the Disciples of patronize. All our baggage must be carried on the bare backs of the natives and our meals found Christ, the Atnerican Presbyterian Church South, as we went through the forests. We were going back from the great river highway-back into the the Methodist,(:Episcopal Church and the Congo hinterland tribes, some of whom had never seen a white man. Balolo Mission, are working harmoniously. "My wife and r went on bicycles and the na- Mr. Mill is Ideated at a small village situated at tives on foot. Back there tucked away in the the confluence of the Lomami and Congo Rivers. jungle are people with no civilization and with- About ten years ago he asked leave to push for- ward one hundred miles and plant an outstation at Yalikina, his preseJltstation, ,He realized that this was a sttategic lotation if the peoples on the banks of the great !Lomami were ever to be reached with th~ Gospel. Single ,handed he and . t! 1 '. '" .'.
• A letter seDLly, Aofrs. Cla,ra.' Anna Sinclair, of. Caldwell, Kansas.
INTO THE FORESTS OF CENTRAL AFRICA
out knowledge of the heavenly Father. Our faith- started out, the traveling adding to the pain of ful boys led the way, carrying packages. Soon the the injured wrist. road became narrower till only a path was left. Camping for the night under our mosquito net- "On our arrival at the appointed meeting place ting, we were up bright and early the next morn- we found the doctor had not come. We waited all ing. We traveled for several hours when the that afternoon and till the next morning. Our winding trail suddenly became a steep descent. supply of provisions was exhausted by this time Not only so but the ground under us turned into and we were obliged to eat the native roasted loose sand and before long my wife was going monkey and cassava. Suddenly the steamer headlong down the incline gaining momentum at rounded the curve of the river and our hearts every turn. She was thrown forcibly from the leaped for joy. The doctor advised that my wife machine at the foot of the hill, saving herself go back with him. At my wife's request I resomewhat by throwing out her arms as she was frained from going with her, but put her on board pitehed over the handlebars. As I picked her up in the care of our best boys, and with a prayer I could see that her wrist was limp and knew my left her to be taken down river to the mission fear of a fracture to be confirmed. The pain was hospital at Yakusu, 150 miles south, while I reconsiderable. I tried my best to knit the bones traced my steps. With a lonely feeling I ate supbut was not successful. Where should I turn for per and retired, giving instructions for the mornhelp? Behind us there was no doctor for the gov- ing's march. We were plunging into dark forest ernment doctor had left for the upper river some land and soon came to the first of the isolated vildays befoJj'e. Before us there was less hope. The lages. The sight of a white man terrified the only· thing I could think of to do was to send out natives and,· my wife not being with me, made it S.O. S. messages to the government doctor by a harder to reach them. Like frightened children few trusty native carriers. they had to be coaxed out of their grass huts. God's palaver was explained to them and the chief "Off they went while our caravan waited; my passed on the message as he alone knew the trade wife in great discomfort. After five long days language. the messengers returned with the news that the doctor would meet us at a certain point on the After three months Mr. Mill returned to his river in two days. Taking two boys with us we station to find his wife recovered but with a more or less crippled hand.
AN ADVANTAGE OF THE NATIVE PREACHER The color of the preacher weighs far more with the native than we realize. Even in the .. mind of the best natives, even in the hearts of those most warmly attached to us, there is a definite though perhaps often subconscious prejudice against our color; I know of many in- stances where a message full of urgency and power has produced very little effect from the lips of a missionary while that of a native has produced immediate results. A native listen- ing to a moving and powerful address from a white man can quiet his conscience and harden his heart simply by saying, "That's all very well, that's a white man's point of view. It may .0 impress you like that but it is not what we blacks need." But when he hears a black preach with conviction, he is driven from this refuge and has to face the message on its own merits.
Again and again I have come across instances where the final link in bringing a native to Christ has been supplied by a native. He has listened to the white man for years and seemed little affected but one simple remark from a fellow native has gone home like an arrow. I would not belittle the white man's influence but it is unquestional;>le that the native evangelists have advantages over us.
Native preachers are often greatly improved and their value added to by thorough train- ing. In my experience this has been under the three headings: Bible knowledge, general knowledge, the missionary's example.-Rev. W. Singleton Fisher, in Congo Mission News.
Evangelistic Value of Medical
By ROLLA E. HOFFMAN, M.D., Meshed, Persia, On the Staff of the American Christian Hospital DURING my first years on the mission field I they have been reached? "Medical missionary was expected to draw large crowds of pa- work," said Dr. Dugald Christie, of Mukden, "is tients and friends of patients to whom our no mere adjunct to the work of preaching, but is senior clergyman could sell Scriptures and preach an essential and integral part of the work of the the Gospel. This was in the most fanatical Mos- Church." Our Presbyterian Board Manual says, lem city of Persia. The best strategy seemed to "Medical work is not merely a key to open the door be to push forward the medical work and to ac- into non-Christian communities, but is an integral company it with as aggressive preaching as the part of the missionary enterprise." people would tolerate. I was expected to draw the crowds, and the evangelistic missionary was to We have been thinking of the medical work too preach to them. He was treasurer of our little much in its relation to outsiders. We must realize hospital and I occasionally preached and led daily that its usefulness to professing Christians should prayers so that our pioneering went on happily. be no less, especially in the midst of a non-Chris- tian society. Even after fanaticism is dead, and Later the clergyman died, the medical work in- the church has become popular and men flock into creased and a second doctor was sent out. One of it and want to be known as Christians, medical our clergymen expressed the hope that instead of work will still be needed as an integral part of the taking on more patients, the medical staff would work of the church, as a continuous expression of now do more evangelistic work. Instead of that the healing love of our Lord. The new church will we find that the medical work has more than be far stronger, more practical, truer to Christ, doubled, so that now a third doctor has come. The more useful to the nation, if it grows up in close clergymen have most faithfully carried on evan- cooperation with a genuine Christian medical gelistic work in the hospital; the church has been work, which becomes more and more a part of the born and other openings for evangelistic work work of the Church. Perhaps a medical man's have thrust themselves forward. Finally we are antipathy toward doing more "evangelistic work"
advised that "the entire work of healing, both arises from holding to the old idea that it is to conphysical and spiritual, should be carried on by the sist in spending an hour or more a day reading the doctors and their assistants." Scriptures to and haranguing men, pleading with them to "flee from the wrath to come," and, since While this view may not quite represent the our time is limited, neglecting medical treatment attitude of most of our clerical missionaries, it has rather depressed me to realize that our hos- to do it! pitals are looked upon as not such alluring places We might analyze the function of medical misto work. As one of the missionaries puts it, "Given one hundred well men as against one hun- sion work, as composed of its influence upon undred sick men to preach to, I would choose the evangelized outsiders, and its influence upon the well men every time." The preaching mission- members of the church; but after all these ex- press to man the love and spirit and healing of aries' task is to build up the church and more and our Lord, and so bring them to the knowledge of more of their attention is demanded by the prob- Christ. The medical work reaches people who are lems of the growing church and the instruction of not touched by our schools or "direct" evangelistic inquiries. For the rest, the Gospel can be preached workers. They come from conservative Moslem openly through the land; the day of pioneering families, driven by pain and despair; also from has past. Yet at the meeting of medical workers the ultramodern class, who have lost faith in all some years ago in Teheran, protest was made religion. – Men who would never darken the door against the failure of our clerical brethren to ap- of a Christian school, or of a clergyman's house, propriate the .fine opportunity for evangelistic lay aside their pride and come pleading and be- work in our hospitals. seeching for that which they believe Christian doc- What is the exact purpose of our medical work? tors are able to give. It is true that they are in Is it merely a means of attracting people within spiritual need also, and no doubt doctors often range of the Gospel message, or is it useful after miss the underlying spiritual disease, and give [574 ] cascara when what the patient really needs is a with a course in chemistry; an essential part of "mental cathartic." No doubt we often fail to the course, a place where the things explained in add to our medicines the skilful spiritual touch lectures are actually carried out in life. that would remove the real cause and bring a per~ manent cure. We are apt to think too closely merely of the evangelistic effect of our medical work upon pa- For some have more sin than fever, tients; it should be looked for rather in the com- And some have more grief than pain. munity. The great spiritual value of our Lord's healing did not come to those actually healed, but God help me make whole both body and soul to the healthy who beheld the Power and Spirit of Before they go out again. what was done. Men who come to us for physical healing are not often seeking spiritual healing. We must remember that a host of Christian For this reason the work seldom yields spiritual t~rms carry to the Moslem mind a far different results in proportion to the effort expended. The meaning from what we intend. If, as we are fact that our hospitals render a valuable physical sometimes urged, we "joyfully give to them the service in the spirit of love, which requires no mamessage of eternal Life in Christ, through whom terial reward, not even gratitude, shows the peoalone they can attain to perfect harmony and ple that this is Christianity in life, and that Christ health," we shall be merely casting our pearls be~ is not a dead prophet but a living force in the fore swine, with the usual result. How will they world today. This is a very important factor in understand our earnest evangelistic appeal? The the Christianization of the land. It furnishes a man whose disease has not been entirely cured good background for the preaching of the Gospel will put us down as charlatans, trying to cover up in reading room, chapel, school and private conour inability to cure him by introducing another ferences. It softens hearts, not so much the hearts subject! Many a one who has been healed will of the physically ill as the hearts of the commusay to his friends: "Bah! Sons of dogs! These nity's healthy, thinking men. They thus come to Christians treat the sick, but why? They first see the religion of Christ as something living, cure your disease to put you under obligation to vital, essential to their own welfare. Let us emthem, then they insult you by insisting that you phasize anew our real evangelistic task. ought to turn your back on Islam and the greatest of the Prophets and join them with their corrupted Indispensable Elements and altered gospel, with its talk of three Gods, the Son of God (Who begets not, neither is begotten, There are three definite and indispensable elepraise His Name!) and other notions as ignorant ments in a hospital as "an integral part of the and ridiculous. They want to foist on us their missionary enterprise" – efficient medical treatpig~eating and wine-drinking, their immorality of ment, including good nursing; the spirit of Christ women who go about half dressed and with shame- throughout; the simple verbal explanation that less open faces, their money-worship, and denial this is Christian, that He is our strength, and that of the oneness of God !" He is to be praised and thanked rather than the doctors. Is this out of date? Not at all. This is true of many who find their first Christian contact in our With the rapid advance of Persian standards of hospitals. Any attempt to force spiritual results medical work and the passing of the pioneer stage, here results often in the enmity of the patient and we need improved equipment, better laboratories, his friends. Seed sown upon hard, impermeable better assistants; and must limit ourselves to ground will not grow. One task of our hospitals fewer patients. The standard for the hospitals of is that of ploughing, breaking up hard clods, win- Syria has recently been suggested as thirty outning confidence by deserving it. Persistently urg- patients and twenty in-patients per doctor! ing men to become Christians carries to their minds the suggestion that we are getting paid so Our hospitals must be different from the govmuch per head by our government or supporting ernment hospitals, in the Christian love manisociety. Our definite contribution is to bring men fested among ourselves and our helpers. We to the knowledge of Christ; not to persuade them must be the fathers and mothers of our helpers, to become professing Christians. and must teach them Christian principles of life and work. They must learn to serve the poor as In our treatment of professing Christians, it is well as the rich, to be careful, thorough, truthful, our task to lead them to a better knowledge of the sympathetic, clean, patient, cheerful. We need to riches of love in Christ Jesus. We must do a lot develop helpers who are not only efficient in medof teaching and explaining; but we must avoid ical technique – a formidable task in itself – but mere "proselytizing." We need more faith: hav- who will enter into the Christian spirit of the ing ploughed, and sown a little seed, we must work. From the time when a patient enters our await the harvest, not trying to force it. The hospital until he is dismissed, we must make all medical work is like the laboratory in connection contacts with him courteous, patient, Christian.
To this end some form of daily "family" prayers individuals, and the nurses would do more and is essential, when all the hospital force come to- better religious talking with the patients. gether, preferably in the morning, for a few minutes of quiet thinking and worship. Most of our Copies of the Gospels should be available for the Presbyterian hospitals in Persia do not have daily patients to read in the language they know. Often prayers of the whole staff. one man will read to a room full which may be better than for an outsider to do much reading. This is not enough. While showing men the We have found a small cupboard useful as a de- Spirit of Christ, they must be told that this is pository for the books along with various other Christianity. Otherwise this fact, so obvious to books in charge of the senior ward nurses. If the us, will not occur to them at all! Obviously, their Christians are nurses and reasonably intelligent, preconceived ideas of Christianity are not very they will explain passages as patients ask quesfavorable, else many of them would already have tions. The doctor also may occasionally explain a been Christians. Here careful definition is neces- passage. sary. Our task is not to persuade them to become professing Christians, in order to "flee from the A certain amount of social service work is wrath to come," by the magical Name of Jesus, greatly needed, and it sometimes seems that spebut they must learn that it is He who has equipped cial workers ought to be available for it. Without and empowered us for this task. In all fairness this, the medical work often fails to do quite we must give Him the praise and glory for what enough. For example, a young, illiterate daywe are able to do, as much for the sake of our own laborer suffered from a broken leg when a wall integrity as Christians as that they may thank fell on it. He was in the hospital seven weeks, Him for their cure. making a satisfactory recovery. He was well fed and nursed and heard the Gospel explained daily; As to the technique of this, opinions will differ. but he seemed depressed and apathetic. Some- We must appear frankly and openly before our thing else was needed that the hospital was unable helpers and patients as Christians. We may lead to supply. The meagre family income was suda prayer service, preach occasionally, make it a denly cut off and his wife and two children were practice to have a word of prayer before each op- destitute. When he went home he found that one eration, or in other ways reveal our dependence on of the children had died, and his wife had wan- Christ. But in praying for patients we should dered away to another city with the other child. avoid praying before them that they become He was unable to work for a week after his dis- Christians. That will spoil things and lead them charge, as the leg was stilI weak. Had his family to think that after all we are not so much inter- been relieved during his illness and had he been ested in healing their diseases as in trying to given some hand work to do to earn a little money proselytize them for the sake of the bonus that while recovering, and had he been taught to read, our government gives us. This was reported in using the Gospel of John as a textbook, he might Meshed a few years ago to be $400 a head. We have been definitely enriched instead of embittered should pray for their recovery; that the blind eye toward life. Here is a problem that frequently may be made to see, the pain and disease removed, presents itself in a land where the wolf hovers too and the heart made perfectly happy by finding near the door. What a service the Persian Church real peace. might render the community by tiding such folks over their time of need! A clergyman should be connected with each hospital, for several reasons. The teaching possi- In every station where there is medical work bilities of our hospitals have been largely lost there should be a committee on evangelistic work sight of because too much time has been given to in the hospital, consisting of the medical staff and trying to "win" men to an open profession of a man and a lady evahgelist to plan the work and faith. This teaching work is properly the task of draw the general picture. The medical workers the clergyman who should plan it and carry out should be members and attendants of the local a schedule of addresses, lantern talks, etc. He church. A clergyman and a lady evangelistic could profitably make rounds with the doctors worker should be assigned to evening work in the once a week, thus appearing before patients as hospital on a more definite schedule. The evanone in real sympathy with them. He would thus gelistic work should consist in instruction rather keep in touch with the medical work, see any of than "proselytizing," and special care should be his friends who happened to be patients, see the exercizea. to avoid injuring the sensibilities ef even Christian members of the staff at work, and keep the most fanatieal patients or their friends. The the evangelistic side of the work regularly before whole missionary effort should be directed toward .the doctor's mind. He should also stand ready to making the medical work genuinely and wholly talk with any who ask for him. The doctor would Christian, in spirit and in fact, an "integral part have occasional suggestions to make about certain of the missionary enterprise," and a part of the coming Christian society in Persia.
Are Jews! *
The Challenge of American Jewry to the Church By the REV. JOHN STUART CONNING, Secretary of Jewish Evangelization, Board of National Missions "WHY, they're Jews!" was the astonished What America Means to the Jews exclamation of an urban pastor when re- America, however, has spelled more than oppor- tunity to the Jew; it has signified a new environ- minded that he had probably several ment and all the things that go with it-adapta- tion, modification, change. Things are not as they hundred members of the race of Jesus living in were among the Jews. The traditional Jewish life of Eastern Europe has gone beyond recall. Under his parish to whom he might be spiritually help- the constant pressure of American industrial and commercial life, traditional Jewish customs are ful. Another pastor,. in response to the same re- generally disregarded, while the acceptance of modern scientific and philosophical concepts has Tmhineydegr~ said: "We have no contact with Jews. robbed the ancient faith of its sanctions. The their way and we go ours." A third re- Saturday Sabbath no longer dominates Jewish communities. The dietary laws are less and less plied: "Really, I 'have never thought of that!" rigidly observed. Inter-marriage is on the in- crease. And what is giving Jewish leaders grave And this last reply is doubtless the reason so many concern is the disspiriting drift from the syna- gogue. Rabbi Goldenson, of Temple Emanu-el, pastors and churches are not Jew-conscious and New York City, recently expressed his disappoint- ment that in a city with two million Jews, not have not sought to share with their Jewish neigh- more than fifty thousand were in regular attend- ance at synagogue services. bors the spirit and faith of Jesus as Saviour and Side by side with these trends away from the Lord. And this is the reason also why there has ancient Jewish heritage and the decline of the old reverences there has been observable in many grown up in this country a Jewish situation that areas of Jewish life a real yearning and search for spiritual satisfaction. The Jew today is openchallenges the best thought and statesmanship minded as he has not been for generations. He will listen to anyone who offers surcease from perthat the Church can command. sonal or social ills. Christian Science has won so large a Jewish following that a movement within The situation has grown upon us so gradually. Judaism called "Jewish Science" has been devised to stay the drift. Socialism with its doctrine of The few thousand Jews in America at the middle human brotherhood and practice of social equality has enlisted in its ranks tens of thous'ands of of the last century have increased through immi- young Jewish working people. Every modern cult has a Jewish following. gration, mainly from Eastern Europe, until ~o~ay Christianity, too, has its chance. There is a we have in the United States nearly five mllhon spirit of inquiry among Jews which is leading them by thousands to read the New Testament, Jews, about one-third of all the Jews in the world. visit Christian churches, listen to sermons over the radio and give consideration to the claims of New York, with its two million Jews, is the larg- Christianity. There is an encouraging response of Jews to the Gospel when presented with symest center of Jewish life known to history, while pathy and understanding. The neighborhood house approach has been found particularly ef- Chicago has more Jews than Warsaw, and Phila- delphia than Vienna or Kiev. And here the Jews have prospered phenomenally. They have taken commercial and educational advantages to the full and have come to the fore in many de- partments of our American life. The clothing, jewelry, tobacco and other industries are largely in their hands. Their influence is felt in the pro- fessions, in law, medicine, education, journalism, art, literature, wherever the call of opportunity appeals to their eager, restless spirit. The amuse- ment business, as represented by the theater, mov- ing picture, and radio are largely controlled by Jews. And when we look at our public life and think of such names as Lehman, Morgenthau, Brandeis or Cordozo, we realize the high place occupied by Jews in national affairs. We have here not only the largest Jewry in the world, but the most influential. What happens to the Jews in America will effect every Jewry on the globe. Is not this a challenge to the Church?
• From The Presbyterian, Philadelphia. fective. When Jews are dealt with as friends and [577 ]
neighbors with whom it is a privilege to share the way of Pharaoh and Haman, of deTorquemada through the fellowship of daily association the and Pobyedonostev. But it is not the Christian Good News concerning God's love in Jesus Christ, way. His Son, there are spiritual results that gladden the hearts of all who are concerned for the re- The challenge to the Church is clear. Christians demption of Israel. Not only rabbis and orthodox must rebuke racial prejudice and create Christian Jews, but atheists, radical socialists, and commu- attitudes toward the Jewish people. We have in nists have come under the spell of Jesus Christ our hands the key for the solution of the Jewish and have yielded their lives to Him as Saviour problem. It fits every ward of the complicated and Lord. lock. We possess a Gospel, born of infinite love for all mankind, which can subdue prejudice and The First Hebrew Christian Church, of Chi- ill will and conquer all aversions and hatreds. To cago, organized last year, is a demonstration of apply that Gospel to the healing of the world's the fact that Jews can be reached with the Gospel sorrows is the task of the Church. It must be and that they are willing to share in the extension applied to the healing of the age-long sorrows of of the cause of Christ, not only among their own the Jew. The place to begin is in the Church itpeople, but throughout the world. The minister, self. Little progress can be made in commending officers and members of this church are all Jews, the faith of Christ to His own people if those who as are the officers and teachers of the Sunday are its witnesses deny its fundamental ethic. school. Each individual has come into the church through a definite religious experience and can This is a time of crisis for the Jew. It is a time bear personal testimony to the reality of the faith of testing for the Church. If the Church awakes he has confessed. to its unparalleled opportunity a work may be done here in America for Christ's own people far There are many pastors who have discovered transcending anything that has been attempted that Jews are not only approachable, but respon- since the days of the Apostles. sive to the claims of Christ when presented with a loving heart. More than two thousand mem- "BY HAND PICKING" bers of the Hebrew race are now connected with the Presbyterian Church as ministers, mission- There is much significance in these sentences aries, church officers, and members, loyal in her from Bishop John M. Springer's account, in The service and generous in the support of her work Christian Advocate, of recent widespread converat home and abroad. The fact that there are sions in Africa: over 3,300 Presbyterian churches alone that are located in places where there are Jews, and have "All we students at the theological seminary the opportunity to render them service, calls us recently went to Maranke for ten days, and there to accept this God-given opportunity to share we had a wonderful time in our camp meeting," with our Jewish neighbors, as with other unevan- Demas Chama, of the Congo, student at Old Umgelized people, the Gospel of divine love, God's tali, Rhodesia, wrote me recently. answer to the cry of every human heart. Demas continues: "Then we went to Gandan- Not the least part of the challenge that comes zara, where we had another chance, and spent ten to the Church in relation to the Jewish people is days preaching to them the word of life and the the rising tide of anti-semitism in America. Hith- everlasting Kingdom. . . . We all came closely to erto, this country has been singularly free from Jesus, our Saviour; the people numbered 2,500. organized anti-Jewish movements. What little we have had has been short-lived. Prejudice has ex- r saw an old woman stand up and begin to preach, isted, but has found little expression beyond the utterances of individuals. Now, however, anti- and another old man did the same, till all the semitism has become a menace, not only to Jews, camp meeting became on fire for God the Father but to American ideals and the peace and harmony of all nations. There were three great chiefs, of our people. Jew hatred that has spread its Gandanzara, Mukahanana, and Chikuruwo. These blight over Germany, Poland, and other Euro- Christian chiefs stood and said that their feelings pean countries has made its appearance in our were no more as great men we call chiefs, but as own land. Nazi propaganda has planted its cells the servants of Jesus Christ." … in many American cities. Other anti-semitic movements bear the brand, "Made in America." It is During the past five years, in spite of the wholesaid that no fewer than six hundred centers of sale depression which the French more aptly call .anti-Jewish, propaganda exist to foster prejudice :;tgainst the Jews and impose upon them racial a La Crise, there has been what might· well be 'disabilities. It is the old, old way of meeting the Jewish problem, the way of hatred and oppression, termed "mass movement" of converts to ·Christ in all of our African Conferences. But it has come about in the natural way prescribed by our Lord: the going out by the converts to tell the good news to others. This great harvest has not been brought about by a windfall but by hand picking.
Catholic Activity I•n Pagan
I By KENNETH G. GRUBB, Survey Department, The World Dominion Press, London -··~t I ~========================~ THE Roman Catholic Church has been giving in the Belgian Congo, speaking reeently at Leo- constantly increasing attention to missionary poldville, said: expansion. The Church is no longer content to remain within traditional bounds, if she has The Catholic Church is not Belgian, or French, Eng- lish, Italian or American; it is Catholic; Belgian in Bel- ever been. The passing of centuries has witnessed gium, French in France, Italian in Italy…. In the Congo the stay of the advance of Islam in Europe. The it must be Congolese; in the construction of sacred ediweakness of the (Greek) Orthodox Church has fices, in the manufacture of objects for use in liturgical long been apparent. The Protestant churches functions, lines and colors and all the elements of Congo- lese art must be scrupulously observed. . . . When the have been hampered by the catastrophe of the natives are in church they must not feel that they are in World War and the limitation imposed upon Ger- a strange house; they must feel that they are in their own man missions for economic and political reasons. church.
The chaos of the times has thrown into strong The year 1936 marks the tenth anniversary of relief those advantages which accrue to central- the publication of the encyclical Rerum Ecclesiae,: ized control, while concealing the disadvantages. in which world-wide evangelization was stressed, Under these circumstances the Roman Catholic with special emphasis on the training of native· Church in recent years has rightly seen an un- clergy and a general "indigenous" policy.
precedented opportunity for expansion. The The Propaganda controls considerable financial whole administrative machinery of the Vatican, resources. The financial settlement which was a headed by the Pope, is known as the curia, the part of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 between the highest body of which is the College of Cardinals. Italian State and the Vatican involved the pay- The political affairs of the curia are handled by a ment to the latter of about $87,000,000, and it is Cardinal Seeretary of State, and the spiritual af- understood that the greater part of this is to be fairs by eleven congregations or councils. One of devoted to missions. As Catholic clergy areceli- the latter is the Congregation de Propaganda bate the expense on personnel is relatively light.
Fide, known as the Propaganda. It was organ- Extraordinary efforts have been made to arouse ized in the seventeenth century, reorganized in the interest of the faithful in the cause and thus 1908, and is the missionary arm of the Church. to gain their support. The union of clergy on It meets twice a month and has charge of those behalf of missions has been recommended in the regions where the hierarchy is not established. most authoritative quarters, and regional con- Its auxiliaries, or mobile forces, are the various gresses are held to concentrate attention on the religious orders, and it has its own funds. appeal and the opportunity. Along with "Catholic The first advantage possessed by Roman Cath- Action," the mission field has been the cause olic missions is unity of control or direction, in- which has most often been kept before the troducing co-ordination into the work of the re- Church.
ligious orders which otherwise would consume These considerations naturally constitute a their energies in mutual jealousies. It is quite background to all Roman Catholic expansion in possible that a certain amount of flexibility and the mission fields of the world. In reeent years spontaneous spiritual impulse is lost through this especial attention has been given to Central unity of direction, but its advantages must be ad- Africa. Of the funds which the Propaganda con- mitted. Not the least of these has been that the troIs about one-quarter has been devoted to Africa well-known missionary interest of the present -equal to the amount allocated to China, and Pope has been reflected in an increase of activity. twice that given to India.
The Roman Catholic Church is also following The expansion of Roman Catholicism in Cen- a policy of "nationalization" designed to harmo- tral Africa has been great, although it would be a nize the development of the Church with the cul- mistake to exaggerate it. It is helped by certain ture and outlook of each land. A number of in- powerful factors in the political situation. In digenous bishops have been consecrated, although British Africa the Roman Catholic missions are not, as yet, an African. The Apostolic Delegate on the same footing as other religious bodies; [579 ]
they receive, for example, educational grants-in- frequent. But Protestanism rarely benefits to aid, provided their schools reach the requisite any great extent from a political hostility which standard of efficiency. Their standing before the is directed primarily against the Catholic Church.
law is the same as that of Protestant missions; Governments should treat all churches alike under they are treated with s.crupulous fairness and a legislation which is really intended only to re- impartiality by administrative officers; and it strain offenders. If, therefore, Protestants do not should also be added that the fact of the Anglican suffer from political pressure on the accusation of Church being an established Church in England "denationalization," they are apt to be ground brings no appreciable advantage to Protestant between the nationalist policy of governments and missions. No discrimination is made against mis- the interests of the dominant Church which are sionaries of any religion on the ground of their opposed to it.
nationality, now that the postwar restrictions Italian Africa against German missionaries have been removed. In January, 1936, the departure of the last of the Swedish missionaries from Eritrea was an- It is unfortunate that, in the colonies of powers nounced. Their home going was undoubtedly acwhose religious traditions have been molded by celerated by the international situation; but for the Papacy, the same fair treatment has not al- many years it had been clear that, unless the sitways been given to Protestant missions. Roman uation changed, the work would be closed. The Catholic spokesmen have sedulously inculcated the Swedish Mission was founded in 1865, before idea, in season and out of season, that Catholicism Eritrea had come under Italian control. The early is the hallmark of good citizenship; and that, as Italian governors viewed the mission with favor a consequence, not to be a Catholic is to fail in and benevolence. A church with a Christian comloyalty to the State. Telling examples of this in- munity of some ten thousand souls was built up; sidious propaganda are given below. Thus Prot- a notable literary activity was developed, to which estant missions are attacked on the grounds that the native Christians made a solid spiritual and they "denationalize" the native, and pressure is intellectual contribution; and a chain of schools exerted to compel local administrations to impose was established. But these very activities, linhampering conditions on their activities.
Moreover, the colonial policies of Great Britain guistic and educational, provoked official hostility.
and of the Latin nations are different in their gen- They were precisely the activities which, from eral outlook. The "Dual Mandate" fostered by one point of view, hindered national assimilation, Britain in Africa, and so successfully tried out in placing membership in the Kingdom of God above Nigeria, provides for a proper recognition of the' that in the Kingdom of Italy. About 1917 the constructive ideas in native social customs, and Italian attitude to Protestant missions changed; encourages the use of native languages when they missionaries on furlough could not return and are widespread and obviously of general utility. new recruits were not admitted. The Italian The policy of assimilation followed by most Latin Franciscans were able to strengthen their staff, governments, notably the French, Italian and and Roman Catholic propaganda increased.
Portuguese, is inimical to the perpetuation of Portuguese Africa tribal identity, and seeks to supplant native cus- toms and languages by those of the colonizing For a long time a systematic attempt has been power. Protestantism, with its emphasis on the made in both Portugal and its African colonies Word of God, has tended in its mission work to to discredit Protestant missions. The Angola make much use of the presentation of Christian press, especially in Luanda, is constantly publish- truth in the natural language of the people. The ing articles setting forth the necessity of Catholi- result is that Protestant missions in the colonies cizing the colony. Statements, manifestly devoid of "Latin" nations are open to a double attack. of foundation, are continually made in Portugal The Roman Church attacks them on the ground to the detriment of Protestant missions, and the that Catholicism best ministers to the religious widespread medical, educational, social and evan- and cultural traditions of the State; political gelistic work done by the Protestant missions is pressure is apt also to bear adversely on them on completely ignored. Here is a recent example.
the ground that they are instruments of "dena- At a pub.Iic meeting on colonial questions, on Feb- tionalization." When, therefore, the interests of ruary 20 of this year at the Geographical Society Catholicism can be made to agree, if only tempo- of Lisbon, which was reported at length in the rarily, with those of nationalism, as in Portugal papers; the lecturer opened by quoting the Min- today, Protestant missions are faced with a grave ister of Colonies in 1935 to the effect that Prot- issue. Nationalism, however, is fundamentally in- estant missions were working against Portugal, compatible with the ideals of Roman Catholicism, whereas the pupils of the Catholic schools of Ben- and clashes between the Church and State are guela were proud to repeat, "Weare Catholics and
ROMAN CATHOLIC ACTIVITY IN PAGAN AFRICA
'Catholic' is synonymous with 'Portuguese.'''* Christ. On the outcome of this struggle will de- This kind of thing could be multiplied indefinitely, pend the type of Christianity which is to prevail with examples from both the East and West Afri- in this great area of Central Africa.
can possessions of Portugal. In 1934 121,109 adults were reported baptized Roman Catholic baptisms in Angola numbered in Catholic missions. There are 805 foreign and 43,000 in 1934, and the number of adherents is 37 native priests, in addition to numbers of lay put at 425,000. The figure of 291,000 was given brethren and sisters. The total missionary force in 1931. If these figures are accurate, it is evi- already numbers over 2,000. From one boat dent that a notable increase has taken place. The which arrived at Matadi in November, 1935, 80 prelature of Mozambique, which owing to special disembarked, representing 19 orders. Over 1,200 circumstances does not depend on the Propa- young native men are in training for the priest- ganda, but on the Congregation of Extraordinary hood. Pupils in Catholic schools number 454,969.
Foreign Affairs, reports only 9,250 Catholics in Ruanda Urundi is mandated territory, where 1932. The subsidy of approximately £40,000 is conditions are somewhat different. Article 8 of given to Roman Catholic missions in Angola, with the Mandate binds the mandatary to ensure "comprivileges, such as workers' exemption from cus- plete freedom of conscience and the free exercise toms dues and hut taxes. No subsidies are given of all forms of worship which are consonant with Protestant bodies. public order and morality." There has been some Belgian Africa controversy over the nature of the rights thus guaranteed, and the question was recently raised The difficulties of the last few years in the at the Permanent Mandates Commission in Ge- Congo have received much attention, but the pres- neva. The Governor-general of the Congo has ent Governor has shown himself well disposed to decided on a policy which should insure to Prot- maintain the provisions of the Colonial Charter estants the liberty to which they have a clear title.
and the Convention of St. Germain-en-Laye, guar- Spanish and French Africa anteeing freedom of conscience and the free exer- cise of all forms of religion. In recent years The trend of events "in this limited sphere illusgrave cases of abuse have occurred, whereby trates the other tendency, namely, the determina- Protestant natives have been subjected to unfair treatment, and even physical violence. But the tion of the government to limit some of the pre- tensions of Roman Catholic missions. A o.ecree real question has been educational. The situation was issued in 1935 in Madrid which has also limis peculiar in the Congo inasmuch as all education ited the activities of some of the Protestant misis left in the hands of missions. There has been sionaries. But as some of these questions are now no legislation against Protestant schools, but no being considered, it is not wise to discuss them government grants have been available for them, and few, if any, government posts have been open in print. to their graduates. The educational system set up in 1927 recognizes. only "national," which in There is evidence to show that, although in cerpractice means Roman Catholic, schools, and con- tain regions of French Africa the Roman Catholic fines all government eoucation to Roman Catholic Church is making great efforts, its success will teaching orders. Any capitulation to the threat depend on the legitimate use of its own energies contained in this situation on the part of Prot- and resources. If local authorities show bias, or estants would have the effect of leaving all educa- favoritism, this is generally due to local circumtion in the hands of the Roman Catholic missions. stances, and receives censure rather than en- dorsement from higher officials and from the colonial ministry when the circumstances are ex- The Annuaire des Missions Catholiques au plained. Nevertheless, perhaps in. no part of Congo Belge states that Catholics in the Belgian Africa is it so necessary that missionaries should Congo and Ruanda Urundi now number 1,232,018, have an adequate knowledge of the language of and catechumens 1,032,660, making a total of over the governing power, and a proper acquaintance two and a quarter millions. In another article in with the colonial traditions which have molded this report it is shown that there are about a mil- French policy in Africa. For this reason all mislion Protestants in the Congo; three and a quar- sionaries are advised to study in Paris, if possible ter million Christians therefore exist in the region for two years, and certainly not for less than six today, among a population of some fourteen mil- months. A more detailed discussion of consideralions. Ten and three-quarter millions are still tions which affect all intending missionaries and in paganism, and the struggle which lies ahead all secretaries and board members of missions will be an effort to bring to these spiritual life in which carry responsibilities in French territory • As reported in the Diario de Noticias. Lisbon, February 21, may be found in a paper by M. Leenhardt, of 1'936. Paris, Initiation des Missions Etrangeres en
Colonie Fran~aises. The essential points raised ture will lie in one or other of these directions. by M. Leenhardt are being set out in the review, This article should not be construed as a po- World Dominion. lemic against the Roman Church. That Church Although we may consider that Catholicization has every right to use all the legitimate means is a superficial form of evangelization, and is, within her power to advance her cause and the therefore, of little importance to us, its impor- Christianization of pagan peoples. But it is evitance arises precisely from its superficiality. The dent that the Protestant and Catholic communions point at issue is, whether we shall regard the hold ideas of liberty and tolerance which differ in evangelization of Central Africa as that of a theory and clash in practice. Further, to the expagan people whose grosser superstitions are tent to which modern governments are influenced bound in any case to disappear; or must we, in by these ideas, to that extent do they embody a years to come, contemplate a Catholic-pagan pop- broad-minded or a narrow policy in colonial legulation and expect either a Reformation such as islation. It may yet prove possible to resolve Europe experienced in the sixteenth century, or some of these differences in a spirit of Christian the type of evangelization that now characterizes charity. In the long run, however, it is as well Latin America or southern Europe. If we con- to remember that Christian love alone can claim sent to the present rapid spread of Roman irresistible power; without it the attempt to move Catholicism in Africa the prospects of the fu- mountains by faith is but wasted labor.
What Christ Has Done for Banyankole ANKOLE is only a small district of the Uganda who still follow that custom, but there are many .r. Protectorate, and the writer belongs to this Christian men having each but one wife who are living pure lives. Children who used to grow up country. The Banyankole, the inhabitants in their heathen homes and so learned all the evil of this district, are divided into two tribes: Aba- of such homes are now taken to school and are hima, the cattle-people, and Abairn, agricultur- taught about Christ and His love. ists. The former is the ruling tribe. To estimate what.Christ has done and is doing for my people, As already stated, Ankole is only a small dis- I must touch nearly every department of their trict of Uganda Protectorate, and there are many lives, and compare it with the pre-Christian state such districts in Uganda. There used to be conof things. The government used to be despotic. tinual wars and disputes between the various dis- The king had all power in his hands, and had some tricts, and even among the people of the same chiefs under him. Most of the kings were cruel district. The Abahima despised the Abairn and tyrants, and the chiefs who ruled under them were could not even eat with them. Now the love of very much influenced by their king in the way Christ has been shed in their hearts and the wars, they treated their people. One is likely to at- disputes and all other things which separated peotribute the good government of the country, since ple are ceasing. I am writing this article while Christianity came, and the peace and satisfaction on a mission of preaching the Gospel with a team in the people's hearts only to the British govern- of friends, some of whom have traveled over three ment. There is much truth in that view, but it is hundred miles, and the team is made up from difnot the whole truth. I know that the rulers have ferent tribes, a thing which my father some forty feelings of their own, influenced by their belief in years ago would not have dreamed of. Christ. Now there is still a king who rules the country, but not despotically, and he and the chiefs Several things are greatly needed for winning are quite different from their predecessors. There Africa for Christ. We need keen missionaries, are many chiefs who are honest, truthful and just, men and women who are out and out for Christ and who sympathize with their poor people. and the Africans. We need money to help with the work. People have not yet learned to give as The next thing to consider is the religion of the they ought, and in many of the districts of people. In olden days they worshiped the evil Uganda- people are very poor. But I think the spirits and the spirits of their ancestors, and were greatest need is to get Africans who are really very superstitious. Today there are thousands who converted and on fire for winning their brother have become Christians, and to these the time of and sister Africans to Christ. These would know spirit worship and superstition has passed. the difficulties of their' people, and they could deal with them and show them how they themselves In home life Christ has done and is doing much have been helped to conquer those same difficulties. for the people. Men used to have several wives, and even today there are many of the Christians REV. ERICA SABITI, Ankole, Uganda.
I Am a
By FLORENCE WALNE, Shimonoseki, Japan T o STAND at a crossing where all the road- full measure of the skepticism which has this peo- ways of the world come together to follow ple in its grip; a meeting of mothers who have them with the mind to those far corners to no conception of the meaning of a home with God which they lead-across the shining waterways in it (though gods they may have a-plenty!); an of the earth-to lands unseen and peoples unmet: organization of young girls so apt to go adrift to know, somehow, that one of those roads is with nothing by which to steer their course. I yours; to definitely set your face in the direction stand before them with the Bible in my hand- in which it goes; to companion by the way with mine the privilege, mine the sacred duty, mine Him who said, "Let us cross to the other side," the high honor of interpreting the Message of all and to find at the end that one service you were men's Father to these His children who know Him put here to find I-Who but a foreign missionary not. Mine the Bread of Life to give, mine the Liv- can know what it is like and what foreign mis- ing Water, mine the Abundant Life which comes sionary can really tell anyone about it? with the possession of Christ. Like Frederic My- "Why do you do it?" an English neighbor in ers' Paul, Shimonoseki (Japan) used frequently to ask me. Then, with a rush, the intolerable craving The question was accompanied by a deeply puz- Shivers throughout me like a trumpet call, zled look which indicated the sincerity of the ques- and the desire to give them something, something, tioner's desire to know. She was a former actress before they go away-some of them never to reon the London stage, whose life had held no place turn-amounts to a passion terrific and exhaustfor religion in any form, and in Japan only be- ing. cause her husband was in business here, chafing constantly at the necessity which kept her in this And how could I tell of that joy,-surpassing part of the world. My being here as a matter of other joys in depth and solemnity-which comes deliberate choice was something utterly beyond with the knowledge that God has let me lead one her grasp; how could I tell her so that she could of His seeking children to where He might be understand? That understanding in some meas- found. The illuminating effect, in one's own spirure, did come to her, as she told me in a letter after itual life, of such an expe~ience is beyond the moving to another town. "I went to a reception power of words to convey. I never felt this more recently," she wrote, "and met only one woman strongly than when one of our loveliest girls died, whose face attracted me. I was not surprised a little over a year ago, very soon after she had when I learned that she was the only missionary found Christ.
present that night. I think that before I left Until a few short months before she died, Shimonoseki I got a glimmer of why you are over The Christ to her was all unknown. here and why you are happy to be here and no But she made such haste to open wide where else." How that glimmer reached her I do Her heart, and sweep it clean of faiths outgrownnot know, for truly one does not, cannot, speak Legacies of a pagan age, far past and dim, of the great forces which wrestle with one's soul Of quests for the truth her forbears sought to knowwhen once the hand of God has fallen upon it. And give all its generous room to Him, Whose beauty in that first hour filled her so. There is the silence of a spiritual crisis, That when (so soon it seemed to us) there came Through which your soul, exquisitely tortured, That last great call from Him-to leave all on earth Comes with visions not to be uttered And earth itself-it was with just that same Sweet readiness, that quick response to worth Into a realm of higher life. Revealed in Him-the Bridgegroom of the soul- That she obeyed. And tired young body all forgot, How could I, for instance, ever communicate Pain all forgot, in garments, shining, whole, that feeling which comes over me with a rush Bride-like, her spirit went to Him, tarrying not.
some ntiomnebse1wl· ehveenrsI -satacn1dasbsefoofreyoaugnrgoumpeno,f Japa- While I, who on a darkened way nese eager Sought to give a fellow-traveler light, and thoughtful regarding life, but endowed with a Sharing the strength of my own dim ray, [583 ]
Find the road grown luminous and bright ,happy, beyond words, that it led me to Japan. I With a radiancy which far outshone have found, I know beyond all doubt, my service My own! here. The sense of belonging is so complete and satisfying. There is no question of sacrifice. That Not that a missionary is a constant dweller on would come in having to go away, leaving my task unfinished. To retrace one's steps over one's road, rarified spiritual heights! I wonder if it is possi- away from "that one service" in which one found so much joy-that would be a sacrifice which I ble to imagine blacker des-pair than I have known pray may not be asked of me.
in hours of questioning my fitness for the task to When Time's little day has slipped away into the shadows of a forever-closed past-when the which I am committed? I heard Dr. Speer say, endless Tomorrow has dawned for souls at home with the Father, I fancy that a large company at a Student Volunteer Convention many years will gather about the Master, and, just as the dis- ciples did on their return from missions upon ago, that a missionary's preparation for his work which He had sent them, they will tell Him, each one, of what happened on the one road each had consists in getting possession of the Gospel Mes- taken, of what each had seen, and felt, and said, and done! How free then will be the talk-of forsage. (1) In his mind, "he must know what he is est trails and lonely huts in Africa, and of black men joining the "Tribe of God"; of how India's to say and be clear that he believes it, for the day many faiths and creeds gave way before "The Christ of the Indian Road"; of how China broke will come when he will stand with it,all alone, through a fog of bewilderment and uncertainty, superstition and strife, to the light shed by the speaking to men who are absolutely secure in their personality of the Prince of Peace; of how all the many "systems" in Japan-the social and indusposition of challenge and of doubt." (2) In his trial, educational and religious, bec'ame permeated with the spirit and thought of Jesus; of how He life, ". . . for the people to whom he goes can- was made to walk again in Bible lands, under- stood, received and adored; and so on around the not see a Christ who is not incarnated for them." world which God so loved that He gave His Son to save. How easy it will be then to break the Doubt as to whether one has the first of these silence of years and how sweet the understanding and fellowship! I would rather have a seat in two qualifications may, perchance, never trouble that gathering of "returned missionaries" than a throne in the greatest kingdom on earth! one, but how often the doubt as to whether one "PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER" can lay claim to the second requirement brings JAMES 5: 16 on sleepless nights and hours of agony! If we I cannot tell why there should come to me missionaries were only more completely in pos- A thought of someone miles and miles away, session of the Message in our lives, the peoples of In swift insistence on the memory- Unless there be a need that I should pray. these lands to which we have come would not be Too hurried oft are we to spare a thought, so long in opening their hearts to receive the For days together, of some friend away, Christ whom we preach and then deny! Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought To read His signal as a call to pray. Another difficult but, to my mind, very essen- Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer fight, tial thing in a missionary is the ability to give his Some overwhelming sorrow or decay life to the people and to the particular task to Of courage; darkness, some lost sense of right; And so, in case he needs my help, I pray. whom and to which it has been dedicated and, at Friend, do the same for me! If I, unsought, the same time, keep a place in his heart for fields Intrude upon you, on some crowded day, and phases of missionary endeavor other than his Give me a moment's prayer, in passing thought, Be very sure I need .it: therefore, pray. own. A missionary should be the most broad- MARIANNE F ARNINGHAM. minded, the biggest-hearted, the most widely and deeply sympathetic man on God's earth. How can a true missionary be otherwise? The missionary vision must necessarily include a world won for Christ. The Master's thoughts were never only for those to whom He happened to be ministering at any particular time, but "other sheep have I which are not of this cfaorled,"trHemeesnadi~dusalnYd embraced all in His love. To about the world, even as P·aul, and Livingstone, and other great missionary souls have done! "Read your home letters first," said Stanley. "You must be impatien.t for them." "Oh," said Livingstone, "I have waIted for years for letters. I can wait a few hours longer. No, tell me first, how's the world getting on?"
Forbes Robinson, in his Letters, s'ays that his father on his death bed cried, "If I had a thousand lives to give I would give them all all to the min- istry!" If I had a thousand lives to give I believe I would want to give them all to missionary work for Christ. But since I have only the one, and so could follow only one of the many roads, I am
Christ Found Me in
The Story of Ajitadass, Translated by MASON OLCOTT, Vellore I WAS born a Jain in Banyan Village, six miles shady place where with great joy I prayed, was from Tindivanam, South Arcot District. My quiet and read my Bible. I carried my school family are the strictest of vegetarians, eating textbooks outside of my Bible and used to read no meat, eggs, onions or radishes. They never eat them when anyone came near. During the year I after dark and strain all they drink, so as not to used to walk every Sunday to attend the mission kill any animal life, however small. They gave church, six miles each way. I made no distinction me the name Ajitadass, Servant of Ajita, the Un- in my treatment of Untouchables and was deconquerable, the second of the great Jain saints. spised for doing this.
I was scrupulous in performing all my religious The following June I was allowed by my family duties. to return to Tindivanam and went regularly to Up to the third class I studied in the Banyan church. One Sunday I decided to remove my Village school. Then I was sent to live in the Jain caste mark and sacred thread; even when the Dis- Hostel at Tindivanam where we learned Sanskrit trict Educational Officer came to our hostel, I reand studied the sacred books of my religion. At fused to wear a caste mark. For this the J ains that time I joined the Arcot Mission High School. troubled me. Once I returned late from a Chris- I now rejoice that I had this chance to study Eng- tian meeting and ate food after dark, for which lish and hear of Christ. But for years it was only I was severely reprimanded by the hostel superin.. out of compulsion that I studied the Bible. One tendent. Cast out by my own people, I went to day when I made up my own verses and pretended live with a Christian teacher. The Jains tried to they were from the Bible, I was severely punished put me to shame but I took courage to read the because I had failed to study Christ's words. Bible in their presence. I failed in my college entrance examination partly because of severe iB- When I was in fifth form, my Bible teacher was ness from typhoid fever two months earlier. I Mr. Sundaram, the Headmaster. At 11 o'clock on went to Madras where I completed my eighteenth the morning of September 24, 1932-1 was fifteen year and the next few months were spent at Katyears old, and I remember the time since it was padi and Chittoor. Then I wrote a long letter to the turning point of my life-he told us how Jesus my family explaining why I had confessed faith was scourged 39 times, was spat upon, tortured with· a crown of thorns and nailed to the cross. in Christ. He also read Isaiah 53: 4-7; "He was wounded In September, 1935, Mr. Archibald's Gospel adfor our transgressions. . . . By His stripes we are healed. . . . When he was afflicted, He opened dresses in Vellore made me want to hear further, not his mouth." so I went to Trichinopoly. Missing the train and being delayed, for two days I went without food; When I heard this, tears came to my eyes and but Christ sustained me and gave me peace. On my heart was deeply stirred. Without speaking to hearing Mr. Archibald speak on Jesus shedding anyone, I returned to the Hostel stunned, not his blood to give us the Water of Life, my heart knowing what to do. As I read frOom the Bible, was broken and I found fuller peace and joy. This peace came to my mind. I spent so much time on was the second great change in my life.
the Bible that I neglected my other lessons, about Later, going to Madl'as, I preached Christ to the which the Headmaster warned me. Two mOonths despised and neglected, going to the Outcaste later I went secretly to him and said that I wanted quarter with Christian friends. Hindus started to become a Christian. He replied, "You are only to insult and stone us, and I underwent other per- 15. Wait for three years until legally yOou can secutions, having my box, some books and my make your own decision. Then we shall see. In Bible fOorcibly taken from me. A preacher sent the meantime, don't tell anyone." Before I was me to Chittoor by a roundabout way and there I 18, Mr. Sundaram had died. Gradually the Jain coached some Christian young men in the songs religion lost its hold Oon me. Many noticed this for a Christmas drama at Katpadi, and gave a but of the inner change of faith they did not know. kalatchebam (songs and explanation) on "The . The next school year, my uncle took me from Other Wise Man." Thank God for giving me His Tindivanam High School to shield me from Chris- joy, courage and power of speech.
tian influence. But every day I used to go to a In January, 1936, false charges were brought [ 5851
against me but I opened my Bible and read the to identify the guilty person and their description words, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, did not at all fit me. Because of the delay in my whom shall I fear?" Several police officials came reaching Trichy the end of October, I had not to the house to take me in a car to the police sta- been there when the forgery was committed. tion. Before leaving, I prayed in their presence. Thus God guided me and delivered me from these They accused me of having obtained Ros. 250 on false charges. false pretenses from a Jain abbot and of having forged a police inspector's signature. They asked Going to the Bible Training Centre of the Interme to admit this crime and promised that, if I did Varsity Fellowship in Madras, I awoke at 4: 30 so, my uncle would come to my rescue and pay the one morning for my devotions, and was in the money. I asserted my innocence and when they courtyard when two rowdies broke in and put a asked me to go back to the Jain religion, I an- cloth round my neck. I said, "If you do me no swered that I had come to Christ trusting Him, further harm, I shall go with you." They covered and would not leave Him, even at the risk of my face and' put me in a jutka and took me death. They kept me locked up from 4 p. m. on through the streets for two hours. When day beone day until 10 p. m. of the next, asking me many gan to dawn they took me out and walked by my questions, mostly about my personal life, to which side. When two motors passed, the men crossed I answered nothing. I spent my time reading the the road, and I was able to escape from them. I Bible and praying. There were no bounds to my stayed in a mango orchard until noon and finally joy, for like Paul I was considered worthy to suf- was sent back to the Training Centre. Next year fer for Christ. Men came later from Trichinopoly my hope is to study the Word of God, for I have learned that He alone is the Unconquerable.
Wanted, a Demonstration of Unity By REV. JOHN J. BANNINGA, D.D.
M.issionary of the American Board, Pasumalai, South India T HE Church of Christ throughout the world should have churches expressing their faith in desperately needs an actual demonstration of Chr,ist in their own national ways. what union in spirit and service can do for the extension of the Kingdom of God. In a mul- Especially since the Great War, these Christitude of ways the Church seems to have reached tians have realized that Christianity is not. the a deadlock in spiritual power, in social activity, product of western civilization, but that Jesus and in world fellowship. Something desperate Himself was born in Asia and that therefore the needs to be done to break this deadlock, or correct people of Asia need not go to Europe for their this atrophy. On the foreign mission fields the Christianity but that they can go straight to the work has largely been carried out by division of New Testament for it. Perhaps a new, direct apthe territory into mission areas so that each proach to Christ, by those who have not been Church has practically had a field to itself. bound by all the graveclothes of European tradi- tion, may enable them to follow Him better than Bishop Azariah, of South India, saId at the they would if they followed European churches Lausanne Conference in 1927, that most Indians first and Christ second. are members of one Church or another, not because of theological opinions, but because of geo- India has been cut up into innumerable divigraphical location. He said, "I am an Episco- sions by all the forces that have entered that counpalian in the first instance because my father and try. Not only has the caste system divided India mother lived in a district where the Church of into very throughly segregated groups, but her England took up work. Had they lived one hun- religiol!s differences, even within Hinduism, have dred miles further north I would have been a made them go further in those separations. In member of the American Congregational Mis- South India the division of the followers of Vishnu sion.'" Since that is true the Indians, as well as into the Cat-doctrine and the Monkey-doctrine the Chinese, Japanese and other national Chris- schools has brought great bitterness. Even at the tians, feel that they should not take the denom- annual festivals at Conjeeveram the followers of inationalism of western countries but that they the one doctrine are ready to fight those who hold the other for the honor of certain positions near
WA.NTED, A DEMONSTRATION OF UNITY
the temple car as it is dragged around the city. others see it. We are wrong in our differences Denominationalism is known within Hinduism and separations. We will find ourselves more and this gives all the more surprise to the Hindu nearly right in our agreements and in our unities. when he finds the same in Christianity where he expects to find unity and peace because of the his- For some fifteen years the churches in South toric character of its Founder. Not a few Chris- India have been working on this problem and tian converts today are hesitating to join any they have evolved a scheme which seems pracchurch because they say that by joining one ticable to the representative Committee. Each church they cut themselves off from communion group have given to the Scheme what they thought in another. They feel that the followers of Jesus best in their experience. The Methodists (for- Christ should all belong to one great fellowship, merly English Wesleyans) have insisted that in and that a Christian in one place should be wel- all parts of the Scheme and in the duties of all its officers and church bodies the spirit of winning comed as a: Christian in another. When one really men to Christ (Evangelism) must be dominant. The Presbyterians have said that, in their expericomes to look at it, how terrible it is that we fol- ence, the position and work of the Presbyter (or lowers of Christ have such exalted opinions of Elder) and that of the Presbytery have been of ourselves and our ancestors that we think we great value to the Church. The Episcopalian says have the real truth in Christ while all others have that throughout their history the position of the at most only partial truth. Would it not be much Bishop, as the Father in God of the Flock and the better if we all would unite into one great body leader in spiritual and administrative work, has and recognize each other as fellow-Christians, fol- brought unity within and effective work without lowers of the one Lord, and sharing with each the Church. While the Congregationalis:ts have other the gifts that God has given each of us. felt that Christian forces can best work when each What a rich body the followers of Christ would local group find themselves free from all outside be if they would share their visions and their ac- authority and carry the full responsibility and encomplishments with each other. The prayer of thusiasm for founding the Church in that locality Christ would then be answered soon, "that they and there setting forth Christ as the Saviour of all may be one – that the world may know that men. In this South India Scheme these various Thou didst send me." elements 'have been brought together in a plan that the Committee believes to be harmonious and And why does each denomination assume that well-balanced. No one of the elements of the it is right and all others wrong? I recognize that uniting churches has been taken over in its origithat feeling is slowly dying out, but there are still nal form, but each gift from the churches has many who essentially hold that they are right and been so modified that it fits into the whole Scheme. that, therefore, all others are wrong. What is the basis for such a feeling? It seems to me axio- There are still many minor details that must be matic that worked out and time and again the Scheme has been submitted to the governing bodies of the 1. All denominations are essentially equal in intellectual churches concerned; then it has been brought back to the Committee for rewording or rewritability. ing, It is hoped that no Council will repudiate the Scheme or vote to stop negotiations. It is 2. There is no essential difference in the denominations in recognized in South India, as well as in other parts of the world, that there must be a definite setting their loyalty to Christ. . forth in actual practice of what can be done to bring the separated branches of the Church of 3. All are practically equal in their spiritual insight and Christ closer together.
their resultant devotion to God through Christ. The Next Step 4. All denominations try to work out practically in their What then should be the next step in the Church Union movement? It seems to me that the thing daily lives what they have seen in Christ. we all want is some actual demonstration which will reveal to us what is possible in this great There is no great difference between the Evan- movement. We have so long lived in our separagelical denominations in intellectual, moral, so- tions that we scarcely believe that union is poscial, or practical understanding and application sible. In the San Francisco Bay, engineers are of the principles of Christ. Why then should any building two great bridges across the waters. denomination assert that their interpretation of After the engineers had prepared their plans and a particular doctrine is the only one that is cor- estimates, after all their scientific research work rect. The very fact that other intelligent, devoted had been done, neither they nor the general public Christians can interpret some doctrine differently from the way I interpret them gives me pause in asserting my interpretation. Perhaps there is something that I have not yet fully understood and perhaps I ought to fellowship more with those who differ from me in order that I may learn from them. The trouble is we have all built fences around ourselves and have carefully protected ourselves and our followers from seeing truth as
were willing to go forward with this work until perfect the Scheme are satisfied that they have models had been made to show how the bridges found a way in which this work can be begun. would look and how they would be able to stand They all agree that great improvements are still up against the weather, and the traffic that would possible in that experiment, but they also realoperate on them. When these models and experi- ize that something must be done besides Wk. ments had been completed, then construction on There has been plenty of consultation and discusthe bridges themselves began, with the absolute sion. What we want now is something that we assurance that the bridges would accomplish the can see with our eyes and handle with our hands purposes for which they were built. -something that will be really a working model. If that proves successful, well and good, others In the same way we need an experiment in can follow its example. If it proves faulty then Church Union. We need to have a model set up, changes can be made and failure prevented. so that we can see what it would look like, how it While unions have succeeded where there were would work, and what may be wrong with it. similarities in polity and doctrine, we must now Then larger and better models can be built until go further and unite those that differ in these the fundamental laws of such union are discov- things, and by actual union we will learn how to ered and we can go ahead and complete the great unite, until all Christians can again live together work. in one family. Yes, that is a hard task. That is an impossible thing for men. But it is not im- South India seems nearest ready to adopt such possible when the· Spirit of the Almighty finds a model. Both the Christians who are directly concerned in that union in South India and all men and women that are willing to be led into the those in authority in the home churches of which fulness of His truth. He cannot have two truths these mission churches are offspring, should feel or two interpretations of truth. But He can show the great responsibility that rests on them and forth a great spirit of love that will level all should endeavor to consummate the present move- roughness, and straighten all crooked ways. ment. Those who have spent years in trying to Missionaries as Seen by a Zulu By JOHN L. DUBE, Founder of Ohlange Institute, Natal U P TO the present time the missionary in nomic resources of a State. It provides larger this country has taken upon himself the markets and greater skilled labor. task of educating, civilizing and Christianizing the Bantu. This race looks upon the mis- Some races are inferior, but their inferiority sionary as Christ's messenger, and not only the is a matter of comparison. Missionaries are not teacher of the people but as a father in whose frightened by theories of inferiority, for their steps they walk to the enlightenment which is his work among primitive races has borne good fruit. through Christ. Missionaries educate and Christianize all races, for they have been charged to "go and teach all Although missionaries work under different nations." To them primitive races and those comgovernments they have a brotherhood which is paratively in a lower state of civilization receive not subject to the State government. The law greater sympathy because they deal with all men and example of Christ are theirs, and this is the not according to nationality, but as followers of basis of the stability of their policy. They are Christ. not obsessed with a fear complex, for they know that even primitive people, under good intl.uence The hardships missionary work has to encounand guidance, can reach a state of responsibility ter, with the meager support it gets, are well and peace to all men. known, but undaunted the missionaries have pressed forward, opening schools and churches Christianity raises the status of a man, and in and repdering sacrificial service to the people. this manner increases his needs with regard to There is a great need of this spirit among our health, food, occupation and recreation. It, there- own people, for the time is ripe when the Bantu fore, cannot be regarded as endangering existing should shoulder greater responsibility in Chrisgovernments by inj uring their economic resources tianizing and educating their own people. The by raising an inferior race to the plane of a need for the extension of missionary work within higher; but it increases and stabilizes the eco- the Union of South Africa and the Protectorates is great.
Memories of Jean
Mackenzie =M=C=CL=E=AR=Y===~II~- -•..efI.!I;;I===B=y=M=R=S=.C=HA=RL=E=S=W=.
T HERE was great rejoicing in our West into practice. Meeting a native boy she innocently Africa Mission when in 1904 we learned of said, in a friendly way, "I am going to hell, will the appointment of a new young woman mis- you walk with me?" The affrighted boy said, "No. sionary to our field. One of the senior workers, I refuse to go with you." Somewhat puzzled at having just returned from furlough, recalled this attitude, she reviewed her words and found meeting her in the United States. She had ap- the mistaken name of the place she intended to proached him with questions about the work and visit. When this was corrected the boy gladly had expressed a desire to join us. In time Jean joined her and they journeyed together to the town.
Mackenzie came and began her Adj ustment to the food of a work for Africa. Since then new country is always difficult she has been a blessing to two and the new missionary missed whole continents. Trials as her American favorites. Coffee well as her joys began imme- was felt to be a necessity and diately upon her arrival on on a long "bush" trip, when shore. Her trunk was wet with very hungry, she espied a sea water and we all knew the trader's house and shop on the results that would follow. The top of a high hill. We remem- colors of a little silk American ber how she wondered audibly flag that a friend had given her whether he might have some ran through her wardrobe, coffee. The house cook was with the result that African wont to tell us how fond she women received gifts of the was of his cookies. I remember variegated cloth. Jean took her a time when we were rooming disappointment as a part of together that I was awaked by African mission life. Jean one night asking if I sup- Being assigned to the first posed we could find something inland station, she made the to eat. A midnight prowl re- jungle-trip by hammock and sulted in a "find" in the host- afoot, and then settled down in ess' cookie jar.
one of the tiny rooms of a bark- Jean once told of a long, walled cottage. Here she be- weary day in the jungle, when came intimately acquainted Bachrach physical strength was over- with the family and loved them JEAN KENYON MAOKENZIE taxed. Upon reaching her desdearly. When some sympa- tination she called for a pan of thizing friends in America offered to sponsor the water, removed her shoes and stockings and building of a little house for her to occupy alone plunged her poor, aching feet into the water, and she realized that this sacrifice would involve a in her own words "wept into it too."
sac:dfice of time needed for the evangelistic work At one time she was assigned to one of the coast and she dismissed it with the same fortitude that stations where the contact .with the white man she had shown in the loss of her clothing. had changed the people from the ignorant type of Jean Mackenzie began immediately to adapt bushmen. She spent long hours with the old herself to the place, the customs, and language of pioneers gaining folklore and many reminiscences.
the people and spent many hours in visiting huts She had remarkable ability to construct most in- and villages where she acquired the language teresting stories from a little material. She con- firsthand. How the people learned to love her! fided to us one day that sometime she would write One day, after having spent hours in language a book. Faithfully and well she has used her won- study, she sallied forth to put her new knowledge derful talent as the Church at home well knows.
[589 ]
Her story about writing her father's biography to see her "walk and not faint." Surely the words is unique. She quietly questioned him at inter- of her Saviour to Mary of Bethany may be said vals about his early life, he never suspicioned her of our Jean, "She hath done what she could."
motive. One day when the Atlantic Monthly came Jean Kenyon Mackenzie – Interpreter* to her father's home she saw him don his glasses to read it. Covertly she watched him from behind Jean Kenyon Mackenzie was for eleven years a her book, saw his gaze at the title-"The Story of missionary in Africa. a Fortunate Youth"-scan it a minute and then She was born in Elgin, Ill., the daughter of began to read. With riveted and dilating eyes he Scottish parents, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Macread and then began to frown, smile, chuckle, and kenzie. Her school years were spent in San Franfinally he called her a rather uncompli.mentary cisco, and later she studied at the Sorbonne, in name. Their love and mutual understandmg were Paris. Her father, who came to America when he great, and finally they had a good laugh together. was nineteen years of age, became pastor of Rut- When the monthly mail steamer arrived in West gers Presbyterian Church in New York, and dur- Africa everything else gave way to the reading of ing his pastorate his daughter volunteered for home letters. How she did enjoy them and the service as a missionary in West Africa under the magazines! Some will recall Jean's style of pen- Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. . manship, with her broad pen and lines written at In 1904 she went to what was then the German wide intervals on thin stationary. Once when colony of Kamerun (Cameroun), where she saw visiting a neighboring station, she sat by a co- service for the next ten years in four different worker and both were busily engaged in writing for the outgoing mail. Suddenly Jean paused and stations, all but one "bush" towns in the interior. Thirty years ago this equatorial section was still asked, "When your letters arrive home,. do .y.our "darkest Africa." Gorillas and elephants were people send them over the country to mqmrmg friends?" Upon being answered in the negative, common, travel was on foot or by canoe, or at best in the one-wheeled chair called a "push-push," or she said: "Well, mine do but they will not do so with this one." Then taking her blunt pen she in a hammock swung from a pole borne by porters. printed across the page in a horizontal line, in In 1914, because of ill health, Miss Mackenzie large letters, a slang word sufficiently prohibitive retired from service in Africa and devoted herself to writing about that part of ,the continent which to prevent broadcasting. . is still so little known. After the outbreak of the World War, however, and with the capture of We ever marveled at her self-control; but once, Kamerun by French forces, her return was asked by the mission staff. In the transfer of property when overexasperated at a coworker of the sterner and the establishment of missionary work under a new regime, Miss Mackenzie's fluent French sex she shook her little fist at him and said, "I and her experience on three continents would be of value. The submarine danger was at its height, am'very angry at you." The argument closed im- but by going via Spain and the Canary Islands she made her way eventually to the African coast. mediately. Perhaps the brightest spot in her fir~t This emergency year of service ended, Miss term was the visit of Dr. A. W. Halsey and hIS Mackenzie returned to New York, settling down to a career of writing. The vivid recollections of wife to our field. This was our first secretarial her experiences in Africa resulted in a series of articles and essays in the Atlantic Monthly. She visit and we all greatly enjoyed his season with also wrote several books: "Black Sheep," "An African Trail," "African Adventures," "African us, but no one so much as Jean. Clearings," "The Story of a Fortunate Youth" (an account of the early life of her father), "The . Great was our sorrow when she returned home. Venture" (poems.), "Friends of Africa," "The Trader's Wife." Later how deeply we appreciated her heroic and In 1923 Miss Mackenzie was elected a member brave service as she again heard the call to Africa of the Board of Foreign Missions, and three years later was appointed as its speci.al representative and answered it during the World War. She told Le to the international and interdenominational conus of being alone in the lower part of that big ference held in Zoute, Belgium, which discussed ship, in the submarine zone, and we knew that the future of mission work in Africa in view of only He whom she served had kept her for us.
The results of her services are written in our Mission's war history. When she again left us, she explained that she had promised her father that when he called her she would return, and the time had come. But orice when I was on furlough she confided to me her great desire to return to the field. Each time she followed a company of coworkers to the steamer to say "Good-bye" her streaming eyes followed the boat, as it wended its way Africaward.
. The home Church and literary world knew how, in the words of the Prophet, she "mounted upon wings" but to us who knew her there, it was given • Condensed from Women and Missions, October, 1936.
INTIMATE MEMORIES OF JEAN KENYON MACKENZIE
rapidly changing economic and social conditions realm of human nature. We often saw through over the continent. Here her gift of understandingall sorts and conditions of people came into a her eyes and felt drawn with her nearer to tpe full play. Out of this conference grew many of the most valuable modern developments in African mind and heart. No one else served Christian work in Africa, including the founding country or people more wholeheartedly, or re~ of a committee to provide Christian literature. Miss Mackenzie died in New York City on Sep- dered more acceptable service to her Lord and tember 2d of this year. Master, than did our coworker, Jean Kenyon Mac- Recollections of a Fellow Missionary kenzie. (MRS. W. S.) ANNA M. LEHMAN. Of the many high recommendations proffered at the time of Jean Mackenzie's 'appointment to A Tribute from a Friend the West Africa Mission, one given by her own father spoke of Jean's "adaptability." Jean Mackenzie was the gifted daughter of a gifted Scotch "domsie," a real child of the manse. Traveling with her down the West Coast, trek- She was as Scotch as if she had been born in king through the bush for days in the rain, living Thrums. Her father never outgrew the traits with her under the same leaky roof, experiencing which made him so definitely a Scot, and Jean intogether a smallpox epidemic, only served to illu- herited from him his rare and delicate humor, his minate her many choice characteristics and to keen insight and lofty imagination, his deeply make us value more and more our new friend and spiritual nature. They looked alike and thought fellow worker. Sympathetic and understanding alike, and in her later years, as she grew older, she was, practical and efficient, ready to share she had so perfectly his ruddy color, his round with black or white not just things alone but her face crowned with soft white hair, and his serene philosophy and attitude toward life, her friends blue eyes, that the resemblance was very striking. and family, and her findings in the African heart Her "Story of a Fortunate Youth" is a beautiful and forest. All who have read her writings know tribute to him. how keenly observant she was, and how much she got as well as gave during her sojourn in Africa. When she came back from Africa on her first furlough, in the fall of 1906, she, who was never Arriving at her station, she gave herself scant very strong, during that winter in New York she three days to unpack her small iron trunks, to establish herself at a rough homemade desk and JEAN MACKENZIE TOURING IN AFRICA arrange her belongings in a third-hand chest of drawers. In the cramped space of a 10 by 14 did a good deal of work and speaking. Among room, she allowed herself but one or two at a time of her treasures and bits of art, living through other duties, she taught a class of girls in the Sabthe calendar with now a brass bowl, next a "Boy and Violin," or some hand-catved panels. bath school of Rutgers Church. It was a rare Self-discipline ranked high in her catalog of privilege for those girls to have such a teacher! virtues. She disciplined herself to a routine of hours and days, sometimes stepping out and fac- One can easily believe that the fascination, the ing "right about" in an opposite direction from that in which the precious monthly foreign mail charm, the devotion of that frail, earnest young was expected. What a wealth of love and friendship, of warming one's self at ,the home hearth woman lent a compelling force and an unforgetthere would be in store for her, with the opening of that tin hamper of mail from across the sea! table impression to the message she taught, which One has only to read her "Exile and the Postman" to know what it meant to her. Yet we saw her has had an influence beyond computation in that deliberately walking away from it, to return only after her self-appointed task of the day was done. mission in Africa. She always schooled herself to the more difficult way. If perchance there was some individual We of Rutgers Presbyterian Church had the who just naturally "rubbed the wrong way," then it was her practice to make an especial effort to rare pleasure of seeing her frequently as she came be friendly or do a favor for that one. to the meetings of the Women's Guild, and other She was a sharer of good things-as much as one can share of family, privilege, appreciation of church services during her first, second, and third beauty, and happy discoveries one makes in the furloughs. She brought the story of God's love to eager listeners, and through her the Sun of Righteousness began to shine in many darkened hearts and home1l ' ..
Of all the missionary speakers I have ever His love, gentle in her own indescribable way, cheerful as she made her efforts for the happiness heard, no one has ever so moved me with the feel- of others, but above all, as a creative mind at work, enriching and interpreting human life. ing of the world's need and the power of God's "The Word of God is a real word," she would love. With such extraordinary gifts of mind and often say. She heard it in the creative process of the natural world, for her it was hidden in the heart and tongue, it has been hard to understand course of things. She heard it in her girlhood, in the African forest, in her home in Riverdale. She why she was not given commensurable bodily recognized the word of God in the Bible. "I found in the Biblical stories, while at work in Mrica, the strength to use her powers to the utmost. She actual word of God to those people,"· she said.
always worked to the limit of her strength, and She shared the sufferings of the Master. When she was writing the devotional studies for Women when she found herself unable to do much speak- and Missions, she worked in great weakness and almost continuous physical discomfort. She ing she gave herself to writing as long as she would come down the stair, obviously pale and worn with her wrestling in prayer. There was in could. A large audience, in secular and religious her studies, in consequence, an almost angelic tenderness and heroism. There was in them the magazines and in her books, have felt the spell adoration of one who had met the Lord in the flame, and been marked with the secret fire. of her pen. GEORGE M. DUFF. In her the natural body could change to the spiritual body with less change than for most of us. (MRS. JOHN H.) MARTHA B. FINLEY.
A Word from Her Pastor Jean Mackenzie meant to the Church what high talent dedicated to a high task can mean. During the more than twenty years that she lived in Riverdale after her return from Africa, she appeared as a shining being amid the daily round of duties-reticent as one truly absorbed in God and Signs of Progress in West Africa By REV. R. S. ROSEBERRY, Kankan, French West Africa "CUT her throat! Cut her throat!" was the ered by this account, namely, Senegal, Guinea, command of the slave driver more than a Sudan and Ivory Coast. These colonies have a hundred years ago, as the long caravan of population of approximately ten million people.
slaves wended its way across the Sudan to Prior to the forward movement of missions, Gambia. The little slave girl could no longer keep Mohammedanism had captured the territory along up with the caravan that Mungo Park was ac- the banks of the Niger westward to the Atlantic.
companying on his return trip from his first visit Entering this region from the north about the to the Niger. The slave girl's throat was cut, and eighth century, they had hundreds of years to the scanty clothing that covered her body sal- press their conquest before the advent of the mis- vaged. It might be said that Mungo Park's first sionary of Christ. Rome had also followed closely trip to the Niger was the beginning of the over- the French conquest and was installed in a num- throw of the slave traffic in West Africa. The ber of pagan centers.
advent of civilized government accomplished it. The great Harris mass movement had stirred The hinterland was held by powerful Mohamme- the southern part of the Ivory Coast, carrying dan war lords who did not yield without many a everything before it like a hurricane. Pushing battle. The closing years of the nineteenth cen- back from the coast about three hundred miles, it tury saw these conquered and the land opened to had turned many people from their fetish wor- commerce. ship, leaving them, however, with very little con- French West Africa, a colonial empire of vast ception of real Christianity. In many places extent, borders the Atlantic Ocean on the west where instruction failed to arrive in time they and stretches east to the Egyptian Sudan, reach- drifted into other forms of paganism.
ing from the Mediterranean on the north to the In 1918, at the close of the World War, the Gulf of Guinea on the south. Only four of the evangelical advance into the interior was begun.
colonies comprising French West Africa are cov- A line of stations was opened from Faranah, near
SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN WEST AFRICA
the source of the Niger River, down to Timbuctoo books which mean to them a new life. They in and across the buckle of the Niger to Gao. This turn become teachers to help others. The call move placed us in strategic centers, giving us a comes from far and near for help to reap the har- working base in at least twenty-five of the more vest. In order to meet the emergency workers than one hundred tribes in this territory. The have been shifted from less responsive Mohamme- number of tribes, increased the usual language dan tribes to the awakened areas. This has some- barrier. Here were many distinct languages, times meant leaving good buildings vacant, but some of them subdivided into dialects, a decided what is a building in comparison with an oppor- obstacle to rapid evangelization. By evangelizing tunity? The missionaries are willing to live in we do not mean proclaiming the message in a ter- grass hut training camps that they may teach the ritory once or twice and then passing on to the needy ones. What a pleasure it is to visit these next district. True evangelization raises up and same sections where the devil reigned so long, and establishes groups of believers who can carryon meet earnest followers of Christ who sit by the for themselves. This was the New Testament hour and listen to the Word! Oftentimes many method. It is not the drilling of men and women tribes are represented in these gatherings, all in a creed with the hope that they will gradually meeting at a common mercy seat.
develop into a Christian community. Evangeliza- Pagans and Ohristians tion means the transformation of men and women by the direct power of God. Anything short of The way has not been easy. Persecution has this is a waste of time and money. broken out which has shown the intense hatred Fortunately the major part of the societies that that always follows a real work of God. The entered this territory belong to strong funda- pagan forces have rallied in some sections to drive medal groups, with a resulting unity of program out the native workers. In one town especially which greatly aids in the evangelization of the their hatred became so intense that they not only territory. Beginning with two workers in 1918, drove the native teacher away, tearing down his the Christian and Missionary Alliance, before the house, but even threatened the missionary with close of 1928, had placed a force of sixty on the violence. The native teacher was not to be so field. Other societies soon entered, so that now easily set aside and returned again and again more than one hundred and thirty missionaries until they beat him severely. He told them that are at work, representing at least eight societies. a beating on the left side was silver money, on The larger language groups have been entered, the other side, gold. He became rich in that kind and much has been accomplished toward giving of money before they grew tired and let him go. them the Word of God in their own tongue. His face shines with an inner light as he tells of Translating has been, for the most part, pioneer his experience. work and consequently has required much time and persistent effort. Into at least four of these In order to encourage these tried ones, conferlanguages the entire New Testament and a part ences have been convened in different districts of the Old Testament have been translated. Other with profit. This affords them an opportunity to pagan tribes have one or two Gospels and the get together and talk over their difficulties and story of some of the Old Testament portions. recite their victories over sin. It shows their strength as a body of believers and encourages After ten years of plodding and sowing the them to press forward through trials and suffergood seed the awakening came. It swept almost ing. It also provides an opportunity for Bible inlike a wave over the entire field. Section after struction and prayer for the isolated ones who section reported a turning to God from dumb do not have the privilege of a great center where idols. Paganism began to break and crumble on continual instruction is carried on. In a recent a wide front until it became exceedingly difficult conference the Spirit came upon those gathered to care for the instruction of inquirers, and many in prayer until strong men called aloud upon God fine opportunities were lost for the lack of to have mercy upon them. It is in hours of this reapers. kind that a new vision is imparted that gives the In order to take advantage of the movement, work new vigor and strength. Many of these training camps have been opened in many parts simple-hearted folk travel miles to attend such of the field to teach the people to read the Word gatherings. The Christians are encouraged to of God. It has been no small task to teach grown bring a love offering, which provides for those men and women from illiterate, pagan tribes. who are called of the Lord to go as evangelists After a busy day on the farm they come from and teachers into the district. The offering con- their fields to study the simple primers printed sists of grain, peanuts, and cowerie shells, which for their benefit. Their goal is a New Testament take the place of money in the more backward all their very own. How they treasure these districts. Many of the Christians are very poor,
and consequently their offerings are not large j did not grasp the message until I heard the Evan- gelist Bokari." This fiery evangelist makes Christ but they are a great help to their spiritual life. real and causes them to fear the wrath of God that will come upon them if they do not repent. No man can make progress in his spiritual ex- In order to get a sick man to a recent native con- ference he loaded him on his horse while he perience who does not bring an offering to the walked beside him, footsore and weary, over the hot, sandy trail. To hear him pray, "Lord, call Lord. forth shepherds to feed the sheep; call them, Lord, black or white! the sheep are many, but the Our hope for every town is to get at least one shepherds are few," is an inspiration indeed. One can well understand the burden that rests on his man to stand true to his faith. He becomes a heart.
rallying ground for others who perhaps are weak- While the results among the Mohammedans have not been as great as those among the pagan er in faith and not so courageous. The great work tribes, yet, strange to say, our foremost evangel- ists, men who have been trail blazers among the of the missionary at the present time is the train- pagans, were formerly bigoted followers of the false prophet. Is there not a lesson in that fact ing of native men and women as leaders. A cen- for us? The strongest fortifications once won in turn make the best strongholds. The Touaregs tral Bible school is being erected in the Sudan for and Arabs on the borders of the great Sahara, the pagan cliff dwellers of HabM land, the Bambaras this purpose. This will not replace the short term and Miankas with the Black and Red Bobos, the great Mossi tribe of the central Sudan, with the Bible training camps already established, but will Kissien, Toma, Gberese, Baouli and other tribes of the forest country, are forming to raise a supplement them. It is not proposed to give them chorus of praise to the Lamb of God who has re- deemed them. These delegations will hail the a higher education, which often seems to unfit King's arrival. Faithful God-ealled men and women are on the march over the burning sands men and women for real village work. Rather we of the desert, on the great open plains of the Sudan, in the somber forests, ever going forward would that they have a thorough knowledge of the to reach the last tribe with the message. Toiling on translation work at night, teaching men and Word of God, with a heart set on fire by the women to read, helping to build houses and chapels, bridging streams, opening new roads, Spirit. . slowly and oftentimes with breaking hearts, the Gospel army presses on to a sure success. The second session of one of these Bible train- ing institutes in HabM land was convened from March 24 to April 19 in 1936, with an enroll- ment of thirty-five regular and eight special stu- dents. Thirty-two of this number took the ex- amination at the close of the session. The course was not conducted without opposition from Satan which threatened at times to disrupt it altogether j but prayer prevailed, and not one left until the close. One can understand the urge that seizes the native to go back to his farm when a heavy rain falls and prepares the soil for sowing the seed.
Only the Lord can impart faith on these occasions and cause them to wait a little longer at the Mas- ter's feet and learn more of His Word.
A true and loyal native worker is a priceless boon to the missionary. The only hope of West Africa is men and women of this type. Again and again we hear the testimony of the natives: "I A TRIBE OF GOD In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, "And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my children; there shall they be called the children of the living God" (Romans 9: 26).
This prophecy is surely coming to pass in Africa. For many generations her people have been abused by all other nations. They have been harassed by merciless slave traders, ex- ploited by ruthless traders and industrial organizations, and divided up among the various nations of Europe. With the downfall of Ethiopia, Liberia is the only bit of independent ter- ritory in all that great continent. But God has blessed the Africans with a spirit of hope and optimism so that they have endured persecution and oppression, patiently awaiting the day of deliverance. That day is dawning now, for out of every tribe in Africa God is calling forth a people for Himself and through these people Africa will be delivered out of her age-old bondage. One old woman made the remark, "A new tribe is arising in Africa in our day- the tribe of God."-Clarence E. Carlson, in Gems of Cheer.
Lai Tsang, Missionary to
I _oo-lflf By MRS. C. S. DEMING, Seoul, Korea I fB.- ~==========================~ SOME years ago we first made Mr. Sen's ac- I thanked God, and took courage. Then it quaintance. Our little mission to the Chinese seemed not right to send a young man like that in Seoul had been opened only two Sundays alone into a hard place, for the Lord sent out the and, when passing through town on his way to disciples two by two. I prayed that some Chris- the steamer at Chemulpo, he came to morning tian might be found at Chemulpo, who would be a service. He was a member of Dr. Mateer's church help to him. The very next prayer meeting night, in Shantung, and had been engaged in a little a young man appeared in foreign clothes who said bakery, but as business was bad he was returning that he had served his apprenticeship at Chemulpo home. Just a young lad, insignificant looking, we as a tailor, and then returned home to Shanghai.
did not expect to see him again. His family were all Christians, and he became a Years passed. Our hearts became heavily Christian also, and had been baptized. Hearing burdened for Chemulpo, the nearest port to Che- that we had started a church in Seoul, he had foo, China, with its large Chinese settlement, for come to join us, having returned to Chemulpo nothing was being done for them. We had to start in business for himself. He told us that neither man nor funds to start this new work, but the other half of the house he occupied was vawe had God who hears and answers prayer. It cant, and that we could probably get it for our was not long before I saw Mr. Sen at one of our work. We went to Chemulpo the next day, had a evening prayer meetings in Seoul. He had just re- time of prayer in the tailor's shop, then rented the turned from China to try his hand at the bakery next door place for a little church. business once more and he was asked to bring a It was wonderful to see how the children flocked around Mr. Sen. He taught them to pray word of greeting from the home church. sentence by sentence, and got them to pray at It was a remarkable story he told. On going to home morning ar..d evening and at their meals, out China, he had met with a certain evangelist who loud so as to influence their parents. The children had been in an important position in a consulate spent so much time at the mission that the schoolbut reading the war news in the papers, felt con- teachers complained that they were neglecting vinced that it was one of the signs of the Lord's their lessons. Mr. Sen told them to come to the speedy return. He gave up his post, and set him- church after school and he would help them preself to do the work of an evangelist, trusting en- pare their home work, after which they had their tirely to the Lord to supply his wants and those daily Christian Endeavor service. He taught them of his large family. Mr. Sen joined him and in to pray over their lessons, so that one boy who preparation for his work, spent hours studying was bad in arithmetic, got 100 in his examination. God's Word and praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Before long the answer came and When the influenza epidemic was about, Mr. the evangelist went out to do a great work for Sen was taken sick. His friend the tailor was God. away at the time and there was no coal. The weather was bitter and he was too ill to move. After speaking, Mr. Sen led in prayer, the most The children came and found the doors locked. wonderful prayer I ever heard. As he was pray- Mr. Sen called to them that there was no coal, so ing, the Lord said to me, "He is the man I have they would not have their r.egular meeting. When sent you for Chemulpo." they came the next day, and heard the same thing After the service, I asked him, "Are you will- they knew that something was wrong, and asked ing to go and start work for God in Chemulpo?" him why he was not up. When he told them that It was a hard task. He said, "I will pray about it, he was too sick and could not move, one of the and see if it is the Lord's will." The next week boys climbed to a second-story window and man- he told me that the Lord had appeared to him in aged to get in. Some of them went to their homes the night, telling him to be strong and of a good and brought wood and coal while others brought courage,' that He would stand by him and food. Others carried water, as he had had noth- strengthen him, and that he had called him to this ing to drink. Some mothers came around also work at Chemulpo. and cared for him.
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Mr. Sen spent his mornings visiting in the Korea to our knowledge, when marriage brought homes and places of business, preaching Christ a China missionary to Korea. His prayers that everywhere. There was no place in Chemulpo someone might come and start work among his where the name of Mr. Sen was not known and people in Korea were answered by our coming, loved. The girls and boys would go out with him, and I believe were the cause of it.
preaching after school hours or on Sunday after- Through the years, Elder Chee, and Mr. Sen are noons. They became splendid little workers and the two men who have felt the burden and re- then the parents began to get interested. One sponsibility for the whole Chinese work. Every whole family was won through him and many week the officers of the church would meet with others. them. Down on our knees, we would each one Mr. Sen had great power in prayer, and a pray in turn over the matters coming up for de- simple childlike faith in the power of God. There cision, so in an unusual way felt we had the mind was a young man in town who had terrible pain of the Spirit,because of our unity. Shoulder to in his ear for a fortnight and could neither eat shoulder we have carried the burdens and re- nor sleep for the pain. He went to the hospital sponsibilities in a fellowship that has been most but could get no relief. A church member, a young precious. We have sorrowed together, and re- blacksmith, said, "I will take you to Mr. Sen and joiced together. In time it was felt that Mr. Sen he will pray for you and you will be healed." He should be ordained, and at the request of the went to the evening service with the man, but Union Chinese Churches in Korea, now grown to found that the tailor was about to conduct the five in number, the Synod of the Union Chinese service. He had come in and found Mr. Sen over- Christian Church of China ordained him in Mouk- come by the fumes of the charcoal stove he was den. Having started the work in Chemulpo, he using to cook his food. He was lying unconscious became its pastor, but was later called to the pas- on the floor. The tailor put him in bed, with torate of the Seoul Chinese Church, where he is plenty of fresh air in the room, but Mr. Sen was now carrying full res.ponsibility together with El- too sick and weak to move when it came time for der Wang.
meeting. The blacksmith came and said, "I have In the fall of 1929 we were transferred to North brought you a man who is sick; we want you to Manchuria, the mission field of the Korean Meth- pray for him to be healed." Mr. Sen replied, "I odist Church. It was hard to leave the fellowship am too sick to get up." Then it occurred to him of the churches in Korea, but Miss Quinn who how foolish he was not to trust God for his own retired from work in China had been asked to healing also. He asked God to heal him, so that help with the work up the east coast, and was he might go upstairs and pray for the sick man. asked to reside in Seoul, and help all the Chinese Immediately the sickness left him and he went up churches. Pastor Sen worked with her loyally for and knelt beside the sick young man in prayer. five years, during much of which time her work When the young man went home, the pain had had to be done from her bed.
gone. He had a good night's sleep and in the The young Chinese carpenter has developed morning a great abscess burst in his ear and he into Manager Wang of the Gospel Building Com- had no further trouble with it. pany, started to help support the church. Ten Mr. Sen used to get up at five in the morning per cent of all profits go to the church. He is now to study the Bible. While we were on furlough Elder Wang. Recently in building the Music he studied for a time in the Korean classes at the Building of Ewha College, he found he had over.
Pierson Memorial Bible School. A letter from estimated the cost of the building. An improved Mother who visited him, reported that he had price of building material had reduced the cost.
started a Bible class with his classmates, a per- Without being asked, he returned several thou- sonal work prayer group, and an evangelistic sand dollars, which were more than legitimate band. A man who was won by him was a young profits.
carpenter named, Wang Kong En, who suddenly Miss Quinn died on August 31, 1934. That day came under convicti6n of sin as Mr. Sen was ill health necessitated my starting for America.
praying, and gave himself to God. Standing on the platform at the station among Later Mr. Sen went to Nanking, and after Chinese, Korean, and foreign friends, Pastor Sen graduating at the Theological Seminary, returned and Elder Wang stood as the two pillars of the to be the Chinese evangelist for the whole of Chinese Church, clergy and laity. The two moth- Korea. He opened the work in Pyengyang, and ers of the church had been removed by God. The in Fusan also. churches could walk alone, under the direct guid- Thirteen years. have passed since the above ance of the Spirit. Thank God for both these men.
story was written. Sen Lai Tsang has proved Dr. Chee retired to Peiping. Pray for them as himself indeed called of God. Dr. Chee, a Chinese they carryon, and send them help for entering herb doctor, was the only Chinese Christian in new areas when God so guides.
HOIl1:e Missions' in Modern America*
_.46t Ii By the REV. E. D. KOHLSTEDT, D.D., Philadelphia I Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, Methodist JB- Episcopal Church I~==~======================~'
T HE United States of America is an excep- sions, than to develop constructive citizens. tional field for Home Missions. No other Specialists sustain our contention that, without nation can duplicate the intricate, exacting discounting the effectiveness of what Government task that confronts organized Christianity in this men were doing toward the suppression of crime country, with its unique historical heritage, reli- and criminals, the cause and cure of crime in the gious background, territorial expansion, govern- United States is a matter of more immediacy; mental development, racial mixtures, cosmopolitan that preventive rather than punitive phases of sopopulation, changing economic and social situ- cial service demand major emphasis; that Chrisations. Constructive statesmen remind us that no tianity has no more imperative obligation than a nation can hope to withstand the test of time that faithful ministry to child life. lacks at least three fundamentals to perpetuity: The late Senator Long said, concerning the solu- A capable foundation of race; tion of criminal problems: A high standard of private and public morals; A spirit of fidelity to tried and long-established institu- "I understand that crime is costing our country $12,000,000,000 annually. We spend about $40,- tions. 000,000 a year on the prosecution of federal crimes alone. The approach to this problem of Despite gratifying gains, Christian constitu- reducing crime should begin with childhood, in our encies record a disproportionate ratio of our total public and private schools, where children should population. Mindful of the variable value of sta- be taught a greater respect for law. There should tistical summaries, we marshal the most depend- be a revival of religious training in the home, a able data available, as a reasonably reliable yard- reorganization of our correctional institutions, stick with which to measure religious progress, with a revision of our judicial methods. We want and to determine the validity of missionary re- to punish, rather than to correct conditions by sponsibilities. using common sense in administering justice."
Missionary Review of the World (June Issue) Home Missions and National Life 1935: Present population of the United States …. 134,000,000 Secretaries of American missionary agencies Pre-High School Group, no Church Contacts 13,400,000 record seven facts that magnify Home Missions: Non-Church Members, including children … 75,000,000 1. Democracy may be a promise or a peril: without reli- The International Council of Religious Educa- gion, a peril.
tion estimates our United States youth population 2. The utter failure of substitutes for religion. (ages 5-17) to be 30,034,308, and the number in 3. Applied Christianity solves social problems. that classification unreached by the Christian 4. Increasing recognition of the Christian Church. church, 15,000,000-a tremendous challenge to 5. The national significance of Home Missions. 6. The challenge of unmet missionary needs in America.
Home Missions! If the Federal Government 7. Christianity's ability to survive depressions.
deems it advisable to spend millions of dollars on Home Missions and Social Safety emergency education and student aid, the Chris- tian Church must undergird that program with an Economic security and social safety are the adequate religious ministry. rightful heritage of humanity. The supreme pur- Social education and crime prevention was the pose of our Master's ministry to mankind was "A theme for a series of discussions in the White more abundant life." A progressive realization House at Washington, May 17-18, 'participated in of that objective is one of the major responsibiliby 75 mission and social agency representatives. ties of Home Missions. Methodism's ministry to Juvenile delinquency is a social problem that can- the masses has always been characterized by a not be solved by punitive methods; such a pro- tender solicitude for their physical, social and cedure is more likely to engender antisocial obses- spiritual welfare. Her concern for the totality of life is convincingly stated in a challenging docu- • Condensed from The Pastor's Journal, January. 1936. ment: The Social Creed of the Church!
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Sincerely appreciative of Federal Administra- relief work, care of the handicapped and unfortunate, will tion efforts to stabilize chaotic conditions in this be greatly expedited by sympathetic encouragement on the country, and with absolutely no thought of any part of the great body of the church who, I believe, are political emphases, the results fro~ several.years for the social gospel, if they can see that its feet are on of experimentation ought to convmce well-mten- practical ground. tioned economic experts of the futility of a philosophy of scarcity that involves: the destruction The Consumers' Cooperative movement, conof food stuffs and supplies in certain sections, for cerning which much has been written, is based want of which humans are suffering in other parts upon these principles: a democratic organization of our fair land; substantial subsidies to a selec- of economic processes; an unrestricted membertive list of actual and absentee agriculturists as a ship; a limited rate of return on caI;>i~al inve~t reward for nonproduction, while grain, meat and ments; one vote for each member; dIVIdend dISmilk-product imports show percentage increases; tributions, determined by patronage. The Coopthe twofold delusion of drinking and spending erative League.of the U. S. A. claims to have 6,600 ourselves into prosperity, regardless of social lia- societies; 1,800,000 members, and an annual bilities. Our Government's main problem is not business of $365,000,000; to reverse our economic the disposition of a bugbear surplus, but a justifi- order by paying profits to the buyer, producing able allotment of the available necessities of life. goods in the interest of the consumer, instead of the promoter, taking out of business the elements Federal Social Security legislation embodies of speculation, in the hope of eliminating peaks several humanitarian proposals, which merit sym- and depressions, the despair of our present syspathetic consideration. tem.
The Social Security Bill is the first law of such scope to Every major Home Missionary project in our be enacted in this country, although Great Britain, Ger- program is an attempt to meet urgent needs in many, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Irish Free State, Italy, some actual area of human life: ministries to neg- Poland, Russia and Switzerland have long had some such lected or underprivileged communities throughform of protection. out Continental United States; in allocated sec- tions of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the The bill includes these items: Dominican Republic; specialized evangelistic and social services to bilinguals, Indians, Latin Amer- Old-age Pensions, Unemployment Insurance, Dependent icans, Migrants, Mormons, Mountaineers, Ne- Children, Health, Clearance of Slum Residence Areas, and groes, Orientals, Polyglots. Share-Croppers Rehabilitation. Methodist social service proposals must, of The Exaltation of governing principles is a mat- course, accord a primary place to that outstanding ter of moment to the Christian ministry; the busi- humanitarian enterprise initiated thirty years ago ness of blueprinting procedures belongs to special- by Dr. E. J. Helms, founder and director of the ists, who have earned the right to be heard and heeded in this phase of civic responsibility. That Goodwill Industries fact stresses the significance of services that ought to be rendered in the field of statesmanship by which furnish a fine foundation for the developthoroughly equipped churchmen. But direct hu- ment of cooperative economic and social life, man contacts in the realm of religious activity particularly among groups that have much in comought to enable discriminating ministers to say something tangible about the application of Chris- mon, whose interests readily respond .to constr.uctian principles to the business of life. United annual conference sessions afford a real opportunity tive efforts toward economic and soclal securIty. for joint appraisals of economic and social situa- This Christlike project is a convincing, composite tions. expression of practical Christianity.
The Gospel of Christ proclaims a complete sal- The Quadrennial report: vation: enrichment of life in all of its essential relationships-physical, social, spiritual. Scores For opportunity wages to handicapped people, of sincere lay leaders are as anxious as any of us Goodwill Industries paid $1,628,486.11; for servto find a satisfactory solution to this intricate ice wages, $392,920.97. The following service has problem, but cannot see the advantage of tearing been provided: down the superstructure in order to make needed repairs. Different persons employed ……………. . 46,510 Hours of employment ………………… . 6,580,495 Senator C. O. Holmes of Gary, Indiana, says: Sales in Goodwill Stores ………………. . 3,315,376 Goodwill bags filled ………………….. . 2,733,709 The church must make greater social contributions than Homes from which bags and furniture came .. 1,333,642 ever. Some of the success that ought to be made possible Aggregate attendance daily Chapel service … for social security measures in State Legislatures, for in- Adults enrolled in community service activities 545,596 telligent use of employment exchanges in coordination with Children enrolled in community service activities 5,862 12,306 Superintendent R. E. Scully says: "Everybody knows that only by the help of the Board of Home
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL IN JAPAN
Missions would we have been able t'O continue the were effected between the colonial settlements of religi'Ous work in the Cincinnati Goodwill Indus- Salem and Plymouth, characterized by divergent tries." creedal concepts, local leaders discovered the real- ity of a practical basis for Christian fell'Owship. Social situations in America threaten the de- Puritan Governor John Endicott wrote to Pilgrim struction of fundamentals to the perpetuity of our Governor William Bradford: national life. Christianity is challenged by: a slump in ethical ideals; an indifference to cardinal God's people are all marked with the same mark; they virtues; the propagation 'Of pagan phil'Os'Ophies have the same heart, guided by the same spirit of truth; 'Of life; the ravages of an uncontrolled, federally where this is, there can be no discord, but sweet harmony. fostered liquor traffic; the menace 'Of m'Ovies that May we, as Christian brethren, be united by unfeignetl persist in the unpatriotic pastime of disc'Ounting love, bending all our hearts and forces in furthering a their country in the eyes of the world by mag- work beyond our strength. nifying the worst features 'Of American life, idealizing crime and criminals, caricaturing Christian Federal Church and Home Missions Councils leadership, c'Onfusing the ethical ideals 'Of impres- were organized in 1908, when a new spirit 'Of cosi'Onable children; the divorce evil, with its tragic operation among our evangelical communions and trail from Reno to Hollywood and Washington. their respective missionary agencies began to reg- ister. We have witnessed practical applications Cooperation and Church Comity of the principle of cooperati'On until office files are cluttered with c'Onvincing cases 'Of progress. More Christian cooperative movements in America has been accomplished during the past twenty are a fulfilment of early ideals. When contacts years than in all the earlier years of American church history.
The Handwriting on the Wall in Japan A Story Told by A. E. AURELL, Tokyo Agent of the American Bible Society T HE following story is told by a Japanese "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavily young man who was discouraged and planned laden and I will give you rest."
to commit suicide. Those gr·acious words of Christ made me recon- N'Ot being able to see eye t'O eye with my father sider indeed and almost unbeknowingly my feet there was often strife leading to divisions in my began to take me to the Christian church, the home. In moments of quiet reflecti'Ons it did seem address of which als'O was given on that wall. awfully regrettable that a son should be so obstinate.. It was ruinous not 'Only to me but to the Upon arrival at the church I was kindly welwhole family and an annoyance to the neighbor- comed by a man 'Of G'Od, and, to make the story h'O'Od. One day in desperation I decided to run short, I was born again! What an experience! away from home and day after day without rest It seemed to me I had awakened from a bad and sleep I traveled afoot till I reached Atami, dream! By the P'Ower of the Holy Spirit obstinacy the place widely known for "casting away 'Of life." and wickedness were removed from my heart. For a few moments bef'Ore taking the fatal jump Bitterly crying over the good-for-nothing past into the deep water at the f'O'Ot of the famous cliff life I repented fr'Om my innermost being, and the s'Omehow I was able t'O control the terrible feel- bright star of hope shined forth on the pathway 'Of ings of excitement of my heart while I took paper life. and pen out of my pocket to write a farewell note. In anguish I flung my head back and what should I was awfully ashamed 'Of the way I had treated happen but that my eyes fell on the words written my parents, and at once I set out 'On the way home on the smoothly cut mountain wall to the very detouring a bit to see an uncle in Tokyo. Finally, right 'Of me: in true humility and shame, in torn bodily garb, I "Wait a m'Oment! Reconsider!" returned t'O the presence of my longed-for parents. Reading those words again I read what followed I had run away hoping to wash out sin and un- righteousness in the ocean waters at Atami but them. instead of that mistaken attempt I met J €Sus Christ who renewed and clothed me with the robe
of His salvation. What a joy has come into my Word of God, written on the above mentioned heart! wall about twelve years ago–rewritten many times since-by an elderly Japanese man of God. "Next I called on the pastor of the church in His implicit confidence in the saving power of the our community and met with wonderful kindness. pure Word of God has been abundantly honored Now I am praising God for the power of the Gos- and he and his wife have had all they could do pel of Jesus Christ which was first brought to in dealing with the lost who have come to them my attention on the mountain wall at Atami." for instruction and guidance into the restful peace of Christ which He promised in Matthew 11: 38. This is one of hundreds of similar stories of lives that have been saved by the reading of the Korean Christian Te'stimony By F. S. MILLER, Chungju, Korea W HEN one of the Korean evangelists was interest in the Bible, their Sabbath observance working among Chinese across the border and their zeal for souls. in Manchuria, a Chinese woman asked: The Korean Presbyterian Mission in Shantung "Are you preaching what these Koreans be- Province, China, has helped to change the neighlieve?" borhood and has proved that self-support will work in China as in Korea. Reports come also "Yes, the same Jesus." that Korean Christians who migrated to Mexico have wielded the same helpful influence there and "Then I want you to tell me more about it. I a missionary in India recently translated and have been to their church to find the secret of their printed stories of Korean experience to stimulate happiness and peace but I cannot understand the Christians of his own province. what they say."
After listening to the Gospel she started home- A former Jewish rabbi writes in a recent book ward. The evangelist visited her on the following that one day he entered a store in Philadelphia and day when the woman gathered all the family to saw two Koreans in very earnest conversation.
listen to the Christian message. He asked what the trouble was and was told of In the early colonial days in America, the the struggle of the Koreans for freedom. The story won his sympathy and he invited the Ko- Scotch-Irish scattered through the forests of the reans to his home to talk further over the matter. new territory built churches and schoolhouses When they met, one of the Koreans said, "Let us everywhere. In the same way the Koreans are pray first." As the rabbi listened to that prayer scattering their churches and schools over Man- he became convinced of the power of Christ even churia and East Mongolia. As in America, many in the non-Christian world and eventually gave leading men in business, politics and the profes- himself to the Master. sions came from those little log churches and schools so we confidently expect that the young The Korean Christians take their new faith now being trained in the Christian churches and seriously and simply. Prayer is a real and regschools of Manchuria will take a leading part in ular part of their lives. They have their faults, the development of Eastern Asia. Some years ago and we missionaries, with thirty generations of a young Korean who moved to Manchuria from a Christianity behind us, may expect too much from Choong Chung church became a magistrate and first generation Christians, but we thank God for boys reared in the first Christian schools of Korea their genuine qualities and for their widening inhave become physicians in Manchuria. fluence. The story of what Christ has done in Korea has given new faith, courage and hope to As God chose little Judea, set in the midst of Christians scattered all over the world. what were then the world's largest nations, to be The results of Christian missions in Korea are His seedbed from which He sent evangelists to all the fruit of conservative, spiritual Christianity the known world, may He not have chosen Chosen which accepts the Bible as the Word of God, beto be His seedbed for the Far East? Japan has lieves in the miracles as the workings of an everalready felt the influence of Korean Christians and present and active Creator, and is convinced that Japanese Christians say that they have something there is "no other name under heaven, that is to learn from the Korean Church – from their given among men, wherein we must be saved" prayerfulness, their liberality, self-support, their than the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Missionary and His Native
FIFTY or more years ago it was comparatively His own people are beginning to attain to easy to lead and guide a people newly con- heights in education and scholarship which were quered, not only in warfare and material regarded by his forefathers as only the rights of things, but also in those deeper spiritual beliefs the white man. He is therefore becoming very which had been there since time began. The white conscious of these achievements and is beginning man and his science had brought doubt to the to wonder if he really needs the white man to minds of even the most conservative as to the work out his salvation, whether the trust he has reality and truth of his own magic, his religion, placed in him so long has not been in vain, in the and his ancestor worship. The white settler be- real things of his everyday life. He is beginning side him was uninfluenced by his superstitions; to look to his own black fellow men for guidance he prospered in spite of his unbelief and his jeer- and help, and the white man at the head becomes ing at the much feared witch doctor; his cattle a mere figurehead to whom only certain things increased; his fields were fertile; his children can be told and the rest left untouched. He is lived and were healthy, without his depending in literally becoming "difficult." He is learning every any way on those things on which his black neigh- day to be like his white fellow worker, outwardly bor depended. This was bound to affect the Bantu polite and civil, hiding a great deal of what he adversely and make him doubt very seriously his thinks of him, but nevertheless seeing through a own background and his ways of living and think- great deal and despising much, thus creating a ing, and an almost complete lack of confidence in state of affairs in which real harmonious and cohimself and his fellows was sure to take place. operative effort is an impossible task. He and his fellows discuss fully what they think of their The missionary, in his most admirable zeal and white colleagues, their work amongst them and ardor to civilize and Christianize, helped to in- their influence, but it is in very rare cases that crease this doubt, and in breaking down as savage the Bantu worker will be frank enough to tell his and barbaric all native institutions and customs, white fellow workers what he and others of his helped to increase this ever growing lack of con- race really think. They have found to their sorfidence in what belonged to the people and was row that such frank declarations on their part are part of their life. This process has gone on for greatly resented. They are considered inferior, over a hundred years in some parts of South and any suggestion of criticism of their superiors Africa. But now the Bantu has got used to the is considered altogether presumptuous. The relanew ways. Many of the young people of today tions between the two parties are therefore so have grown up knowing no other life but that strained and stiff that very seldom do you find which the missionary preached so well to their real intimate friendship existing between white great-grandfathers and their sons. He has grown and black in our native missionary schools and up with a clearer vision of what life really is and churches. If this state of affairs is as I have has been able to view his white neighbor, not as pictured it and as m~ny others know it to be, the some wonderful god who knows all, but as a inevitable question amongst Bantu youth workhuman being with faults and misdeeds like his ing under such conditions is, UApart from his own. Hence the old state of worship of the white man because he is white is fast dying off, and the academic qualifications, which he uses within the Bantu is becoming more critical and ever so much precincts of his classroom and therefore to a very more "difficult to manage." He is becoming mis- limited group, what is the gain in having white trustful of even the best .amongst his white friends teachers in our native schools? Is it not far betbecause he has so often trusted and been disap- ter to have men of our own race, perhaps not so pointed. He is suspicious, and is more confident well equipped academically, but yet giving of their in himself and in gui'ding his own life. His secrets all, being one with their fellow workers and with are now his own and not to be shared with the the students and making life much more natural missionary who used to be his father's trusted and easy, as the Bantu like it to be." This quesguide and helper. He is becoming race conscious tion will have to be faced more and more in fuand nationalistic, nor does he now hide his head ture and resentment on the part of either white in shame when the "immoral customs and habits" or black over frank discussions of some of these of his race are mentioned, because he has learned topics will only help make the situation more that such customs and habits are to a greater or lesser degree the heritage of all people, his white acute. neighbors included. MRS. F. Z. MATTHEWS, a member of the Xosa race, wife of a native professor, and her- self a teacher.
[601 ]
Ways of
'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO World Peace and Evangelism results, this statement is ac- feres with missionary endeavors. cepted by many as even more Thinking Christians are aware Never before was the subject true than it was fifteen years of Peace and War so integral a ago. If there ever was a time that the last war dealt a severe part of the Christian program when warfare was necessary or blow to the churches and mission for World Redemption as now. desirable, that time is now past. work. How can we, as disciples The testimony of missionaries is The peoples of the world are of Christ, send the Gospel of love universally to the effect that ov- waking up to the fact that twen- to other peoples and at the same ergrown nationalism and its off- time condone and support the spring – the war spirit – are tieth century warfare no longer destruction of our neighbors and well-nigh insuperable obstacles exemplifies the spirit of glory, of ourselves by prejudices, lies, to progress in spreading the Gos- discriminations and violence? It pel of Christ, the Prince of patriotism and supreme sacrifice is difficult to conceive of a more Pe'ace. Without exception the that has characterized past wars insincere or two-faced situation. missionary plans and literature of humankind. War today is a of the denominations that have "racket"; and the sins of greed, It was proclaimed that the sent material for use in this de- falsehood and suspicion, hatred World War was going to make partment give a prominent place and murder are its very lifeto endeavors for shaping up the blood. If wars are still inevita- the world more "safe for democ- Peace Mind. It is especially fit- ble it is because people are unting that in this month which racy," but the opposite has been commemorates the birth of Je- willing to abandon selfishness, or proved more nearly true. Not sus Christ and echoes the An- are blinded by greed and profit, gels' Song of "Peace on earth: or crazed by racial prejudice and only have dictatorships flourgood will to men" we should pre- false propaganda, all of which ished since the conflict but relisent materials majoring upon gion itself has been jeopardized. that great theme. Your Depart- are at variance with Christian In addition, nationalism with its ment Editor's earnest injunction teachings. The time has come is that every reader should do deification of the State is becomsomething to stimulate the pur- when the Church must choose ing so nearly a substitute for repose and forward the plans of between Christ and Mars, for the Mind for Peace. We are glad war is everything that Chris- ligion that, if it continues, govto present herewith an article ernments will take precedence written especially for the depart- tianity is not. over the claims of conscience and ment by an outstanding leader in The deep abiding spirit of this line. of faith in God. Christians must Christ and His way of life is ex- not allow patriotism to degener- CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY FOR pressed in the word "love." It includes not only love for God ate into selfish, un-Christlike na- PEACE and love of neighbor but love for tionalism.
Fifteen years ago the former one's enemies. Out of this fun- We should be reminded of the American Chief of Staff, Gener- damental spirit of IQve spring existence of a peace movement al Tasker H. Bliss, said: "The within the Church. Three deresponsibility is entirely on the two Christian concepts: first, professing Christians of the belief in the supreme worth of nominations-the Church of the United States. If another war every human being; and, second, B ret h r e n (or Dunkards) , like the last one should come faith in the brotherhood of man they will be responsible for without regard to race, color or Friends and Mennonites are every drop of blood that will be known as the historic "peace shed." Now that we know more political state. In contrast war churches" because from their beabout how wars are made and ginnings they have opposed" war, understand their far-reaching thrives on hate. It violates hu- man personality and regjments upheld freedom of conscience and have placed allegiance to human beings. Because of the new hatreds and new problems God above allegiance to ea.rthly it creates, war is the relentless rulers. Members of the s e foe of human brotherhood. churches who refuse to partici- pate in war are called "consci- Not only must followers of entious objectors." Very reluc- Christ oppose war because of its repudiation of His teachings, tantly other denominations, in- cluding the Methodists, Congre- but because it seriously inter- gationalists and Christians and [ 602] the Unitarians have asked that
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
the same exemption from com- tion, not a decision, and often that several were on their feet to batant service be accorded their achieves its results better by be- speak simultaneously until time conscientious objectors. The ing an indirect appeal, in the had to be called and the meeting spirit of the early Church, up- form of a discussion among a closed. The participating panel- held by the small historic peace platform group, talking as if ists then took their places at a churches during centuries of spontaneously a m 0 n g them- peace literature table and dis- strife and persecutions, bids fair selves. Sending for an abund- pensed free leaflets and pamph- to become the prevailing force ance of varied peace literature, lets and recommended pay ma- of modern Christendom in its organizing and assigning it to terials to an eager throng. In turn toward the nonviolent way several good woman speakers at the foregoing, the speakers had of Christ. the Lakeside, Ohio, chautauqua, notes (but no manuscript) con- With the coming Christmas last August, the Editor led such cealed beneath the fancy work season it is incumbent upon a panel after this fashion: in their laps. Comments and re- churches and missionary organ- Everything was carefully pre- marks were made all through izations everywhere to make pared but not memorized or redefinite provision in their pro- cited as in a dialogue. Five the talks but not in such a way grams for the proclaiming of women entered and sat down in as to throw the speakers off their a living room scene to do fancy line of thought, as, "I believe Christ as the Prince of Peace. work under soft shaded lamps that too"; "I don't quite agree Every church should have a with you"; "That looks feas- peace committee headed by a while they talked as if sponta- ible," etc. wide-awake, interested chair- neously. The leader explained man. Encourage your paster to her motive in calling these The following literature is preach peace on Armistice Day friends together to counsel with recommended: Sunday, Christmas, Goodwill her on the peace-and-war situa- Day and other appropriate tion, expressing her own trou- The W. I. L. discussion group out- bled confusion of mind. She line, "World Peace the Responsibility dates. First there must be the called on Mrs. A- to give the of the Church," with study packet, will for peace. If your church gist of a private conversation 35 cents. they had had the other day, and has been slow in teaching peace, the latter responded in an eight- "Publication List with Prices," free. minute talk covering the peace "World Citizenship and the Relistrive for an impressive Christ- educational plans mnd methods. gious Program," free. mas program on international "Women's International League for goodwill and for at least one Mrs. B- breaks in at a pre- Peace and Freedom – Programs and program on peace each quarter arranged point and says that is Policies," free. all very well but something more The foregoing may be ordered from during the coming year in the p r act i c a I – something with The Women's International League, 1924 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. church school. The young people "teeth" in it-must be done. She "What Can Christians Do for talks for another brief period on Peace?" by Theodore A. Greene; a will enjoy giving one of the many auxiliary political, legislative sylla.JUs prepared for use by church and organizational methods. discussion groups. 25 cents. excellent peace plays now avail- "Is War the Way?" by John L. Mrs. C-is so full of enthusi- Lobingier; a six-session course for inable. If the will for peace is well asm she can hardly wait to tell dividual reading and church study established in your congregation, of ways for attacking the subject groups. 25 cents. from the purely religious side. then embark upon a plan of ac- "Proposed Roads for Peace," by tion. Study groups are recom- The leader then asks Mrs'. Richard M. Fagley; adult education mended among young people and D-, who has been listening in- series. 35 cents. tently and taking notes from adults to make clear the social time to time, to give the group Order the above three from The Piland economic causes of war- the benefit of her tabulative, sys- grim Press, Boston, Mass. fare and suggest peace action tematic mind; whereupon Mrs. programs and projects. The D- partly talks and partly "The Price of Peace," by E. Guy reads a well organized outline Talbott; a handbook on America's need is great for intelligent international relations. 25 cents. Na- Christians to pioneer in this vi- tional Council for Prevention of War, tal and urgent field of goodwill 532 17th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. among nations and help the idealistic lovers of peace to keep "Thinking It Through," by Evelyn R. their feet on the gI'ound through Nicholson; a discussion on World practical achievements. Peace. 10 cents. Methodist Book Concern, New York. MRS. OLIVE SMITH BOWMAN, of the things churches, young people's groups, Sunday schools, "Youth Action in Building a War- Pennsylvania State Chairman of women's missionary organiza- less World." 15 cents. International Religious Contacts Committee, Council of Religious Education, 203 Women's International League tions, clubs and community citi- N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. for Peace and Freedom. "What Shall We Do About War,"
zens in general can do. by Sherwood Eddy and Kirby Page.
The leader then rises and ad- 15 cents. Eddy and Page, 347 Madi- son Ave., New York. dresses the audience for the first PLANS AND MATERIALS time, asking them f,or their re- List of Material and Suggestions The Department Editor has for Exhibits, free. found the panel discussion one "Peace Action" – a monthly paper of the best ways of arousing in- action upon the subject. giving news and suggestions for prac- tical action. 5 cents per copy. Order the above two, also a variety terest and spreading informa- The Lakeside audience as rep- of plays and pageants, from The Na- tion. This form of discussion resented in the women's club, tional Council for the Prevention of aims at education and inspira- was so enthusiastic and eager War, 532 17th St., N. W., Washington, D. C.
"Suggested Selections for Programs Prevention of War (address as pre- God's great gift to us. (The use of a for Armistice Day, Good Will Day viously given). Christmas tree on which each story- and Other Peace Days," for Sunday "Christ Is Born in Bethlehem"- teller places a large gold star to repschools, elementary schools and high beautiful nativity play introducing resent her field adds to the interest.) schools, free. American Interracial prophets, shepherds, kings, angels and For a woman's missionary meeting. Peace Committee, 20 S. 12th St., Phil- a chorus singing familiar carols. Open meeting by singing "Hark, the adelphia, Pa. Three scenes, 16 or more characters. Herald Angels Sing," followed with 50 cents. Woman's Press, 600 Lex- prayer. Christmas carols played on Much is being attempted by ington Ave., New York. "Eagerheart"-Christmas play suit- the Qrgan are echoed to adjoining lec- able for use on Sunday evening. Fifthe Youth Division of the Emer- teen or more characters. 1% hours. ture room where audience is seated. gency Peace Compaign, in which Chappel and Co., 41 E. 34th St., New Devotional period culminates in cornet solo, "Silent Night." Van Dyke's more than 225 college men and Christmas story, "Let Us Go Even women spent two months last York. unto Bethlehem," is told or read; summer organizing, instructing "Long Ago in Judea" -unusual then a mother holding her baby reads working over of the Christmas nar- a Christmas poem. At this time the and stimulating people all over rative. Two scenes. Seventeen char- room is darkened and a star shines the U. S. to work for peace. acters. 30 cents. Samuel French, 25 out revealing the spirits of Christ, They tried to "strengthen the W. 45th St., New York. Love and Service bringing gifts. A pacific alternatives to war, make Similar list of 60 good Christmas lighted cross brings to view a small political and eoonomic changes dramatizations, also lists of Easter, Christmas tree covered with tinsel but Children's Day, Thanksgiving, tem- no ornaments. During singing the necessary for a just and peace- three spirits distribute to audience ful world order, and unite in one perance, stewardship, Mothers' Diy, tiny white stockings. Place offerings dynamic movement all those in- Home and Foreign mission and gen- in these and marching to the tree, dividuals and organization.s will- eral plays and pageants in a pamph- hang stockings on it, thus decorating ing to work against war . . . tree and receiving the offering. A SQ- let entitled "Catalog of Plays and cial hour mav follow. They plan to work on 1,000 col- Pageants," a veritable treasure house lege campuses in the U. S. Twen- of usable material. 10 cents. Send "Christmas Around the World." to The Baptist Board of Education, This program consisted of tableaux Department of Missionary Education, behind a large veiled frame, giving the ty-five field secretaries covering 152 Madison Avenue, New York. appearance of a picture. A chorus of every state in the union will re- women sang the accompanying carol . cruit volunteers for next sum- Program Suggestions: while tableau was being shown and mer's program – peace patrol between tableaux. (1) Carol, "God "The Life of Christ in Song." teams to do work in the commu- Hymns and songs given by young Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." Tableau, nities surrounding the colleges." people, with appropriate Christmas (Woman's Home Missions.) Try readings between each two numbers. six carollers grouped around tall Eng- lish lamp post, holding books and ap- "Tuning in on Christmas." Plat- pearing to sing. (2) Carol, "Tannento have your church young peo- form arranged to represent broadcast- baum." Tableau, The Home of the ple link themselves up with this ing studio with microphone, etc. Christmas Tree. A little German boy Leader taking part of announcer and girl, each with a toy, stand near promising movement. stands at microphone as program be- lighted tree, a table, chair, etc., add- PLAYS AND PAGEANTS gins, her opening announcement in- ing home touch. Joy is the theme. cluding call letters suitable for the (3) Carol, "Silent Night." Tableau, particular group and statement that a Among suitable plays and pa- Christmas program is about to be A Christmas Eve Midnight Service in geants for Christmas meetings broadcast from the studio (place of France. An altar with cross and are the following: lighted candles in center of picture meeting) . As each number is an- suggests cathedral interior. Worship- nounced the person taking the part pers kneel in prayer. (4) Carol, "A Christmas Car 0 1" – original should be ready to step to the micro- "While Shepherds Watched Their dramatization of Dickens' charming phone that there may be no awkward Flocks by Night." Tableau, Christstory portraying the true Christmas pauses. Announcer reminds audience mas in a Chinese Mission. American spirit. 20 characters. 1112 hours. 35 at the start that there can be no missionary seated holding open Christcents. Christmas obt':ervation where the mas box from which she is handing Christ story is unknown and that the out gifts to Chinese girls grouped "Christmas for All Nations"-intro- program will bring messages from around. Use Chinese costumes, furducing children of all nationalities our representatives who are telling nishings, curios. Fine for stressing who describe their customs and be- the Story around the world. (This White Cross gifts. liefs. 15 or more young folks. 40 plan fine for incorporating material minutes. 25 cents. (5) Carol, "Up on the Housetop."
Order these two from March from THE REVIEW and denominational Tableau, Christmas in the U. S. Little Brothers, 208 Wright Ave., Lebanon, missionary magazines.) boy and girl in night clothes peek Ohio. "The Real Christmas Tree" (Tree through door watching Santa Claus "A Christmas Mystery"-finest of of Life). Its branches spread over empty his pack in front of fireplace. Christmas songs and carols sung by all lands and its leaves are "for the Lighted tree at side. (6) Carol, "The audience while Christmas story is healing of the nations." After song First Noel." Tableau, Unity in presented in pantomime culminating service of the familiar music, read Adoration. Manger scene. Carol is in final tableau. 15 cents. Isaiah 9: 6 and the Christmas story sung as introduction preceding show- as told by Luke, followed by the sing- ing of picture. When curtains are "At the Door of the Inn" – good reader and 30 or more characters. ing of "Hark, the Herald. Angels drawn at close of scene, audience joins 1 % hours. 20 cents. Sing." Leader points out that as our in singing "In Him There Is No East Order these from The Pilgrim missionaries tell the Christmas story Nor West." Press, Boston, Mass. . they see the fulfilment of the promise, All the foregoing suggestions are "Around the World with Santa "light and life to all He brings." Sev- taken from "Progr~m Pointers," a Claus"-American boy and girl per- eral members then tell (not read) mimeographed sheet issued monthly suade Santa to take them on his jour- stories of the work at home and by Miss Elizabeth I. Fensom, Program ney around the world, a typical scene abroad (see THE REVIEW and denom- Secretary, Baptist Council on Finance in each country thus visited being inational leaflets). Close with hymn, and Promotion, 152 Madison Ave., shown. Four adults, 10 or more chil- "In Christ There Is No East nor New York City. Subscription price, dren. 10 cents. National Council for West" and prayer of gratitude for 25 cents per year.
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK Bring an Old and Crippled Prayer home life, why Mary and the Child '!When wilt Thou save thy peo- angels sang, why the Shepherds ple, Lord?" When we behold and wise men came bringing Alfred Noyes in "A Spell (An gifts. May no Christmas gift of Excellent Way to Get a F'airy)" the wonder of the Christ-child, ours to the children be unworthy leads one through man's various born among good, poor folk and of thee, the gift from God. For attempts to capture the quality the sake of the little children of in life often symbolized by "a outside an inn, and consider the world, help us to consecrate fairy." Each unsuccessful trial, what the life of our Lord Jesus ourselves to Thee and thy Way he concludes with the words, Christ has meant to us and of Life. Amen. myriads like us, and then re- If this fail, at break of day, member before thee, our sin Call to the Twelfth Conference There remains a better way. against thy love and sin against on the Cause and Cure of War our fellowmen – yea, neglecting The "Spell" is concluded by The Twelfth Annual Conferwords, the wisdom of which even the little ones of our own neighborhood, we cry for thy cannot be escaped, and the coun- loving kindness! "Be merciful ence on the Cause and Cure of sel of which few persons accept unto us, and bless us." War will take place in Chicago, lest someone call them "foolish!" Cause us to see and serve the at the Palmer House, January But during the "Christ-child" children, Lord, not only those of 26-29, 1937. The theme will be festival, we seem more free than our own household but even "Today in Peace and War" and at other times. Our hearts are these little old ones who are crip- delegates from the eleven namore gentle and our wills are pled and wizened at seven. Keep tional organizations of American more swift to perform lovely us from shirking our responsi- women participating in the Conacts. The poet in his "Excellent bility for these hurt children. ference will consider the barriway to get a fairy" suggests that Make us see the futility of bring- ers to international cooperation, we act so- ing children into the world only and the building up of effective Bring an old and crippled child to spoil and despoil them. Help peace machinery. Some of the Ah, tread softly, on tiptoe!- us to do what we can to feed highlights will be the "Interro- them-clothe them-leave them gation Luncheons," the Univer- Tattered, tearless, wonder-wild, "for an hour alone." Teach us sity of Chicago Round Table, and From that underworld below, how to tell them aright the the Marathon Round Tables Bring a wizened child .of seven meaning of this saying, We will luncheon. The number of dele- Reeking from the City slime, Out of hell into your heaven, Set her knee-deep in the thyme. listen, Lord. Thou art the Way gates allocated to the church Feed her-clothe her-even so! -the Truth-the Life! Thou groups, is only two hundred. Set her on a fairy throne. hast said we all must be more Register early. The fee is $5.00 When her eyes begin to glow childlike in order to enter payable at the Conference. For Leave her for an hour-alone. Heaven. Teach us the stories of the first time the Conference is And then Noyes concludes "A the Christ-child, of his early to be held in the Middle. West thus enabling many Spell" with the assur- ance that women to attend who Though her head have been unable to be old and wise, got 0 Washington.
You shall know Please write immedi- that she has ately either to the For- seen them eign Missions Confer- By the glory in ence, 156 Fifth her eyes. Ave., New and that ….. ———– York, N. Y., or When she lifts her THE ONLY CHIUSTMAS THIS MIGRANT FAMILY WILL HAVE The Council of head and sings, ., Women for Home Mi s- You shall h ear sions, 105 East and un der- 22d St., N. Y. stand.
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Introducing Miss Lowry old friendships strengthened. remedied the difficulty or made And I thank you one and all. On October 15, your editor the matter understandable as a "The work lies in what I call closed gently the doors on the the religious-social area, diverse part of the process of growth last five years of "life and work," enough in factors and flexible and turned toward the new paths enough in form (although thirty and change. True, there has not ahead. Of first importance is years old) to be considered a the remarkable fact that on the genuine 'laboratory' for effective been eough financial resources to same day Miss Edith E. Lowry, Christian service. In this area my associate in the work of the of service are definitely new care for advance in work which forms of cooperation among Council of Women for Home quite different church groups; seemed essential. That has MissioLs, became Executive Sec- also, there are unified programs retary, and the new Editor of caused the Executive Secretary the Bulletin, and Miss Charlotte EDITH E. LOWRY Mary Burnham became 'concern' both in the general and Associate Secretary. secured through the coordina- tion of varied social skills and the Indian work. Nevertheless, What may be called resources, and other programs in the making; and the cowork- each year has seen advance in "full tide of life" moves ers are consecrated Christian through all the work of leaders. If asked to do so, I the conception that this interdethe Council of Women for could make specific the descrip- Home Missions. It seems tion of the area just given. nominational work is denominato the Editor, signs of tional responsibility. Many good health that her resig- "The program of work places nation could take place in ~ clear emphasis on the functions -, of you receive me as a June, that a Committee on of the Christian Church _with a program rather than per- mission to proclaim the Gospel member of your own de- of the true way of life. Organi- nomination, reporting to sonnel was named, that zational difficulties, personality the new Executive Secre- clashes, financial worries, have your membership either tary could accept a ready during the years found secondadjustment to be made in ary emphasis, except occasion- in person at Annual Meetthe set-up of the work ally, and then the good spiritual ings or Institutes, or by (Miss Lowry continues to health of the whole work SDon direct the Migrant Work) written reports. And this and that the farewell has greatly helped in the luncheon was also the wel- work of the Council .of come luncheon to the newly elected secretaries. Women for Home Mis- The last days were like a sions. prolonged festival wit h friends – flo w e r sand "The work is one of ingifts, laughter and tears, creasing com i t y among and altogether of more significance t han words the Boards. It was thrill- ing to come into a work can tell. In response to the gra- which was closing a Five- Year Period of Survey cious and witty expression of appreciations at the Luncheon and Adjustment (and adfollowing the last Administrative j ustments had actually Committee meeting, your Editor gave briefly an explanation of taken place); and now to her personal satisfaction in the have participated in a secresponsibilities that had been ond period of five-year hers since January, 1932. planning known as Strat- In introducing Miss Edith Lowry to you, the brief explana- egy and Planning for adtion is again given on request: vance on the whole task "The work of the Executive of the church. Then, too, the beginnings of coordi- Secretary of the Council of Women for Home Missions has nation in pro g ram of been one of teaching, preaching, w r i tin g and administrative four interdenominational work, both on the field, as we bodies as shown in the acsay, and at h e a d qua r t e r s. tive Inter-Council Fie I d Through this work, many new friendships have been made, and Committee indicates, at the very least, the will to good spiritual health of Protestant church forces. And this took place when national life was characterized by what we call 'the depres- sion.' " You will find the Editor at home, The Westchester, 4000 Cathedral Avenue, Washington, D. C. ANNE SEESHOLTZ.
*** The Annual Meeting of the Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Missions, including the National Conference on the City Church will be held at the Berkeley Carteret Hotel, Asbury Park, New Jersey, January 11-14, 1937.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO NORTH AMERICA single persons; and single lower Scripture Hunger in Virginia Cutting Suicide Rate than' widowed or divorced per- A group of Christian workers last year opened a Sunday school Some one in the United States sons. -Literary Digest. in an abandoned church near commits suicide every half-hour. Beldor, Virginia, in the Blue Annually, for thirty years; 20,- Boys' Gospel Team Ridge mountains. Last May, ac- 000 persons have taken their companied by a minister, they lives; 40,000 more have tried The Asheville Farm School for held a service at the mountain and failed. But The Spectator, Boys has a Gospel Team. Five home of a cripple, when 66 were insurance agents' magazine, es- active, and eleven associate present. This cripple promised, timates that suicides had ebbed members have divided into three if he knew when the minister to 17,000 in 1935, lowest number groups for the work for the fol- would return, to have 100 presin ten years. Next to economic lowing month. One group is ent. Two weeks later, 104 came. upturn, the chief factor in this working on the morning devo- The next visit, a week later, was decrease is the National Save-a- tions program, the second group rewarded with an attendance of Life League. Ministering to 400 on the program for the young over 150. People came from would-be suicides. a month, Doc- people at Marshall, and the third various directions, while only tor Harry W. Warren, the presi- on the program for the mission- one house is visible from the dent, has saved 30,000 persons ary society at Farm School. The place where the meeting is held. since he founded his organiza- boys have set a definite goal to tion thirty years ago. work toward, and are trying for One family living more than vast improvement over last year. four miles away has not missed Some cases require medical or a service since the work began. psychiatric treatment; others -Owl and Spade. The parents and two of the chillegal or financial aid. Last year, dren walk, while the three staff workers called on 1,387 Helping the "Share Croppers" smaller ones are placed on an old Greater New York homes where mule, which the father leads. suicide had been committed, Moved by the suffering of the 1,991 homes where it had been "share croppers" in the South, The best pew is a flat board attempted. Sherwood Eddy, from funds about six inches wide, and many raised by appeal, purchased over in the audience are seated on Dr. F. L. Hoffman, statistician 2,000 acres of rich delta land in round poles about six or seven attached to the University of the State of Mississippi, and has inches in diameter. The work- Pennsylvania, has clipped sui- invited dispossessed families· to ers say they have never seen cide items for 25 years and come and settle, in cooperative such a hunger for Scripture makes the following deductions: communities. These poor peo- truth. the west coast had a rate nearly ple, largely Negroes, who have double that of the New England cultivated small sections of land -Moody Institute Monthly. states. of large owners under a share system, have been so systemati- Increased Gifts Suicides, depressed by winter cally ground by the owners that discouragements, tend to pick they have joined hands in self- For the first time since 1929, summer and late spring for their defence, and have as a result one year's contributions of the acts. been evicted from their tenan- local churches of the Presby- cies. The whole South seems to terian Church in the U. S. A. Men make up three-quarters be suffering from the evils of showed an increase of more of the deaths. Main cause: busi- this sharecropping system, and than $1,000,000 during the year ness failure. But girls, more this effort to help them on a ending March 31, 1936. The often than boys up to the age of large scale on a cooperative plan 8,975 local churches contributed nineteen, take their lives. Main is described by one expert as $36,801,474. This is a gain of cause: unrequited love. Up to "on the verge of the biggest $1,082,943 over the preceding thirty-nine, only one-half to one- thing in human welfare in this year, which had registered an third as many women commit country. The possibilities of increase of $421,304 over the suicide as do men; beyond forty, this constructive program are year ended March 31, 1934. only one-sixth. Married people staggering." From 1929 to 1934 an annual show a lower suicide rate than decrease had been reported. -United Church Review.
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More communicant members bution of higher education un- paths to that highway and the were added during the year, der Christian auspices to such outside world. There are almost both on profession of faith and conservation; the responsibility no doctors, only a few schools, on certificates of transfer from of the Presbyterian Church in and only six churches, three other churches, than in the pre- the U. S. A. to play its part in Baptist and three Catholic. Lack ceding year. Additions on pro- making this indispensable confession totaled 78,207 and on tribution to the conservation of of Christian education have left certificate 43,940. these spiritual values." these people debased and degen- erate in the extreme. Of the $36,801,474 contributed -Presbyterian Banner. by the local churches, $25,539,- -So S. Times. 999 was used for local congregational expenses. Gifts to benevo- A "Million Unit Fellowship" Moody Still Speaks lence causes made by living givers amounted to $4,852,481. The Methodist Episcopal About forty-two years ago Per capita the church gave for Church, comprising 4,000,000 Dwight L. Moody founded the all purposes $19.18, which is 62 communicants in the U. S. and Bible Institute Colportage Assocents more than during the pre- I,UOO,OOO in 40 mission fields, ciation of Chicago. The extent ceding year. is launching a new movement to which this service of the to be known as the "Million Unit printed page has grown is shown -Presbyterian Tribune. in the latest annual report of the Fellowship." Plans for Presbyterian association. During the past fis- Centennial The purposes are: (1) the in- cal year, the association has pub- spiration and renewal of per- lished and distributed no less On June 24th the Presbyterian sonal devotion to the ideals, life than 4,184,357 copies of its own General Council, meeting in pUblications, (a gain of nearly Philadelphia, adopted several and social standards of Christ; basic principles to be followed (2) to mobilize the resources of 450,000 copies over 1935), bein the raising of $1,000,000 or sides the sale of thousands upon less for the world-wide work of the church for study of, and ac- thousands of Bibles, books and the church and $10,000,000 or tion· upon, the social and eco- magazines printed by other less for Christian higher educa- nomic problems of the day; (3) evangelical publishers. All this tion; among them the following: the stabilizing of Methodist literature was dis t rib ute d opinion in support of the "Chris- throughout the United States (1) That the centennial cele- tian Way" and (4) the renewal and several foreign countries as bration of the Board of Foreign of personal devotion among a missionary effort. Those re- Missions is primarily inspira- ceiving free literature include tional and educational, and that Methodists to the world mission prisoners, patients in federal, the financial aspects of the cen- of the church. state and city hospitals and santennial will be subordinated to atoriums, children in mountain these primary purposes. (2) Bishop Frederick T. Keeney, and pioneer schools, seamen on That during the calendar year . ocean vessels, young men in CCC 1937 the Board of Foreign Mis- who is Director of the new Fel- camps, and the neglected peoples sions in presenting its financial lowship, says: of Alaska, Africa, India, Latin program will make reference to America, the Philippines, Spain the "Capital Purposes Fund" of "So far as the 4,000,000 comthe Boards of Christian Educa- municants of the Methodist and French Louisiana. Teachers tion and National Missions Episcopal Church are concerned in 115 mountain counties rewhich is to be raised in the three ceived during the year 210,696 following calendar years, 1938- and three to four million other copies of the Gospel of John 40. (3) During the calendar persons who are the natural conyears 1936 and 1937 a publicity stituency of our church, we are approach to the church will be going to try for the spontaneous, made by the Boards of Christian creative and internal type of or- Education and National Mis- dered living." sions in reference to the "Capital Purposes Fund" which is to The Sabine Field (with helps) for their scholars, be sought in the three years fol- together with 82,881 colportage lowing. This approach will be against a background of "con- An area known as the "deep books and 72,858 Evangel book7 servation of the spiritual values woods of the Sabine River bot- lets, and to those scholars who which are necessary to the pres- tom," lying between Louisiana read the Gospel of John and ervation of American democ- and Texas, has a population al- memorized selected passages, racy; the free church in the free most as needy as the dwarfs of 47,561 New Testaments and state; the indispensable contri- darkest Africa. On the Texas Pocket Treasurys were given as side of the Sabine River the rewards. These teachers re- Spanish language is spoken; on port about 250 conversions, and the Louisiana side there are some many others have been estab- 6,000 people speaking English. lished in their faith.
They are a people apart. The Gospel car "Evangel" has There are settlements in the visited sixty-seven cities and "deep woods" that are only fif- towns of Florida, Georgia and teen miles from the highways, the Carolinas during the year, but in which are men and women traveled over 5,000 miles, and who have rarely, if ever, ridden participated in 238 services.
or walked through the wood -The Presbyterian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK '609
Carville Leper Hospital Weare not faced with illiteracy- and asked for prayer that they nearly all can read. TJley seem to Dr. H. E. Hasseltine, Director have learned to read in some extraor- may find Christ. of the Leper Hospital at Car- dinary way – how, I do not know. -So S. Times. ville, La., says that a leper can Weare working among a people who come anonymously, change his cover an area greater than that of Seven Year Campaign name while at the Hospital, and, the British Isles, where there is only if cured, leave the place to re- one Mission Station working among The Latin American Prayer sumehis real identity, his ex- two or three thousand people, the maperience never to be known out- jority of whom are inaccessible. Yet Fellowship is undertaking to side of the hospital's secret a large proportion of them come to records. When patients wish to the Mission Station at least once a place a Gospel and a tract in conceal their identity, the hos- year when in the city to obtain suppital authorities cooperate. plies. Then we bring to them the every home in Mexico, in a syste- Word of God. We do not yet have the Since. the founding of the in- whole Bible in Eskimo. . matic house-to-house visitation. stitution, 1,130 lepers have been sent (or gone voluntarily) to They expect to complete this Carville. The inmates are :from 37 states. Four states have each task within seven years. The furnished more than 100. These are: Louisiana, 507; California, work began with three weeks of 158; Texas, 121, and New York, LATIN AMERICA prayer and preparation. One 10l. SJnce 1921, 196 lepers have leader tested the plan in the been paroled, apparently well. Conversion of a Merchant fanatical town of Patzcuaro. Thirty others, also apparently cured, remained voluntarily. Of Don Feliciano is a general In two days over two hundred these.;sent out apparently well, Dr. Hasseltine said, 23 have re- merchant in the Indian village homes were visited, and men and turned with active leprosy. women gladly accepted the Since 1921, 235 have run away. of Cacahuatepec, in an isolated Eighty-five of these are recorded Word. -So S. Times. as still "out," Dr. Hasseltine section of Oaxaca, Mexico. To said, although it is known that some of them have died. get needed medical treatment he Ingathering in Guatemala traveled by airplane and bus to Marked advance is reported in the work among the Quiche Puebla, and during his stay Indians of Guatemala. Las t February there were twenty- started reading a book that eight professions of faith. Two weeks later, at Huehuetanango, gripped him. After returning more than fifty Indians joined the church. During the week home he wrote to Dr. F. L. preceding Easter nineteen more Meadows (medical missionary, became active Christians. In May there were thirteen at in Puebla), asking for a copy Barillas, twenty-one at Retal- hulen, and seven at the dedica- of this book. It was a transla- tion of a new chapel. In three tion of Paul Kanamori's "Three months Rev. Paul Burgess saw 167 publicly dedicate themselves Hour Sermon," which covers to Christ. His own congrega- tion, at Quezaltenango, became the whole scheme of salvation. so large that a new church edi- fice had to be built. Other books followed this one. -The Presbyterian. Czechoslovak Center-Chfcag9 He wrote that he had been a slave to his own ignorance, but At the annual Czechoslovak that now he was free and could Baptist Con v e n t ion of the talk to others on religion. A United States and Canada, held year later Don Feliciano re- in a Czechoslovak church in Chi- turned to Puebla, and on a Sun- cago, several thousand dollars day night in the Baptist church were collected for missionary publicly accepted Christ as his work which the Convention is Saviour. He has now asked an un~ertaking in America, Can- evangelist to come to his little town. -Missions. ada, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Evangelical Work in Paraguay This meeting commemorated 40 Hopeful Signs years of Czechoslovak Baptist It is hoped that the end of the Senor Gonzalez, the secretary Chaco war will allow Christian work in America. to President Cardenas, in an enterprises to go forward un- open letter to Mexican Catholics, hamperea, but the chan,ge to Chicago is a great Czecho- insists that the Catholic clergy military government may cause are inconsistent in demanding some embarrassment to evanslovak center, as 300,000 Czecho- liberties that they cannot, ac- gelical missions, and there is a cording to their dogmas, grant possibility that the religious slovaks live there, and there are to others. He says: "The gov- question will be handled after ernment guarantees to every- the Mexican model. On the seven Czechoslovak B apt i s t body the free exercise of his re- whole, 'however, Evangelicals are ligious beliefs." satisfied with the favorable aschurches, with eleven meeting surances that have been given -Missions. Christian work is now permit- them. Evangelical work in places. ted among "the 5,000 prisoners Paraguay is limited in extent, of the penitentiary in Mexico. but that among the Indians in In Baffin Land One visitor has a list of 120 who the Chaco has acquired :awide have 'accepted 'Gospel potitions, Baffin Land, probably the northernmost of all missionstations, is one of 128 countries to which tl1eScriptureGift Missitm has sent the Bible. Speaking of Scripture distribution there, Mr. Duncan says:
reputation. Evangelistic effort, eign territories, notably in Sene- mit. In these there are more social activity and a mission gal, New Caledonia, Tahiti, than 1,500 scholars, and over among lepers are all represented, and the Loyalty Islands in the 150 teachers.-The Christian. and the International College in South Seas, where, as in Madathe capital is one of the best of gascar, it took over the missions Protestants in Bulgaria such institutions in South Amer- founded by English, American ica. and Norwegian Societies. After Protestantism is stronger and the War, it shared with Amer- more progressive in Bulgaria Vital Work of Bible Societies ican missions the German mis- than in any other Balkan state. sionary work in the mandated The Bible School grew out of a The British and Foreign Bible Cameroun territory. Some of Bib 1e Conference supported Society has been at work in its missionaries labor in Togo- annually for twenty-five years Chile for almost a century; the land and on the Ivory Coast. by the Bible Lands Missions' Aid American Bible Society joined Society. It has two sectionsthem later. Their remarkable -The Life of Faith. one for the training of Biblecirculation of the Bible has led women (some of whom are pasa zealous priest, the Rev. Cosme The Bible in Germany tors' wives); and a three-year Julien, to urge the Archbishop Biblical Theological Seminary of Chile toward a nation-wide The German Bible Societies course for pastors. In the five campaign of preaching based on had a remarkable year in 1934. years of its history, fifty-five stuthe Bible. A Chilean correspond- Persecution has driven the peo- dents have enrolled, and many ent for the Presbyterian Banner ple to the Scriptures. In face of are now working effectually for says: "I have just received a repressive measures of the Hit- Christ as ordained pastors, itin- Roman Catholic edition of the ler regime on churches and the erant evangelists, or lay workfour Gospels which bears the ministry, the Bavarian Society ers. imprimatur of the Bishop of issued 15,269 Bibles as against Argentina. In the introduction 11,970 the preceding year; the There is an annual summer to this attractive little Biblical Saxony Society, 46,994 against school, to which over 100 pasmanual the Bishop writes: 'To 31,062; the Prussian, 169,762 tors and Christian workers make the reading of the word of 'againist 138,990, and the Wurt- gather for a season of Bible God easy is to prepare the way temberg, 844,383 against 715,- study and Christian fellowship. of the Lord. Heaven grant that 542. -Christianity Today. it may reach the hands of the -The Christian. people and great numbers of The Church in Poland them. There is no other way of Polish Jews' Demands reconquering the w 0 rid for The annual conference of mis- Christ.' " sionaries and delegates from the The Jews of Poland have re- indigenous churches in Poland, cently made ten demands of the EUROPE connected with the Russian Mis- government. Among these de- sionary Society, was held this mands are (1) That the name Paris Evangelical Society year at Lutsk. "Christian" shall not be used in any inscription where Jews and For the first time in thirty The conference, which is held Gentiles live side by side; (2) years, with the exception of as much for the teaching and in- that the Jewish Sabbath shall be 1915-16, the Paris Evangelical spiration of the workers, and for officially recognized and that the Foreign Missionary Society has the preaching of the Gospel, as Jews shall have the right to conclosed a year without a deficit. for the conduct of business, cov- duct their businesses on Sunday Pastor Andre Monod writes: "It ered a full week. as if it were a workday; (3) is no longer a question of ampu- that schoolbooks objectionable tating our work; we are able on The record showed that over to the Jews shall be prohibited the contrary to send out all our thirty mission stations had been from the schools; (4) that the missionaries on leave and to send opened during the year, and that title "Christian" as applied to out the indispensable reinforce- there were thirty-four new land, nationality, or church shall ments." workers. The total membership be totally prohibited. is now over 9,000, and the num- This Mission has a long his- ber of evangelists, preachers -World Outlook. tory behind it. At a time when and workers is about 250, most Protestant missions were for- of whom are supported by in- AFRICA bidden in French Colonies the digenous churches. During the Society, founded in 1822, was year these raised a large sum of Cooperation in Egypt given an opening in British money for the support of the South Aft;ica, where it estab- workers, and the maintenance of Rev. E. G. Parry, of Cairo, lished stations in Basutoland, the girls' orphanage at Constan- writes in the C. M. S. Outlook and later in Southern Rhodesia; cin. Sixty-nine Sunday schools that churches in Egypt are beand when the way was open, are now established, but there is coming more and more unity started missions in French for- need for many more, which can conscious, and that so fal:! as pos- be opened as soon as funds per- sible the two great missionary societies in Egypt, the American
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Presbyterian Mission and the Literacy-Test of Progress further training before being C. M. S. have so arranged their in Egypt placed in little churches in the work that there shall be no over- Illiteracy in Egypt is slowly district." -C. M. S. Outlook. lapping. decreasing. In 1917 the census The E gyp tInter – Mission showed that less than 10 per cent New Church at Nshinga Council, formed in 1920, has of men and only 5 per cent of done most valuable work and, women could read. Ten years Christians of Nshinga, Portuthrough its Committee on "Mis- later (1927) the census showed guese Congo, now have their sions and Government," has that 17.5 per cent of men and 2 own substantial house of worbeen able to present a united per cent of women were literate. ship. In 1932 there was but one front on many questions. Today Egypt has a national Christian there; today there are eighty-eight loyal followers Under the inspiration of the An- school system largely through of Christ. At the first service in glican Native Church, effective work the new building four hundred is being undertaken with members of the generosity and interest of the late King Fuad. Thirty-nine and fifty people were' present to the Coptic Church among both Moslems, and Copts. This is chiefly a lay dailies and 257 journals are pub- share in the dedication of this movement, led by the Secretary of the new church. Several incidents C. M. S., an Egyptian priest and an lished. A new book comes off gave the occasion special signifievangelist from Old Cairo Hospital. the press every day. Illiteracy is A group of Anglican and Coptic lay- not an unsurmountable bar to in- cance. A boy of about twe!ve men are being trained to preach and struction, for, as in seventeenth- recited the whole of the Scripto conduct services in village homes ture lesson faultlessly in excelin districts where there is no church century Eng 1and, the fluent lent Portuguese, and a woman within close distance. The work is shared with four men in the extending, and there is a children's reader reads aloud to illiterate singing of a special hymn. meeting run by English and Egyp- groups in coffee houses, shops, private houses, or even in the tians from the Old Cairo Hospital. street. The desire for general The service was not without literacy is growing, and Egyp- its touches of African humor. Fellowship of Unity tian women are demanding The paramount chief was pres- It is some seventeen years schools, equal educational privi- ent, and expressed in a speech leges for girls and marriage re- the joy of himself and his people since the Fellowship of Unity forms. The Egyptian Univer- at possessing at last a prayer- sity has 2,500 students; Govern- house of their own. "But our was inaugurated in Egypt as a ment secondary schools, 16,000 bell is cracked and won't ring. students; high schools, 4,100 What about a new one?" he means of cooperation for the students, and Al Azhar Univer- asked. Quite determined to members of all the Christian sity, 2,600 students. strike while the iron was hot, a communities. It has regularly little later he preferred another -World Survey. request. "What about a docheld services where all the Chris- tor?" He seemed to' think that tian churches, with the exception A New Opening one could produce a church bell of the Roman Catholic, have and a medical man at will. worshiped together. Three years New work has been opened up in Kibondo, an isolated place -C. M. S. Outlook. ago the united service was cele- about 150 miles from Kigoma. brated in the Armenian Church The people are primitive, but Quick Results in Nigeria in Cairo, in 1934, in the Greek ready to listen to the Gospel. Orthodox Cathedral and in No- The ruler of the district is a A native evangelist has revember, 1935, in the Coptic Or- woman, very intelligent, and cently started work among the Eggon people in the district thodox Cathedral of St. Mark. No less than eight Archbishops and Bishops were present on this last occasion, and clergy from French, Lutheran, Anglican, friendly towards the mission- around Lafiya, connected with American, Greek and Scottish aries. She and her husband are the Sudan United Mission. One Protestant churches. The Cop- Moslems; but she is a "hearer," of the first results appeared tic Choir opened with a hymn, although her husband at present when a great man among the which together with the thanks- shows no interest in the Chris- fetish worshipers cam e, and giving prayer that followed, de- tian message. One of the work- with his wife asked the evanlivered in Arabic by the Coptic ers writes: gelist to help him to burn his Bishop of Beni Suef, are from "We have many out-schools idols. After this open profession the ancient Coptic Liturgy. All with African teachers in charge, of faith in Christ, the convert joined in the Lord's Prayer, and we are hoping to train asked that his son-in-law, who made unusually impressive by young evangelists each year. lived two days' journey away, the unique appeal of French, Only this week eight young men might be visited and told. As a English, Armenian, G r e e k, have been placed with good result he, too, asked that his Egyptian and German spoken teachers for twelve months' ex- fetishes should be destroyed, simultaneously. The address perience, after having had three while yet a third idolater folwas given by the Wakeel of the months' training. When they lowed suit. In this district a Patriarch on the subject of the have gained this practical ex- number of raw pagans who are reunion of Christendom. perience they will come in for being trained by the Government
as schoolmasters, are attending the spiritual life inth~ . whole enable the Protestant churches the missionary meetings. sec t ion has been. g rea t I y strengthened and· enriched ; to present a united front in their -The Life of Faith. many have been restored and many: others have been encour- governmental and other public Appreciation of Missions aged· to desire to return to the relations, and to unify the treat- Lord. -Congo Mission News. ment of legal matters. In eccle- The Governor General of the siastical and doctrinal matters Belgian Congo has expressed his WESTERN ASIA the different units composing the sincere appreciation of the excel- synod will retain independence. lent work performed by Prot- Christian School Contacts estant missions, and emphasized Social Changes in Iran the importance of their medical Two of the six members of the work done in cooperation with graduating class at Aleppo, Mrs. Cady Allen, Presbyterian the Government. He thanked Syria, Presbyterian High School missionary in Kermanshah. tells missions for the service they are girls. This may not seem how radically social life has were rendering to the colony, worthy of mention, but probably changed in Iran. and commented on the fine no, other high school in Syria Christian character of many of can make the same boast. Also, Men and their wives call and rethe Congo converts. He further two are Moslem boys; both will ceive callers to gether. At first it all assured the Council that no con- be speakers on the commence- seemed delightfully new and interestfessional discrimination would ment program, one in Arabic and ing, out I soon began to realize that be exercised in the choice of can- the other in French. Th~ father the men made most of the conversadidates for the medical schools of one of· them was a prisoner tion, the hostess was always too busy at Leopoldville or elsewhere, and during the recent nationalist serving the guests to sit down and Protestant boys attending these demonstrations in Syria. The really visit with us. Lately I have schools would be able to follow other is a nephew of one of the been to several parties where just their own religious instruction. high officials in the Department ladies were present, and they have all of Education. One of the great- seemed to enjoy the greater freedom The Governor does not con- est. ~periences these two Mos- and informality, for as yet they are sider the Evangelical Church in lemboys have ever had is their not at ease in mixed crowds. I am the; Congo strong enough to being in a class with two very glad for the removal of the veil be– $tand on its own feet. If, for nice Christian girls. cause I have felt quite a change in aIiy reason, the missionaries some of my friends-it seems as were recalled at this time to Moslem Morality League though they feel closer to us, more their own countries, leaving open and ready to take us into their their converts to struggle alone, A Morality Lea g u e, with lives, more ready to share with us native Christians would not long branches in the towns and vil- their problems. When I visited one withstand the backward pull of lages of Palestine, has been of my veiled friends, or walked with paganism. formed by Moslems under the her on the street, however near and name of "Do and Don't," to dear we might be to each other, there Church Discipline in the Congo maintain the purity of public was a difference. But now we visit morals and insure proper be- each other, or walk together on the Perhaps if the church at home havior in public. The league has street – the difference has disapwere as strict in discipline as the asked the Palestine Government peared. Congo .Church there would be to ban immoral theatrical perfew left on the roll. Native pas- formances. Doctors Go to Church tq1".S and elders are even more s~yere in such measures than ·:",Toward a United Front Here is a church with 10% of are the missionaries. its membership in the medical A plan of organization has profession. In Hamadan, Iran, Because of these very strict been agreed upon by the is a Protestant church with 150 rules about Christian life and churches at work in Syria. members, including Iranians behavior there are necessarily Churches affiliated with the who were former Moslems, Asmany backsliders. At Luebo, a British Reformed Presbyterian syrians, Armenians, Americans personal workers' class has been and the American Reformed and Jewish converts. Fifteen of organized, and each week every Presbyteri3n . miss ion s, the the members of this church are worker is given a list of five or Frie.nds' Yearly Meeting, the doctors and three of the four ten people to hunt up, talk with, Damascus Church of the Irish elders are doctors. This is partly pray with and endeavor to bring Presbyterian mission, the Lu- explained by the fact that in the back to the Lord. Responsibility theran churches connected with earlier years of medical mission for a neighbor's spiritual life is the Danish Mission to the Orient work,; before there was a gova new idea in the Congo, but it and the Evangelical Synod, are ernment. medical school, ambiis growing, and young men, represented in this move toward tious. young men were taken into working with pastors and .evan- unity. The chief purpose is to the mission hospital, and trained gelists, have Peen literally comb- as physicians by the medical ing Luebowith the ,result that missionaries. Most of· these young men, through their Chris- tian contacts and training, be- came earnest Christians them- selves, joined the church, and take an active part in the vari- ous departments.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
INDIA tian children, making it possible lems of Christian literature in Oonverts Among the Bhils for rural children to attend India is that of distribution, and school. Opposition has arisen to do this more effectively vari- The Bhils of Central India of- to the use of this grant and the ous experiments have bee n fer special opportunities for Legislative Council has voted to tried; among them is a motor evangelization. Their homogene- suspend all payment under the caravan provided by friends in ity and, comparative isolation present terms of the resolution. England. Throughout 1935 the make less difficult the spread of the Gospel; their concepts seem The fear has been expressed that caravan was touring India. It to have no subtleties that re- it would operate as an induce- started in the Madras Presidenquire explaining away before ment to members of the De- cy in January and during its they can accept the truth in pressed Classes to become Chris- two-and-a-half months there it Christ, and they respond eager- tians in order that their children sold 10,369 Scriptures. It spent ly to the Gospel. Furthermore, might receive a grant. Under April in the Mysore State, with the acceptance of Christ means the present agitated state of af- a circulation of 2,694 portions. no very great change in their fairs in India regarding the con- Then during May, June and general life. Simplicity is the v e r s ion of the Depressed July it was in the area of the order of their being. A change Classes, it is easy to understand Bombay Auxiliary, finishing in of religion is mostly a change that both Hindus and Moham- the Central Provinces. It was of loyalty; there is no social up- medans would oppose such a hampered by monsoon condi- grant. tions both in actual traveling heaval. and in its selling work, but 7,529 It is characteristic of the At present Hindus and Mo- portions were sold. It then hammedans are receiving over spent August and September in Bhils that so many new converts a hundred thousand 'l"Upees a the area of the North India Auxare eager to carry the message year in the United Provinces for iliary, with sales of 9,155 porto other members of their fam- the support of their communal tions. During the last quarter ily scattered over the villages of schools. -Indian Witness. of the year it was in the Punjab. the area. The need for arousing interest no longer exists; but Triplets in India One Ohamar's Witness teaching is required. The arrival of quintuplets The C. M. S. Outlook has an Where the question of a school would not have been welcomed account of a Chamar, who, two building has been raised, the at this Chamar home where a years ago had been led to Christ people themselves have come Bible woman reports that when through a Christian sweeper, triplets came the caste relatives and started a movement among forward with an offer to erect said: "No woman should have his own class. Through this it, and plans are being made to triplets. The mother must be man's testimony, C ham a r s secure a group of promising punished." The babies all died from neighboring villages be- Bhils who will be fitted to give in a few days, yet the punish- cause inquirers. A group of ment was given. The mother about fQrty";men and women elementary education. S u c h was ordered to bathe in the from two, villages expressed teachers will serve a group of sacred Narbudda River in order their desire to become Chris- to help atone for the sin she tians. Later, fierce persecution villages. must have committed in a past from the caste people partially At a conference, arranged by incarnation. The Panchayat stamped out the movement; but (council) of five demanded during the past year it has rethe Mid-India Christian Coun- twenty rupees, which the family vived and has spread from vilcil, it was decided to make an was too poor to pay. Then they lage to village. ' put the mother on a donkey and effort to secure the cooperation made it run to the home of its Many new Christians are of all Missions working among owner, a washerman. The par- learning to pray; the few who ents were informed that the bai can read are not only feeding on Bhils, with a view to coordinating methods of work, pooling experiences, and establishing common centers for training along special lines, wherever this may prove possible.
-National Christian Coun- could be rescued by the payment the Word of God themselves, but cil Review. ' of any amount which the wash- are teaching others; they are erman demanded. That, too, learning to give t,o God's work Rural Education Problem would be difficult. In vain the out of their, ,qeep poverty, to Bible woman tried to make them The Christians of India are stand persecution, and to win, greatly concerned because of the see the Christian ideal. difficulty in providing primary -World Call. others for Christ. None of them has yet been baptized, except education for the rural Chris- Literature Oaravan' the original Chamar. tian community. In the United Provinces the Government set The year 1935 brought a new Lucknow Ashram aside a sum of ten thousand venture in the work of the Brit- The latest development of the rupees (about $3,300) to be ish and Foreign Bible Society work, which Dr. E. Stanley used as scholarships for Chris- in India. One of the great prob- J ones has been doing among ed'-
ucated Indians for 22 years, has asked to be supplied with equip- Ohefoo School for Deaf been the founding of an Ashram ment for home treatment. This at Lucknow, from which medi- gave the missionaries the idea Those who contributed to the cal, educational and social work of establishing clinics in various Chefoo School for the Deaf have of various kinds is carried on. districts. Twenty of these have made it possible to keep in lt grew out of the Ashram which been opened, all under the super- school fourteen children from he had founded in the Himalayas vision of former leper patients, destitute homes, ten 0 the r s where some 200 people live to- treating more than 500 patients. whose relatives cannot pay more gether in Indian fashion. They The only cost involved is that of than five or ten dollars towards include, he said, Europeans and medicines, but no medicine is food, and fifteen who cannot pay Indians, Government officials given any group which fails to more than one-half the cost of and ardent nationalists, funda- report monthly on the number food. Fifteen of the children mentalists and modernists, con- of injections given. Practically come from homes where one or servatives and radicals, high all clinics show increased at- both parents have died. Fiftycaste and low. "Leave behind tendance, in some instances over five deaf children, eleven girls all race and class distinctions, 100%. and forty-four boys between the all ye who enter here," is one of ages of seven and seventeen, the mottoes on the wall. "Chris- One of the most important have made satisfactory progress tianity has many critics," says and encouraging features of the in learning the language neces- Dr. Jones, "but no rivals in the work is the evangelistic oppor- sary to communicate with their work of human redemption." tunity offered by these estab- home people. lished clinic groups. All the pa- Under the supervision of Dr. tients come from non-Christian An hOUl; and a half is spent on E. Stanley Jones and those as- homes, but the majority, upon Saturday mornings in preparing sociated with him in the Ash- leaving, have accepted Christ. for the Bible lessons which they ram, a series of pamphlets and Christian centers have thus been have on Sunday. One little boy tracts on the Christian message established and two churches from a very poor home in the is being prepared for mailing, have been built. country asked for a Bible when month by month, to the leaders leaving for vacation. As he had of the Depressed Classes and the -Siam Outlook. been in school only two years, aboriginal tribes of I n d i a, his ability to read it was quesgroups numbering perhaps 70,- OHINA tioned, but when by the use of 000,000 people. speech, writing and pantomime, Successful Preaching he made it plain that he would Among the first materials not knock his head to idols and printed and mailed are: the Rev. R. W. Porteous, of the he wanted to learn how to pray Gospel of St. Luke, with helpful C. I. M. Bible Training Institute to the true God in Heaven, he comments and the story of Ditt, at Nanchang, reports that a new was given a copy of the Gospels, a humble Chuhra convert, who Gospel Hall has been opened and and his delight was unbounded. refused to be segregated in the a chapel seating 200. The Gosmission compound, and led, un- pel message has been delivered -Chefoo School Report. der God, a mighty movement of there to attentive crowds almost his former caste fellows into the every night for four months and OhTist Speaks Through the Christian Church. hundreds have indicated their East desire to accept Christ as their -Christian Advocate. Saviour. This provides oppor- An American woman who has tunity for students to do per- lived fifteen years in China, Leper Olinics in Siam sonal work. Two student bands Miss Helen W. Dutton, testifies were assigned to evangelize two to the contributions which that Various estimates of the num- neighboring markets and as a country has made to her life; ber of lepers in Siam have been result several families destroyed best of all, she says, her discovmade from time to time, but their idols. ery of the Christ of the East, none of these is accurate. Fear the Jesus who bade men go the of discovery, leading to ostra- Mr. Porteous writes: second mile; who bade men forcism, persecution, and much give their brother unto seventy suffering, causes large numbers God has been doing a great work times seven; who told men to to go into hiding or to cover all among the wounded soldiers in the love God and their neighbor as signs of their affliction as long military hospitals in the city. Many themselves, who told the rich as possible. However, an esti- have responded to the Gospel appeal, man to sell all his goods and feed mate of 20,000 is approximately though quite a number who, we be- the poor if he would gain the correct. lieve, were saved, did not have an Kin g do m of Heaven'; who opportunity to De baptized before sou g h t the lost sheep and The number of patients being they were called to rejoin their regi- brought it to the fold again; who treated at present in leprosy ments, be discharged. or return to bade men lose their lives for hospitals in Siam is less than their homes; we had, however, the others that they might save 1,000, or only 5% of the esti- joy of seeing 114 baptized in the them – this Jesus the East unmated leper population. For C. 1. M. Church. These have all left derstands and will accept. "The the past three or four years for other provinces or different parts most of the patients on leaving of Kiangsi, and some to their homes, but each with aNew Testament or Bible in his kit.
-The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Oriental is truly a literalist," Christian training to the chil- Chinese democracy, which is so real as to be unconscious, all meet together says Miss Dutton. "He expects dren and youth of China. Their not only for service but enjoy meetto see in an individual who calls pupils represent 950,000 Protes- ing afterwards, and do so with great himself Christian those qualities tant Christian families. savoir taire. The group is often which Jesus called 'blessed.' Let Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, in joined by lamas, some of whom come him exemplify those traits in his his report on financial conditions from very distant lamaseries in Tibet.
daily living-he will have no in China, fully corroborates the Students' Problems substitute. . . . I see more of report of the American Econom- the gentle, patient Jesus in these ic Mission that "a vast change Prof. D. L. Phelps was recent- Eastern friends of mine. I am is coming over China, a modern- ly asked to address a mid-week glad for my years in China, ization that as compared with assembly at West China Union where I have come to under- ten or even five years ago marks University, Chengtu. He asked stand bet t e r the Oriental many centuries." This opinion the students to send in questions -Advance. is confirmed by those familiar about religion in advance, and Christ."
Child Slavery Today with conditions in widely sepa- in the hour allotted, attempted rated provinces; beyond ques- to answer them. So many ques- It is thirteen years since Mr. tion, China's youth is in the fore- tions were handed in that Prof. Winston Churchill told the front of the struggle for prog- Phelps was given the following House of Commons that he in- ress. week's assembly hour.
tended to abolish child slavery The determined attack upon Dr. H. Bruce Collier of the in the British possession of the opium scourge is part of this faculty analyzed these questions Hongkong within one year-and effort for national salvation. and found that they could be distill the evil continues. A spe- Mr. Hoo, the Chinese delegate vided into five groups: funda- at Geneva, stated last May that mental questions of God, prayer, cial commission has now been nearly 1,000 drug addicts, and meaning of religion, 29 per cent; sent out from England to look drug traffickers were shot in doctrines, miracles and superinto the whole problem. It is China last year. The life of the stitions, 23 per cent; personal doubtful whether there is any- Chinese nation, he added, de- relations to religion, and personthing within the realm of slave pended upon victory in this fight systems so revolting as child again opium. -World Survey. al benefits, 20 per cent; necesslavery-the sale of thousands sity of religion, and uniqueness of little girls say of five years of "Central Asia Trio" of Christianity, 14 per cent; poage, at half-a-crown apiece- litical problems, 14 per cent.
bought for "appreciation" – The British Weekly publishes The largest percentage related bought for sale again at eight to to the nature of God and prayer. ten years of age, for drudgery- a letter from Miss Mildred Ca- Typical questions were: ble, written July 1 from Kansu or worse, without the glimmer province, where she and her col- "Why do you believe in God 1" of an understanding of what leagues, the Misses Francesca "What is the real meaning of awaits them. The cruelties im- and Evangeline French, have prayer?" "Can religion really posed upon them are of such na- arrived after their journey ture that pUblication of them through the Gobi desert. She discover the 'way out' that is the would be prohibited in the Brit- goal of all life?" There were ish press. writes: several very searching ques- tions: A wealthy Chinese gentleman, We have left the "great and terrible "Jesus said that 'whosoever desert" behind us for the fifth time. shall smite thee on the right who has decided to devote his As Christ's ambassadors we have been life and means to the abolition able to tell the Good News in every cheek, turn to him the other alof this gigantic evil, declares oasis on the main trade route. We so.' Now Japan has occupied by that there are more than 4,000,- have had a most touching welcome force our three eastern prov- 000 pitiable little slaves within everywhere. The people last saw us inces ; should we not take the China proper; probably there hurrying away from the "Thunder- five northern provinces and give bolt" and his troops, and many saw are about 10,000 in British me on that same journey with my them to Japan, too?" And "The head bandaged, after the bad kick Powers of Europe and America Hongkong and Malaya. It is which a donkey belonging to a Moslem the job of this new commission gave me. The fact that we have re- are nations that worship God. turned after all this has made many Why, then, are they guilty of to discover their numbers and whereabouts, and to propose to realize. the urgency of our commission. acts of aggression toward the Weare now once again in Tunh- weaker nations?" the government means for put- wang, the City of Sands, and have ting down the unholy traffic go- been able to revisit the beautiful Lake The experiment revealed the ing on between Chinese in China of the Crescent Moon and the Cave of type of religious problem wmch and Chinese inhabitants in Brit- the Thousand Buddhas. occupies the student thought.
ish territories. Every afternoon we hold a service -United Church Record. -The Chronicle. in the large room of our rented house Difficult Mongolia -we call it the Blue Palace. You Changes Show Progress would be interested in the crowd which Seventy-nine missionary soci- gathers there. It always includes a Work among Mongols was strange variety of listeners, from beg- started about a century ago, and gar maids to the wives of the prineties are engaged in giving cipal military officials. Thanks to taken up afresh by James Gil-
mour in 1885. A little over a prohibition was continued for blow to the propagation of civic year ago the new capital of In- another five years, which came idealism; but many older, exner Mongolia was opened at to an end on March 31, 1936. perienced missionaries hold that Pailingmiao formerly a caravan During that period it is esti- "preaching, teaching and philancenter, but nothing more. Mis- mated that the village has saved thropy" sum up the missionary's sionary work had never been 173,000 yen, although most other whole duty, and they disapprove carried on there, but Prince Teh villages have "gone into the all activities capable of arousing Wang granted permission on red." Of this sum, 45,000 yen political suspicions. this occasion. The opposition was spent on the new school, from the lamas caused the lib- 50,000 yen on new homes, 74,000 -New York Times. erty previously granted to be re- yen was invested in cooperative stricted, but good s e r vic e s associations, and 4,000 yen in Rural Newspaper Evangelism among the Mongols, and much the postal savings bank. In adinterest in the Gospel are re- dition, the mayor proudly re- Dr. Daniel C. Buchanan of ported. For several months a ports that the children of the vil- Kyoto finds a wide field for rural Bible Class was carried on lage are better fed and clothed, new spa per evangelism. He among government secretaries, that the children's death rate as writes: and medical treatment has been well as the general death rate given. Today, Pailingmiao is has decreased, that the number The personal interview is the methdeveloping rapidly and boasts a of persons seeking medical at- od par excellence in our work of newstemple, with more than 1,000 tention has decreased 40ro, that paper evangelism in rural districts. lamas. lawsuits, illegitimacy, crime, If a member lives in another part of gambling, police court cases and the Empire, too far away for us to JAPAN election offenses have been done call on him when the time seems away with. propitious, we send his name and ad- "Year of the Monkey" dress to the nearest missionary or -Japan Christian Quarterly. Japanese pastor with the request that Once every twelve years comes he call on the inquirer and try to get the "Year of the Monkey," when American Missionary him linked up with some church. young people ask "whom shall I Excluded Those members who live in our field copy this year?" with a some- we try to call on as often as possible. what sincere belief that thus The refusal of the police to We also encourage them to come to they may improve. The seventy- readmit into Japan Rev. Dr. J. our office whenever they visit the city, five children in the Morning Spencer Kennard, American Thus we have found that the best Star Kindergarten at Yamagu- Baptist missionary, is in the na- way to win a man for Christ is to chi do not wait for the twelfth ture of a bombshell. It is have heart to heart talks with him, year. When they "play kinder- thought there may be a blacklist pray frequently with and for him, garten" there is the piano teach- of other American missionaries and love him into the Kingdom. er, the teacher who leads the cir- suspected of anti-war or labor cle hour and the one who con- sympathies. These missionaries Newspaper evangelism is es- 'ducts the prayer period. The do not expect to be deported, but tablishing groups which willlatlittle mimics do not forget to be fear their next furlough may er develop into churches. The gentle and smiling; the three terminate their careers in J a- work is carried on through ad- 'real teachers looking on are pan. They are social workers of vertising in newspapers and struck by the skill in mimicry, Kagawa's type, but the police mag a z i n e s, correspondence, smiling as they see themselves draw a distinction between a na- monthly magazines sent free of so perfectly portrayed with all tive, like Dr. Kagawa, and for- charge to all members of the their little mannerisms. It is eigners who come on what many church and for three months to not to be wondered at when they Japanese consider the superflu- all inquirers who have not joined say to one another. "Well, if ous mission of bringing Japan a the church, by tract distribution, they copy even us as closely as new religion. and through a loan library, as that, we'll have to see to it that well as through the use of sterewe lead them to copy in all seri- There is no fear that any mis- opticon and moving pictures, ousness the One who is Best." sionaries will run personal risk and personal interviews. or find their freedom of preach- A Model Village ing interferred with, but in the Christian Literature future they will have to' avoid . .A notable experiment in tem- quasi-political activities, such as A group of far sighted misperance was made by the village the propagation of peace or in- sionaries and Japanese Christian of Kawaidani. In 1925, the ternational idealism of the type leaders began in January, 1935, mayor proposed that the village represented by the Fellowship of as one of the activities of the "go dry" for a period of five Reconciliation and kindred or- Christian Literature Society, a years in order to rebuild the vil- ganizations. They may preach Central Christian Library to lage school, which had been de- their faith and teach English, house a collection of Christian stroyed in a fire. So successful but nothing more. A number of books, especially those published was the plan that the term of younger missionaries regard the in Japan since the beginning of police action as a shattering Protestant work. About 4,000 columes have been purchased or received as gifts to date and cat- alogued, the expenses being met largely by Japanese Christians.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Some of the books assembled are voted to intensive. teaching of safe now," but really because of records of martyrdoms, others what the Christian life means. their deep-rooted pagan fear tell of methods of expressing the that if they move away, the spir- Gospel. A reading room well – Watchman-Examiner. supplied with reference books in its of the 73 who were killed will English for the use of clergy, ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC pursue and punish them. Bible students and evangelists; commentaries, dictionaries, etc., Samoan Schools Due to the perseVerance of and a loan library by mail for the Rev. Clifford Nobes, the prodistant workers is part of the For nearly a century the peo- vincial government has taken a ultimate plan. ple of Samoa have been able to hand and by the latest report read and write their own lan- has given the people thirty days Another timely piece of work guage, through the untiring ef- to move away, promising help in Christian literature is the ag- forts of their own Samoan vilgressive program of the five- lage pastors, who have acted al- in moving expenses and in getyear-old Brotherhood of St. An- so as village schoolmasters. In ting new land. The situation is drew in Japan. More than 22,- addition to ordinary school sub- really perilous for there are big 000 copies of the Forward Move- jects the boys are given practiment booklets, adapted and cal training in agriculture, car- new cracks in the mountainside, translated from the American pentry, music and craft work. waiting for a typhoon to start series, have been printed and It is the secret desire, however, more slides. distributed throughout the 271 of nearly every schoolboy to beparishes and missions of the come some day an ordained pas- Protestant Strength in Episcopal Church. tor. Philippines -The Living Church. There are two schools for The National Christian Coun- girls; the one at Papauta ac- cil of the Philippines gives the Result of Teacher's Testimony commodates 150, who enter only on recommendation of village following numerical strength of Mr. Sakata, Principal of the pastors. The school itself is a Protestantism in the Islands: Mary L. Colby School for Girls village where all food supplies in Yokohama, arranged a series are grown on the hillside planta- United Evangelical Church 42,910. of evangelistic meetings with tions and the girls take their (including all members in 82,910. Mr. Kimura. Thirty-five years part in caring for the gardens. regions w her e Presbybefore, Mr. Sakata, a young sol- All practical training can be car- terian, Congregational and 18,0.0.0. dier about to be called into serv- ried out by the girls in their own United Brethren mission- 15,0.0.0., ice, was converted by Mr. Ki- homes when they leave school, 10.,0.0.0. mura and made up his mind that after four or five years' resi- aries are serving) …… . 8,0.0.0. instead of spending his life kill- dence. Methodist Episcopal …… . ing people he would spend it 2,50.0. showing them how to live. Al- Atauloma school has the three- Iglesia Evangelica Metodista most immediately he was called fold aim of helping the students, en las Islas Filipinas …. 250. to Manchuria and was there for finding ways for them to help the ten years. When he came back school and of keeping in touch Iglesia Evangelica de Cristo he trained himself to become a after they leave. Graduates Christian teacher. work to give financial aid. By Baptist ..•……….•….. bazaars or direct giving from Mr. Kimura told of going to their funds they have raised Disciples of Christ ……. . see the young man off when he enough to give four Aladdin was about to leave for Man- lamps for the main hall, £14 to- Association of Baptists for churia. He clasped his hand, ward other improvements. Evangelism in the Orient never expecting to see him again, but God had work for him -L. M. S. Chronicle. Philippine-Borneo Faith Misand brought him back. sion …………..•….. Typhoon Damage The effect of this story was Total …………….. 179,570. direct and fruitful. Almost the With the return of typhoon whole school stood to indicate season in the Philippines, it will "God Hath Spoken" that they too wanted to follow be recalled that last year a great Christ. Mr. Sakata had them landslide buried 73 people in the In a letter received recently go to their class rooms and town of Balogang, near Sagada. from a worker in the Philippine there, if they so desired, they At the time and ever since then Islands, the following story is were to write out their decision, the missionaries at Sagada have told: signing their names. When they been trying to get the remaining were counted there were 307. people of the town to move to a "Soon after our arrival here Committees set to work imme- new site, but the old men, domi- we came across a young man diately and the result is that nating the situation, have re- who had no other book except there is one period a week de- fused, ostensibly because "it is the booklet 'God Hath Spoken.' In all his conversations with his friends he always tried to find God's guidance in this little book, so much so that his friends gave him the nickname An Dios Nag- yakan. Needless to say he soon became an Evangelical Chris- tian, and the proud possessor of aNew Testament." This booklet is issued by the Scripture.Gift Mission in many languages.
-Life of Faith.
MISCELLANEOUS pointing out that the Bible is not those in Japan, Canada, Aus- Faith Missions· merely a Protestant book, as so tralia, South Africa and other often alleged. The remarkable countries. A large proportion A recently published pamphlet thing is that her work is com- of the South African police are summarizes the service of pop- mended by the Cardinal Arch- members of the Association, and ularly called Faith Missions. bishop of Paris. The movement about 1,000 joined last year, The Interdenominational For- had its origin in Italy, where a while more than that number of eign Mission Association of Waldensian pastor describes it New Testaments were circulated North America was formed in as a real Reformation within the among the men, besides thou- 1917 by a group of foreign mis- Catholic Church. Roman Cath- sands of tracts and leaflets. In sionary societies that were not olic writers have also been draw- Japan the work has gradually denominationally related, but ing attention to archreological been becoming more difficult, which held identical doctrinal discovery and its bearing upon chiefly because the police are convictions and adhered to sim- the truth of the Bible. under the military authorities. -The Christian. Each week Captain Gerrard ilar missionary principles and visits the Tokyo Police Training practices. Prayer fellowship, Jews of the World School, where he distributes conferences concerning mission- tracts and Testaments among ary policy, and united appeal for Jews throughout the world to- 200 men. When the men leave world evangelization are aims day number 16,291,000 as com- they are often drafted to remote of the organization. pared with an estimated 4,200,- country villages, and may be the 000 in 1850, according to a sum- only possessors of God's .Word Listed in the order of their in the place. inception, the sixteen societies mary of the work of the noted Jewish statistician, Dr. Erwin There is also a work for wives that are now members of the Rawicz, appearing in the C.-V. of policemen.-The Christian. Association are: The Woman's Zeitung, of Berlin. The rapid Union Missionary Society of America, the China Inland Mis- increase coincides with the A Century's Achievements sion, the India Christian Mis- emancipation of the Jews in sion, the South African General most European countries and the The American Baptist For- Mission, the Central American growth of industrialization, it is eign Mission Society sums up Mission, the Sudan Interior declared, following a heavy de- its achievements of the past cen- Mission, the Ceylon and India crease in the Jewish population tury in a comparison of figures General Mission, the Africa In- in the previous twenty or which include the work of both land Mission, the Bible House of twenty-five centuries. Since the General and the Women's Los Angeles, the Inland South 1800 the general population of Societies: America Missionary Union, the Europe rose from just below Number of missionaries 1836 1935 Bolivian Indian· Mission, the 190 millions to some 500 millions on the foreign fields. 46 590 today. The summary shows Number of organized 3,226 North East India General Mis- 352,413 sion, the Evangelical Union of that there were about three Jews churches ……….. 9 South America, the American per thousand in 1800, about Members of churches abroad …………. 888 European Fellowship, the Ori- seven in 1900, and about eight Number of schools of all 4,372 in 1935. grades ….•…….. 11 noco River Mission and the 10,529 The Jewish population of Number of native work- 32 Latin America Evangelization Great Britain, according to the Campaign. ers ………..•..•. Number of hospitals .. , '" The pamphlet contains a list survey, is 340,000. The Jewish NumiJer of dispensaries … 55 of the officiary of each Mission, population of Germany is given Patients treated …… '" 344,560 and a brief statement concern- as 400,000, compared with an The number of baptisms by ing each society's origin, aim estimated 550,000 at the time of decades indicates the steady and ministry. Copies of the Hitler's advent to power. Jews growth on the mission fields: pamphlet may be secured with- in Palestine numbered 395,000 in 1935-1844 ………•……. 6,653 out cost from the headquarters 1855-1864 …•………•… 12,617 1935. By continents, there were 1875-1884 …………….. 42.,762 of the various mission agencies 1895-1904 …………….. 68,375 listed, or from the Secretary of 9,736,000 Jew in Europe, includ- 1915-1924 …………….. 125,743 the Association, George H. Dow- ing Turkey in Asia and Russia; 1925-1934 …………….. 187,536 knott, 113 Fulton Street, New 560,000 in Africa; 936,000 in York, N. Y. Asia; 5,031,000 in North and Many churches have developed -The King's Business. South America; and 27,000 in their own leadership; among Australia and New Zealand. these are the Chekiang Shang- Bible Reading for Catholics hai Baptist Convention, East A "back-to-the-Bible" tend- -The Jewish Chronicle. Japan Baptist Convention, the Convention of Philippine Bap- International Christian Police ency is noted among Catholics. Founded 53 years ago the In- tist Churches, Inc., the All- A noted archreologist's wife- a ternational Christian Police As- Burma Baptist Convention and Roman Catholic-has published sociation is now world-wide in the Bengal-Orissa B apt i s t some booklets, commending the its activities, and binds the Yearly Meeting. -Watchman-Examiner. reading of the Word of God, and Christian police in England with Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Indian Thought and Its Development. its world- and life-negation in If we must look for another, By Albert Schweitzer. Translated its later development. The book by Mrs. Charles E. B. Russell. pp. is thought-provoking, and is what about the thought of Jesus 272. Price, $2.50. Henry Holt and Company. New York. 1936. packed with accurate informa- Christ? Paul's philosophy was tion regarding the philosophy Dr. Schweitzer has distin- and history of Indian thought. based on it and is still valid and guished himself as philosopher, musician, and doctor in the equa- We believe, however, that the potent. S. M. ZWEMER. torial primeval forests of Africa. author does not place due em- He tells us that Indian thought phasis on the debt of Western Levucka Days. By C. W. Whonsbon attracted him from his youth, es- thought to Christianity. The er- Aston. pp. 95, Paper, 40 cents. pecially through the writings of ror of Hinduism and Buddhism Society for Promoting Christian Schopenhauer and his conviction is not world- and life-negation Knowledge. London. that Indian ethics were con- only, but the denial of worldcerned with the behavior of man and life-reality. In Jesus Christ This small book recounts the in relation to all living beings we have both the affirmation and experiences of a clergyman of and not mer~ly to his fellow negation. His disciples are not the Church of England who man. to be taken out of the world, but spent three years in the Fiji to be kept from the evil that is Islands. The Bishop of Polyne- He speaks of in the world. The Son of Man sia writes a commendatory in- came eating and drinking. The troduction. The narrative illus- "the difficulty of describing defi- world and life in the New Testa- trates the various interests and nite lines i)f development in a ment are not maya, illusion, but problems which face a missionphilosophy which possesses in so re- a great reality. We are not to ary in a field which includes numarkable a degree the will and the leave the world, but to overcome merous islands separated by ability not to perceive contrasts as the world. Weare not to sup- broad ocean spaces in which such, and allows ideas of heteroge- press life, but to seek its fullest navigation is rendered dangerneous character to subsist side by side development. The things that ous by currents and coral reefs. and even brings them into connection are seen are real, but they are with each other. But I believe that also temporal. The things that A. J. BROWN. we, the people of the West, shall only are not seen are real and eternal. rightly comprehend what Indian There is only one reference to Korean Young Folks. By Frederick thought really is and what is its sig- Paul's philosophy and ethics, and S. Miller. pP. 189. $2.00. Fleming nificance for the thought of all man- the author always uses the word H. Revell. New York. 1936. kind, if we succeed in gaining an in- Jesus, not Christ, when referring sight into its processes." to our Lord. These glimpses of life in Ko- rea are not dry descriptions but Beginning with a comparison At the close of the preface the are a series of interesting of Western and Indian thought, sketches of real young people. Dr. Schweitzer sketches the rise reader is told that neither in With such quaint names as of world- and life-negation in Western nor in Indian thought White Dragon, Great Mountain, the Vedas, the teaching of the Seven Stars, Jewel and the like, Upanishads, the rise of Jainism, do we find the ideal or the final- these young folks figure largely Buddhism and its later develop- ity. in the stories of country and vilment outside of India. There are lage life. The reader learns also chapters on present-day "For there must indeed arise a about rice farming and fuel cut- Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita, philosophy profounder and more liv- ting, paper-making and house and modern Indian thought. ing than our own and endowed with building, how candy and puffed greater spiritual and ethical force. In rice are made and how kites are The basic distinction between this terrible period through which flown; about weddings and fu- Western thought and that of In- mankind is passing, from the East nerals and ancestor worship. dia is that the former makes th~ and from the West we must all keep affirmation of the world and life, a lookout for the coming of this more We read about Seven Stars while the latter makes its nega- perfect and more powerful form of who butted the goat; about Pigtion. This negation, he holds, is thought which will conquer the hearts gie who rolled off the bridge in void of ethical value, and there- of individuals and compel whole peo- his sleep; about Skylark the donfore Hinduism itself, and more ples to acknowledge its sway. It is for this that we must strive." key who could bray noiselessly especially Buddhism, modified and helped distribute tracts by holding them in his lips; about Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RllvIllW publishers on receipt of price.
[619 ] Kim the gambler and how he ficial relationships brought him ger. It is a true picture of that knew he was a Christian; the into contact. ARTHUR J. BROWN. heroic type of work which has narrow escape of Pak who wouldn't hit back, and a score of Christian Giving. By Clarence Ed- been done in Brazil for more than ward Macartney, D.D. 15 cents. other stories of humor and Zondervan Publishing House, Grand half a century. The author, Wilpathos, rascality and heroism Rapids. 1936. liam Anglin, himself a legiti- mate descendant in the long line and victorious Christian living. Children and adults alike will This is a sermori-;nd – the of missionary pioneers, has writ- ten these simple stories of conread with profit and pleasure preacher being Dr. Macartney- version to give a fresh sense of how a missionary works, how the saving grace of our Lord and Gospels and tracts are distrib- it is in approved sermonic style, the wonderful power of His Gosuted, how Christ changes lives, pel. It will inform, and inspire how Christians testify to non- Scriptural, clear, cogent. It is the reader and stimulate a great- Christians and how and why the er missionary passion. Gospel spreads in a foreign well that it has been published, land. J. E. MORELAND. so as to reach a wider audience. Those who have been enter- Ethiopia. By John H. Shaw, Consul tained and instructed by reading Giving is, of course, only a seg- General of Ethiopia. HOur Korean Friends," by the same author, a veteran mission- ment of the circle of Christian This paper-covered booklet on ary in Korea, will need no urg- Ethiopia, comprising ninety-five ing to secure his new book. Stewardship which Jesus pre- pages, is, as the author states ir his Introduction, an attempt "to WALTER C. ERDMAN. sented whole in his teaching, but portray an honest, truthful pic- ture of this comparatively un- Across the Years. By Charles Sted- giving is the trait Hlikest God known Christian empire, with a man Macfarland. An Autobiog- short outline of the historic raphy. pp. 367. $2.75. The Mac- within the Soul," and it deserves background, the natural re- millan Company. New York. 1936. sources, the people, the govern- to be stressed in "at least a ser- ment, and some of the undercur- Dr. Macfarland was for sev- rents that have led to the preseral years secretary of the Fed- mon every year," as Dr~ Mac- ent difficulties." The aim is too eral Council of the Churches of broad to be carried out success- Christ in America, a post to artney plans, making this the fully in so short a volume and which he was called from a Con- the book as a result is very gregational pastorate in 1911, first of the series. D. McC. sketchy. when forty-five years of age. The Federal Council was then a new A Story of Child Life in Old Peking. The author is very open in his venture, small, weak and with By Margaret Rossiter White. pp. pro-Ethiopian sympathies and no dependable revenue. It was 91. $1.0Q, cloth. Fleming H. Revell makes many statements highly strenuously opposed by some de- Ci. New York. 1936. commending the Emperor Haile nominations and by many min- Selassie The First. Had it been Every child who likes a good story will find this one of the best. In picturing the home life of a well-to-do Chinese family the author gives the pattern of Chinese culture and civilization in a way that the grown-up, as well as the child, will find inter- esting; and the result cannot but develop a bond of under- standing between the races.
H.B. F.
isters and I a y men in the Stories From Brazil. By William possible for the author to place churches which gave it scanty Anglin. With eleven illustrations. this book on the market before support. But its secretary 96 pages. $1. Pickering and Inglis. proved to be a born promoter, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh. the cataclysmic downfall of the: Ethiopian Empire the book and was strongly reenforced by In Brazil there are two dis- would have filled a greater need the growing demand for unity tinct types of missionary work. than at present. Events moved and cooperation in Christian The first is carried on in the so rapidly that even this booklet, work. By his energy and execu- great centers of population and published in 1936, is out of date. tive ability Dr. Macfarland de- at certain points along the At- The predictions made, such as veloped the Council into a large lantic coast where civilization "this nation of warriors would and influential organization. and customs are only slightly fight to the bitter end. The After twenty years, he retired dissimilar to those of North Ethiopian Empire can only be in 1931 as Secretary Emeritus. America. The second is being subdued by killing every man Now, at the age of seventy, he carried on, for the most part, and woman in it" ,have proven reviews his life's work, describ- among the more backward sec- false and the author is no doubt ing his early career and varied tions of the population. as keenly disappointed in the personal experiences, and the These "Stories from Brazil" unexpected collapse of the mocontroversies in which he and relate distinctly to the second rale of the Ethiopian army and the Federal Council were often type. They bear the authentic the flight of Emperor, and as involved. Of special interest is stamp of pioneer missionary ex- disillusioned in the outcome of his account of the various inter- perience, including travel after the struggle and the altruism of denominational and internation- the most primitive fashion and protector nations, as is the al movements of recent decades preaching the Gospel to under- writer of this review, who has and the eminent men in America privileged people, despite 'Perse- himself spent five years in and Europe with whom his of- cution and ever imminent dan- Ethiopia. STUART BERGSMA, M.D.
Booles Popular Commentary on the Interna- An Unusual New
tional Sunday School Lessons. As I Saw Africa. Eva Alice Springer. 1937. 90 cents. 224 pp. Revell. MY BELOVED ARMENIA 243 pp. }>owell & White. Cincin- New York. By MARIE S. BANKER nati, Ohio. . The King's Palace. Pen Pictures A thrilling testimony of her jrirlhood days Almanacs-Daily Light, 13hd.; Our from Ephesians. H. E. Anderson. in the caves of Armenia hiding from the Home, 1d.; Bible Almanac, 2d. 125 pp. 18. Pickering & Inglis. Turks, the suffering of her people in the Pickering & Inglis. London. London. deserts, her remarkable escapes from death, her perilous trip to Smyrna at the time of China Year Book. Edited by H. G. With Christ Into Tomorrow. Hunter the World War, the loyalty of her parents Woodhead. 510 pp. North China B. Blakely. 1GO pp. GO cents. Pres- to Christ, and the persecutions whIch the Daily News and Herald Co., Uni- byterian Committee of Publication. Armenians endured even unto death. Cusversity of Chicago Press, Chicago. Richmond, Va. toms of the Turks described and their hatred of Armenians revealed. Remarkable an- Christians in Other Lands. Compiled China Calling. Frank Houghton. 200 swers to prayer recordet!. How Got! supby Dorothy M. Horne. lB. 6d. pp. $1.00 cloth; 50 cents paper. plied her needs folt!. S. P. G. in F. P. London. China Inland Mission. Philadelphia and Toronto. Intensely Interestln,. and unusually Informing. True to life but reads Calendars-Daily Meditation~ lB. 6d.; The China Inland Mission. like fiction. Stimulatinl to faitb and Golden Grain, lB. 3d.; Golaen Text, By Love Compelled. The Call of the Christian fortitude. lB. 3d.; Daily Manna, lB.; Grace & Trust, lB.; Young Folks Calendar, China Inland Mission. Marshall Beautifully bound in blue cloth ,gold letter- lB.; Pickering & Inglis. London. Broomhall. 12G pp. 85 cents. China i1B, tinted edges; attractive two-color jacket; Inland Mission. Toronto and Phila- illustrated; photo of author; 208 pages; The Church and the Churches. Karl delphia. $1.25. Barth. 92 pp. 75 cents. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., Grand Rapids, Obituary Not.. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THIS Mich. OUTSTANDING BOOK!
THE BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N 848 N. Wells St. Chicago, Ill. David and Jonathan. Lucy Laing. (C01UJluded from sd cO'IJer.) 9G pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. and director of Indian missions. He Dr. William S. Bovard, Secretary London. was the author of "Mormonism, the of the Methodist Board of Education from 1924-1932, and since then the Golden Grain Almanac. Small-type • • • Islam of America" and other books. head of the Board's promotion work edition, 2d. and Gd.; large-type Bishop Wilbur Patterson Thir- until his retirement last June, died at edition, ~d. and lB. Pickering & kield, retired, of the Methodist Epis- Sierra Madre, California, on Septem- Inglis. LI. ~don. copal Church, leader in Negro educa· ber 16. tion in the United States, died on ••• Golden Grah'. Diary. Vest-pocket November 9th, after several months' edition. lB. to G8. Gd.; Standard Hon. Hampei Nagao and Rev. M. Edition, lB. t<. GB. Gd. Pickering & • • illness at 82 years of age. Inglis. Londoh. Akazawa, two Japanese Christian • High Lights in the Near East. leaders, died recently. The former Reminiscences of nearly 40 years' Col. George Wingate, the founder used his political influence to further service. Abdul-Fady (A. T. Up- of the Central Asian Mission, and a the temperanee cause; and the latter son) • 128 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, highly honored Christian and promot- was Bishop of the Methodist Church. Morgan & Scott. London. er of Christian work, died recently in England at the age of 84. He was Mexico Today. Col. Irving Speed a member of the board of the Regions Wallace. 364 pp. $2.00. Meador Beyond Missionary Union. Pub. Co. Boston. JUST OFF THE PRESS! My Robber-Captain. C. G. Kilpper. 166 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdmans The Presbyterian .!,mn~ Pub. Co. Grand Rapids.
New Testament Principles and Mod- A weekly religious newspaper in of tbt ern Missions. By a Missionary its lo6th year of continuous pub- Secretary. Gd. 22 pp. World Do- (!Cbri~tian minion Press. London.
New Testament Commentary. Edited lication under the same name. 1Lift by Herbert C. Allerman. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadel- It is conservative and evangel- ell BOOK of worship in song, com- phia,l'a. ical, gets its news by telegraph bining a hymnal for general and keeps abreast of the times. church use, and a song book for evan- Portuguese East Africa-A Study of gelistic purposes. Owy songs sound Its Religious Needs. Eduardo Mor- It goes into every state of the in the faith and inspirational-in char- eira. 104 pp. 28. Gd. World Do- Union, the District of Columbia, acter included•••emphasizing Evangel- minion Press. London. and U. S. possessions. ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Many of the new._.the best of the old. Reftections of a Pioneer. W. R. S. It goes to Asia and Africa, South Miller. 58. 22G pp. C. M. S. Lon- America, Canada and New Zealand don.
The Silent Oak. Armine Gabriel. 298 pp. $2.50. RevelL New York.
What Maurice Found. Laura A. and into twelve countries of Eu- Barter-Snow. 189 pp. lB. Gd. rope. Pickering & Inglis. London. 504 Songs Responsive Readings Why Quit Our Own. Geo. N. Peek, Subscription Price, • • .' $2.50 Samuel Crowther. D. Van Nos- Ministerial Rate, • • • $2.00 Topical Index Gold Embossed trand Co., New York. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Christmas in Other Lands. Compiled 50e. extra..·Canadian postage by Dorothy M. Horne. Illus. 63 $1.00 extra•••foreign postage edition only at $65.00 per lOQ….·an especially pp. lB. Gd. S. P. G. in F. P. Lon- low price. Single copy, SSe. postpaid. don. THE PRESBYTERIAN Write todal/ fOT .etumable sample cop, 11'11 Through the Eye to the Heart. 1217 Market: St:reet, Philadelphia, Pa. j Edited br Hy Pickerin~. 28. 1G4 CHRISTIAN PUBUCATIONS. pp. PIckering & Ingbs. London. INCORPORATED Third and Reily Streets Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — October 1936
1936
THE AFRICA NUMBER Progress and Challenge in Africa Alexander Mcleish An African View of Indigenous African Religions Donald G. S. M'Timkulu The Gospel Among Primitive Peoples John S. Hall Revival in Central Africa Andrew MacBeath The Gospel and the Women of West Africa Jewel H. Schwab The Church of Christ in Uganda J. J. Willis Material Progress and the Africans John M. Springer The PrintedWord Among the Bantu Robert H. W. Shepherd A Medical Missionary on Tour Albert D. Helser The Unoccupied Fields John Steytler Africans on the Witness Stand Various Authors 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember executive secretary of promotion. He International Dollar
will serve as chairman of the joint October 12-18–International Con- staff of the missions council and pro- Approved by Women's Boards of For- vention of the Disciples of Christ. motional units of the American Board eign Missions to meet the Grave Emer- Kansas City, Mo. and the Home Boards in the Congre- gency caused by decreased appropriations gational Church. for Vellore Missionary Medical College October 14-15 – Annual Meeting, for Women. Unless friends will help American Mission to Lepers, New The Rev. Gr*ant* K*. Lewis, Secre- quickly through the York City. tary of the Home Department of the Good Samaritan Dollar Bonds October 21-24–National Council of United Christian Missionary Society Young Men's Christian Associa- of the Disciples Church, has resigned. Dr. Scudder must close some of the work tions, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. G. Orissa*Ta*ylo*r, born in India, and turn away eager Indian Christian stu- November 17-19 – National Confer- dents who long for training as doctors. ence on the Rural Church, Ames, has been appointed deputation travel- Already one Roadside Clinic is closed. Iowa. ing secretary of the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission. Dr. Taylor worked One Hundred Million Indian November 23-24 – United Steward- at Chittagong Hill, India, as a B. M. Women ship Council Meeting, Dayton, Ohio. S. medical missionary, was invalided ho~e, and for twenty years was su- will die without medical or spiritual aid CONFEREI'TCES AND SCHOOLS permtendent of the Islington Medical unless we meet the need quickly. Send OF MISSIONS Mission. Then, five years ago, he and for free literature and Bonds to Mrs. Mrs. Taylor went back to India again Henry W. Peabody, Chairman, Beverly, Affiliated with the Council of Women to work with the Nilgiri Medical Mis- Massachusetts. She will also send Prize for Home Missions and the Com- sion. Offer for those who will sell Bonds. mittee on Women's Work, For- eign Missions Conference Dr. Harold A*. M* oo*dy, of London, A Superior Education Houston, Te~a8 – September 28 – Oc- a Jamaican Negro, took office last Offered by Calvert Courses tober 2. month as president of the British Dean – Mrs. A. B. Hynes, 618 Christian Endeavor Un ion. Dr. FOR CHILDREN Highland, Houston, Texas. Moody is a practicing physician and founder and president of tbe League More than 50,000 children have ac- Warren, Okio–October 6-7. for Colored People of England. quired a superior elementary education Mrs. George Konold, 814 Scott . . . in their own homes • . . in this St., N. E., Warren, Ohio. Obituary Note. interesting and simple way. Recommended by Mission Boards, Edu- Baltimore, Md.-October 19-21. Fred B. Smith, author and former cators, State Department, and Army Mrs. David D. Baker, 410 N. Cal- moderator of the National Council of and Navy Officials. houn St., Baltimore, Md. Congregational Churches, died at his Daily lessons, selected books, stationery, home in White Plains, New York, on special materials and personal guidance Personal Items September 3d, at the age of seventy … by mail … from our prominent years. He was born in Lone Tree, and successful private day school in Dr. C. T. Wang, former Foreign Iowa, and spent one year at the State Baltimore. Minister, has been named Ambas- University of Iowa. After his con- Write today for illustrated catalog. sador to Washington to succeed Dr. version at the age of twenty-five he Sao-Ke Alfred Sze. Mr. Wang is a entered Y. M. C. A. work. He was M~!.~~~~~.!i~~~~~me , graduate of Yale, and was at one chairman of the World Alliance for Instruction time a Y. M. C. A. secretary. He is International Friendship and chair- 1810Tuscany Road, Baltimore, Md. now a member of the ruling Kuomin- man of the religious committee of the tang party's central executive commit- Y. M. C. A. during the World War. Planned along ad. tee. He is fifty-four years old. He is survived by his wife, two sons vanced peda;ogical Unes and three daughters. to provide both Home and Cia.. *** for the pupil. Varied (Continued on page 449.) such as Quizzes, Reading Tests, True Mr. John H. Reisner is spending False Test.. and Completion Tests, eight months in Africa under the LET YOUR GIFT the pupil to work out each lesson from auspices of the Agricultural Missions PAY YOU Bible for himself. Foundation and the Rural Missions Cooperating Committee. His itinerary A LIFE INCOME Interesting -:- Inspirational -:- In.hu"H",. includes Gold Coast, Nigeria, French Cameroons, Belgian Congo, Angola, I YOAUNR~UGJITfTY OPLNANTHE ~ SeM 8c in .bmp' lor curr_t in". Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rho- – will provide b you Sample. oj Oour S,.II'1d..y School pubhc.Uon••nd desia, Nyasaland, Portuguese East lind your dependeab Africa, Union of South Africa, Kenya Bible CO&rae.lor YCNRV People', Societi.. and Uganda. He expects to reach I.~' UlIChAanSau{unr8e aInd~ Mnt ft.. Oon ,,,,,,,••t. New York about January first. fully guaranteed by ~ serve funds required by EST.ISBS The Rev. W.*Y.*Ch*en has been ap- – New anYnourikt·ie"sjiIta.p.teromlaWptllloy All CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS.lN<! pointed General Secretary of the Na- paid "Inee 1876. tional Christian Council of China, By your CIft 700 Wlll 1502 N. Third St., Harrisburg, Pa. succeeding Dr. Cheng Ching-yi, who stiare tn world-wide resigned in 1984 to become General Christian work of the Secretary of the Church of Christ in ChurCh•. China. I'Dr ",,1 ialDriuIloII fWIu *** ~….:t~1~~ The Rev. Leonard M. Outerbridge, formerly a missionary of the American Board in North China and recently Associate Secretary of the American Board, has been appointed
MISSIONARY How African Evangelists are
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Trained, by L. Paul Moore, Jr. High Speed DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor What Christ Has Done for Afri- at Low Cost cans, by Bernard Molaba. VOL. LIX OCT., 1936 No. 10 Speed is often so important when Pioneering for Christ in Africa, crossing to the Orient. That's why Publication and Business Office– by Herbert Smith. busy travellers go by Empress. You Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. go faster … in maximum comfort The Greatest Need of Africa To- . .. and at surprisingly low cost. Editorial and Executive Office– day, by S. S. Tema. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Only lQ days to Yokohama by Entered as second-class matter at We deeply appreciate the general Empress of Asia or Empress of cooperation of missionaries and other Russia. Or via Honolulu in just 3 Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., unde, friends of Africa in the preparation days more by Empress of Japan Act of March 3, 1879. of this special number. Busy workers (largest, fastest liner on the Pa<:ific) have freely given of their valuable or Empress of Canada. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. time to record the progress and prob- Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. lems of missions in Africa as they Low round-trip fares . . . First, Published monthly. except AUghst. have seen them. They throw much Tourist and Third Class. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. light on the Africans themselves, both British agents – Marshall, Morgan Christian and non-Christian and de- Regular sailings from Vancouver scribe the methods and difficulties met and Victoria in Canada's Evergreen t~~d~~~t~. 1~. p~te~~~~~~~ ~~;ld~~;:: in the work. Weare especially glad Playground. Orient fares include to have a large number of African passage from and to Seattle. If you 10 shillings a year. Christians contribute articles on what sail from California, connect with an Christ has done for them and for Empress at Honolulu. Orient ports- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Africa. This is a most fascinating of-call: Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, LISHING CO" INC. field, immense and varied in its ex- Shanghai, Hong Kong and Manila. BOARD OF DIRECTORS tent but very fruitful in the results • World Tours . .. $579.90 up, that have followed the faithful wit- Combination of Classes. Write for ROUERT E. SPEER. l'r" .•ident nessing for Christ. folder of six most popular routes. A. L. WARNBHUIB. Vi06-Pre8ident Vv· ALTl<~R MCDOUGALL, '1'rew.;urer Obituary Notes Booklets, information from YOUR DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary AGENT or Canadian Pacific: New (Continued from second cover.) York, 344 Madison Ave.; Chicago, SAMUEl. MCCREA CAVERT 71 E. Jackson Blvd.; San Francisco, Mrs. Calvin Mateer, who, fifty- 152 Geary St.; and 38 other cities WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN seven years ago, as Miss Haven, vol- in the United States and Canada. D. J. FANT unteered for missionary service in MRS, OHI<lN R. JUDD China, died in Peiping on August by WM. B. LIPPHARD first. She was born in Brookline, Mass., in 1850, and later married Dr. ~(fa4c ERIC M. NOR'fH Calvin Mateer, a missionary of the SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- EMPRESSES sions. Mrs. Mateer taught in mission Editorial Chat high schools, prepared textbooks, and translated a numoer of volumes into We would express our sincere grati- Chinese. Later she taught in the tude to Mr. Robert M. Kurtz for Women's Bible Training School in kindly undertaking to put through the Peiping, and after her honorary relast of the September number and for tirement in 1924 continued teaching his effective editorial work on the and writing. present issue of THE REVIEW. This is especially important as it is the mis- *** sion study number on Africa and will be widely used in mission study Missionary Muller, of the Hercircles. Already our extra edition of mannsburg Mission in Gallaland, the June American Negro Number West Abyssinia, lost his life at the has been entirely sold out. It will be hands of rioters and robbers who inwell for those who desire extra copies fest that section. He thus becomes the of the October REVIEW to send in their first martyr of this mission in that orders immediately so that they will area, which, because of its remoteness not be disappointed. from the capital, has not yet been placed under military law. *** *** Owing to limited space and to the failure of some promised articles to Miss Grace Stephens, Anglo-Indian reach us on time, a number of articles missionary, who began work among planned for the October number must the women and girls of India fifty be held over until later. Some of these years ago, passed away May 30, in the are very important and we expect to Ellen Thoburn COWen Hospital, Kolar, print them in November and Decem- India, at the age of eighty-five. At ber. They include the following: one of her zenana parties in 1892, where four hundred women had gath- Roman Catholic Activity in Pa- ered and were seated about on the gan Africa, by Kenneth G. floor, she stealthily sent for Bishop Grubb. Thoburn. When he appeared, many of them, purdah women and Brah- Hindrances to Christianity in mans, looked askance, but after a Africa, by C. S. Jenkins. time more than a dozen women pushed through the crowd at Miss Stephens' The Influence of White Men in invitation and shook hands with the Africa, by Oscar Emil Eman- bishop. It was a considered a great uelson. triumph and no unhappy results fol- lowed. The Progress of Islam in Africa, by Samuel M. Zwemer. (Concluded on page 512.) Missionary Work as Seen by an [449 ] African, by John L. Dube.
Achievements in West Africa, by R. S. Roseberry.
Some Results in Central Africa, by Virginia M. Clarke.
Missions in the Congo BeIge, by Thomas Moody.
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T&Il&,ie ..R.ut:i.j..a Or ~~ ..f '" s asta ane"tt& -.— usa f' ' ,. Casablan 0 SF.. '~A Con&ta"oBiskra I UNI _,,. eo <f A • M.kirl!l • L G E R I A. l.'T Sf" .~"..•'.'-''.y ", ._.thardaia,.. 0 MOROCCO Gabes • Morocro .r;' .. .' Agadlr – – -) Colomb • • ___ – Bechar ~:hadames ,._.J RlODEOJ !' . LIB Y A , . o Murzuk I Kh"gaO ) , .J. ,'— ~ ~. "' . , L'.-._.-.A-sw.a~,.. W.dyH,lfa ( " Oongof,o Port Sudan FRENCH WE S T AFRICA < "("'> Dakar Timbuklu O JI..::U "Kayes °Sinder • ."- "'."……–..~ ~< EIObel Kuka aBamako I i oW.gadugu 0 Abeshr. SUDAN Ko . " ,. _ . ,• J.:.. I. anD .Yakuba ( ..: 1 Kon~o i !? ,,' N I G E R I A " 0:: ·1-..I. JS ,.)' r I /GOLD . 🙁 IOHesha @B K l a . ~ …… /Kumassi Q • "'fbada" '.. '. (ETEI1 J'IA) • Cd'AST • oAsaba , "'sagmo _ _ _'!"'oo&..;A;;;k",k~~~~ ; ; Bangui . ___~ ~ ·(Bra~n·o~'~.~r<?~!¥' ~ .' 0 Upolo ~~.. ir '"– ._., .-) '·…. :~4J Ynd 0' ~ au ~~DA) " (.:.' ._. ~nteb~{>"~BRITISH ~" ,! StanleyvilleO * – Vir/orio ~ 4. J'/ BELGIAN . 'E'A0~ °l am, oKindu '
B"Z"'~ CON G O . TAGANYlKA ' I N DI A N ~a CABIXDAl • .wl~ A T LA N T I c ,'-'-''l Kongotoo • oc EA N EAN 0 0 ' ( . ~ ••…1•…, "-·'~.1 ~ loand. Cassani' j • ~ Matanle '> ' – – . "flit"ab.!.~Y/~eo · A No G 0 L A ,….,I' ~. ~E v ;''I f~.;z. 4J Bihe . 'l or-:: I NORTHEll~', "-c-~ .0;.. …B.la.nt~ yr,~.olombal).'" Mossamed •__. _ ~ . i il2M ' " , "" ~ I • .-…… …..,lSOUTHERN . v r ' – ' , RHODESIA ~ G,.,gtfont.in j " 'r' ' SOUTH WEST BECHUANALAND' 0 Bulawayo. 0"'l 01" r-s '!@.dh~ Palapye '~. o I O ~./ ;;; /. ~,{TRANSVAA~ I loh/a'n;l..l.e'.iy?~JI,'~~: '. ouren'" nhambane I" ~ ~q~ II ~ &..,.,," t… " _/'Gf.~"'r."'.p '",•..,' B..Kciomnbsefrt"eyl~~,~"~~"~.:N;" oLJdysm,ih oPrelirmantzbu'g o Paas,i o0~~Be~au'fco-rt"~.~~~~~'a/s.t;Londonurban ~~ CLEARTYPE ~oo,~ .., '1A/f'fd i'lizabeth II.. u.s. " •. 0#.
Principal Cities Map of *KEY TO POPULATION NOTICE Over 100,000 nlth ……¥~h.od_… n.. …. ~"" …. AFRICA S 20,000 to 100,000 ;::-:::::::::'COZ'"::t.":i.i;!;~ o Less than 20,000 MAP No. 966 Capitals of Countries (underscored) Scale of Miles COfJ)Tialu 200 Amuican Mao Company. '"e.• N .Y ..- 8392. . ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 10 OCTOBER, 1936 Topics of the Times WHY STUDY AFRICA One answer, or rectification rather, to that question is that no great human agency is any There appears to be a special opportunity and longer justified in attempting to maintain bounduty before the Christian Church to study Africa. daries between "home" and "foreign" needs. What is done about American race relations will In a sense, not true of any other great world profoundly affect Africa. What is done about unit, human or geographical, there is no one, any- African economic questions will continue greatly where, effectively to think and plan for Africa as to influence American living. And so throughout a whole. Africans cannot do it yet. Eight hun- the earth. dred languages, as many tribes, a millennium of almost complete tribal isolations prevent. The six But the basic reply to that question is that the European powers governing in Africa, and the problems in many of their aspects are universal, one striving to return there, will not do it. One and that Christianity has the answers to them need only name them-Britain, France, Italy, wherever they occur. They are by no means con- Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany-to make fined to America or to Africa and those nations clear the improbability of their presently agree- which have given themselves burdens in Africa. ing on anything, much less on the future of the They are universal. And the Church, by its very Africa which is so rich in raw materials and claim to universality, or better, by its very unihuman power as nearly to have precipitated an- versality, finds itself sharing those burdens. other great war this past year, when the world was crying out against all war. The "gratuitousness" of the Church's continued and increased intervention in African affairs is No, there is no prospect of unity of thinking thus also answered, with the added observation about Africa-unless it be that the Church shall that, in practical human relations, mere political do it. Therein lies a great challenge and oppor- control of a territory has seldom operated to pretunity, not only for performing a beneficent serv- vent ideas and pressures from nations other than ice for Africa and the world, but for exercising the one in authority entering and influencing the and strengthening within the Church those quali- country, sometimes very deeply indeed. ties of spiritual and moral leadership which remain so often latent and are. yet so sorely needed In the case of Africa, for example, where the in the world. United States has not a mile of territory and but relatively small financial investment, American Many American Christians may feel that it is education, American philanthropy, American gratuitous, even impossible for the Church, of medicine and methods of public sanitation, Amerwhich they are a part, to project its thinking and ican agricultural experience, American transporideals concerning a future Africa into those quar- tation material, American accounting devices, ters within and without Africa where that future American mineralogical engineering, Americanwill be determined. the list could be continued in a well-nigh exhaus- tive enumeration of human experience-have al- How can a church, some will ask, which has not ready affected fundamentally nearly every part yet achieved a common front on such "domestic" of Africa. The precedent is abundantly fixed for fields as race relations, cooperatives, public own- American participation in African matters. As ership, economic security, armaments, class ex- for the Christian Church, probably no single inploitations, hope to attain such on a "foreign" field?
[451 ]
fluence has thus far been greater in transforming strengthened. And, beyond the slightest doubt, the internal life of Africa. the animistic Africa of today can be transformed into the Christian Africa of tomorrow. What is now needed, besides the continuance of that internal transformation, and what is posted EMORY Ross. as a great challenge to the Christian international, is the forming and directing of world policy THE GODLESS MOVEMENT concerning Africa, and in Africa, so as best to aid Africa and the African to develop in both in- In this country until lately many remembered ternal and external relationships. World policy the atheist as one of the local "characters" of their is certainly not so directed now. Correctly speak- home town. He might make a professed convert ing, there is no world policy regarding Africa, now and then, but he seldom greatly disturbed the unless indeed it be expressed as universal white religious life of the community. But now atheism, domination. like all sorts of propaganda, has become an or- ganized and aggressive foree, not only national, In some respects it would be ruinous for Afri- but international, in scope, another of the world's ca, and in other respects it might well prove dis- great evil forces that challenge the right of the astrous in world relationships, for the sum of Church of Christ to live. One wonders at the present policies toward Africa to continue. singular mentality that can become so hostile to the preaching of the Gospel-which no one is Within Africa, they have already set up in many obliged to accept or even to consider-as to make places such strains, racially, economically, social- of him a monomaniac. Indeed, whether one bely and in some cases religiously, that the structure lieves in a personal devil or not, when he exbeing creakingly reared threatens even now to amines the activities and sacrifices of organized fall. anti-Christianity and hears or reads its blasphe- mous utterances, it seems as if the idea of Satanic Outside Africa, the world's attitude and actions leadership is the simplest and most logical. extouching Africa have on at least four occasions planation of these manifestations. The Presbybetween 1897 and 1935 nearly resulted in armed terian has republished this item, credited to I. C. European clash, plus the tragic African events of P. I. S., Geneva, which gives some idea of the zeal 1936 which appear to have resulted in the post- that is going into international atheistic work: ponement and increased preparation for war, rather than in averting it – just as in 1911 the The periodical, Antircligio'snik, published in the U. S. Agadir crisis was adjourned to 1914. . . . S. R. by the Central Council of the League of the Fight- ing Godless, includes in a recent issue an article on the There is in all this need the possibility of an then impending international congress held in Prague. unique and inestimable service to be rendered by In this article, the task of the Free Thinkers' Internathe Christian Church to Africa and the world. tional is put forward as that of fighting for democratic To render that service, or even intelligently to rights and freedom of conscience, for economic and culargue against the possibility of its being rendered, tural progress against clerical reaction, and for the cothe Church must study Africa. ordination of the godless all over the world. The article further states that in regard to the colla'Joration of the In America not without reason is Africa various Free Thinkers' Associations with the Godless thought of, more than any other continent, as Movement, and in relation to the struggle against Fascism, "mysterious," "darkest," "remotest," "unknown." war and clericalism, fundamental agreement has already It is unknown in many of its elements. We are been reached. Similar views have been expressed by the generally quite unaware of how profoundly Africa League of the Fighting Godless, in the A'pril issue (page already affects our life. Still less are we conscious 2) of Bcsbcschnik, published by the Soviet Union. In the of the inevitability with which it will continue meantime, the fusion of the Brussels Free Thinkers' Inand increase its influence in the whole range of ternational with the Proletarian Free Thinkers' Internahuman affairs. How widely is it realized, for ex- tional has taken place, thanks, not least (according to ample, that in certain important and real senses, "International Correspondence" of May), to the active Africa is the richest continent, the most produc- collaboration of the Soviet delegation, which was composed tive continent, the coming continent? of Professor Lutaschewsky, representing the League of the Fighting Godless in the U. S. S. R., and Professor Let us study this continent, not only during the Savadowsky, President of the Ukrainian Godless League. months just ahead of what we call mission study, The reports of these members of the congress "made an but in the days beyond that when Africa and its essential contribution to the clarifying of the basic quesneeds will continue to grow and its influence con- tions of the Free Thinkers' Movement." Professor Savatinue to mount, voluntarily and involuntarily, for dowsky, it is further stated, declared in his address that good or for evil in world relationships. "it is only today that it is possible, with the union of the two Internationals of Free Thinkers, to estimate the whole If we study, and are convinced, and act, the value of the assistance rendered by the liberated science "African problem" can be solved, and with it will of the U. S. S. R., to the ideological struggle of the Free be solved many other problems, now fearfully con- Thinkers against Fascism and clericalism." The merging fronting individuals, nations and the world. Our of the two Internationals of Free Thinkers is not to be own Christianity can thus be expanded and regarded as an aim in itself, but as a means of coordinat-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
ing "the best forces Qf progress and of science in the after commenting on harvest conditions as he had noticed them when crossing the country: struggle for Socialism." R. M. K.
MILLIONS OF SHEPHERDLESS SHEEP May r remind you of another kind of harvest which seems to have been shunted into the background? r am The anxious demand for economic security is speaking to you as a fellow American who during the at the bottom of the prevailing social unrest. This social conflict differs notably from the age-old last two decades has spent most of his time outside the struggle for political freedom. The latter was the concern of citizens within a nation. In one coun- borders of our country on duty in Europe and the Far try they might enjoy a high degree of political liberty, while those of a neighboring state were East. Each return to America reveals marked changes greatly oppressed. But now the world has been so brought into communication that the strife not only in the physical appearance of the country but over social and economic theories has overflowed boundaries between nations, and great interna- in the mental and moral climate which show now and tional groups are beginning to overshadow the old national parties. When the masses come to think, again a spiritual drought of wide areas of American life. and act, internationally the world has reached a critical point in its history, and one which the r find myself especially impressed by the fact that you Church cannot ignore. and others, who are my countrymen, are placing undue But the Christian Church will not meet its op- portunity and accomplish its appointed work by emphasis upon the lifting of the standards of economic entering any heated secular debate. It can fulfill its Great Commission only by bringing men to life. Weare being told on every hand that we need to realize that they live not by bread alone. It is quite evident, from the present emphasis upon the seek economic security and that when that is achieved all "social gospel," that the central Christian message . of redemption through the Cross is not very popu- will be well. I find myself definitely calling in question lar, but that is no reason for neglecting to press it upon men's attention. Rev. Dr. D: E. Hart- that conclusion. Davies, of Edinburgh, Scotland, in a sermon re- cently delivered in New York, put the situation in We have lifted the standard of economic security very these words: much in the last few decades, but we definitely lack ·that something which can bring peace, prosperity and happi- ness. There is need for much further planting of spiritual seed in the hearts of men so that along with the harvest in the fields there may be likewise the harvest of cultural and spiritual gifts and graces. This, and this only, will lead the people of America intQ that quest of real life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. R. M. K.
The world of humanity may be likened to a vast Oriental THE CHURCH AND THE YOUTH wilderness upon which millions of shepherdless sheep are MOVEMENT grazing. One of the phenomena-perhaps, rather, one of the symptoms-of our times is the prominence of I never go into a big city like London, Glasgow, Bir- youth, to the extent of almost making them a dis- tinct social class. This is very naturally leading mingham, Chicago or New York without feeling my own youth to take itself with exceptional seriousness, so that in its mass expression it is inclined to put helplessness as I look upon the masses of the people close in "a very large order." An instance is this stateup. Though their aims are manifold, there is an intensive ment from a declaration of rights adopted at the passion for leadership. Meanwhile, the Son of God has third American Youth Congress, held last July in Cleveland: appeared and made the great claim of the ages, "I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk "Our generation is rightfully entitled to a use- ful, creative, and happy life, the guarantees of in the darkness but shall have the light of life." which are full educational opportunities, steady employment at adequate wages, security in time Your eternal salvation and mine depend ultimately upon of need, civil rights, and peace."
this one simple thing: the personal appropriation of the Excepting infants, people of any age are right- fully entitled to much the same things. The sad Son of God as the shepherd of the soul. R. M. K. thing about this rather complacent claim upon life is, that it is stained with the blood and tears of OVEREMPHASIS ON ECONOMIC many generations of men who have demanded of STANDARDS life just such benefits, only to find that, taken to- gether, these boons spell Utopia, the undiscovered One who visits a country at intervals of years country. What life really gives is discipline, now has unusual opportunities to observe and appreci- more severe, now less, but discipline always. Beate various changes. They are presented to him cause youth is proverbially hopeful and the dewith a vividness that the citizen who has seen the pression has so blighted youthful hopes and gradual progress of things fails to sense. Such thwarted youthful ambition they need all the an observer is Bishop Edwin F. Lee, of the Meth- sympathy and help that their elders can offer. odist Episcopal Church, who has charge of its However, that does not mean that sound judgment work in Malaysia and the Philippines. In a ser- should give way to an emotional attitude that may mon delivered in New York last August he said, mislead considerable numbers of young people into thinking that somehow the working of eco-
nomic laws can be modified to suit their very real everywhere else, it will seek to win the youth, we needs. Of course, this is a weakness not confined to the young, but marks people of all ages who have an added incentive to bring young people the have never become mature enough mentally to save themselves from social and political dream- world over, as well as at home, to know their ers and false prophets. The truth is, that unnumbered thousands of youth, unknown and unsung, Lord and to see human life in all its interest as have always had to face such difficulties in their individual lives as trouble millions today who find He would have them see it. R. M. K. a bond in their common sorrows and their united efforts for betterment. NO MERE ACADEMIC MATTER The problems of these millions will be met much There is a disheartening amount of adverse as those of the thousands before them have been. Faith in God, patience, perseverance and the criticism of the present condition of the Churcn, other virtues can win comfort and peace-though some hopes will fade. But unsound theories, even from within, and it is to be feared that much radical mass movements and ill-advised revolutions are not going to change human nature or the of it is well founded. How can things be made underlying principles of things. Of course, we must recognize the evidence of a changing social right? They say that one of the best ways to order, apparent at home and abroad. To natures that are well-balanced this means a time for cau- learn is to teach, and that one of the best ways to tion and careful study. But it also means the great opportunity for the social and political ex- keep one's body in trim is to engage in active tremist, who finds valuable allies in discontent, discouragement, and despair. work. Teach and work. So, then, how can the But another serious factor is beginning to be Church renew her life and power in any better noticed among the more than six million unemployed Americans under twenty-five years of age, ways than by teaching-and so relearning-the and that is a disposition to refuse the responsibility for improving things. More than this, much basic truths of her faith, and by energetically radical propaganda that appeals powerfully to young people of unfavorable background, does not working to put them within reach of all men seriously seek real improvement of the economic order. Instead, it proposes the appropriation of everywhere who have never heard them? the best material advantages in the present order for the less fortunate. Hence the demands for In our generation there is an appalling lack the confiscation and redistribution of wealth. These disturbing tendencies are becoming more of knowledge, or else only the vaguest knowledge, and more evident in America, but they are present the world over wherever youth finds it~ way of the meaning of such mighty terms as "incarnablocked by general conditions. tKiionn~daotmonoefmGeondt,." redemption, regeneration and The Church cannot settle the economic prob': But knowledge of thel'le things lems the times present for youth. But it can and must boldly urge the high moral claims of Chris- will never come by sermons and study cOurses tianity which include the cultivation of that very sense of responsibility just referred to. It was and programs that deal with everything save the intended in the moral economy of God that men should regard themselves as their brothers' keep- Church's supreme concerns. If the Church has ~rs. It is this moral responsibility that is to be laid upon the hearts of youth. But the particular any great service to render to the world it is to political or social systems or methods or schemes by which this obligation is to manifest itself is deliver to all men everywhere the good news not the burden of the Church. the Lord has given her for them. What is more Now, since we are finding that such anti- Christian agencies as communism are invading necessary for the Church than to be made to realeven the great mission field of Africa, where, as ize her responsibility for obeying Him in this matter? How men can be lifted out of the selfish- ness that is threatening civilization is shown by contributions to this issue of THE REVIEW.
But the Church's lessened vitality, serious though it be, does not reveal how critical the situ- ation really is. Weare not experiencing merely an ecclesiastical depression; the Church is ap- proaching a great religious crisis, of profound im- portance to civilization itself. Dr. Samuel Henry Prince, Professor of Sociology at King Univer- sity, Halifax, N. S., while preaching in this coun- try last summer, observed that religion had "con- tributed mightily to the survival of the individual and the human race, and a failing Christianity will presage a decline of the West." And he con- tinued: "The decline of the West is no longer a matter of mere academic consideration, of interest to the followers of a Spengler. It raises the whole question of the factor of religion in social con- tinuity. Whether Christianity shall be allowed to collapse or shall reconquer the Western mind and redeem it of its secularism, megalomania and self- complacency is a greater issue than an American labor schism or a Spanish civil war." R. M. K.
and Challenge in
By REV. ALEXANDER McLEISH, London, England Survey Editor, World Dominion Movement T HE hope of the Church in Africa lies in its and medical work missions have also pioneered becoming a truly indigenous African Church. the way for governments which are rapidly tak- Let us glance at the Protestant occupation ing over these responsibilities. Evangelistic work of Africa in its main geographical divisions. carried on for more than fifty years has resulted Ohristians in the creation of the largest Christian community Mission- Per in any mission land, now numbering, according Population aries Ohristians Million 676 48,150 1,528 to the latest computation, 7,904,514.3 North Africa .. 31,503,298 East Africa … 25,935,548 824 172,302 6,643 The Moslem infiltration from the north con- West Africa .. , 44,463,884 1,140 1,130,529' 25,425 tinues, but has been held up by the Coptic Church Central or Equa- of Abyssinia, by the great progress of missions in 24,439,048 1,479 739,379 30,254 Uganda, and by the chain of mission stations torial Africa. 20,460,759 3,473 4,000,000' 173,408 stretching across the Sudan. Along the old slave South Africa ..
146,802,537 7,592 6,090,3612 38,448 route in Tanganyika, however, Islam is extending The slow progress in Moslem North Africa is its influence again as well as along the coast as far south as Lourenco Marques. at once apparent, and becomes more striking when Roman Catholicism has launched a new and it is remembered the Christians are drawn mainly vigorous campaign for the conquest of Equatorial Africa. The ambition of Cardinal Lavigerie has from the Copts of Egypt. been largely realized and one of the greatest con- solidated spheres of Catholic missions has been If this occupation be distributed under the vari- built up, stretching south from Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to Northern Rhodesia, and west from ous governments it appears as follows: Tanganyika through the Belgian Congo to French West Africa. Rome claims over four million Cath- Ohristians olics in Africa, more than half of whom are in Equatorial Africa. Mission- Per aries Christians Million Africa, however, has proved the most respon- Population sive to Protestant missions of the great world British …….. 4,820 4,564,602 ' 73,347 French …….. 56,225,671 720 933,930 24,359 38,351,128 Portuguese …. 342 285,000 33,290 Belgian ……. 8,561,545 Spanish …… . 13,328,601 1,012 221,000 16,582 .. Italian …….. 1,678,846 22 1,399 834 2,534,814 International 33 3,110 1,226 51,000 Independent … 26,070,932 16 20 392 627 81,300 3,310 fields. David Livingstone, dying upon his knees, 146,802,537 7,592 6,090,361 2 38,448 is forever the symbol of a church sustained in The impact of the European powers has had many an hour of persecution and difficulty by tremendous repercussions in Africa. The recent divine power. Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda and centenary (1933) of the abolition of slavery in South Africa show the most remarkable progress. the British dominions is a reminder of a hundred The tragedy of North Africa is its vanished years of steady transformation. Native opinion Church. That Church was without an equal in in the south has been profoundly stirred over the Christendom from the second century to the fifth.
color bar legislation. In other parts of the conti- Even in the fifth century, though already in denent the years since the War have seen an increas- cline, it still numbered over 500 dioceses. Its decay ing sense of trusteeship among foreign govern- was due to three significant things: The Scrip- ments, which, however, has received a severe blow tures were never given to the great Berber nation in recent days. Governments have dealt more ade- in their own tongue, the missionary spirit graduquately with educational and social problems. ally faded away, and the Church itself ceased to Four-fifths, however, of the education of the Afri- be truly indigenous and became dominated by can is still in the hlmds of missions. In social Greek and Latin theologians. Therefore it de- clined, and the Moslem invasion of the seventh 1 The British (and the Dutch) have been the only Protestant colo- century completely destroyed it. The Coptic nizing powers in the continent, and it may be seen how predominantly the Protestant Church is established in those territories where 3 This does not include the Coptic Church of Abyssinia and Egypt they have held or still hold sway. Comment is needless. or European Christians scattered over Africa.
2 This number (1936) is now 7,904,514.
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Church of Egypt, however, which had given the does the evangelization of the land of Simon of people the Bible, survives to this day. Cyrene hang!
Throughout the Dark Ages and until today the A few years ago, out of the population of thir- Moslem has been the religious dictator of North teen million in Egypt there were nearly a million Africa. The Crusades did not shake him, and Coptic Christians, 66,000 Protestants, and 117,000 almost the only missionary was the lonely but un- Roman Catholic and Uniat Christians. The daunted Raymond Lull, martyred in Algeria in Christian population chiefly resides in upper 1315, and who ever was true to his own motto, Egypt. Between Cairo and the Mediterranean, "He who loves not, lives not." The millions of among six million people, there are only one-quarthese regions still unevangelized remain a per- ter of the Protestant Christians. The Coptic petual challenge to the Christian Church. If to Church is one of the ancient Christian churches, this be added the other Moslem populations of very similar to the Greek Orthodox. Since the Africa, we are faced with almost half the total British occupation of Egypt (1914) the Copts population for the most part still unreached by have mingled much more freely with the Mosthe Evangel. lems, and not a few have gone over to Islam. The Coptic Church does not view with favor the work The partition of North Africa 4 began in 1830, of Protestant missionaries. The Moslems number when Algiers fell to the French, who today govern ninety-one per cent of the population of Egypt. Tunis and the Protectorate of Morocco also. Spanish Morocco is relatively small. Italian Trip- There are about 440 missionaires and 20 misoli and Cyrenaica are vast, but sparsely populated. sionary societies in the country. Forty per cent French administration has been enlightened and of the missionary force is in Cairo, and there are thorough, but it has not helped to solve the reli- 33 other missionary residential centers. Much gious problem. Illiteracy throughout North Africa evangelism' has been carried on among the Copts amounts to about ninety per cent among the men, since 1859, and a very large part of the Protestant and is almost universal among the women. Church has been built up from among them. Progress among Moslems' has been exceedingly Roman Catholic Christianity in North Africa slow, but the present situation is viewed hopefully. does not really assist the Moslem to accept Christ; Many social and educational reforms are being its ceremonies and images are foreign to him. carried out in the country today, but there are Protestant missions, most of which are interde- powerful elements which view with apprehension nominational, were started about fifty years ago. any weakening of the traditional Moslem position Their work is threefold: that among the Jews, and prestige. of whom in Tunis and Algiers alone there are over 200,000; that among the European colonists, Turning to East Africa,5 let us consider the French, Spanish and Italian, in some cases also situation in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.6 The numerous; and, finally, that among Moslems. River Nile is the unifying highway of the Sudan. The tribes have no affinity, either racially or tem- Work among Moslems has been, and is extraor- peramentally, with the peoples of Egypt. The dinarily difficult. The number of missionaries country is today experiencing a new development. considerably outnumber the number of converts. The future, in the material sense, would seem In Morocco, for example, out of six and one-half promising for the Sudanese. As for the Christian million persons, five and one-quarter million live Church, there are about 100 missionaries and sevoutside the centers of missionary occupation. eral thousand communicants. Six provinces with Evangelization does not really depend upon more a population of over 1,200,000 are practically unforeign missionaries, but upon the sacrificial touched. There has recently been considerable prayer of Christians everywhere and the emer- progress in numbers and influence, and in Bible gence of Spirit-filled indigenous evangelists. The translation, and in the pagan parts of the south work must be largely that of men, but at present many have been pressing into the Kingdom. Conwomen workers predominate. Of the total work- siderably more than half the population is pagan, ers in Morocco, three-quarters are women. For and only the few mission stations oppose the onthose who know the constitution of Moslem society ward march of Islam. The southern Sudan may this needs no comment. well be one of the desperate battlegrounds of the future between Christianity and Islam. The occupation of the field, too, is unequal. In all Tripoli and Cyrenaica there is only one medi- Abyssinia, or Ethiopia, has a population of from cal missionary-in Tripoli city. The Italian gov- eight to ten millions, of which probably one-half ernment had put severe restrictions on religious are pagan and the remainder equally divided beliberty. Two very small groups of Italian believers have been organized. On such small threads 6 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Abyssinia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Kenya, Tanganyika (area, 2,267,708 square miles; population, 25,727,684; 4 Modern Populations: Tangier, 51,000; Spanish Morocco, 720,273 ; density, 11.3). French Morocco, 4,500,000; Algeria, 6,553,451; Tunis, 2,410,692; Lybia, 719,663; E'gypt, 14,217,864. • Area, 1,008,100 square miles; population, 5,728,551.
PROGRESS AND CHALLENGE IN AFRICA
tween Islam and the Abyssinian Church. The over two million Moslems, but many think that the last few years saw a great advance in the work number of real disciples is not more than 300,000. of Protestant missions. A new spirit among the What is certain, however, is the rapid superficial priesthood, a general readiness to hear the Gos- increase. Roman Catholicism is represented by pel, and the printing and publishing of the New about 700 workers and 200,000 Catholics. It is Testament by the government press were out- pursuing an active and aggressive policy, greatly standing facts. This progress has been arrested hampering the work of Protestant missions. meanwhile, and it is not known what the future of Protestant missions will be. Missionary work There are 13 Protestant missions and a Chrisdates from 1830, and before the recent war there tian community of 125,826. The German miswere eight societies, with a staff of about 200 sions, excluded in the Great War, were permitted missionaries. to return in 1925. Probably the areas of least progress are in the Eastern and Western prov- This will remain for long a very needy area and inces. The former borders the Indian Ocean, must be included in the unevangelized area of and among its half million people there are under Africa. Missions may be able to continue their 1,500 Protestant Christians. The latter lies along work in cooperation with the Waldensian Prot- Lake Tanganyika. The Lake Province, the most estant Church of Italy, which views with sym- populous, contains a large number of unevangelpathy and concern the condition of the Evangeli- ized tribes. It is important to note that no defical Christian communities in Ethiopia today. nite steps have yet been taken for the evangeliza- tion of the Moslem populations. Eritrea (Italian) and the SomaIilands (British, French, and Italian) are grouped around Abys- The history of West Africa 10 has been marred sinia in the "horn" of Africa. The population, by slavery. Slavery is still said to survive in which is Moslem, is small.7 Moslem bigotry pre- Liberia. Missions and governments are now desents special difficulties in the way of missionary voting all their energies to native interests. Islam work. Only in Italian territory has evangelism has made great inroads from the North. In many actually been carried on by the National Evan- villages, formerly pagan, the call of the muezzin gelical Missionary Society of Sweden. This work floats from the minaret. Yet the Church has has now been suspended. made much progress, particularly in British ter- ritory. In British West African colonies there are Kenya 8 is a young country. Thirty years ago some 252,000 Christians, and in Nigeria nearly a Nairobi, the capital, was an experiment in tin million. All this ground has been won at great shacks; today it is an up-to-date city. Its high- sacrifice, in the loss of missionaries by sickness lands are suitable for white settlers. The difficul- and in the sufferings and persecutions of the naties between them and the natives have been tive Christians in the past. greatly exaggerated, and even the trouble with the natives over the discovery of gold in 1932-33 has The task of Africa's evangelization is not only been satisfactorily settled. There are eleven mis- that of the foreign missionary. The Church has sionary societies in the colony, and much progress not been without its own leaders, and in more rehas been made. The territory is fairly divided cent times "prophets" have arisen here and there. between these bodies, and the unoccupied fields Some of these have been men of little worth, but are to be found mainly in the north where, how- one deserves more than a passing reference. The ever, the population is not dense. Work has re- "prophet" Harris was a Liberian of the Grebo cently been begun in these regions. The unhealthy tribe. As a young man of twenty-one he felt the regions of the coast have still many neglected call of the Holy Spirit. Of his early years of groups. In the west the influence of the great ministry little is known; but in 1913, when he work that has been done among the tribes of was about sixty, he came to the Ivory Coast, and Uganda has been strongly felt. God began then to use him in a remarkable way. His message was simple, his life apostolic, and he Since 1920 Tanganyika Territory 9 has been ad- was undoubtedly taught of God. A Bible and a ministered by Great Britain under a mandate of bamboo cross were the insignia of his mission. the League. The administrative reconstruction of His converts on the Ivory Coast are variously the region has been carried out with special ref- reckoned up to a 100,000. Persecution fell on the erence to the welfare of the native peoples, and Christians, but the majority refused to comproseeks to stimulate native authority. A living issue mise. Harris himself was deported in 1915 to in the religious field is the progress of Islam. Liberia, where he later died. Zanzibar and the East African coast are almost completely Islamized. The last census records Nothing was known of this to the missionaries at this time. Strange stories came to them of a 7 Eritrea, 621,776; Somalilands: British, 344,70'0; French, 68,965; Italian, 1,010,815; Island of Socotra (British), 12,000, 10 French, British (InclUding Nigeria), Spanish and Portuguese territory and Liberia: Area, 2,458,745 square miles; population, 8 Area, 224,960 square miles; population, 3,091,064; density, 13,5. 42,432,017; density, 17.3.
o Area, 366,632 square miles; population, 5,022,640; density, 13.7.
work in the interior which passed human analysis, are only one or two stations. Most of the mission- of fetishes destroyed by thousands, of churches ary effort in the vast stretches of the interior is which had never seen a missionary. When in- very recent. The Christian and Missionary Alli- quiry was made it became clear "that right along ance has taken a considerable share in pioneering, the Ivory Coast, and up into the interior, there but the six societies in this large region today had been such a mass movement as had never been have only 30 stations. French West Africa is, to heard of in the history of modern missions." a large extent, still spiritually destitute.
With all its inadequacies-and they were many- Of the population of the interior fully forty per here was a stirring in the African soul which cent are Moslems. The most important tribes are came from God. In recent years the Methodist probably the Fulani and the Mosai, numbering Missionary Society has taken over the care of about two million. In the past the Fulani influ- large numbers of the "Harris Christians." ence has been the stronger, and they were the A few figures must suffice to describe the situa- chief bearers of Islamic culture. On the great tion in West Africa today. Let us take British bend of the Niger stands Timbuktu, long since territory first.ll Nigeria ranks third in popula- shorn of her former glories. West and north in tion in the Empire, after India and Great Britain. the desert live the Veiled Folk, the Tuaregs, once Of the 899,000 12 Christians of Nigeria, 188,000 perhaps a Christian people. Wide indeed is the are Roman Catholics. The enormous majority of field here and vast the task to be undertaken!
the Christian community is in the Southern prov- In Spanish 14 and Portuguese15 territory in inces, nearly 700,000 coming from the lbo, West Africa there is a small work on the Cape Yoruba, and Ibibio groups alone. The north is Verde Islands and a station is projected in Portu- less occupied, and here Islam is strong. Christian guese Guinea.
schools in the south enroll 176,886 scholars and The independent state of Liberia is about the in the north, 5,969. Moslem school enrollment in size of England, and is a member of the League the north is 183,374, and in the south nil. of Nations. It was founded in 1822 by liberated The Northern provinces are of great interest. slaves from the United States, who were assisted Roughly seven and one-half millions are Moslems by American philanthropists. Today there are and about four millions pagans. Up to 1901 there about 10,000 Americo-Liberians, 60,000 others was only one mission station established; now who are civilized and also use English, and about ten societies are at work, reaching over 160 tribes, 200,000 who are partly civilized. The remainder totaling some 3,000,000 souls. What is needed is of the estimated population of a million are il- not so much the advent of new bodies, but the ex- literate. Many missions, mostly American, have tension of existing work. The unreached popula- worked in the republic, and the Christian commu- tion is mostly in the Mohammedan emirates. For nity is over 30,000. This is practically confined a long time, evangelization was prohibited in these to the English-speaking population. Very little is areas by the government, but this prohibition is being done to reach the population of the interior, now removed. On the whole the outlook is en- and the state of many of the existing churches is couraging; in 1932 the whole Bible was published very low. One authority writes: "There is no in Hausa, one of the most widely spoken languages vision, no discipline, no authority in the churches."
of West Africa. Four stations have recently been opened in the As for other British territories: In Gambia hinterland, and the churches are being encour- there are some 2,000 Christians; in Sierra Leone, aged to support themselves and to evangelize their about 40,000; in the Gold Coast, 200,000; and in fellow countrymen.
British Togoland, about 10,000. The hinterlands The Union of South Africa presents many prob- of all these territories are still largely unoccupied lems. In the provisional census of 1936 there by missions. were over 6,529,784 Bantu, 755,282 "colored," and French West Africa 13 is an immense territory, 215,529 Asiatics. Europeans numbered 1,979,390.
equal in area to India. Of the 60,000 Christians, The native population has increased by thirty-nine 45,000 are in the Ivory Coast, the fruits of the per cent since 1921. Afrikaans has become the long unknown labors of the "prophet" Harris. common language.
Nearly all the remainder are in the coastal ter- The Bantu are unquestionably a people with a ritory of French Togoland and Dahomey. In great future, and today they are combining with.
Mauretania there is no work, and in Senegal there the "colored" folk in defense of their rights.
About 2,000,000 are still living the tribal life. The 11 Nigeria, 91,928,171; Gambia, 20'0,000; Sierra Leone, 1,768,479; present land policy, as seen in the allocation of re- Gold Coast, 3,040,446; Togoland, 293,714. 12 Census, 1931. serves to the natives, has not given very satisfac- 13 Population: Mauretania, 323,819; Senegal, 1,584,273; French 14 Rio de Oro and Adrar, 495,000; Ifni, 20,000. Sudan, 2,853,655; Upper Volta, 3,000,243; Niger Territory 15 Portuguese Guinea, 364,929; Cape Verde Islands, 153,70'0. 1.542,714; French Guinea, 2,236,968; Ivory Coast, 1,866,316: Togoland, 750,065; Dahomey, 1,112,000.
PROGRESS AND CHALLENGE IN AFRICA
tory results. Of the acute race problem and the of missions followed, and today there is a Protescolor bar legislation all that can be said here is, tant Christian community of over 120,000. The that nothing would so much contribute to its solu- Presbyterian work has grown steadily and has retion as a deep and widespread revival movement. sulted in the formation of a Central African Na- tive Presbyterian Synod. It is interesting to note The leading church among the whites is the that, in contrast with Rhodesia, Islam has spread Dutch Reformed, with nearly a million adherents. widely in Nyasaland, the Moslem population being A very large number of denominations and mis- reckoned at 73,000. sions work among the Bantu and colored peoples; and this "fragmentation" from abroad is outdone Portuguese East Africa 20 lies adjacent to by native enthusiasm. "Separatist" movements Nyasaland and South Africa. There are large are many and frequent. In Johannesburg alone stretches of entirely unoccupied territory in the there are said to be 121 denominations among North, for the missions are almost all in the South. African Christians, and in 1932 Professor Brookes Special conditions attend missionary work in these compiled a list of 326 native sects. Notwithstand- Portuguese colonies which need careful study being this, there has been much real progress. About fore new work is begun. There are about 20,000 2,500,000 Bantus are Christians, and there are Protestant Christians in the colony. some 40,000 Bantu workers. In some churches Bantus have a large share in church government.16 In the history of African missions few stories are so stirring as that of Madagascar. The Lon- A,r,eain Popula- Density Protes- don Missionary Society founded a station there in tion 1818, and the witness rapidly spread. By 1834 Sq. Miles 48.8 tants there were 30,000 pupils in its schools. Then ter- 571,600 0.5 rible persecutions fell upon the Christians. Mis- Basutoland ….. 11,716 160,000 140,000 sionaries were driven out. Men and women were Bechuanaland … 275,000 123,320 18.3 16,000 slain by the spear, hurled over precipices, sawn Swaziland …… 6,704 27,000 asunder, burned in the fire, or sold to slavery. And yet persecution stimulated the growth in Basutoland and Swaziland are, relatively speak- numbers, so that by 1861, on the death of the cruel ing, the most occupied regions of Africa, while queen, the Christians had increased tenfold. At substantial progress has been made in Bechuana- last in that year freedom was proclaimed.
land. The reconstruction began in 1861, and the work Southwest Africa 11 is administered by the has continued ever since. Difficulties have been many, but the triumphs have been an abundant Union under a mandate of the League of Nations. reward. Widespread and rapid church building Of vast size, but very sparsely populated, it is one has been a keynote of the work. In one period of of the most fully occupied mission fields of Africa. ten years since the war over a thousand new Christians number 85,000, of whom about 10,000 churches were organized. Today there are some are Roman Catholics. There are 381 missionaries 720,000 Protestant Christians.21 More than oneper million people, or 910 when Roman Catholics third of the total number of churches in Africa are found in this island. are included. Rhodesia 18 is a vast territory, as yet thinly Any reference to Central Africa may well begin with Uganda.22 A long line of remarkable names populated. The pacification and evangelization of marks the progress of the Gospel there. H. M. the natives, together with the colonization of the Stanley, the explorer; Alexander Mackay, the country, forms one of the romances of African pioneer; Hannington, the martyred bishop; Pildevelopment. Today the administration faces kington, the brilliant linguist; and many others questions of land, color, and industrialization, but are among them. When King M'tesa heard from it has the experiences of South Africa from which the first Church Missionary Society missionaries to learn. The number of African Christians in the name of Jesus, of whom Stanley had previ- Southern Rhodesia is only 86,000, of whom nearly ously spoken to him, he caused a salute to be fired 30,000 are Roman Catholics. In N·orthern Rhodesia the total is 142,000, and of these somewhat .0 Portuguese East Africa: Area, 297,657 square miles; populamore than half adhere to the Roman communion. As there are 14 missionary societies in the North tion, 3,995,831. and 15 in the South, there is no call for additional organizations. The evangelization of the country ., Roman Catholic adherents number 460,000. It is worth noting awaits the extension of the e~isting work and the that the Comoro Islands (population, 130,253), adjacent to Madagasgrowth of the missionary spirit among the Afri- car, are unoccupied.
can Christians. Reunion (French): Population, 197,933. The population Is Roman The land around Lake Nyasa 19 :was first ex- Catholic. There is no Protestant work.
plored by David Livingstone. The establishment Seychelles (British): Population, 27,786. Two missions are at work. 16 Basutoland, Bechuanaland and .swaziland are native protectorates. Mauritius (British): Population, 400,904. Christians number 122,836, of whom only 5,345 are Protestant. 11 Area, 322,394 square miles; population, 273,876; density, 0.8. 22 Uganda: Area, 94,204 square miles; population, 3,584,758. 18 Northern and Southern Rhodesia: Area, 438,744 square miles; 1.population, 2,502,340; denSity, 5.6. Nyasaland: Area, 37,596 square miles; population, 1,609,915.
for joy. Under M'wanga, his son, the Church was spiritual desert, and around them a thirsty land baptized with fire, but stood firm. The threat of where many tribes know nothing of the Light.26 Islam and tbe strife with Roman Catholicism were challenges she was called on increasingly to meet. Remarkable progress has been made in Angola27 But today the Church of Uganda is a mighty (Portuguese West Africa) jn the face of many Church. There are well over half a million Chris- difficulties. One mission alone witnessed 900 tians today, and, although there is some discrep- church members increase to 9,000 between 1921 ancy in statistics from different sources, they seem and 1931, and there are today eleven missions to be about equally divided between Evangelicals with 240 missionaries at work in 51 centers. and Roman Catholics. Catholics in the same decade increased from 77,000 to nearly 300,000. Yet both in the North- Belgian Congo23 is a vast territory, nearly east and South of the colony there are populous eighty times the area of the home country, but tribes and large areas still untouched. The Protwith a relatively small population. Its past has estant Christian community numbers 240,000, of been melancholy, but today roads traverse its ter- whom nearly 3,000 are Christian workers. ritory, mines penetrate its ground, and the government is making increasing provision for the The whole situation today in Africa may be welfare of its native peoples. The jubilee of Prot- summed up briefly. The Roman Catholic populaestant missions in the Congo was celebrated in tion of Africa amounts to about 4,304,222, in the 1928, and the picture was a very different one proportion of 4 to North Africa, 22 to Central from that of the days when George Grenfell con- and West, 8 to East, and 9 to South. The Protstructed his little steamer, the Peace, with his own estant population is 5,638,252, in the proportion hands, the two Scotch engineers having died be- of 0.5 to the North, 18 to Central and West, 2.5 fore reaching Kinshasa. Today there are some to East, and 35 to South Africa. From this it 43 societies with about 900 missionaires in this will be seen that the Catholics are strongest in the field, and between 1920 and 1930 church members Central, East and West, and the Protestants in increased from 55,000 to over 200,000. Many un- the South. The Christians number 10,000,000 or evangelized regions still remain, but they consti- about 7 per cent of the total population. This is tute a challenge to existing bodies rather than a 1 to every 14 people, which may be compared with call for new missions. Catholics are variously China proper, where there is 1 to 500 people, or estimated from half a million to two million, and India, where there is 1 to every 56 people. There the sudden growth and influence of Catholic mis- are over three times as many missionaries to every sions is seriously embarrassing the evangelization million people in Africa as compared with India, of the colony. but, owing to its large area, only one-seventh the number to each 1,000 square miles. Out of Ruanda Urundi/4 with its small area and dense Africa's 65 territories, 42 are inadequately occupopulation, became a mandated territory of Bel- pied, 23 are adequately occupied, but 15 of these gium after the War. A Belgian mission has taken are excessively occupied if 1 missionary to 20,000 up part of the former work of the German mis- people per 1,000 square miles be taken as the sions, and the Church Missionary Society has been standard. extending its work southwards from Uganda. With the addition of two or three small Protestant Whereas there are 15 missionaries to the milmissions this is the extent of Protestant effort in lion people north of 10° N., there are 148 south one of the least occupied areas of Africa. The of 10° S., and between 10° N. and 10° S. there Roman Catholic missions are making great prog- are 50. The missionary occupation is, therefore, ress and aim to capture the whole area. very unequal, being three times more in the South than in Equatorial Africa, about 10 times more in French Equatorial Africa and Cameroon 25 to- the South than in the North. gether comprise an enormous area of over a million square miles with a scattered population. It The same is true of the distribution of the stretches from the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to Lake Christians, who are in the proportion of 146 in the Chad, from Libya to the Belgian Congo. Only South to 28 in equatorial regions and 1 in North in the south (Gabon and Cameroon) are missions Africa. at all well established, and even there much remains to be done. For the rest a few lonely pio- These facts reveal at a glance the regions of neer stations appear on the map as oases in the greatest need, and should determine all plans for the evangelizafion of Africa. 23 Belgian Congo: Area, 918;000 square miles; population, 9,485,091. 2. Rio Muni and F'ernando Po are Spanish colonies. Rio Muni: Area, 10,036 square miles; population, 140,000; 2< Ruanda Urundi: Area, 20,550 square miles; population, density, 13.9. 3,500,000. Fernando Po: Area, 795 square miles; population, 23,846; density, 29.9. 2r. Area, 1,078,538 square miles; population, 5,477,236. The Methodist mission works in Fernando Po and a live develop- ing work exists in Rio Muni under the American Presbyterians.
27 Angola: Area, 323,295 square miles; population, 4,141,730,
PROGRESS AND CHALLENGE IN AFRICA
South Africa is fully occupied, and for our pur- Sudan call for reinforcements, and on the West, pose has ceased to be a foreign mission field. The Belgian Congo and French West Africa, owing to activities of its 3,547,892 Christians should cover their large areas, are still very needy. the unreached sections of the population, which should be regarded as their home mission field. The great Moslem countries of North Africa must still be considered as the most needy part Basutoland and Swaziland, which fall within of Africa. this area, are excessively occupied as mission fields. The first has 67 missionaries to 571,600 British territory, owing to greater facilities people, of whom 136,332 are Christians; the sec- available, is now probably adequately occupied, ond has 80 missionaries to 123,320, of whom and attention should increasingly be given to the 25,818 are Christians. Southwest Africa is in territories of the French, Portuguese and Belgian much the same position with 105 missionaries to colonies till these also are evangelized. 267,905 people, of whom 73,412 are Christians. Bechuanaland, with 17 missionaries to 160,000, This in a word is a bird's-eye view of that great and 15,200 Christians is too well provided for. continent which only sixty years ago was indeed the Dark Continent, but which today is well on A move northwards of a large number of the its way to becoming the most enlightened of all. foreign missionaries to the unoccupied regions of The great cleavage at the heart of the enterprise Portuguese territory, East and West, to Ruanda between Roman Catholics and Protestants casts a Urundi seems called for. The Rhodesias, Mada- dark shadow over the landscape, but the virility gascar, and Nyasaland are probably as well occu- of African Christianity and its power to organize pied as the situatian calls for. On the East, itself along its own indigenous lines promises well Tanganyika, Abyssinia, and the Anglo-Egyptian for the future when Africa shall have become, as it certainly will, a Christian continent.
ST. PAUL'S CATHE'DRAL. MENGO, UGANDA, LOOKING EAST (See page 478)
African View of Indigenous
Religions * By DONALD G. S. M'TIMKULU New Haven, Conn.
To THE ordinary man who has heard about same way as I would behave to my own brothers . Africa the phrase, "African religions," con- and sisters. In this way the family circle is ex- jures up a confused mass of superstitions and ceedingly increased, and the kindred are bound curious beliefs which seem to him very childish, together in a very close and intimate way. In if not entirely foolish. To some it might even most African societies, however, preference is seem like straining the connotation of the term given to one set of kin at the expense of another; unduly to call this hotchpotch religion. It is not L e., either to the mother's people or to the fa- necessary here to prove that suclJ. opinions are ther's people. This is the basis of the clan, or sib, the results of generalizations based on very inade- which is a strong group of people claiming to be quate data. Those who have tried to understand intimately related either on the mother's side or the Africans and to see life as they see it have on the father's side.
found that they possess not only well developed The clan is not only the most important group religious systems, but a religion which enters far in the African kinship system, but also the pri- more into their day by day conduct than is the mary religious group. Since all members of the case among the peoples of the West. clan are linked together through their ancestors, In spite of the vast expanse of Africa and the the ancestors come to take a most important place variation in cultural features presented by its peo- in the life of the group. They founded the clan, pIes, it is still possible to speak of the country as gave it life and made it what it is. The present a whole, on account of a number of fundamental generation, therefore, owes all that it has to those principles which underlie the social structure of who have gone beyond. The ancestors are thus the whole of tribal Africa. This is particularly as much a part of the clan as the living; they. are true of the Bantu tribes, and it is with the religion as interested in its welfare as those who still walk of these peoples that I mean to concern myself in thIs earth. For, according to African belief, "the this paper. dead are not lost to society, they are merely in- A great part of the religious life of the African itiated into another part of the society, the spir- centers round the worship of ancestors, but such itual unseen part." Thus the clan with its begin- a statement needs some elucidation. To under- nings far in the dim past can only make secure stand truly what the cult of ancestors means to provision for the future by consulting and work- the African we must probe deeper into his social ing in harmony with those whose wisdom is un- background. The social and economic unit in doubted, and who now can tap sources of power Africa is the individual family. To bind the fami- which are not available to mortal man. The es- lies together in a larger social unit, the intimate sence of ancestor worship lies in the effort on the and binding family ties are extended outside the part of the living, by various acts of remem- immediate family. .For instance, my father's brance, to maintain friendly relations with those brothers are my fathers; I call them so, and I, who are now of the spirit world, and thus to se- behave to them in the same general way that I dq cure their help and guidance.
to my own father. Similarly, my mother's sisters True enough, fear enters into the worship of are my mothers, and their children are my sisters ancestors, the fear of consequences that will fol- and brothers; I behave to them in exactly tlie low any failure_ on the part of the living to per- • Donald G. S. M'Timkulu Is the son of a well-known Methodl'st form their pious duties. But we would be greatly' in error if we assumed that the religious motive in pastor in Durban, South Africa. He received his high school education at Adams Mission and at Lovedale before proceeding to Fort faenacre.stoTrhewoArfsrhicipanisreaallll ysupmutm' s ehdIS up in the word Hare College, where he received his B.A. in 1927, securing a "double trust in the anfirst" In English and ethics. On the strength of this he was awarded cest ors, and h"IS f al"th I"S a 1IV""lng everyday fal"th" a university scholarship (the first of his race) to read for his M.A. The Afr"Ican a1so be1 lev"es"In a great "Sp"lrItua1 (English), which he received in 1931. Since then he has been power, a Supreme Being, more or less personified, teaching at the Healdtown Missionary Institution in the Cape Province and at Adams College in Natal, where he is now head of the high school department. He was editor of the (Jape African Teach– e,rs' Association Journal until his resignation to come over to Yale University, where he now holds a FellOWShip in Race Relations.
[462 ] who made the world and created all living things, illness by manipulating the all pervasive "Pobut has since had no direct dealings with man. tence" against him. For the African believes that Now and again one may hear his angry mutter- some people are able by long training to make use ings in the roar of the thunderstorm, as he hurls of this spiritual power in the universe either for forth his thunderbolts at some individual who has good or for evil. This is the basis of the Afriangered him. can's belief in witchcraft and the efficacy of charms. For to protect myself against the machi- Among some of the southeastern tribes, how- nations of the wizard, I must have some object in ever, he is regarded as a great chief of the spirit which is concentrated a stronger power than that world, Unkulunkulu (the greatest of the great), which the wizard can direct against me. Without who is so great that ordinary men cannot ap- this I am at the mercy of my enemies. Thus the proach him for any favors. Amongst these tribes African has ever haunting him this fear of unseen the ancestral spirits have come to be regarded as powers working around him, and perhaps against mediators at the court of the Great Chief. Those him; for this reason he clings tenaciously to his who were great in this life, the chiefs, are much witch doctor, who is the only man who can give more likely to be in the inner circles of the Great him sufficient protection to make life worth living. One, and thus can do more for the people by pleading with the Great One in the traditional manner Let us next consider how far these beliefs and that marks the successful and polished councillor. practices are influencing the lives of native Chris- In times of calamity, therefore, the spirits of the tians in Africa. While it is no doubt true that the greatest chiefs of the tribe are invoked to help form that the Christian Church in Africa will ultheir children and save them from disaster. These timately take depends, in the last analysis, on ceremonies are always conducted by the para- what the Africans themselves make of it, it is mount chief of the tribe, in whom, by reason of none the less also true that Christian Africans his birth, is concentrated the highest spiritual must accept the fundamentals of Christianity unpower man can have, and who is the recognized diluted, as it were, if they are going to live Christintermediary between the people and their most like lives. As Archbishop Temple says, it is futile powerful spirits. The power of the chief, there- to consider whether the message of the Gospel fore, is based ultimately on religious sanctions. suits the African or not. If the Gospel is true, He is not merely the political head but the high then it is true for all men, be they black or white. priest of the tribe, and thus the dependence of the If one, however, is thinking of Christianity mere- African on his chief is a very real one. ly as a drug for the curing of social diseases, then one might well ask if it suits the African. If, on Apart, however, from this belief in a first cause, the other hand, Christianity is a Way of Life for the Africans believe in a Potence, an Energy, that all men, then we must recognize the fact that is imminent in all things, intangible and yet all- there are certain fundamental beliefs and points pervasive. While drawing itself into a focus in of view in African religion which are incompatible certain objects, it is, at the same time, sensitive with the Christian spirit. These must be shed, if to human conduct, so that irregularities in the Christianity is to mean anything for the African. world of men react immediately on the world of nature. In African societies, as Mrs. Hoernle While thousands of true and fervent Christians says, "events in the world of nature are inter- are to be found in most parts of Africa, it is neverpreted entirely from the point of view of their in- theless a fact that for many other thousands fluence on the life of the society; the world of Christianity is no more than a veneer, a top dressnature and the world of man are one, changes in ing, which peals off just when it is most needed. the world of man are inevitably accompanied by In the real crises of life they turn to their beloved changes in the world of nature, and vice versa, ancestors in whom they still have the utmost faith, and the laws governing the one world are con- although outwardly adopting the forms of the ceived of as being the same in the other." If, for Christian religion. Many a Christian family when instance, the harvest is poor, it is because the in trouble will secretly sacrifice a beast to appease proper rites have not been performed, or because the injured spirits, so that they may remove the someone has sinned or done wrong, and his wrong curse and establish friendly relations once more actions are somehow preventing things from tak- between the dead and the living. ing their proper course. There are other Christians, however, who have Because of this firm belief the African can definitely set their faces against the old tribal rites hardly conceive of anything happening naturally, and ceremonies; but this is about all they have i. e., uninfluenced by the actions of men, either liv- done. In these lives Christianity has only replaced ing or dead. If a man gets sick, for instance, his one set of taboos by another. This attitude has sickness is either the result of his neglect of some not been a little encouraged by the numerous customary ritual or some duty to the ancestors, "don'ts" which have formed the greater part of or else some evilly disposed person has caused the the "Christian message" of some missionaries.
The Christian in Africa has thus become a man the machinery of Western civilization, whose ex- who does not do a great number of things. The ponents are out to get as much as they can from African can understand such a religion, for it is the dark races.
just his old religion with the dire consequences On this account they have dubbed Christianity made a little less immediate. "the white man's religion," and they will have But the real persistent evil in the African Chris- none of it. This conviction is not lessened by the tian Church is that old belief in the powerful fact that many white missionaries identify their mystic forces of the universe which are ever ready strait-laced Christianity with Western civilization.
to do men harm at every turn. Accusations of The African is continually being told how lovely witchcraft and sorcery are not uncommon even in and beautiful everything is in the white man's our oldest mission stations. Venerable old preach- garden, and how weedy and ugly his own is in ers or deacons will tell you of one of their number comparison. The disillusionment that follows, of who keeps a baboon on which he rides out every course, is not very pleasant either for the mission- night to do his nefarious work. Many a fond ary or the African.
mother, for instance, will not dare to bring her The criticism of the unbrotherly attitude of the child to church for baptism, unless he has been white Christian gains more point when it is lev- thoroughly "doctored," lest the influence of some elled against the missionary himself. It is no other child who has been "doctored" cause a fis- doubt true that the spirit of Christian brother- sure in her child's skull which inevitably brings hood which characterized the life of the early mis- about his death. sionaries is slowly dying out. Social snobbery The old beliefs in witchcraft, therefore, are not and a certain irritating aloofness is not uncom- only still with us, but the practice of witchcraft mon among modern missionaries. In traveling is thriving under new forms showing an excellent round the mission stations one hears such signifi- adaptability to new conditions. Witch doctors cant remarks as this from the old people: "Oh, are doing a better trade today in the towns than we do not knock at the front door of the mission they ever did before. The old technique of try- house now, we have to go to the kitchen door."
ing to pooh-pooh these ideas and laugh them out One hears also of missionary teachers who fail to of court is futile. These beliefs are deep rooted recognize their fellow African teachers as soon as in the African, and now he not only feels he has they are outside the bounds of the mission station.
Biblical authority to support him, but also a fund These may seem like trivial considerations, but of anecdotes in which Christian ministers have they are just full of meaning for the African- been worsted in the fight against the wizard. The they are the straws in the wind. Is it any sur-, missionary, therefore, must concentrate on chang- prise, then, to find that the African in the older ing the African's unscientific view of the world. missionary fields is gradually losing his confidence "Nothing less will do than the gradual revelation in the white missionary?
of the complexity of the universe. Let the Afri- And yet all thinking Africans deplore this can once realize that the universe runs its course tendency; first, because it does not take into ac- by immutable laws which he cannot alter, and he count the great contribution that missionaries will be relieved of an incalculable burden of the have made and are making to African welfare.
spirit." Without this changed outlook the Chris- Second, and perhaps more important, is the fact tian missionary will be building his house on sand. that there is a danger that, with this loss of con- There is a new threat to the life of the Christian fidence in the white missionary, the African may Church in Africa, to which we now turn. In those also lose his hold on Christianity. For, as we parts of Africa where the natives come into very have sought to show, Christianity is still very close contact with the whites there is growing up, much of an exotic plant in Africa.
among some of the leaders of the people, a spirit The present tendency, therefore, among some of revolt against the Church. These men feel that missions to root Christianity in true native soil the Church is not living up to the spirit of Christ's has great possibilities for the future. For, it teaching in its attitude towards the race question. seems to me, the very highest ideal that missions They declare that color bars are rigidly enforced can hold for the future of Christianity in Africa even within the very precincts of God's house; in is the creation of a truly native church, "whose many churches the African clergy are merely the motivation will be emotional rather than mainly "boys" of their fellow white clergymen; some of intellectual, which will take cognizance of native the white men who stand high in the Church are psychic and mystic experience, whose forms and in no way different in their treatment of Afri- functions will be rooted in native life, background cans than any other white man. In these and in and environment, and whose leaders will be true many other ways, they declare, the Church has natives, integrally a part of the community and shown that even within its fold there is no broth- not mere preachers cut in the image of white mis- erhood for the black man. It is merely part of sionaries."
Gospel Among Primitive
By REV. JOHN S. HALL, I Sudan Interior Mission, Kaltungo, Nigeria 1)1- ~==========================~ THE country of the 40,000 Tangale-speaking to another man, that we may feast upon another people is in Nigeria, West Africa, inland one goat." Farthest reaching of baneful practices thousand miles northeast of Lagos, chief sea- was that of the parents, who threw the children of port of Nigeria, which is an important Protector- both sexes together for immoral purposes, all with ate of Great Britain and boasts a population of a view to enlisting the boys for labor on the farms twenty millions. The Tangales had their first of the girls' parents.
sight of the white man only thirty years ago, and A corresponding situation was to be found in their first contact with the Christian missionary the religious sphere. The Tangales' spiritual ten years later. The white ruler's advent ended heritage is cumbrous. Recognition is made of the a strange age-long cycle of seven years of inter- Supreme Being, Yamba, but no worship offered to tribal war alternating with seven years of peace, him. All shrines and altars are dedicated to other and ensured the gradual extirpation of cannibal- spiritual beings-demons, ancestors and haunting ism. Cloth was rare. Leaves sufficed for cover- human spirits. The primitives may not be so ing for the women, while the men used little cov- lacking in many things as superficial observers ering beyond occasionally wearing tanned hides say, claiming that they are without this, that and of animals hung by forelegs from the neck. the other, but omitting to observe that they have Their story is interesting, especially regarding powers that with us are dormant or dead. They Christian missions, and the fact that the condi- are, however, without the most satisfying and en- tions obtaining among them are typical of those nobling of human wants. For they have no hope among all primitive peoples. Illiteracy prevailed, and are "without God in the world." With no with the absence of books and the arts of reading books, they have not the Book, with its Messianic and writing. Their difficult and wonderful lan- light and life in prophecy and history. They are guage had only oral use. The world for them did without the dynamic of the preaching of the cross not exist beyond the extremities ofa fifty-mile and of the Spirit. The emotional reactions to the line, where heaven met earth and was upborne by spiritual environment are those of uncertainty strange, conveniently dwarfed beings around the and dread.
meeting line, holding sky-supporting sticks aloft. Sent by the Sudan Interior Mission, C. G.
With limited horizons of knowledge, the tribe Beacham and the writer settled among the Tan- moved as one man in a narrow orbit, unprogres- gales in February, 1917, and began to learn their sive, static. language. Three years later the Gospel of Luke There was that in their "moral" codes which, in Tangale was in print, published by the British without elevating or quickening the tribe, pre- and Foreign Bible Society. Successively, till served it as a unity, with a sturdy sense of iden- 1930, ten more books of the Old and New Testa- tity and independence. Marriage by uniform pur- ments were translated and in use in print, to- chase was recognized and was made honorable gether with the complete New Testament in by laws of legitimacy and inheritance. Laws ap- Tangale in manuscript. The British and Foreign plying to consanguinity and incest assisted in up- Bible Society undertook the cost of an edition of holding marriage and maintaining purity of tribal 2,000, so that the complete printed New Testa- stock. Over against these helpful things lay many ment in Tangale was in circulation in 1932. To antisocial habits. The bonds of marriage were date half of the edition has been sold, and as only uncertain, owing to the polygamous tendencies of readers, professing Christians, buy the book the men and women, and from easy temporary unions reading public in that once totally illiterate tribe and prevalent promiscuity. Illuminating is the amounts to a thousand, and the Lord's following prayer always made when the large goat from the reaches the same number.
bride-price payment was being eaten by the men School work, simply the teaching of reading of the maiden's hamlet in the sacred grove: "We and writing in the vernacular and of the Scrip- have just begun to eat her [i. e., the woman was tures, was begun only after two years. The en- an occasion of feasting]. Incline her soon to run rollment for a year thereafter was two. The next [465 ]
year it increased to three, and the following year by the young people themselves, who follow them. to eight. The enrollment now is 2,000. The first The Gospel was made for that kind of situation, seven years passed before any girls of the tribe where it can be trusted to be God's power unto came to school. Now the enrolled women and salvation. Moreover, the Africans can be trusted, girls nearly in number equal the men and boys. having "received Christ Jesus the Lord, to walk Of necessity at the first the teachers were the mis- in him, rooted and built up in him, and stablished sionaries. Now the teaching of reading and writ- in the faith, as … taught." To withhold from ing is left to the Christian natives, of whom one them that confidence or to make concessions to . hundred are 'under regular appointment to super- supposed weakness or peculiar wants injures and vise, in thirty-eight "schools," without remunera- slanders them and dishonors Christ and His Gos- tion. With a speeded-up farming schedule and a pel. The privilege and duty rather are, to uphold great saving of time formerly given to growing the New Testament demand and standard as re- much grain for beer, they follow their accus- gards purity and spirituality, together with an in- tomed farming, devote certain time to systematic tensive New Testament indoctrination. It is a Bible study and, with regulated substituting ar- senseless, heartless procedure to ask monogamy rangements, see to the manning of these teaching or one-until-death unions from people whose codes posts. . To evangelize farther outposts, ten mar- never included these conceptions, unless New ried couples in fellowship standing in the churches Testament doctrine and dynamic are intensively gave up home and farm and went where taking imparted and fully conveyed. Hence the Bible root afresh would be slow and toilsome, where schools, with their whole-church enrollment and privation would sometimes be their lot, and where systematic opening of the Scriptures. Hence the their only, but most glorious, reward would be magnifying of the church, the local assembly, as souls won for Christ. the school, the home of the saved community as a community, the sphere of mighty movings of God R. J. Campbell, in his Life of David Living- and the birthplace of saving outward movements stone, mentions the attraction his lantern lecture of wide reach. Hence, too, the simple and ex- was to the Africans, and adds that that was the clusive character of the mission's principles re- only Christian propaganda Livingstone was ever specting "education," with a nonsecular program asked to repeat. The Tangales have not yet seen and curriculum best fitting and generally lantern views. God's Word has been put into strengthening the believers for every spiritual their hands, and they have built two Bible schools and secular contact. where they gather to study the Scriptures. When we saw these buildings rise and asked, "What To an extent not always realized social pressure time will you give to the study?" the whole read- and safeguarding rules assist straight living any- ing, godly community of men and women enrolled where. In Tangale teaching is shaped and rules for regular attendance through nine months of framed to induce the right social pressure in the the year, every Monday and Tuesday mornings Christian society. Some of these rules are, that from 9 to 11, with daily sessions through a period boys may not meet with girls anywhere at night of four weeks twice a year. or in enclosed places, as huts, through the day; and that every Christian is responsible for rebuk- This spring we had the third of these four-week ing and reporting breaches of that rule and will periods in the two Bible schools, the average daily be held by the church as culpable as the offenders attendance being 525. The Epistle to the Hebrews if he does not meet this duty. Sense of personal was taught, with analytical outline, careful exe- and mutual responsibility and keenness of pergesis and application. Blackboard and notebooks sonal and social conscience are developed in this were used, and examinations given. The enthu- way. siasm and the mental and spiritual growth accom- panying that daily work within the cool, spacious In Tangale, as has been mentioned, the girls did grass-roofed buildings, with the high sun's heat not come to services or school until the seventh outside, cannot be computed or verbally conveyed. year of the work. The young men who came, Under what a spell the mystical Melchizedek held besides adjuring the practice of early sexual rela- these black students until, as they gave earnest tions, were taught to wait for domestic partners heed to argument, warning and entreaty, he to until they and the partners-to-be were baptized. their view dissolved into the Divine Prophet- Some did not wait; others did, and gave a noble Priest and they were strengthened and rejoiced lead. One of these first ones waited seven years to follow Him! "The Word to us is mother's from his first confessing Christ to gain a girl nurse," they cried. "Give us more; you stop too baptized one week before their marriage. An- soon! Hurry back!" other, a big muscular fellow who had waited five years from his first testimony, was similarly I have already alluded to the moral situation united then to a baptized Christian maiden. These created by parents in their handling of youth and
THE GOSPEL AMONG PRIMITIVE PEOPLES
weddings had profound effects; as from that time tian lives and their own Heaven-blessed home. the marrying age among believers advanced con- Then there is Shebu, who was living with an siderably, and the stability, security and satisfaction of marriages of baptized to baptized became unmarried woman and had a child by her. Both manifest. began to confess Christ through the testimony of a volunteer teacher. We said they should sepa- The case of one Shombo is interesting. He had rate and prove Christ singly, looking forward to two wives. They all heard the Gospel from an their Christian marriage duly. They stayed apart early convert. Shombo and his second wife, whom twenty months, were instructed and grew in grace he liked the better, came under conviction and and knowledge of Christ, then were baptized and began to confess Christ. They rightly reasoned came together through a Christian marriage. Shombo should have just one wife, and she the one first wedded, no matter that she seemed the THREE COUPLES IN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE ON THEIR least attractive and had no heart for Christ. It WEDDING DAY. LAYUNGDUNG AND HER HUSBAND took a struggle, but they parted, and the young AT LEFT woman, Layungdung, went to live with her "problem" and her testimony at her brother's. After Glorious results followed in the domestic sphere. some days, finding her brother's wife vexatious, Shebu's mother, sister, two brothers, an aunt and she quarrelled with her, and she, her brother and a cousin all sought the Lord and were baptized. sister-in-law came together to us with their trou- The cousin and the sister have married Christian ble. We were from 7 p. m. till 1 a. m. smoothing men; the two brothers remain unmarried until it out. We counselled forbearance and forgive- they can be suited with baptized wives; Shebu's ness, which Layungdung thought too hard, but at boy, happily named Paul, is choosing wisdom's 12 : 45 a. m. we knelt together and praised God ways; a considerable group in Shebu's hamlet, for victorious grace. Layungdung returned and old and young, and among them an old blind lived with her brother and sister-in-law, till she woman, have been baptized. And Shebu and his saw them confessing Christ and, with herself, wife also serve Christ freely now in a needy out- post. baptized. Pagan men, who could not endure seeing a young woman unattached, pestered her for Christ's Gospel has given to a multitude in marriage, until all attempts ceased because it was Tangale newness of life, a new orientation of publicly known that they had failed. She was mind, soul, spirit and social life and habit. waiting God's time and for a baptized companion. God's time-though after two years-came, and also the companion, a young widower faithful in witness. And these two are one of the couples who, with their family, have sacrificially migrated with the Gospel to an outpost.
Shombo himself now loves his first little wife, who has received salvation and baptism. Both his mother, a former spiritist medium, and his influential seventy-five-year-old father are baptized and in the Church, as is also his younger brother. His children, also, two dear girls, are readers of the Word and happy confessors of Jesus. And in Shombo and his wife we have another couple who have given up all and have gone to an outpost, 20 miles distant, to serve souls with their Chris- A NATIVE EVANGELIST'S APPRECIATION "There are many things that tempt a servant have good chairs to sit on, not just boxes. As a of the Lord," said a native evangelist one Sunday rule they have good looking wives and children. in his preaching to the other evangelists. "For Often they have a horse or a bicycle, too, and yet us black people the spirit of pride is a great dan- with all this you cannot find any pride among ger. However, when I look at the white mission- them on this account. They are just as pleasant aries, then I can't help but thank God for them. and friendly. Yes, I have noticed that the more They may have two or three coats to put on and they have of such things, the more kind they are more than one pair of shoes. Sometimes they to share with us black natives."-Reported by L. have both a sun hat and an ordinary hat. They A. Tweiten, in The Missionary Broadcaster.
in Central
By REV. ANDREW MacBEATH, B.D. I Ii- Baptist Missionary Society, Bolobo, Belgian Congo THEY say that the darkest hour is just before locusts. We turned once again to the Book of the dawn. When things are at their very Joel and read of the locust hordes, and our read- worst we have the more reason to expect a ing took us on to the promise of the outpoured change for the better. January, 1935, certainly Spirit. Little did we realize how near the fulfilwas a dreary, almost a desperate, month in Bo- ment of the latter promise was. The floodtide of lobo, Belgian Congo. Our deacons had sought to blessing began to come in February. resign in a body, and the monthly communion service was suspended until some better under- A young carpenter in mission employ read a standing and confidence was established between little booklet, in the middle of 1934, which told of Sammy Morris, a Kru boy from Liberia, who the church members and their missionaries. Sus- traveled to America with a hungry, overmastering picion and bitter criticism were rife. How was desire to taste the full life that God offers in the it that things had reached this point of strain? Holy Spirit. The story of that boy's hunger for For several years our hearts were burdened the living God, and the brief but glorious course with the low spiritual level of our church fellow- he ran as a fervent evangelist to others, fired our ship. There were twelve hundred communicants, young carpenter's heart. He saw that God does but we felt that very little of sterling quality could not need to wait for worldly advantages of breedbe claimed for their Christian faith. Every ing, wealth or education. Wherever He finds a month a saddening list of names was read out, man ready to concentrate on God and give Him a the names of church members being suspended highway through his life, God has His chance. from fellowship because of some serious moral Our young carpenter brooded over giving God lapse. The white missionary who sought to know such a chance in his life.
the inner side of village life came to feel that there At Christmas a missionary pageant was prewas an impenetrable wall of secrecy which dea- pared by the school children, showing the condicons and deaconesses made it their business to tion of children in many lands. The lads from maintain in front of their white missionaries. At the Pastoral Traini:ng School represented scenes last, in October, 1934, a conference with native from the life of William Carey, showing his paschurch leaders was arranged. It was hoped that sion to take the Gospel to India. The theme song the frank interchange of opinion about the exist- around which the action was grouped was the ing state of things in the church would arouse missionary hymn, "Far, far away, in heathen them to a sense of their responsibility and fur- darkness dwelling." The effect of this missionary ther the cause of cooperation. From the very pageant on the soul of the young artisan dreaming beginning of that conference, the indigenous lead- dreams of serving God with all his powers was to ers met their missionaries in a spirit of antago- bring him to the point of crisis. During the weeks nism. A questionnaire had been prepared to of January an intense inward conflict developed.
stimulate their reflection on some of the unsatis- He dreamed of making Christ known to the farfactory elements in our church life, elements of off heathen, but God told him first to be reconciled evil which quite paralyzed the effectiveness of our to his own father. The struggle robbed him of witness among the heathen. Instead of giving sleep, but he could get no peace until, down on his calm or prayerful thought to the questions at face with tears he promised to buy his father a issue, church leaders and church members turned blanket as a reconciliation present as soon as dayround and told their missionaries some of their light came. The flood of joy that burst over the outstanding failings. young man's heart, once he had given up his con- After that conference three more months troversy with God, knew no bounds. passed, the road winding "uphill all the way." Meanwhile the situation in the church had been Then in January came the ultimatum of resignation from the deacons in a body. And in the end growing almost desperate. To make confusion worse confounded, swarms of locusts were all of January our district was invaded by hordes of around us, wearing us out with the effort to keep [468 ] them from alighting on our gardens. And then The preacher, exhibiting the dinner knives and the young carpenter asked permission to speak in later showing the absurdity of toiling away with public. He was given permission, but the experi- a mere ax head in the hands, showing too the long ence of which he tried to tell was too great for wooden handle inserted in the ax head that enhim. He could not articulate the story. At his sures swift and powerful strokes, was that mornsecond telling of it, he began an exposure of the ing convincing the reason and firing the imaginasecret sins that were destroying the church's life tion of his audience. They saw the truth. And and sapping the vitality of the community. the climax came when he used a pictorial phrase which put his closing appeal in a nutshell. "God A few young men gathered round him in pri- gave each of us two legs," he said, "but we have vate to learn more of what had happened to him. been stupid enough to suppose that with two legs Older men were skeptical and superior. They de- we could travel at the same time on two roads. rided him, especially because his new walk with We church members have had one leg on the way God made it necessary for him to do his daily Heavenward, and with the other leg we have been work conscientiously. Many declared that his traveling the world's way." brain was decaying or that sleeping sickness had him in its grip. Long ingrained habits of secrecy One could almost hear the strokes of a scythe and deceit made our people construe as madness that was gathering in golden sheaves for God's any willingness to admit a fault and confess it. granary. There were over thirty young people One deacon thought he had effectively vanquished who went forward at the close to occupy these the young man's crusade when he showed, as a empty forms on the platform, to signify that they stalwart Protestant, that confession of sin was a were out for the consecrated life that has given peculiarly Roman error! up half-measures and hypocrisy.
But the ferment had been thrown into Bolobo's From that moment we knew that harvest time life. The unheard of began to happen. People had come. We had heard the sound of a going in were disturbed in their dreams or kept from the tops of the mulberry trees, and we knew to sleep by the accusing voices of their sins. Young bestir ourselves. When the men gathered in large men, gathering round our splendid native pastor, numbers in their afternoon service, the appeal were looking up in the New Testament what God was made to the older men and deacons to range had to say about their sins, and the way of release themselves alongside the eager young men who that He offers. On February 24, the church was were pressing forward, and the question was put packed when the morning service began, and we in this form: "Shall the Isaacs offer themselves noticed that the native pastor had arranged some willingly and go up the Moriah road, but shall forms behind him on the platform. These forms Abraham hold back?" The older men explain that remained vacant during the service, and we real- the putting of that question roused them from ized that they were not placed there simply for sleep. At first it puzzled them. What more reuse in case of overcrowding. We had never dared mained for them to do? Were they not church to try an upstanding appeal amid an African members? Had they not been baptized? audience, nor had they ever seen a penitent form. Yet the pastor's inner ear had been prepared to They remained to an aftermeeting, and after hear, and he had come to preach that morning that the group went to the preacher's house, resure of results. Had he himself not come through questing that it be made plain to them what furthe Holy Spirit's searching scrutiny, and found ther gift God was offering them and what further how He burns up all our refuges of lies? Never claim He was making on them. At last hearts did anyone wield more effectively the rapier of were open and ready to take in the truth. God's the Spirit than he did that day. It pierced to the gift of fulness of life in the Holy Spirit was set dividing asunder of joints and marrow. It dis- forth. From that time onward never a day passed cerned the thoughts and intents of many hearts. but souls were coming through crises and conflict to freedom and fulness of joy. Their faces told Showing in one hand a rust-corroded knife and the story before they reached the missionary's' in the other a shining knife of stainless make, the presence. Going to the hospital that night, one pastor asked his audience what kind of Christians heard the sound of weeping in the doctor's private they wanted to be. Bringing out an ax head from room. One of the native male nurses had come under his table, he asked the woodcutters present to confess that he had pilfered medicines from the if, when they felled giants of the forest, they dispensary, and he had brought 25 francs in paywent at their work merely clutching the iron ax ment. People who had been living in enmity were head between their hands; "Hasn't God in His humbling themselves in seeking reconciliation and Holy Spirit offered us a helve for our ax head forgiveness. Stolen articles began to come back which will put force into all our labor in the in a stream. tangled forest of sin that we are to clear away?" A testimony meeting was held Monda.y evening,
and there the thoughts of many hearts were re- transformed by the love of Christ and sitting bevealed. The truth was out, told by black people fore His table to partake of their first communion, themselves. Their sins were finding them out. was to feel that Heaven had come down to earth, Meanwhile prayer and supplication became a and that grace had swallowed up sin and death mighty stream. All who had realized the ending in victory. One could not but think of the aged of life's discord began to pour out their hearts in Simeon and his satisfied request for removal; he intercession for their friends. One knew at last could depart in peace, for his eyes had seen God's what God-inspired prayer is, and how irresistible salvation. With a score of such new-born souls in its sweep. Two missionaries had met with the before us, we realized anew what it means to "denative pastor every morning for two years to pray part in peace." For them Jesus has robbed death for revival, but they were amazed to see how, of its darkness and robbed it of its sting. when revival came, they themselves were carried along as on a mighty stream of prayer. Much more remains to be told. Other mission- aries would learn much if one told of the prob- The evangelistic and missionary passion of the lems and difficulties that the revival created, as young carpenter's heart was communicated to all well as of the marvelous doors it opened and the who tasted the Heavenly gift, and folks in the opportunities it brought. Yet mention must be villages of the hinterland became aware that made of one result which will prove of far-reachsomething had happened because, as they them- ing importance. The revival brought out the censelves put it, young fellows who had formerly trality of the cross as the core of our message. been chiefly interested in swaggering about town It made prayer and Bible study the very breath on a Sunday afternoon in showy clothes and were and daily nourishment of Christians. It brought quite incapacitated for'life by their own conceit, the promise of the Holy Spirit out of the dim and suddenly seemed to feel concern for other people hazy background of truth right into the center of and took the trouble to walk through the forest life as a throbbing reality. And, quite decisively, to other villages to proclaim the good tidings..The it made the triumph of the Resurrection stand out impression was immediate and widespread. There as the corner stone of a Christian message that is was a common impulse to relieve the burdened to win Africa. conscience and the uneasy mind by public confession, and the crowds frequenting the services In the early days of the revival a Christian made it necessary everywhere to enlarge the vil- died, and the way in which the Christians made lage chapels. that funeral a triumph will never be effaced from memory. The problem had hitherto been to per- One of the most wonderful events of all has just suade church members to cut adrift the old had its sequel, a year later. Once the church heathen mourning customs, and we had failed. members cleared their lives of deceit and sham, Wailing and noise and confusion seemed inevitathe heathen became uneasy and stirred in their ble, till on one glorious day the Christians rose sleep, and awoke. The old people, the people most as one man and said, "Never again." That tristeeped in heathenism, began to "ask the way to umphant funeral of a believer has set its seal on Zion with their faces thitherward." Once they the community's life. Now the women gather in had seen fellow villagers who had been reputed to their, brightest clothes, sit in rows around the be Christians really making a clean break with house and sing hymns. Some stay to uphold the witchcraft by bringing out and casting away their chief mourner when the corpse is removed, and secret fetishes, the heathen opened their eyes and all the others follow to the place of burial singing opened their hearts. The story of their awaken- hymns. Who told them to do this? "They shall ing is a constant source of wonder to us. It was be all taught of God." Things we had labored marvelous to see great-grandfathers and great- to .instill into public opinion by preaching and grandmothers in inquirers' classes where the teaching became a public possession overnight. story of Jesus was told to them "simply as to a We who had formerly felt so conscious of labor little child." and sorrow, who had called ourselves workers for God, realized that we were but spectators. "What On Sunday, March 1, the first of these aged hath God wrought!" folks from the town of Bolobo itself were baptized and received into the fellowship of the Into Africa went the Christ twenty centuries ago, when' Church. They numbered twenty. A great crowd gathered on the beach when they were baptized, his own folk sought to slay him. for it was a wonder of wonders to the natives. To see the women who had been most prominent Out of Africa came the Christ, sheltered and safe, to at all heathen funerals and the most adept in all mourning orgies and dances, and well acquainted live his mission and die his death, that the world might with palm wine or sugar cane beer drinking, be saved.
Into Africa may he go again, proclaimed by eager and impelling disciples.
Out of Africa-may Christ come, with a continent fol- lowing after. EMORY Ross.
on the Witness
WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR ME are set forth on a new path of righteousness and By REV. JAMES J. R. JOLOBE, B.A., devotion to higher things.
A survey of the influence of Christ in Africa Presbyterian Church of South Africa cannot, however, be complete without mentioning PERHAPS to one born in a Christian home it education. We owe a debt of gratitude to the may be a little difficult to appreciate fully missionary enterprise for the enlightenment what Christ has done for one; but the life which is rapidly helping us adjust ourselves to from which the Christian religion has helped us modern conditions and to civilized standards of to emerge may help one to realize in some meas- living. It is true there are some who would have us develop along our own lines. If this means ure the gains brought to Africans by embracing preserving all that is good in our past we welcome the Gospel. In the primitive stage of our exist- it. But if it means that we should be content with ence, neutralizing the good things which were a the old primitive life, in other words to be misfits blessing and should be preserved, were attendant in an advancing world, inefficient in an efficient evils ingrained in the social system which, though in a way supporting it, threatened to undermine the vitality of the race mentally and morally.
Among these was superstition. It is only when one actually comes into contact with those en- thralled by this evil that he can appreciate fully what Christ has done and is doing for our people in connection with superstition. The constant fear of imaginary harm, the suspicion engendered against innocent people, and the unwarranted hate against supposed agents of witchcraftthese and many others were the things which were not conducive to the growth of personality.
Christ has liberated us from this bondage and set Africa free to develop to the highest degree with- in her reach.
Again, Christianity has enhanced the value of human personality. On the whole, among our peo- ple life was sacred and the individual had a cer- tain amount of value as a member of a tribe, but REV. JAMES J. R. JOLOBE, B.A. this new religion intensified and widened this conception. In a practical way this was achieved by denouncing polygamy and proclaiming in no un- society-if it means this, we emphatically refuse certain voice that a man should have only one to accept the idea of developing on our own lines. wife. With us, in some cases, several women We feel we have benefited by the assistance of were permitted to one man. This new teaching Christianity, which has helped us, through edu- not only raised the status of woman, but it was cation, to emerge from primitive ideas to a civi- also a blessing to a people who were soon to be lized outlook. We are told, and we see it for ourlaunched into a whirl of economic conditions selves, that it is the fittest that survive under under which a man with a very large family, as modern conditions, and to be fit our race must in polygamous society, would succumb. avail itself of all the best, materially, mentally Africans are human, and being so have their and morally, which mankind has gained down the full quota of the frailties which bring guilt to the ages. Education is doing this for the African, soul, which guilt can only be removed by the for- and we thank the missionaries upon whom this giveness offered man by God, in giving His Son duty devolved for many years past. Even if the to be a propitiation for our sins. Christ has met idea of developing in our own lines were taken in the supreme need of Africa-a Saviour. By the its best sense, we claim that we have a right to cross many are being raised from a low life and know first the universal standards in order that [471 ]
even what is distinctly African may be governed ences, and most unfortunately Africa has im. by them in order to be recognized by the world. proved upon the original. This has resulted in arresting the real work of evangelization, while a I believe the summary of the influence of Christ great deal of energy is being wasted in petty camin Africa is after all a summary of individual ex- paigns of mutual proselyting. Church loyalties periences. If there is an indigenous church grow- are taking the place of loyalty to the Founder of ing up in Africa it is because individual souls the Church. A united church would, I believe, have been touched by the healing hand of Christ. eliminate this, and besides would have greater May I give this witness? I recognize Christ as power and prestige in the eyes of the still nonmy Saviour. He has given me a purpose in life Christian Africa. Moreover, by pooling its reand strength to struggle towards the attainment sources it would be better able to meet the extenof that purpose. Moreover, I am of that class of sion of the rule of Christ. our people which is in the transition stage. These people have inevitably severed their connection But, great as is the need for extensive work, I with many of the old customs and traditions and think the need is greatest for intensive cultivation consequently have lost the salutary restraints de- in church work. The victories won must be solidirived from these, because they were upheld by fied. It grieves one to find that sometimes in old unconvincing sanctions. It was therefore oppor- mission stations, after the second or third gentune that, when these restraints were beginning eration of Christians, a reaction to the old life to be shaken, Christ came and furnished us with sets in. This seems to point to the need of more restraints supported by higher and better sanc- intensive work. To gain this end I think Sunday tions. This saved us from drifting aimlessly. school facilities must be exploited to the full in The best of our people realize more than ever to- Africa. The preparation of candidates for the day that our only salvation as a race and our only full membership of the Church must be long and condition of progress lies in accepting the new thorough, and in the services the preaching must restraint-Christ. In one word, therefore, Christ be more instructive in tone. When people have is my anchor, and not only that, but also my been converted their question naturally is, "What haven, and the wind to help me sail toward that must we do?" The preaching in the churches haven. must seek to answer these questions intelligently and convincingly. From this we can see that, But when we have mentioned all that Christ though it is true that Africa must be evangelized has done for Africa, we find that a great deal still by Africans, she needs a fully trained and well remains to be done. It is true that in Africa educated ministry. Christianity has produced some men of sterling Christian character and women of outstanding In closing may I say that the period we are witness, but the gains registered must be multi- passing through as a people is a difficult one, and plied throughout the whole race. Vast numbers it will take a strong and efficient church to tide of our people live and die without Christ, and this us over it. Our people are rapidly leaving behind points to the need of more extensive evangeliza- the old primitive life. Christianity, education, tion. As the result of missionary activities in- and contact with civilized races are responsible digenous churches are rising up in Africa, but the for this change, and we welcome it. We, however, work still to be done is greater than these bodies regret that with the old order go also the recan accomplish without outside assistance. I be- straints which were furnished by old customs and lieve there is still room for the mother churches traditions. Under these circumstances, therefore, to work among us by guiding the infant churches our hope lies with the Church of Christ. The and by continuing financial help to maintain full- task is big, but we believe that if she addresses time workers in heathen areas. It is just here that herself to it with faith, courage and intelligence our indigenous churches fail. Their funds are she can cope with it. Christ, the Redeemer of the sufficient only to keep going what has already world, is equal to any situation, in any race, and been done, and that with difficulty. They lack the in any age, as He is the same yesterday, today surplus funds for launching aggressive campaigns and forever. of evangelization. Whatever work of this nature is done by them is only on the fringes of their WHAT CHRIST MEANS TO ME pastoral charges. – By BOKARI SABA, However, even with sufficient funds, I believe that the task of evangelizing Africa is beyond a Sangha pres Bandiagara, French Sudan, divided church. The need for union is urgent in French West Africa this country. Europe has rendered us great service by bringing us the Gospel, and we are thankful I AM a fisherman. For years I walked in darkfor this; but with this she has bequeathed to us ness, offering sacrifices to the Water God and a bitter legacy in the form of religious differ- praying Mohammedan prayers, but that did not help me to get rid of my load of sin. One day
AFRICANS ON THE WITNESS STAND
I heard the Word of God-one cannot accept Saviour of the world. Whosoever believeth in God's Word until he hears. I believed that Jesus Him shall not be destroyed, but whosoever does Christ was my Saviour. My load of sin fell off, not believe Him the wrath of God abideth upon and I entered into light. During the first year, him." however, I did not have much strength and still continued to fight with people. Because of this I The commander asked me who was my witness. fasted and prayed. God filled me with the Holy I did not have anyone with me, so I replied, "Com- Spirit and gave me power in my life. mander, I am doing the will of God. I have no witness here, but God is my witness. He sees my I returned to my father's house, and my people work." The commander bowed his head for a wanted me to join in sacrificing a black goat to time and then replied: "I do not see any lie in the Water God as is their custom. I told them you, but I cannot let you go as you have two witthat Jesus gave His life for the world and we nesses against you. I will give you five days in should not offer sacrifices any more. They said I prison." I prayed to God that He might give me would not gain any fish. I replied that I knew wisdom to look to Jesus, and He helped me in a that He whom I follow would help me. However, wonderful way. Good food was sent in for me, my heart was burdened as I had been away from and He caused the guard to trust me, putting me my country for some time and was no longer over several other men during the working hours. skilled in spearing fish and drawing in the net. But best of all I was able to preach to the other We began to fish. I fell into the water three times, prisoners, and two accepted Christ. I was reand they all laughed. I prayed to God and asked leased after five days, but returned once more to Him to give me sense. I did not fall into the the prison to further testify about Jesus to those water again, and before morning my boat was full who had accepted Him. of fish. Everybody was astonished, as I had gained more than they all. I went back to my father's house during the rice harvesting season, and while there received a My arm became swollen, and everybody said it letter asking me to come to Sangha. From the was because I had not made a sacrifice. I said, beginning of my life I had always been near the "Jesus, Thou art my doctor. Here is my arm." water and now I was asked to go away from the It healed quickly and did not hinder me from river, to the rocks of Sangha. I said, "God, let working at all. Thus God strengthened my faith Thy will be done," but Satan tempted me, saying, in Him. "How will you, a fisherman, live if you do not get any fresh fish." When I prayed, God said to me, One day I received a letter requesting me to go "Look at the cross of Jesus, how He died for you." to the San district to tell others about Jesus. I At that time I worshiped God for thus showing prayed for three days and God showed me that me the love of Jesus, and my heart was at rest. He had work for me there. With my wife, Pali, Here at Sangha I do not get any fresh fish, but and two children I went to San, about 250 miles joy is in my heart always. God has blessed me from my home. There my little boy, Mousa, be- among the rocks and in the plains. In numbers came very ill. I prayed and said, "Lord, let Thy of villages there are those who have now heard will be done, not mine." We took the child to the the message of salvation and have repented, burndoctor and he treated him, but the third day the ing their Mohammedan and fetish charms. I child died. The tears flowed, but God lifted the thank God that He helped me, in the Name of the burden so that I could say, "Thank God, Thou Lord Jesus. who has given hast taken away. Bernde am woyi konno bernde am dyalli." (My heart cried, but At Sangha, too, we have had our testings, but my heart laughed). I knew that my Lord had God has given deliverance time after time. One given His life for me. My heart was sweet for I day a Mohammedan teacher from Mecca, and knew God was the rewarder. To this day the greatly revered, passed by our house. When he Lord is blessing mightily in that district, and saw that my wife was pregnant he said, "Take s,cores of souls have found Christ as their Sav- out a sacrifice and give it to me or your wife will iour. I know it was not by my power or thought, 'die." I replied, "I will never take out a sacrifice but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before I again, for the Lord Jesus is my sacrifice." Anleft this place God had given me another child. other Mohammedan teacher came, and in my ab- sence gave a charm and holy water to PalL When Later I was sent to the Dedougou Circle to I came home she showed them to me and I said, testify. Here Satan caused two men to tell lies "This is Satan's work." I tore the writing and about me to the French commander. One Sunday broke the bottle. I prayed to God to give me while I was preaching a guard came and seized power over Satan. I called the Mohammedan and me. I did not know what I had done and was talked with him, and the next day he left the coundeeply burdened, but I was conscious that Jesus try. One Sunday morning while I was preaching was with me. The commander asked me what I I asked the people to pray for PalL Before the was teaching, and I said: "Jesus is the Lord, the
service closed a Christian woman came with the At the time of my birth my father and mother news, "Praise God, Pali is delivered." All were were in the Catholic religion. I was also baptized surprised, saying, "Even before we finished in that faith and received the name Augustine.
speaking God worked." All the town who knew When I grew up and saw their works I perceived about the prophecy of the big Mohammedan that they had very many objects of worship, teacher marveled and came to greet Pali. Thank Jesus, Mary, Peter and many like them. They do God, I know that His blessing is with me at not give God's Word to men. And also, I was Sangha, and this increased our faith in Him. taught that one can give money to "the father,"
The Habbe people of Sangha as a tribe are who is able to grant him a period of time in fetish worshipers, and they too tempt us. Last which he may commit any sin he likes and he will month, as their big yearly celebration drew near, pray for him. A religion like that does not save their representative, Antando, met me on the one. I forsook that forever.
path. He said, "Bokari Saba, I have come to ask After that I entered Mohammedanism and re- you something hard, but something easy." mained in it for seven years. I saw in that also I said, "Is it peace?" that one could commit any sin he liked, just as He replied: "Peace. We have inquired from long as he was faithful in doing the salaams five the sacred fox, and he says that a fisherman is times a day, facing the East. Why? Because to open our celebration this year. If you will kill there is a stone in Mecca which is the big Moham- the chicken as a sacrifice and walk around our medan object of worship, and Mohammed's grave.
idol three times we will give you grain and They give one a charm called lisimoun, to put on chickens. " for a protection. When I heard the Word of Light I said: "Antando, if I could I would break and took account of my ways, I saw that we wor- down your idol to say nothing of worshiping it. shiped nothing less than Satan and idols, and bur- Do not talk to me again about this matter. I am dened ourselves with much we could not carry.
a fisherman, you a Habbe. Weare sister tribes. Mohammedan teachers also say that we must not Anything in my house that you want you can observe their works, but believe the word of the come and take, but do not speak to me about hon- Koran only. Why? Because their works are evil.
oring your idol. If I have my way, I will destroy There is no end to secret matters with them in it." such a religion of deception. I forsook that for- Praise God, I will not approach a fetish again ever. It does not save one.
with a sacrifice, for I know that Jesus Christ, I saw truth and love in Jesus, which are not in whom I love, is my sacrifice. I need chickens any other road. What is God's will? "And this and grain, but God gave me strength to refuse is the will of my Father, that everyone that be- them when offered in this manner. holdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should Pray much for me that I may not look at the have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the things of the world. I do not have any strength last day" (John 6: 40). I also saw that trouble of myself, but I know God will give it to me as I and persecution were with Jesus on earth.
pray to Him. He has given me His promise that "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep whatsoever I ask in the Name of the Lord Jesus and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye I shall gain. The promise stands true. God has shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be given me the witness in my heart. Praise God turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail because of the blood of Jesus, for the blood of hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when Jesus took off the old garment of sin from my she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no neck and gave me a new garment of righteous- more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born ness. I want to go forward doing His will till into the world" (John 16: 20-21).
He come. Amen. I saw another thing on the Jesus road which is not in any other road. If a person says to you, WHY I ACCEPTED CHRIST "Throwaway your coat," but does not give you By JEAN KEITA, a new one, will you not take the old one again? But if he gives you a new one, you will have no Siguiri, French West Africa use for the old one. Praise the Lord because He THE first thing I saw in Jesus was a revela- gives His own a new spirit and helps him to con- tion of myself. I saw that Jesus is the light, quer himself, Satan and the world, and enables· myself a sinner. The works of darkness him to walk with God. Otherwise none of us filled my heart; I did not know that I was so could walk God's road. "But ye are not in the wicked until Jesus showed me myself. After I flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of saw His love and goodness I earnestly desired God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not Him, but I could not have Him until I forsook my the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans own will and the love of the world. 8: 9). SOME TYPES OF WEST AFRICAN WOMEN The Gospel and the Women of West Africa By JEWEL H. SCHWAB Presbyterian Mission, Cameroun, West Africa I N ORDER to appreciate the changes the Gos- fear of malignant spirits always hovering about pel has wrought in the lives of the women of at the stream or in the forest at sundown, or at that part of West Africa with which we are midnight in the hamlet, waiting to seize her or familiar, a brief survey of their state before the her children; fear of childlessness, that she be "Words of God" came to them is essential. without anyone to care for her in her advancing years-fear might be said to have been the Zeit Significant are these words spoken by the at- motif of their lives. Also significant is the sobritendants when a girl child is born, U tan u tora, quet applied to a girl child in contrast to that of ba koba we u hemle, which translated means, a boy. The latter is known kek Ii njok, the molar "Deny, deceive, but if they catch you in the act, confess." A woman must always be on the de- tooth of an elephant-a prized possession; a girl, fensive, and so as one of her weapons she is ad- kop ba sem-a fowl to be sold or sacrificed.
vised by her sex from birth to admit nothing un- Thus was bred in Basa womankind an inferior- less actually found out. Fear of what might fol- ity complex, a secretiveness and a suspicion mak- Iowa confession of being the host of a witch, thus ing for a conservatism that has in the past acted unwittingly causing the sickness or death of hus- as a barrier to their acceptance of the Gospel. It band, relative or child; fear of consequences, such was youth, their sons, those prized possessions as wounds inflicted, being hung over the fire by who attended mission schools, who first success- the thumbs, if angering her husband; fear of be- fully broke down the barriers and won them to ing killed or buried alive if her husband died; the hearing of the Gospel and later the surrender- [475 ] ing of their hearts. A Basa boy's best friend is stretched, preventing them from going on. Her his mother; as the Basa proverb has it, "A son husband said to the apparition, "Are you blocking does not exchange his mother for the most beauti- the path because of my sins? If so, then let my ful girl," and so he wishes to share his "pearl of wife pass; her heart is cleaner." She went on, great price" with her particularly. As the "Good and the beauty of that better life was unfolded to News of the Words of God" became more widely her and the time when she would inherit it was known and accepted, women of their own volition revealed. Some time later Ngo Tjomp's husband began to follow the "path of God," making their died and was given a Christian burial, but the choice deliberately, confessing their sins openly fact that both she and her husband had been and fearlessly that they might begin their jour- Christians for many years did not prevent some ney with a clean heart, putting their trust in God of his relatives and friends from taunting her. that He would sustain them. A friend came to sit with her one day, as is cus- One such woman was cruelly beaten by her hus- tom during the nine-day period immediately folband. "Are you sorry you confessed?" she was lowing death, but instead of speaking words of asked. She replied, "My body is sorry because it comfort she accused Ngo Tjomp of desiring the is full of pain, but my heart is glad because for death of her husband, and even of being the cause the first time I have found peace." Her husband of it. Ngo Tjomp sat with bowed head, silent continued for a month or more to beat her each under the abuse, missing her husband, who altime she returned from attending service in the ways had been her helpmeet on the farm, and little chapel built on the outskirts of their village. shared the burden of carrying firewood and food over the long narrow path back to their hamlet. AFRICAN WOMEN ON THEIR WAY TO MARKET Months passed; then late one afternoon Ngo Tjomp appeared, her face radiating a new-found Daily he picked up the earthen pot containing tid- peace. "0 mother," she said, addressing her misbits she had prepared for him and smashed it to sionary friend, "Christ says, 'Bless those who perbits on the floor. He expected her to become secute you'; He has given me strength to follow angry, to refuse to bring him his daily food, but this teaching. Ngo Ngaga [the one who had she was silent and respectful always, each day taunted her] has an ulcer on her foot. She canbringing another pot or dish of well cooked food not leave her house. I gave her a copper to buy for him. Finally he succumbed. If her Christ medicine for it and prayed with her that God was able to· inspire such endurance and love in would bless and heal her." His disciples He must be worth knowing. Today this man may be seen coming out from under the Tjega stood tall beside his buxom little wife at overhanging eaves of his little brown hut, when the altar, each with a child in arm, a boy and a the call drum's clipped tones break the hushed girl, to consecrate the twins to the Lord. "We silence of grey dawn, together with his wife and have named the boy Moses," beamed the mother, children, to join the line of worshipers filing along "for we are giving him to God that he may lead the path on their way to morning prayers. Woman his people on the path that goes to our Father's is not only becoming emancipated from her fears town." Eight years previously Ngo MbOt had and developing a will and ideas of her own, but mothered another little lad, not her own, but a in this new freedom that is hers the heart of the weazened six-month-old starveling that had been Christian woman, bathed in the warm sunshine nourished on palm wine since the death of its of Divine love, is slowly unfolding, developing into mother. When he was brought to the mission staa sweet scented flower of wondrous beauty. tion a wet nurse was sought for the child in vain. Noone was willing to risk illness or death for her- Ngo Tjomp had a dream. She and her husband self or children, which is believed to be meted out were walking along a lovely level, grassy clearing to the foster mother by the angered spirit of the in the forest when suddenly an arm appeared, out- dead mother. Finally Ngo MbOt was approached. She replied, "I am in the Lord's hands. I do not fear. With His help I will care for the child as my own," and she took the child. A few months after this she became quite ill. Her neighbors predicted her death, and it was ,suggested that she return the child or refuse to nurse it. To all this. advice she merely said with unshaken faith, "God has put this child in my care. He will take care of all of us." And He did.
"I am going down to my son's town to die," as she hobbled along the forest path under giant trees, meaning she would stay for the rest of her
THE GOSPEL AND THE WOMEN OF WEST AFRICA
life. Her only child, a boy, she had left many girls sell food they have raised and prepare and years ago in the town to which she was now so carry palm oil and palm kernels to trading cen- eagerly hastening, when she ran off with another ters. man to his hamlet. So many years had rolled by since then that she had forgotten her misdeed and This new found freedom for women is a bless- thought only of the fact that she had a son, flesh ing only in so far as it is a controlled freedom, of her flesh and bone of her bone, who would care consecrated to the Lord. Only those whose lives for her in her last years. How her heart sang as have been given direction and an ideal for which she thought of the greeting awaiting her after to strive are going to be benefited by it. A girl this long separation! In anticipation she was from one of our Eastern colleges remarked that warming her stiffening joints at the comfortable she would like to go to Africa to do welfare work fire under the roof of her boy's home. How she among the women and girls, but it must be solely strained her eyes as she neared the town for a welfare work entirely divorced from religion. possible glimpse of him! At last she saw him in There has been a tendency to consider social servthe court of his hamlet. "0 my heart, my son, my son, your mother has come! Your own Courtesy of The Missionary Herald. mother who bore you, she has come! Myself, it is she !" Her son, grown to manhood, made sure he ice as sufficient to raise a people to a higher level had heard aright and then turned his back on the of living; but it has been our experience, and the approaching woman and entered his palaver experience of others who have lived and worked house. She had deserted him when he needed with African women, that it is the woman who her, now let her suffer. has been won for Christ first who is susceptible to suggestions and willing to improve her living Heartbroken, she threw her old wrinkled body conditions. Without the stimulation which comes on the ground and sobbed forth her disappoint- from a changed and purified inner spiritual life ment and humiliation. Soon a crowd gathered. she is not willing to defy age old customs and The son forbade anyone to take her home to care habits, be they ever so unhygienic. The African for her, threatening them with a heavy fine if they woman must first be led to the feet of the Master, did so. The Christian women in the community who alone can set all captives free, before she can tried to intercede for her. He was deaf to all en- help to win Africa for Christ. treaties. Finally they told him that, if he refused to care for her, they as Christians could not let her suffer. Suiting action to word they built a little house for her, carried firewood and food to her daily, succeeding at length in lighting the fires of another love, a greater love, in this African woman's heart.
Economically there have also been great changes. Laws governing marriage and divorce, the opening up of roads giving free communication and the establishing of courts with the final appeal to the European officer, who tries to decide cases justly, has made for a measure of freedom for womankind. But this freedom, unless controlled by inner promptings of the heart, is not entirely beneficial, as is indicated by the flocking of girls and young women to trade centers to become "company women"-prostitutes now licensed and inspected by the government. The young woman running away from home and husband, who greeted Miss Mackenize on the path one day with, "Mornin' Matches, I am flee!" was one of the many who are turning this freedom into license-freedom to flee from home and responsibilities. As women must pay a government tax as well as men, those whose husbands do not provide for them-and they are manymust earn money to pay it, as well as buy the clothes necessary for themselves and sometimes for their children. To do this the women and
Church of Christ in
By RT. REV. J. J. WILLIS Recently Bishop of Uganda; Assistant Bishop of Leicester THE story of Christian missions in Uganda is It was through the influence of Stanley that one of the best known of all the romances of Mutesa's famous appeal to Christian England the mission field. Few missions have, in their came to be written. The appeal, published in the early days, come nearer to disastrous failure; few Daily Telegraph in 1876, led to the sending out by have, in so short a time, achieved a more con- the Church Missionary Society, in 1877, of the spicuous success; few have exhibited on so large first missionary party, to be followed two years a scale the perils of an easy triumph; and none, later by the first representatives of the Roman perhaps, have shown more clearly the hand of God Catholic White Fathers' Mission. Himself guiding, preserving, and out of weakness making strong. The early effort came perilously near to dis- aster. Of the eight men who formed the original To Krapf and the pioneer German missionaries party at one time only one was left in Uganda. in East Africa, in the early half of last century, Under pressure from the Arab traders and his must betraced the impetus which led to the dis- own pagan and Moslem chiefs, Mutesa again and covery of the Victoria Nyanza, and, on its north- again wavered in his loyalty to the mission which western shores, the kingdom of Buganda. The had come to the country on his invitation and as first European traveler to enter Buganda was his guests; he remained on the whole friendly, Speke, in 1861. He was followed in 1875 by H. but never himself joined the Christian Church. M. Stanley. Both men were impressed with the When he died, and his son, Mwanga, reversed his outstanding qualities of the people of Buganda father's policy, and turned savagely on the deand the possibilities of their country. Brave, in- fenseless infant Church, when the missionaries telligent, highly organized and disciplined, they were expelled from the country, and the Chrishad long since passed from the patriarchal stage tians scattered and in hiding, it looked as if the to the monarchical. Clothed from head to foot, Christian effort were doomed to failure. If the clean, and with perfect manners, they presented hand of God may be seen in the discovery of a striking contrast to the surrounding tribes. Uganda and in the visit, at the critical moment Speke saw at once the possibilities of such a peo- of Stanley, it is seen even more clearly in the surple from the point of view of civilization; but vival of the Church, when, without European Stanley realized the possibilities of this dominant leaders, and with nothing more than a single Gosrace, led by a progressive and all-powerful king, pel, St. Matthew, to inspire, it passed through the from the point of view of the Kingdom of God. fires of persecution, and emerged a larger and a Such a people, brought under the obedience of stronger Church than at the beginning. "The Christ, would, he saw, be an incalculable influence bush burned with fire, and the bush was not conthroughout central Africa. sumed," because God Himself was in it.
Buganda, or in its Anglicized form, Uganda, Since those early days of persecution the was at heart pagan. But at the time of Stanley's Church in Uganda has passed through many vavisit a thin veneer of Mohammedanism had been ried experiences. Three religions have struggled, laid :<,)Ver the country. Arab traders had influenced as in so many parts of Africa, for supremacy, and the King, or Kabaka, Mutesa, and under his the victory of Christianity over its rivals has, to orders chiefs and people had hastened to declare all appearances, been complete. In Buganda today themselves Moslem. But all was as yet superficial; paganism is almost out of sight, and Moham- Uganda was still malleable, and had not yet hard- medans are a small minority. Christianity has ened into the bigoted hostility of a Moslem state; been divided as-a house against itself; Protestants but had Stanley come later, or had he been a man and Roman Catholics have fought one another in of a different type, the whole future of the coun- a war which was at least as much political as retry would have been strangely different. Stanley ligious. Again the "French" party, the Roman arrived at the right psychological moment, and, Catholics, have combined with the "English" by sheer personal influence turned the tide and set party, the Protestants, in common hostility to the it in the direction of Christianity. Mohammedan and pagan parties. At one time a [478 ] Moslem king, at another a pagan and at another missions are working independently over the same a Christian, has sat on the throne. ground. There are three strong Roman Catholic But steadily and increasingly Christianity has missions, a French mission, an English mission, won its way, and no one could question the domi- and an Italian mission. These divide up the coun- nant position it now occupies in the thought and try between them; but the native Anglican life of the people, not only of Buganda but of all Church organization covers the whole area, and the surrounding tribes, for a radius of hundreds the Synod of the Church is representative of every of miles. The first two bishops of Eastern Equa- part of the Protectorate.
torial Africa died before reaching Uganda. Bishop Hannington was murdered, in the time of the per- secution, in 1885, within sight of Uganda; Bishop Parker died of fever on his way to the country.
When the third bishop, Tucker, reached Uganda, in 1890, the adherents of the Church Missionary Society mission numbered a bare 200; when he retired in 1911 they numbered 70,000.
For years the work was confined to the imme- diate vicinity of the capital, Mengo (or Kam- pala) ; today the furthest occupied stations lie 600 miles away, in Belgian Ruanda and Urundi, and the whole intervening country is covered with a network of churches, schools, hospitals, dispen- saries and welfare centers. Great cathedrals, Anglican and Roman Catholic, crown the hill tops in the capital; Christian teaching permeates the thousands of schools which have brought educa- tion within the reach of practically every child in the country; Christian homes are beginning to make their influence felt in the new world which has been created. It is difficult to realize that Christianity is still such a new thing in Uganda and that men and women are still living who themselves passed through the furnace of perse- cution in the days of Mwanga.
It is worth while considering what it is to which, under God, this very remarkable change is due, for to Uganda has been given a success out- ward and visible not ordinarily given to missions.
1. The Kingdom of Uganda occupies a strategic position in Africa. Its people are a people of out- standing natural intelligence, a dominant race.
The seed was sown on fertile ground. TEACHING CHILDREN IN AFRICA 2. Christianity in Uganda was first in the field.
Western civilization, with its more materialistic 5. British rule, again, has created conditions al- outlook, followed later. European and African most ideally favorable to missionary work. Doubt- first met on the higher spiritual plane, a fact less Christians missions would have survived and which has colored all their subsequent relation- in the end would have won their way, but it would ships. have been impossible for the Gospel to advance 3. The Christian appeal was first made, as in with anything like the same rapidity had there England, to the king and chiefs. Missions en- been no British administration in the country.
tered Uganda on the invitation of Mutesa, and the Law and order, communications with the outside missionaries were there as his guests. Christian world by railway, internal communications by chiefs have been from the first the acknowledged road, active cooperation in education, the sympa- leaders and whole-hearted supporters of the thetic attitude of officials, general prosperity and Church in Uganda. Their influence among their industrial development have all contributed to- people has been a decisive factor in evangeliza- wards the progress of the Gospel. What the Ro- tion, in education and in medical development. man government meant to Christianity in the first 4. Uganda has been kept from those difficult century, as it swept along the highways of com- problems which arise when a variety of different merce and captured the strategic centers of civi-
lization, that, and much more, has British admin- of the Church. Indeed the whole history of that istration meant to the Church in Uganda. Church might be written around the names of its 6. The Bible has from the first held a pre-emi- leaders, some of them men of outstanding ability, nent place in the life of the native Church. It some men of no obvious importance, yet made was Stanley who first brought before Mutesa the great by the Spirit who dwelt in and inspired Book on which his own faith rested. Mutesa's them. And in that succession of leaders not the first question to the first missionary party to ar- least have been those saints and humble men of rive was, "Have you brought the Book?" Chris- God, as Apolo Kivebulaya, of the Pygmy Forest, tian converts have always been known in Uganda whose simple faith and utter devotion have been as "readers." From the time of Pilkington, in the very life blood of the Church.
1897, the Baganda have had the whole Bible in The natural advantages of the country, the con- their own vernacular. It has been translated in ditions created by a strong and sympathetic gov- whole or in part into at least ten languages in the ernment, the personality of the leaders, the policy Protectorate. No adult convert may be baptized adopted, all these have had their place in the prog- (unless manifestly too old to learn) unless he is ress of the Gospel in Uganda, but above all there able to read the Gospels in his own language. The has been the hand of God Himself, and few mis- Bible, read in the homes and taught in all the sions in the world have called forth more interest schools, is molding the character of the rising and sympathy and prayer than has Uganda; to generation. The voluntary abolition of slavery, that prayer is due whatever of the seeming suc- the social uplift of the women, the eager evangel- cess proves to be real and permanent.
ization of hitherto hostile tribes, the devotion and But rapid success carries with it inevitably its self-sacrifice shown in medical service, have all own dangers. An East African Bishop, visiting been inspired directly by the study of the Book. Uganda, summed up his impressions in the words The place given to the Bible goes far to explain of the Queen of Sheba: "'The half was not told the decisive influence of the Church Missionary me'; the best and the worst exceed all that I had Society in Uganda. heard." It is fatally easy, in our appreciation of 7. The Church in Uganda is essentially a native the success, to lose sight of the other side of the church. Very early in its history, when it was account. But when Christianity has become popu- still in its infancy, European leadership was per- lar, when a mass movement, led by Christian force withdrawn, and all through the dark days chiefs, is sweeping over the country like a prairie of persecution the Church had to depend, under fire, when a Christian name is almost necessary to God, on itself. Church councils have played a con- any social status; and Christian education is the spicuous part all through its history-parochial highway to promotion, it would be strange indeed councils, diocesan councils, synods, in all of which if Christianity kept pure. Like weeds, springing natives form an overwhelming majority. The al- up with the first rains, old superstitions and old ready existing native political organization, with immoral practices that had seemed dead spring its system of native courts and native chiefs, made again to life. Converts who have endured without the organization of a self-governing church a com- flinching the ordeal of persecution fail and dis- paratively easy matter; and Bishop Tucker's,,·su- appoint under the harder test of popularity and preme contribution was the organization of a prosperity. Familiarity with holy things may Church which was entrusted with real responsi- easily breed contempt, and a generation arises bility and was, to a marked degree, "self-sup- which is Christian not by conviction but by birth.
porting, self-governing, and self-extending." The further the boundaries of the Church are 8. The Uganda Mission has been blessed with a extended the more difficult becomes the task of succession of missionary leaders whose names effective shepherding. And, with the introduction have become household words; Bishop Hanning- of Western civilization, counter attractions mul- ton, the martyr bishop, who by his tragic death tiply, and temptations become inevitably greater.
on the threshold of his life work accomplished A church in its adolescent stage needs perhaps more perhaps than might have been effected in a not less, but more, care than a church in its early long life; Alexander Mackay, the Scottish mis- childhood; it is less interesting, but its position sionary, who was the life and inspiration of the is more dangerous.
Church in the days of its martyrdom, who worked A great work has been done in Uganda. The for fourteen years without once returning home Gospel has proyed its power in the face of bitter and died at his post; George Pilkington, who in opposition; it is left to us, in our day and genera-'
seven short years gave the Baganda the Bible in tion, to see that the ground so hardly won is not their own language, and when his life work was lost, and that the Church in Uganda is so trained done was killed in his thirty-third year; and many and equipped that it may fulfill in Africa the great another lesser known man and woman whose per- task that now lies before it, that the purpose of sonalities inspired and molded the growing life God in it and through it may be realized.
Progress and the
By REV. JOHN M. SPRINGER, D.D.
Bishop for Africa of the Methodist Episcopal Church I s MODERN material progress a bane or a into cloth, and molded clay into pots for cooking blessing to the African? Like so many other and for containers. The more skilful blacksmiths questions, the answer cannot be a mere un- attained the making of razors, needles and other qualified yes or no. Losses of one sort are bal- fine tools. Cotton was quite widely found and was anced by gains of another, and gains are balanced spun into thread, and here and there looms were by losses. A brief consideration of the typical vil- fashioned to make cotton cloth. Many different lage and economic life of the African is necessary musical instruments were made to express the inin order to come to a right judgment of the ques- nate melody of African souls to while away the tedium of the journey or of idle hours and to give tion. rhythm to the dance. But, nevertheless, the life The African maintained a fairly uniform and of the African was simple in the extreme. He sat on the ground, he slept on the ground, he ate from unchanged status of existence for undetermined the ground. His cattle, when he had any, were of generations. His was a self-contained economic little or no industrial use. They supplied meat for order; he needed no intercontinental or international commerce to supply his few necessities; they were obtained locally. The neighboring tribe in most cases was as far as he needed to go to barter for things he required. If no trader from outside his own community came his way, it usually did not matter much. His necessary tools were few, a hoe, an axe, a knife, the latter length- ened to a spear. His ancestors had come to a continent where iron ore is found in nearly all parts and in high and low grades. If some tribe chanced to settle where not even the low grade iron was to be found, necessity for tools would drive them to a tribe more fortunately situated. Or members of that more fortunate tribe or else professional traders would be stirred by the commercial in- stinct to wander afield with their wares. In the NATIVE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS village spaces. or at the recognized market centers Three primitive "pianGs" – marimbas with wooden keys and or by the wayside there would be dickering and gourds of various sizes bargaining, and the trader in due time would depart with a few goats or chickens, or with mats, his feasts and constituted units of value for marpots, and so on, made by local artisans. But to riage portions, to pay fines or to purchase articles. affect this exchange it was necessary as a rule to contact only a neighboring tribe. Was the African content with his mode of Africa is widely and, as a whole, abundantly existence? To many a passing visitor who saw supplied with raw materials, thus constituting a him in his casual, lighter moods and chanting in rich prize that Europe covets, has sought for and his moonlight dances he has seemed to be happy. is still haggling over. The African, though more But to those that have penetrated below the sur- or less belated in industrial development, has the face and have seen his response to a fuller life, rudiments of all the arts and industries in his ele- it has been revealed that deep down there was a mentary life. With his primitive tools, hoe, axe great restlessness and discontent. As a result, and knife, he has gotten his food from the ground with the early trader who penetrated Africa, bear- -not forgetting that in Africa it is the woman ing articles of trade – cloth, blankets, beads for with the hoe-his meat from the veldt, his honey ornament, mirrors, soaps, scents, modern hoes and from the hollow tree; he constructed his home, guns of wonderful power – there came to the vil- • prepared grass and other fibers and wove them lagers an urge to possess these things that started [481 ]
a procession of youths out from the villages. This grass or harsh bark cloth, and wanting clothing, change has come to be so widespread that it is the not only for comfort and utility, but for ornament rare village that has not contributed its quota to as well. The supporters of the second thesis of the modern army of industrial workers in Africa. the old time debate as to whether man first wore And it was not merely to secure these new articles clothing for utility or for ornament would in that Africans left the old life. In the cases of Africa find much to sustain his contention that very many there was an attraction and a holding the vanity of man has more than a little to do with power in the employment he found with the Euro- determining his attire. pean, in kitchen, on trek, on farm, in shop, that So there has been an enlarging number and held him through years of service. The dull and variety of articles of foreign manufacture de- nonprogressive round of village life had no fur- manded by the African, and notably by his wife, ther fascination for him. until today they are customers, not only in the Has the new day brought with it more of bane "Kaffir Store," the store for natives, but also in or of blessing? We need to consider this subject the stores kept primarily for Europeans, and the as it concerns not only the stay-at-home villager range, quality and extent of their purchases of arand the village life, but also the natives, including ticles of world production are limited only by the the women, that join the urban mining and indus- amount of cash in hand or by the credit they can obtain. As to tools, from using almost exclusively crude homemade ones, today in many villages it is hard to find any homemade tools, and the sub- stitution of imported ones is extending across the continent.
The sons of the Lomani blacksmiths who used to win their iron from bog deposits, transform it into steel in their crude furnaces and turn out from their very simply equipped smithies well wrought tools and implements are mainly the ones who are tending the blast furnaces at Lubumbashi and Panda. They are skilled in handling daily hundreds of tons of ore, instead of making the few simple articles that rewarded their labor of many OLD POTTERY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BASIN, days as they toiled with their fathers. The clay IN WHICH THE DAMP POT RESTS cooking pot has given way to the aluminum one, the earthen water jar is superseded by the enamel trial group. The two cannot be wholly separated bucket or pitcher, the grass basket is being rebecause of the constant movement back and forth placed by the wide enamel basin. And so has disof the individuals and of groups. appeared the demand for one native article after another. A missionary living close to the people Consider the village life first of all. The articles and who was keenly alive to what was happening of daily use have changed almost completely with- in village life stated that one art and industry in a generation. Europe not only wants raw ma- after another was rapidly being dropped and disterials for the factories manned by her teeming appearing entirely from the life of the people. populations, but she wants markets, and she seeks these markets keenly. To have these markets dis- Dame Fashion also steps in and holds sway in turbed and lost brings consternation, and some- Africa as among all other humans. When one times decisive action. For decades Italy supplied woman in a village becomes possessed of one of the larger portion of the fabrics purchased by these new and more desirable articles, a spirit of Abyssinians. A few years ago Japan invaded that envy is at once awakened in that community and market and largely captured it, as she has done continues until everyone has the same article. in other parts of Africa, to go no farther afield. Blue beads of a certain sort once ruled the day. Who will say to what extent the loss of this There was a change of style, and we not only market may have been a factor leading to Italy's found our stock useless for barter, but the dames recent decision and policy and the course she pur- and damsels of those interior villages, so remote sued? Think of a market such as Africa offers, that they were-"back of beyond," disdained to do' a hundred million and more people scantily more than glance at them and refused to accept clothed at best, many not clothed at all, but all them even as gifts. wanting clothing and blankets, and a goodly supply of all, and preferring to purchase the imported Not only in the industrial realm has life changed, but also in the tribal and social. The article as against the homemade fabric of coarse old primitive life was not wholly bad by a good
MATERIAL PROGRESS AND THE AFRICANS
deal. It is the rare tribe that has not had some edge and by the experiential mastery of forces good traditions and customs which were definitely and causes, will not do it. The instance is known taught to the youth, male and female. There was of a native who, unchanged as many are from an initiation which took place usually no later their old animistic beliefs, but skilled in detecting than during the age of puberty. Some features faults and frictions in very complicated machinof it were good, some decidedly bad. During re- ery and used to applying scientific tests all day cent decades it has been the rare youth who was to locate the trouble, returned to his hut one night in his village during this period, so, on his return to find his wife ill. What was causing her sickfrom industrial centers, he has been in no small ness? Not having accepted the Christian faith sense a stranger, unrelated to the community life he was stilI gripped by the old idea of spirit posand interests. So he has often made light of the session and, disregarding the medical service proold ways and customs and displayed his knowl- vided by his company, he sought out a witch docedge of the new ways of the town to advertise his tor, practicing secretly now, to smell out the witch own self-importance. In the old life there were that was causing the trouble. That is but a typirestraints generated by the fear of evil spirits, it cal case. is true. With those fears lessened or eliminated by new associations the individuals violated old The native woman joining the industrial group customs and codes. So was lost, in measure, re- is placed in particular temptation through the spect for elders, devotion to tribal affairs and in- transition from an economic order, in which she terest in tradition. Formerly thieving from strangers was approved, particularly if done so OLD S TAMPING MORTARS AND BASKETS. NOTE BICYCLE cleverly that the thief was not caught; but fear AND MODERN CLOTHES of known charms of alleged potency used by neighbors and the desire to live at peace in the was the main tiller of the soil, needing to grow home village largely worked for the protection of food for herself, for her children, and more or less property in the community. for her husband according to the number of wives he had, to the conditions obtaining in the Euro- As regards material blessings of this new age pean centers. Here, if married, she needs only to of industrial penetration of Africa, until the de- cook the meal, meat and other food rationed out . pression took away so largely, at least for a time, for her husband and his family. The firewood, the markets for labor and for produce, the Afri- formerly gathered mostly by herself, is generally cans were moving steadily toward a more abun- provided. Water is piped to near-by faucets, and dant life. The people, even the children, were she has a minimum of general work to do. "Satan being clothed quite generally, some of them elabo- still finds mischief for idle hands to do." And rately. There was developed a sense of ability mischief aplenty abounds in these centers. As for to do things, as the rawest villagers became with- the unmarried girl or woman, tired of the monotin a few years chauffeurs and machinists, clerks ony of village life, especially with so many of and telegraphers, engineers and medical assist- the men gone, and attracted to the garish centers, ants. That Divine discontent that drives men on where she becomes the concubine of a white man, to better and greater things has taken hold on with usually every want supplied, or plies her Africa. There is a growing and intense desire trade among men of her own color, she is a sad for education, and, on the part of many, for the object, at best, especially after a few short years highest. The educational value of work, of learn- when her charms are gone and venereal diseases ing to do skilled and more highly paid work, is have left their marks on her body. The natural seen to be a stimulus to general education. heart of the African man, and woman, as of un- The dead level of native life is being broken up and individuals no longer need fear to go ahead, to emerge above the crowd. The intermingling, through industrial life and wider travel, of the different cultures developed in the various tribes is producing new standards. Evil, too, travels and spreads as well as good and creates new problems. While lessening the old tribal control, the total process is .gradually cementing the different tribes into a new oneness and into a consciousness of being a common African people.
What will eliminate the gripping fear that controls so generally in native life? The scientific factor alone, as represented by the greater knowl-
regenerated man generally, is desperately wicked, control of enlightened, well disposed government, whether in the isolated village of the backwoods as in most parts of Africa today, and accompanied or in the pulsing industrial centers. Changes of by a presentation of the Gospel of God's love and geography do not effect changes of heart and life salvation from sin, it can be and actually is a great in Africa any more than elsewhere. benefit to the African.
What modern industry does to the African de- But it is not a case now whether modern induspends not a little on what sort of African is in- try shall invade Africa. That decision, whether volved, whether he is still gripped by the fears for good or for bad, was taken decades ago, and that have ruled society there for generations, or such a development was inevitable in a rapidly whether, having been delivered from that thrall- shrinking world. The entire continent of Africa dom by the new birth, he has now gained a knowl- is in the process of industrial transformation. edge of the Great Good Spirit that made the world Governmental activities control well nigh the full as being love, a faith in Jesus Christ and a heart one hundred per cent of the peoples of the contiso filled with love that fear has been cast out. If nent, all but the one million people of Liberia behe has had this new spiritual experience he faces ing under European governments. Industry dithe world and life with confidence and with a rectly or indirectly reaches on toward approxikeener outreach for increased knowledge. Indus- mating the same percentage. The Christian try in and of itself is not a spiritually transform- Church has enrolled approximately five per cent ing agency. It never was the Divine intent that only of the population and constantly or occasionit should operate alone. It is but one of the three ally contacts perhaps up to twenty-five per cent. major factors of religion, government and indus- When we shall discharge our obligation in reachtry found in every group of people the world ing effectively anywhere near the total group we around. Conducted alone, modern industry may believe that the modern industrial penetration of be and undoubtedly would be more a bane than a Africa, instead of being a bane, may and will be blessing to the African. Carried on under the a real blessing to the Africans.
The Printed Word Among the Bantu By ROBERT H. W. SHEPHERD Director of Publications, Lovedale, South Africa JUST over one hundred years ago the eastern nothing could be done, and after a stay of a little portion of Cape Colony in South Africa was in more than a year he withdrew. Some fifteen years a ferment. The Bantu tribes had pushed down later there arrived, as Vanderkemp's successor, from Central Africa, had ousted the original in- Joseph Williams, who is notable as the first man habitants of the south, the Bushmen and Hotten- to give his life for the evangelization of the native tots, and had advanced as far as the southern sea- peoples of South Africa. Following two brief board of the continent on its eastern side. Being years of labor Williams died through ill-health stopped by the sea they turned to go west, but and disheartenment. When, however, some five soon found their progress blocked by the advance years after, the first converts among the Bantu guard of European civilization spreading over were baptized it was found that they had been from the Cape. War succeeded war. It'is inter- won for God through the instrumentality of Wilesting now to note that the two races faced each liams. Few pieces of Bantu literature existing other in territory which includes the land on today are more noteworthy than a hymn composed which the Lovedale Missionary Institution now by one of Williams' converts. It is perhaps the stands. noblest of all Xosa (Kaffir) hymns and has been sung for more than a century by Bantu congre- . Early Missionaries gations. A translation may be of interest: Toward the close of the eighteenth century Dr. He is the great God in heaven. John Vanderkemp, a Hollander, acting as a mis- Thou alone art the Shield of truth. sionary of the London Missionary Society, came Thou alone art the Refuge of truth. as the first bearer of the Gospel to the Bantu. So Thou alone art the Hiding-place of truth. unsettled were the tribes, however, that he felt Thou alone dwellest in the highest.
THE PRINTED WORD AMONG THE BANTU
THE BOOK STORE', LOVEDALE INSTITUTION He is the Creator of life, He created above. few days after Ross' arrival, December 16, 1823, This is the Creator Who created, He created the Heaven. "On the 17th we got our press together; on the This is the Maker of the stars and of the Pleiades. 18th the alphabet was set up; and yesterday The star shot forth. It spoke to us. (19th) we threw off fifty copies." It was inevita- This is the Maker of the blind also; He did it of purpose. ble that the missionaries should begin with the The trumpet spoke, it summoned us. alphabet, for the Amaxosa tribe of the Bantu, He is the Hunter, hunting for souls. among whom they had settled, although speaking He gathers together the flocks that do not agree. a wonderfully flexible and expressive language, He is the Leader; He led us. had absolutely no knowledge of writing. He is the great robe which covers us. Thy hands are wounded. This early determination to provide the printed Thy feet are wounded. Word has been a marked feature of South African Why didst Thy blood gush out? history. Soon after the setting up of the press at Thy blood wast shed for us. Gwali, later known as the Lovedale Press, the This great price have we called for it? Methodists were operating a press at Mount Coke, This village here have we summoned it? about fifty miles to the east. The Paris Evan- gelical Society, which entered Basutoland in 1833, The Fi'rst Printing Press has made a special feature of its publication work. Other societies, such as the American Board, have In the early twenties of last century the London shown similar diligence. Dr. Westermann has de- Missionary Society, the Engli-sh Methodist clared that the literature of many African tribes Church, and the Glasgow Missionary Society of can be carried in a lady's pocket handkerchief! Scotland almost simultaneously placed mission- The charge cannot be levelled at South African aries in the field. The coming of the third of the missions. In the valuable "Bibliography of Chris- Scottish band is one of the romances of modern tian African Literature," published in 1923, with missionary work on the literary side. The Rev. its supplement of 1927, something like one hun- John Ross brought with him a printing press dred publications each are listed in the Xosa, which, after the voyage of 6,000 miles by sea, he Zulu and Suto languages, and about fifty in conveyed by ox wagon a journey of 600 miles Chuana. These are the principal languages of the more from Cape Town to Gwali, ten miles from southern end of the continent. . the present site of Lovedale. John Bennie, a catechist, who had arrived two years before, wrote a
The Bible Translated ants; wherever they lead he must follow. If my son is willing to go, I make no objection, for no The aim of the pioneers was not merely to pro- harm can befall him even across the sea; he is as vide as soon as possible some printed word, but much in God's keeping there as near to me." Tiyo the printed Word. Rev. J. W. Appleyard, a Soga, one of thirty-nine children of a polygamist Methodist minister, early translated the Bible headman, afterwards became the earliest ordained single-handed into Xosa, and his translation is missionary to his own race and did magnificent popular even today. A board composed chiefly of work. His translation of the first part of "Pil- Scottish and German missionaries produced a grim's Progress" is acknowledged to be a masterscholarly version in the same language. As to the piece of Xosa prose. The second part of the same other South African languages a similar story can book was translated into Xosa a few years ago be told. The work of the American and British by one of Tiyo Soga's sons, who has followed in Bible Societies deserves hearty acknowledgment. his father's footsteps by devoting a large part of Largely because of this determination to put first his missionary service to the production of literathings first the Bible remains the best seller in ture for the Bantu. the various South African vernacular tongues. The Position Today It is also the best evangelist, for it carries within its covers the very Gospel message and brings Today the tide of literacy is rising among the Christ to men and men to Christ. The British Bantu, and with it have come increased opportuand Foreign Bible Society and the Scottish Na- nities for the ministry of the printed page. Untional Bible Society have in recent years made it fortunately literacy is bringing also increased oppossible for a book caravan to itinerate through- portunities for appeals of a different kind, so that out the district which was formerly the scene of the situation is becoming critical. For example, the wars between the Bantu and colonists. The to the writer's desk there comes every month the driver-colporteur is not content merely to sell magazine of the Communist party directed to the books, but conducts services in three languages. educated classes among the Bantu, a pUblication The Scripture Gift Mission of London and the altogether true to type. While the Christian Lovedale Press have also been publishing tracts agencies are teaching vast numbers to read, it is in South African vernaculars, solely in the words our duty also to see that it is not left to the nonof Scripture. Christian and even anti-Christian elements to sup- ply the reading matter. We must supply more Religious Classics and better books.
As in many other parts of Africa, Bunyan's Thousands of Christians would find their faith "Pilgrim's Progress" was early translated, and deepened, love increased, and service made more the spiritual life of multitudes of Bantu Chris- effective if wholesome reading became part of tians has been nourished on this book. The Xosa their daily life. And beyond these stand hundreds version was admirably rendered by the Rev. Tiyo of thousands still unwon. The day has dawned Soga, the first ordained minister among the Bantu, for a forward movement in good literature whose history has more than usual interest. In throughout southern Africa. The situation calls 1846 war once more broke out between the Bantu for action and not merely resolutions. The Jeand the colonists. The missions lost heavily in rusalem meeting of 1928 said of the production, property, and Lovedale Institution, which had publication and circulation of Christian literabeen opened five years before, was turned into a ture : "It is generally recognized and admitted fort. Among the Christian refugees at another that this is the most neglected part of the missionfort was a godly native woman named Nosutu, ary enterprise. There is possibly no other miswho came with her son, Tiyo Soga, a pupil at sionary subject on which so many resolutions have Lovedale when the war broke out. In the dreary been passed and so few put into effect." The prosurroundings of the fort the lad contrived to pur- duction and distribution of books must have an sue his studies. Since he had no means of pur- increasing place in the thought and work of the chasing even a taper his mother daily collected missionary forces, especially in view of the rising sneezewood splinters to burn so that her boy tide of education and the anti-Christian propamight see to read his books during the long win- ganda being c!irected towards the Bantu. ter nights. This fact has been realized in recent years and Later it was proposed to Nosutu that Tiyo ac- some steps taken to meet the new situation. Those company Rev. Williams Govan, the first principal leading in the movement have been greatly heartof Lovedale, to Scotland and there complete his ened by the visit of Dr. John R. Mott, under education. To this the mother replied, "My son whose leadership the subject received considerable is the property of God; wherever he goes God attention. A South African Christian Council is goes with him. He is the property of God's serv-
being brought into being, one of the secretaries and in the day of his extremity this man was forof which will have this matter as his special saken by kindred and friends. By means of a charge. Missionary societies, American, British trick he was finally cast into prison, but through and Continental, will be urged to cooperate and all his faith 'remained undimmed and his deterto make arrangements to assure the production of mination unshaken. Today, some ten years later, the best literary work. Meantime several presses he remains a flaming evangelist among his people, are seeking to cope with the situation. One mis- adorning the doctrine of God, his Saviour, by his sion press last year published and sold 70,000 daily life. The significant fact is, that when encopies of vernacular books, besides innumerable quiry was made as to what led him to be at the pamphlets and books in English. church door on that first Sabbath morning it was learned that it was the Book. At school a brother Pressing Needs had been presented with a Bible as a prize. The reading aloud of the sacred page in the dark, mud- Some of the most pressing needs of today are walled hut at home became for the elder brother vernacular commentaries, Bible dictionaries, daily a life-giving ministry of the Word. readings, and other helps to the study of the Scriptures, including helps for preachers, Sunday In the press we have one of the most powerful school teachers and other Christian workers, at- of Christian agencies; and as education spreads tractive Biblical literature for the young, tracts that agency will become mightier. The missionary and pamphlets for evangelistic work, translations as a personal factor, the living voice, must always of religious classics, the wider use of newspaper be a dominant influence, but the printed word has evangelism, good recreational literature, such as its peculiar power and function. As Dr. J. H. inspiring stories, high class pictures, literature Ritson has declared: "It can be read and reread suitable for youth movements and a Christian and pondered over; it can reach a vastly greater newspaper. congregation than is to be found within the sanc- tuary; it can accompany the hospital patient to One of the encouraging present-day features is his home; … it can travel forth as the pioneer that many Africans are offering manuscripts for where the climate is deadly and the population is publication. These deserve encouragement, and sparse and conditions are unfriendly and hostile. advantage should be taken of their efforts to pro- The printed page alone is the ubiquitous missionvide facilities whereby they may influence their ary." fellow Africans for God. A BLACK FISHER OF MEN The Supreme Need In one of our conferences a young man stood But in all efforts to carry out a more masterly up to testify to the saving grace of God, saying, and united plan we must never lose sight of the "I am not as well educated as some of the rest of fact that our dependence is on the Holy Spirit you, but I can read that Jesus Christ died for my working in the individual heart. The Saviour's sins. I can also read that Jesus said, 'If you folhope for a redeemed world is through individual low me, I will make you fishers of men.' By God's men and women. A printing office becomes trans- grace I will be a fisher of men." figured only when we see its products owned and used by the Spirit of God. One Lord's Day morn- One March evening in 1927, I stood before a ing the writer went to deClare the Word of God group of people with this young man by my side. at an outstation in a remote part of Tembuland. The spokesman for the group said, "We believe Sometimes it was difficult to prevail on two or the words you have spoken to us, but where shall three to enter the little church building in that we find Christ? Show us the way and we will district. On the morning iIi question a man, clad follow." only in a blanket, the badge of heathenism, was lying at the church door waiting for it to be Turning to the fisher of men I said, "This is to opened. As the service proceeded no listener be your work. Can you lead these people to could have been more eager than this man on Christ?" whose countenance was stamped generations of paganism. Within a few weeks he confessed a "By God's grace I can try," was the simple desire to follow Christ, and thereafter every Sun- reply. day morning, and on many week days, he could be seen coming down the valley and entering the Five years later, March, 1932, I was back in little church that he might, sometimes all alone, this same village and with me again was this same converse with God. black son of God. He had called me to dedicate their first church, only a thatched roof mud-build- So complete a break with the customs of a ing, but nevertheless a house built for God by grossly heathen district could not pass unnoticed. those that he had led to Christ.-Clarence E. Carl- Persecution sprang up as if out of the ground, son, in Gems of Cheer.
A Medical Missionary
By REV. ALBERT D. HELSER, Ph.D. Kano, Nigeria, British West Africa, Missionary in West Africa Since 1922 W E ARE just back from a medical preach- rotting flesh and dead bone she groaned and called ing tour, on which Mrs. Helser and David, on God to help her bear the pain. Several men aged four, accompanied me. We went by who had followed me urged me to leave her and Ford, horseback and on foot. A man named said repeatedly, "Save us from the curse of a liv- Dankandi had invited us to visit him and to sleep ing death." As I told of Christ's love for her and in his house. The way was longer than we had of His power to help, a smile softened her tight thought, and it was dark when we reached the mouth and she said, "Will He not help me?" As home of this seeker after God. We had never I was on my knees dressing the foot the mother seen him, but the Eternal Spirit had been working knelt by me and said, "If you will be patient and in his heart and he wanted to be in his house with help my child, I will give her to you that where God's messenger. Before the camp beds and our you go she may go so that she may be like you." few belongings were put away, he whispered to Each week I go to this area some twenty miles his new friend, "Come with me into the stable, I away and as the great open sore heals her little have something to tell you." At first I was tempted heart thrills to the story of Christ's love for helpto say that we could talk the next day, but when less children.
I thought of the great first work of the Church We would like to enlist prayer helpers in the and saw Dankandi's eager face, I went with him. battle for souls here in North Central Africa. We saluted one another, and then ever so· tenderly Hundreds of men, women and young people are this bearded African told me of his love for Jesus, dying every day who have never had a chance to his Saviour. All he knew was that Jesus died for hear the glorious message of redeeming love. They him, and his face was aglow even in that dark have never had a chance to hear how God's own stable as he pressed closer to me and told of how Son went to Calvary's cruel tree in their stead. a great peace had surged through him every day Somehow more and more we feel that God would since he surrendered his all to Christ. This simple have more prayer power brought to bear on sinblack man was not only himself at the gate of ners who have no consciousness of sin. We need Heaven, but he took me with him. prayer helpers who will pray that a consciousness of sin may come into these pagan hearts and make As I sat on the seat provided for the chief's them cry out for mercy. We need some friends guest in Gun Dutse, a child's voice kept calling, who know what Christ has done for them to give "Let me in, let me in." Friends were being greeted and medicines were being prepared for themselves to prayer. various ailments, and no one had time to pay any Kussari is a young man about seventeen. He attention to the slip of a girl though she was sick was desperately sick some weeks ago. Nobody unto death. Then as she was being ordered to be knew what was wrong with him. Some said that quiet and to hide herself, I caught these words, he had an evil spirit. Others said one thing and "Will he not help me?" My first thought was, another. We went to our knees for Kussari. As another beggar or another insane child, but I prayed a pagan nearby cursed and scoffed. Just Christ's love would not let it rest at that. The as surely as God brought down fire on Carmel He least of these need Him most. I left the impor- heard our prayer, and those wild eyes became tant men about me and went out and found a little steady, and that twitching body found rest and girl about eleven who needed loving care for her peace under God's mighty power. Praise God broken body, and especially as a great ulcer was with us for Kussari. rotting away her left ankle. She trembled as I examined her, and my mind went to our own little Take the case of a leper family. The father's girl, who is now eleven, and I loved this helpless hands are both off at the wrists, and his feet off one all the more. Her eyes kept asking, Will God's at the ankles. Leprosy has actually eaten them messenger help me? The mother said, "She is as away. The mother's hands and feet are partly gone already. The little girl, about seven years good as dead." When I began to pull away the old, seems well, but two leper spots show already.
[488 ] courtesy of Missions A BELGIAN CONGO BABY CLINIC AT LEOPOLDVILLE When she was born she was perfect, for leprosy noon and night. The Spirit of God moved on the is not inherited, but by living with her leprous people of Shapa. A man named Audu was saved, parents she has contracted this awful disease. A and the miracle God wrought on his body brought little girl about two and a half, with pearly teeth, others to their Saviour. Audu was left to die; is almost sure, unless we can do something soon, his body was swollen and his eyes would not close to get this same disease. Pray that some way may even when he seemed to sleep. The first four to be found to heal the father's painful, open sores, confess Christ, and other interested friends, went and not only help him to find Christ but also ren- with me to his lone hut. All other friends had der him noninfectious. Pray that some way may deserted him. As we prayed and administered be found to save what the mother has left of her medicine we felt Heaven's power in answer to our hands and feet before they slough off. (I can prayer-helpers' earnest intercession on our behalf. hardly bear to see those filthy hands taking up A prayer-helper had provided for the medicine that precious child.) Pray that some way may be and had backed each tablet and each drop of medifound to treat the seven-year-old girl, who some- cine with prayer. Each morning we went to the how tells me by her eager eyes that she expects us sick one for prayer, and many times during the to save her from the fate of her parents, who have day medicines were sent. Some of the believers given way to despair. Pray that some way may made chicken soup for the forsaken one. He said be found to rear the tiny tot for Jesus and away on the fourth day, after declaring each day that from the danger of contamination. he could not live another day, that he had found a new world with new pe.ople in it. What a change Our hearts overflow as we write. A policeman Christ makes when He saves a lost sinner. When by the name of Ali, who gladly testified both in we left Shapa he came to say good-bye. Several public and private and was baptized some time villagers said, "Under the power of Christ and ago, has since been dismissed from the service be- His servants' medicine the hopeless are given new cause of his stand for Christ. He goes on rejoic- hope, new bodies, new minds and new souls." ing. He laughs and says: "Christ is enough for "Born again" is what Christ says about such as me. Since He has taken possession of me I lack these. God has now given us a new post in Kano, nothing. He is my all in all." in the midst of 3,000,000 souls. Less than a hun- dred natives have accepted Christ. What a par- During a recent village preaching campaign we ish? By His grace and your help many of these held fifty-four services in fifteen days. God honored your prayers by saving twenty-seven souls. shall experience the power of the blood. We lived in their midst and preached morning,
Unoccupied
-<!III By JOHN STEYTLER* IIll- HISTORY tells us that the Christian Church, trade and the practices of the witch doctors. He established in North Africa during the first was followed later by Stanley, who also opened century, flourished until the sixth century, up fresh trails to the interior. Missionaries rewhen disaster overtook it, and it was destroyed by sponded to their appeal and followed them. Pio- Islam. These North African churches have lost neer missionaries moved into Nyasaland, Uganda, their vitality, some think, because they were more Congo, Kenya and Rhodesia. Gradually the mis- concerned with theological discussions than evan- sion movement gained momentum, and numerous gelizing the pagans. Whatever the reason may other mission stations were opened in the interior.
have been, the natural expansion of Christianity, These missions can be compared to shafts of radiating from its source, Palestine, through light penetrating far into the domain of darkness, North Africa southward, was cut short before it superstition and fear as they penetrated deeper penetrated far inland. and deeper, ever expanding and spreading their Afterward nothing was done for evangelizing influence over wider and wider areas, building Africa till the time of Henry the Navigator, when churches, schools, hospitals and trying to bind up the early Portuguese explorers began to feel their the terrible wounds of Africa. Today it is esti- way south along the African coasts. They car- mated that there are nearly 11,000 organized ried with them the cross, the emblem of Christian- Protestant churches and about 2,000,000 profess- ity, and planted it at various points on Africa's ing Christians. The achievement has been im- inhospitable shores, but no attempt at mission mense, considering the time in which it has been work was made. The Dutch colonists were the accomplished; and on the face of it, it would first to try to introduce the Gospel to the natives seem as if Africa has been occupied.
of southern Africa (1665). They were followed But if achievement be appraised from the by the Moravians (1737) and the London Mission- standpoint of the numbers of profes;ing Chris- ary Society (1789). In central Africa the Roman tians, it is very insignificant, for the Christian Catholics opened a mission near Tete on the communicants only form two per cent of the total Zambesi River (1750), but for the rest the in- population of the whole continent. It would there- digenous peoples of equatorial and southern fore appear that missions are only in their youth, Africa remained untouched by Christian influence. and have taken only a step, the first step. Though With the opening years of the nineteenth cen- millions live in the areas that can be considered tury there was a great awakening of missionary virtually occupied, there are still millions that are zeal in European countries, many mission societies as yet untouched by the Christian message. If were established, and pioneer missionaries were Christian missions and their spheres of influence sent in increasing numbers to all parts of the could be thought of as points of light, then view- globe, including Africa, but for half a century ing the map of Africa, it would resemble the pat- little beyond the coastline on the west and south tern of light and shade, which a leafy tree, stand- was reached. The unexplored hinterland, tribal ing in bright sunshine, might throw on the wars, the gloomy forests, the malarial swamps ground. The darker areas would represent those and the sun-scorched plains discouraged attempts areas where populations are still held in the thrall at occupation. of witchcraft and superstition, where disease is In 1852 the intrepid explorer, David Living- rampant and Jesus Christ is not known.
stone, braved the dangers of Africa and laid bare Even in the areas which are considered occu- the wounds of the Dark Continent. What he saw pied, the Christian influence is often very limited.
filled him with profound pity, especially the ter- In the northern parts of Nigeria there is one rible suffering and iniquity caused by the slave Christian to 20,000 people; in the southern dis- • Mr. John G. Steytler graduated from the University of Stellen- tricts of the same country, one Christian to 31,000 people; in French West Africa there are less than bosch, South Africa, in 1917. After teaching in the Cape Province a thousand Christians to 14,000,000 people; in for five years, he joined the staff of the Dutch Reformed Church the Provl·nce of Khartoum there are less than Mission in Nyasaland, East Africa., where he has been head of the twenty missionaries to 1,000,000 inhabitants; in yDeeapras.rtmTenhte ogfenEedruocsiattyionof wtihtheinCathrneegMieissCioonrpfoorratitohne hlaasst mthaidrteeeint ~f:~!b~~/~~llh~'r 1t~3~:Udy at the Graduate School, Yale University, [490 ] Tripoli one missionary to 1,000,000 people. These In the Tete district of Portuguese East Africa were the estimates in 1926, but the position would which adjoins Nyasaland, till 1907 no Christian be more or less the same today. work was done among the 150,000 people living in that area. There was one Roman Catholic mis- Leaving out of account these areas where there sion, which had been established on the Zambesi is definitely some Christian work being carried River about 300 years ago, but it did not try to on, however inadequate, there are others where extend its work beyond the borders of the mission nothi.ng is done at all. Mr. W. J. W. Roome, that station. The Dutch Reformed Church, which had indefatigable traveler, who has on behalf of the a mission in Nyasaland, just across the border, British and Foreign Bible Society traveled tens was repeatedly asked by the natives to extend its of thousands of miles in Africa, gives a list of work among them too, and attempts were made to these fields in his book, "Can Africa Be Won?" secure the permission of the Portuguese officials. From this I select the largest areas mentioned: Permission was consistently refused for several years, but constant dropping can wear away even 1. Abyssinia, which is largely an unreached land with the stony hardness of a Portuguese official, and eight to ten millions of people. permission was eventually given. While these ne- gotiations were proceeding, the government urged 2. Tanganyika, west of longitude 32 east to the shores the Roman Catholics to forestall the Dutch misof Lake Tanganyika, a distance of about 300 miles. sion, and survey parties were sent out to choose a site for a mission in the area where the Dutch 3. A very large area confined between the following mission intended going. The latter managed to boundaries: From the River Tana in Kenya to the Abys- secure from the Roman missionaires a written sinian border, west to Mount Eglon and then north as far agreement as to the boundaries of the spheres of as the Sobat River, a tributary of the White Nile, the field influence, and for a time all went well. lying between Abyssinia and the Nile. Then suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, all the 4. West of Uganda between Lake Albert and Lake Ed- teacher-evangelists of the Dutch mission, totaling ward and stretching 400 miles into the Congo. sixty-five, were arrested by the authorities on the grounds that they did not know Portuguese. Of 5. Another is to be found from the point where the three these teachers seventeen were already in possescQuntries, French Congo, Belgian Congo and Anglo-Sudan sion of Portuguese certificates, and all the others meet, northwards into the Umbangi Province in French were studying the language. Protests were of no territory. This area lies between 20° and 25° east longi- avail, and all were deported to Mozambique and tude and approximately 5° to 10° north latitude. This part were forced to work on sugar plantations. Some is aptly called the "heart of Africa." Its situation justi- managed to escape, others died of hardship, it is fies the title. said, and a few were deported to the Portuguese islands of Panjim and Timor in the West Indies. 6. The middle part of eastern Congo between 20° and After many years some returned to their waiting 24 ° east longitude and 1° to 4 ° south latitude. families, but in 1925 four were still missing, and in 1934 one returned from Panjim Island. 7. From the Lualaba River in the southeast corner of Belgian Congo northward and west of Lake Mweru to the It seemed as if the promising work was ruined shores of Lake Tanganyika. because churches, schools and dwelling houses were left to fall into ruins, but the natives who 8. Portuguese West Africa, especially the southern and had accepted Christianity during the short time northeastern regions. the mission operated, carried on the work of Christianizing their fellow tribesmen in secret. 9. All Portuguese East Africa excepting near the coast. Meetings were held, and are still being held, in 10. The Cameroons, all east of 12° longitude. secret in the leaders' huts at night, or during the 11. The northern territories of the Gold Coast, Togo- day in the bush. One leader was discovered, arland, Dahomey, including the bend of the Niger River. rested and jailed. His Bible and hymn book were 12. The northern section of Liberia, Portuguese Guinea destroyed and he was threatened with more severe and all the French territories of the Ivory Coast, French punishment if he continued his work as Christian Guinea, Senegal and south of that river and the Niger. teacher. This has had the effect of stimulating Christian endeavor, as is evidenced by the fact Within these areas there are 30,000,000 people that every few months scores of Portuguese naabsolutely beyond the reach of the effort of exist- tives who have been taught as described above, ing mission societies. The question arises, Why come across the border into Nyasaland to be exhave these areas not yet been occupied? There amined and taken up into the churches there. are to my mind four main reasons: A more or less similar experience has been the 1. Governments often restrain missions from entering certain fields. In northern Nigeria, for instance, missions have not been allowed to enter the emirates of Kano and Sokoto on the ground that the Mohammedan emirs were told that, when their countries were brought under administration, there would be no interference with their religion by the government. Such restrictions, probably for political reasons, apply with added force to the Portuguese territories. The writer has personal knowledge of the extreme and unreasonable lengths to which such restrictions have been pushed in Portuguese East Africa. The following bit of history will serve to illustrate this.
lot of the mission of the Church of Scotland work- formed which holds regular meetings, and plans ing among the Lomwe tribe in the Quelimane are being discussed for the occupation of Portudistrict further north. Since the European mis- guese East Africa through African evangelists. sionary· has been made to suffer all manner of Two Africans who have offered themselves for hardships and indignities and his work has been "foreign" service are at present studying Portuhampered as much as was possible within the law, guese at Lourenco Marques. One of them, Paulo the mission has been withdrawn temporarily. MiIoto, is a chief in Portuguese East Africa, and There are other missions working near the coast, he has voluntarily given up his chieftianship and and they seem to be less harried, but always they is going to devote his life to the evangelization of are confronted with a hostile government. The his fellow tribesmen in the present unoccupied result of all this has been that Portuguese Africa field of the Tete District. is today still a virtually unoccoupied field. The population is about 3,500,000. The writer does not know whether or not this has already been done in other parts of Africa. 2. Another reason why fields are often unoccu- He, however, feels convinced that that is the evenpied is malarial climate or the prevalence of sleep- tual solution of the problem of spreading the ing sickness. The European missionary is not as Gospel of Christ into areas which are today out resistant to these diseases as the native African. of reach of existing societies. If the history of Thousands of graves remind us of men and wom- the Church in Africa has a lesson to teach, it is en who have, in spite of the danger to which that the church that has no missionary zeal is they exposed themselves, consistently put service doomed to unfertility and eventual stagnation. before self and have given their lives for the The churches in the home lands have to be on Cause. This difficulty is being gradually overcome their guard against this danger, so have the inby the enormous advances made by medical sci- digenous churches in Africa. The ideal of all the ence. The medical missionary more than anybody churches of Christ, in America, Europe and in else has opened up Africa and has made it pos- Africa, is to spend themselves for the cause of sible for the white man to live where it would have making Christ known and regnant in the hearts, been impossible twenty to twenty-five years ago. not only of civilized peoples, but also of the mil- lions of Africa in the occupied as well as the un- 3. Opposition from the natives themselves has occupied fields. until recently kept missions from certain areas. This opposition is still active where Mohammedan CHANGING RACE DIRECTIONS influence is predominant. But this, too, is breaking down. Missionaries from all territories testify Once the missionary to Africa faced chiefly that the doors are open wider today than they pure native problems-superstition, sin, disease, have ever been before. ignorance. The coming of modern industry is so changing great regions that he faces a different 4. Lack of funds is increasingly becoming the race, struggling with the old adverse influences main reason why missions cannot extend their in- still and many new and complicated ones. Rose fluence in the areas where they already exist and Henderson, writing upon the subject, "Modern over the borders into the unoccupied fields. The Industry Changes Africa," in The Southern W orkserious reduction in the budgets of the home boards is endangering the mission enterprise in man, gives this glimpse of new conditions in the field after field. One wonders what the reason for this may be. To the writer it seems like an great copper mining region: act of Providence for bringing the missions to the situation where they will be forced to look more Lying 2,300 miles north of the Cape of Good Hope and to Africa than to Europe and America for help. at about equal distance uetween the Atlantic and Pacific The time has not yet come when the Africans can Oceans, the copper mines employ some 35,000 native workcarryon the work alone, and they will need th~ men and supply a third of the world's copper. Here in help and advice of the white missionary for many the midst of the bush jungle which, two 'or three decades many years. Yet the center of gravity must grad- ago, was hardly inhabited, millions of dollars have been ually shift to the indigenous church, and missions expended by white capitalists and thousands of Negroes will increasingly have to follow the policy of dev- have stepped from primitive jungle huts to modern mines olution. and machinery. Native villages have sprung up, along with hospitals, schools and recreation centers of the mine An encouraging beginning has been made by owners. Black men from ninety different tribes, speaking the Presbytery of Mkhoma, Nyasaland, where the ninety different languages and representing as many difindigenous church has begun its own foreign mis- ferent cultures have been brought together in the employ sion, which is organized, controlled and financed of white capitalists. The result of this industrial developby the Africans, with the help and advice of the ment, as complete as any of its kind in Europe or Amerwhite missionaries. A "home" board has been ica, is a realignment of peoples, a transformation of the continent. The balance of native life has been upset. The direction of human races has been changed. Roads and villages have shifted, customs and beliefs have been up- rooted, ancient cultures and ideals are being destroyed.
CALL
The Drums of Congo and the Gospel By VIRGINIA M. CLARKE, Bolenge, Africa A MONG the Bantu people living in theequa- In many mission stations a special house has .r.. torial forest of the Belgian Congo the been erected to hold a number of these drums signal drum is now being used as an aid which are used regularly to call the people to the to the spread of the Gospel. In a land where it Sunday school, the church services, elders' meetis impossible to see for long distances the only ings and mission school classes. Often it is the way to send a message without a messenger is by special pride and joy of the young boys in the sound. Formerly the chief purpose of the drum boys' boarding schools to beat the message on the was to call people together for fighting. What a big drums which will start old and young hurry- triumph for Christ is this new, peaceful use of ing along the village paths leading to God's the drum! house.
When a missionary is itinerating through the Among the Bankundo, who are found along the tropical forest his heart is gladdened as he wearily equator where the Congo River crosses it for the approaches a village to meet a band of villagers second time, a particular group of phrases is used singing Christian hymns. They come joyfully to to call people to a Protestant church service. In . greet him and to make him welcome. Usually the their language (Lonkundo) it is: "Ikongo ifonge evangelist is in the lead, followed by the Chris- kukola baseka enganbe ea njambola, lotakana, tians and inquirers seeking baptism. On asking lotakana. Tokende bonteke bolosambo bole nda the evangelist how he knew of his coming, the ikongo ifonge kukola." Translated rather freely missionary is told that the drum in the village this means: "Protestants, come together, come which he visited the preceding night had boomed together. Let us go to the church service which through several miles of jungle and swamp to ap- is where the white man is found." prise them of the arrival of the "man of God." Perhaps in the near future the Christian lead- While the missionary is resting before his hut the ers of Congo will find new ways to use their won- evangelist is beating out the call to all the Chris- derful drum language in telling the story of tians to gather for the evening service. Christ's love for all men.
[493 ]
Ways of
'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I======================~==~ A CLIMBING RACE of missionary interest and en- nominational headquarters. The deavor. value of united, sequential study Slow moves the pageant of a climb- need hardly be dwelt upon, with ing race; Toward this end your Depart- the abundance of helps and sug- ment Editor has striven earnest- gestions available in magazines Their footsteps drag far, far below ly to assemble worthful material in correlation with the themes. the height, from· many sources to supply If the world is ever to be won leaders of the several group in- for Christ it will be by united, And, unprevailing by their utmost terests with plans and sugges- synchronized effort, not random, might, tions for shaping up programs, individualistic attempts to obey studies, discussions and projects. the Great Commission. Seem faltering downward from each Space will admit of little more hard won place. than citations for these; but it INFORMATIVE MATERIAL may be taken for granted that No strange, swift-sprung exception although a number of different The volume of this is almost we; we trace denominations are involved, unlimited. Your Department nothing is mentioned herein Editor can mention only such A devious way thro' dim, uncertain which is specifically denomina- helps as have been sent in for light. tional. Such details as do appear her personal inspection, as fol- in a few may easily be elimi- lows: Our hope through the long vistaed nated or replaced with the de- years, a sight sired data. As classification ac- "A Course on Africa for Young cording to type of subject matter People" (P), 25c. Of that our Captain's soul sees face is most efficient and saves space, to face. please note that (B) stands for "West Africa Mission" (P), lOco Baptist, (C) for United Chris- "The Road to God's Town" (P), lOco Who, faithless, faltering that the road tian, (L) for Lutheran, (LE) "Africa Journey" (P), lOco is steep, for Miss Leavis, who is litera- "To Africa! To Africa" (for chil- ture secretary for the Central dren) (P), lOco Now raiseth up his drear, insistent Committee on the study of For- "The Pageant of a Climbing Race" cry? eign Missions, (M) for Meth- (C)-yearbook of Home and Foreign odist Episcopal, (P) for Pres- Programs, 5c; packet of activating Who stoppeth here to spend awhile in byterian, and (M.E.M) for material. 50c for either, or 75c for set. sleep Missionary Education Move- Not ready until January. The studies ment, all of whose headquarters for young people alone have been Or curseth that the storm obscures addresses appear at the close of changed to include only the foreign the sky? this article. Nearly all publica- theme. Packets covel' not only infor- tions from nondenominational mative material but dramatizations, Heed not the darkness round you, dull sources may be obtained from poetrv, discussions, etc. and deep; your denominational literature "Missionary Facts on Africa" (B) headquarters, as the "tools in -story material for use in opening The clouds grow thickest when the type" are in reciprocal, neigh- and closinl; exercises of S. S., 15c. summit's nigh. Ready in December. -Paul Laurence Dunbar. borly use. Booklet of Leader's Helps accom- panying each textbook, 15c. The current year's study of THE STUDY BOOKS "Africa View"-book by Julian "the climbing race," particularly Huxley, $2.50. in its foreign aspects, affords an It will not be necessary to take "Education of Primitive People," unusual opportunity to attract space to enumerate these, as by Albert D. Helser, $3.00. the uninterested and enlist the they have been mentioned many "The Remaking of Man in Africa," indifferent. The subject matter times in this and other mission- by J. H. Oldham and B. D. Gibson, is rarely colorful with its appeal ary magazines, and free cata- $1.25. to the exploring impulse; the logues inclusive of descriptive Other auxiliary material will qe universal use of the narrative material are available at de- listed later. form which is indigenous to the African whether in argument, [494 ] PROGRAMS description or instruction-the story is always dominant; the "African Palavers" – a program vivid settings and background plan book (M.), 20c. For young peomaterial; the warm human in- ple but easily adaptable for women's terest; the profound problems organizations. A complete year's outpertaining to development of lines beginning with "The Assembling primitive minds and native leadership, the raising of standards; and most of all the adj ustment of races in a perfect maze of conflicting interests, temperaments and political manipulations. Every wideawake church has its paramount chance to use Africa as a lure into the realm
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
of the Tribes" in September, continu- "Consider Africa" (M.E.M.), 25c. "How to Make an African Village" ing through chapter-by-chapter stud- ies of Margaret Wrong's "~he L~nd A course on Africa by Mrs. Margaret -patterns and directions for making and Life of Africa" and mcludI!lg and setting up; to be used by leaders "The Tribute Festival"-a specIal Holly Tuck. , of boys' and girls' groups (M.E.M.), thank offering program, "Jungle Jam- 25c. boree" for a missionary party, rally "'the Story of the American Negro' or banquet a special "June Palaver," "Pattern Sheets"-African wood an "Intern'ational Program" in July (M.E.M.), 25c. Young People's course carvings; flags of African prote~tor and an "Outdoor Safari" (expedition and mealie roast) for August. The by Ina C. Brown. ates; map of Africa for enlargmg; colorful programs are reple~e with African call drum sketch; nut or native nomenClature and storIes, cos- "A Preface to Racial Understand- tumes, rituals in African fashion, of- candy holders like African hl:1ts; ficial titles such as "keepers of the ing" (B), 15c. Programs by Mrs. wooden articles received from AfrIca; fires," "story tellers," etc., use of util- elephant; hibiscus; dance drum, etc. ities such as the call drum, games, Augusta Comstock. demonstrations, dramatizations etc. (M) 10c. Has the true African atmosphere. Other program s.eries, as s~nt in~o "The Healer"–colored poster, 21 x this Department, wIll ,oe mentIOned m "Six Missionary Programs and 28, showing doctor working with s0l!le Eight Teaching Outlines" (Anna Can- later numoers. native Africans with a shadowy PICada Swain) (B), 15c. Based on ture of Christ standing in the back- "Omwa? Are You Awake?" Pro- DRAMATICS ground. Very beautiful and impresgrams excellently adapted for both sive. (St. Philip's Society, 1664 Glenyounger and older folk and c.over the "Africa Gives Thanks" (L), 10c. worship period, abundant mforma- Pageant for thank offering meeting or mount Ave., Akron, Ohio), 85c, but a tional matter, visualization~ and oth~r study class; 11 characters;. simple work of art. entertaining features, natIve musIC, setting and costumes; symbohc. Very special set of 10 English postdiscussion topics, poetry etc. Topics "Robert and Mary" (M.E.M.), 25c. are: "A Treasure Hunt," "Listening Thirteen characters; true story of ers of African life in choice, natural Ears" "Bridges," "Call a Doctor," Moffats; one hour. colors size 15 x 20. These rc'l'ltarkable "Buiiders " and "Studies in Black and pictu';es are used in the schools in the White." 'The study outlines are for "Through the Dark" (M.E.M.), 15c. Congo and 'Were seen by Miss Marlocal church groups using the text- One-act play; 4 characters; medical garet Wong, who had them printedJri mission setting. book. They analyze the subject mat- quantity in England. .An expl.anattqn ter comprehensively. "Ordered South" (M.E.M.), 15c. written by Dr. Cathertne Mabte (mw- Project for enlistment for African sionary) will accompany the set. En- Six Programs on "Congo Crosses," mission work; 3 scenes; 6 adults-4 tire set $1.00, or 5 (not selected but by the same author (B), 15c. For men and 2 women. taken by rote) for 50c. Counting women's missionary societies, business postage, this is actual cost, as all and professional women's groups and "Kanjunda" (M.E.M.), 25c. Shows orders requiring more than 15c postsenior young women's societies. Titles: waning of witch doctor's power; 15 age will be sent at a loss. (LE) "Stop Look, Listen"; "Always Prob- characters; one hour. lems—-'-Even in Primitive Congo"; Attention is called again to the long "Do You Care?"; "Here Comes the "Livingstone Hero Plays" (M.E.M.), Bride"· "Fact Finders of 1937"; 15c. Four dramatizations of Living- list of African program materials aI?-d "On Their Knees." The discussion stone stories which may be used sepa- novelties given in this Department m topics are particularly suggestive and rately or consecutively; for juniors; heart-searching. 40-50 minutes. the July issue of THE REVIEw.a!ld ob- tainaule from LE. In addItIOn to "Lights Aglow in Congo"–outline "Alexander Mackay's Han d s" those mentioned previously, Miss for young people's programs (ready (M.E.M), 10c. Leavis adds a choice leaflet, "The in January) (C) . Titles: "ABo, Glowing Ember of Prayer," by Jea,n Congo!" – showing the importance, "In Our Land It Is Very Dark" position and potentialities of Africa Kenyon Mackenzie, priced at 2c. ThIS in the world today; "Paths in the (L")A,2ncn.a InspI.res a M"IssIOnary C·Irc1e" is a wonderful devotional reading. Dark"-presenting problems crea~ed (Powell and White, 528 Walnut St., by the industrial conquest of AfrIca Cincinnati, Ohio), 15c. Maps and charts, particularly the and the need for education; "Sinister picture maps of Africa with shee~s of Shadows" – social problems which "In Congo Land" (B), 15c. cut-outs to be pasted on progressIvely grow out of impact of Western civi- "Livingstone and Stanley Meet and as different features and regions are lization upon age-old customs; shows Part" 15c. that there must be a give-and-take or "Robert Moffat Returns with Afri- studied, may be purchased at pracsharing as a new world is built; caner," 10c. tically all the denominational head- "Lamplighters"-picture of mission- quarters. The usual price is 50c f.or ary work in Congo, showi~g. ~h~t the "The Teeth That Did Not Drop the map and 10c for the separate PIC- African has all the posslblhtles of Out" (L), 2c. tures. other human beings as well as a passion for developing them; "Around "Our Husband" (C), 25c. Don't try to teach with words only. the Camp Fire"-intended to create a "An African Village Trial" (P), 5c. Visualizations and project work are bond of fellowship between young peo- Sketch presenting the African Chr~s particularly fitted to elucidate African ple here and in Africa who have had tian Church and the problems of ItS studies. like experiences through summer con- young members. Six principals and ferences and "akitelos," and to im- 10 or 15 secondary characters. press others as to what that experience can mean to them; "Lights STORIES ADDRESSES FOR MATERIALS Aglow"-to help the young people see "Peter, the Chief's Son"; "A Li?,u Baptist: Baptist Board of Educatheir responsibility in industrial and Hunt"· "Captain John's Mother ; social relationships with their own "Malin'da"; "The Lamp in the Des- tioLn~t1h5e2raMn:adiWsoonmAenv'es.,MNiesswioYnaorryk.Soand other races and countries; to cast ert"; "Just Like Women"; "The Boy ciety, 723 Muhlenberg Bldg., Philadelout greed and prejudice and to pat- Who Won a Town"; "The House of tern their actions after Christ's. Their Hands"; "The Verses That phia, Pa. , Made Livingstone Brave" (L)-2c Methodist Episcopal: Women s For- each. eign Missionary Society, 420 Plum "Even Unto Death" (P), free. "The Congo Woman's Way" (B), 2c. St., Cincinnati, Ohio. .. A wealth of other narrative mate- rial may be obtained from denomina- Christian: The United ChrIstIan tional literature headquarters, some of which will be listed in our later Missionary Society, Missions Bldg., issues. Indianapolis, Ind. . VISUALIZATIONS AND Missionary EducatIOn M~vement: PROJECTS 150 Fifth Ave., New York CIty.
Picture Sheet of Africa, for use in Miss M. H. Leavis (designated scrap books, posters, and to paste on maps of Africa (M.E.M.), 25c. previously as LE) : 186 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, Mass. . Presbyterian: Board ?f ForeIgn Missions of the PresbyterIan Church, 156 Fifth Ave., New York.
Gleanings from the Editor's "Costumes – How to Make and New York, has been experiment- Notebook Wear Them" is a cover-all pamphlet ing with a new program which inclusive of detail from many foreign has some most attractive fea- Spending the entire summer fields, obtainable at the BaptIst Board tures. It is designed for chap- at Lakeside, Ohio, with its of Education at 25c. ters who wish to meet weekly wealth of summer conferences, instead of monthly. It extends the Department Editor's note- This board also handles a "Catalog the Hero Courses into projects book overflowed with sugges- of Plays and Pageants," which is a and is built on a Four Point tions for making current studies selected, classified list according to Project basis. The following ex- attractive and forcible. These country and subject, with names of ample using Livingstone as a will be doled out from issue to authors and publIshers. Its 24 pages subject is illustrative: issue during the year, but a few cover more than 400 plays and pagitems of miscellaneous but help- eants, lOco 1st week (Skill Meeting): ful character may be given here- Map-making project. with. Look these over, for you The play listed previously as "An may find just the methods African Village TrIal" illustrates the 2d week (Study Meeting): "gadget" that you need. way in whiCh an ordinary Sunday Hero Program – Life story of school class may change itself in a one whose success depended on Mrs. Kellersberger, author of moment into an African village by ability in map-making. "Congo Crosses," is giving her ~nt,ire shift of furnishings and play of honorarium to the Protestant MIssIon imagination, with no properties or cos- 3d week (Service Meeting): Council with headquarters at Leopold- tUming. Making map of Paul's journeys, ville, Africa, for work among the of missionary fields, of local women and children. She keeps not a Poetry and Music: Both ~re invalu- community, etc. single cent for herself. Isn't this an able in presenting essentIal Negro object lesson in devotion? character both in our land and Africa. 4th week (Inspirational Meet- While more expensive song books may ing): Ceremony of Maps, us- Incidents easy to dramatize are not be practical for the average ing Livingstone and Africa; found in abundance in the study group, "Southland Spirituals," ar- Paul and the Inland Sea; Chris- books "Consider Africa," "Christ in ranged by the Rodeheaver Co., and tianity and world map. the Great Forest," "We Sing Amer- sold by all denominational literature ica " and other Friendship Press books headquarters at 25c will serve the pur- With each missionary hero a on 'current studies. You may get help pose admirably. An abundance of in making your dramatizations in Negro poetry-mostly concerning th,e different project is introduced. "Meet Your United States," by Mary American Negro but true to the UnI- For example: Chalmers-Proj- J ennes (cloth, $1.00; pa~er,. 60c ~ ; versal type – may be found in, pal- ect in swimming and life-saving. and in "Informal DramatIzatIOn III verton's "Anthology of AmerIcan (He was a swimmer and saved Missionary Education," by Elizabeth Negro Literature," 95c; "Singers in boys from drowning); Grenfell Miller Lobingier (paper, 10c)-both the Dawn," compiled by R. E. Eleazor, – Boating and shipbuilding. from the Friendship Press. Scribner'S and sold at the Conference on Educa- (He was a builder); Ian Keith have a more ambitious work entitled tion and Race Relations, Atlanta, Ga., Falconer – Cycling. Paton- "Ventures in Dramatization," by for lOCi James Weldon Johnson's Farming. Whitman-First aid. Hulda Neibuhr ($1.75). "Book of American Negro Poetry," Morrison-Woodworking. $2.00; and "Caroling Dusk," edited Bear in mind a few pointers in pre- by Countee Cullen and sold at $2.5.0. -Missions Magazine. senting Negro dramatizations, how- Your own publishing company WIll ever. usually secure for you standard, books A Circulating Library like the expensive ones above CIted. Rigidly avoid caricature in costume, For a number of years the manner or "blacking up." Negroes Manner and Motivation of Negro Women's Department of the may be brown, their impersonatio~s Presentations: A leaflet by the M.E.M. Baptist State Convention has being taken by brunettes, or the skm of the United States and Canada says: operated a circulating library. may be left white rather than to elicit The work of circulating the the merriment caused by the "black- A program on the Negro should be books has been under the direct face." what any program should be. It supervision of the State Reading should tell something that is worth Contest Secretary. A definite Is it fair to show only the illiterate, passing on; something that one group amount is allowed each year for superstitious, ignorant types, the wants other people to know; some- the purchase of new books and "savages," as representative of Afri- thing that makes them think and feel postage incurred in mailing can population when picturing com- the way they wish them to feel. If them to the various churches. munities that have educational and the members of any group have The rule is that the church using intelligent industrial types also? drawn inspiration from Negro poetry the books should pay return and music, and have come to respect postage. There is no time limit While Negro spirituals are invalua- and admire Negroes as a race and as for keeping the books, as it has ble for atmosphere both with Ameri- indivduals, then it will be easy to pass been found by experience th~t can and African Negro studies, should on those facts and inspirations and at- it is better to allow each church they not be sung with true devotional titudes. . . . You may decide that the privilege of keeping the spirit, as they were originally sung, Negroes will fill Negro roles more ef- books as long as they are being rather than to create laughter by fectively than white persons made up. read. When no longer in cir~ "acting up"? And you will be right about this. , , . culation they are returned to the If your group has no Negro members State Secretary. An attempt at Negro dialect may but has Negro friends who would like lead to the same serious error. Never to help out, it would be wise to invite -Missions Magazine. betray your programs into the hands them to do so. But do not ask any of the "Amos and Andy" type of per- Negro to participate unless .you a!"e formers. If you do you will lose all sure that he will be treated WIth courmissionary effect. tesy and respect not only by the mem- bers of the group but also by the Dramatic Helps: Reasonable brown audience. skin effects may be obtained from Steain's Preparation for Theatrical ANew Educational Program Work available at drug stores or in mail order houses. Rev. Theodore L. Conklin, High Counsellor for Eastern
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "WHERE MY POOR LIVE"
"Once, a long, long time ago, God feelin' tired, went to sleep an' had a nice wee nap on His throne. His head was in His han's an' a wee white cloud came down and covered Him up.'
Purty soon He wakes up an' says He: "'Where's Michael?'
"'Here 1 am, Father!' said Michael.
" 'Michael, me boy,' says God, '1 want a chariot and a chariot- eer!'
" 'Right ye are!' says he, and up comes the purtiest chariot in By courtesy of Art Exten&ion Press, Inc., Westport, Conn. the city of Heaven an' the finest charioteer. CRElATION OF FLOWERS – DRAWN BY AN AUST R I AN CHILD " 'Me boy,' says God, 'take a Prayer for Slum Clearance* the special strains and irritations, and million tons of th' choicest seeds the moral exposures of crowded quar- of th' flowers of Heaven an' take Father of all mankind, who hast ters; by our pleasure in the joyous signally blessed the human family as play of our happy children in God's a trip around th' world wi' them. the cradle of divinity, and hast out-of-doors, do Thou lay upon our Scatther them,' says He, 'be th' granted to us the security and conscience the plight of countless roadsides an' th' wild places of strength, the joy and comfort, and the families whose lives are cramped and th' earth where my poor live.' supporting goodness of our homes, do thwarted for lack of space and air in Thou forgive us that we have been which to live, and play, and grow in " 'Aye,' says the charioteer, content to accept these precious gifts stature and in favor with God and of life but have taken little thought man. 'that's just like ye, Father. It's th' purtiest job of m' afther life of those whose lot confines them to the By the anguish of our prayers for slums of our cities. our own children, that they may be an' I'll do it finely.' saved from sin and may grow in grace "'It's just come t' me in a Give us, we pray Thee, a vivid sense and goodness, do Thou make us ashamed of our toleration of the dream,' says th' Father, 'that of the little children condemned to live slums, which in disproportionate in crowded tenements and to play measure continue to make criminals th' rich have all th' flowers down amidst the traffic of the streets, de- and prostitutes of many boys and there and th' poor have none at prived of the simplest elements of girls who never had a chance. 0 God all. If a million tons isn't human health and happiness, rojbed of love and justice, we acknowledge even of the common heritage of pure before Thee our personal and !orpoenough, take a billion tons!' " air and sunshine. Make us conscious rate responsibility for the sins of At this point I got in some of the preventable disease which such perverted lives. breeds in the narrow alleys, and in questions about God's language the dark inner rooms where sunlight Grant us grace at this time to gird and the kind of flowers. never comes. "Well, dear," she said, "He ourselves for action. May our city spakes Irish t' Irish people. . . . By our hope of Thy mercy as we sit and the nation put their hand to the "Th' flowers," she said, "were concerned by the sickbeds of our own clearance of the slums and to the little ones, may we be willing in love building of homes more fit for the primroses, buttercups an'daisies, to share the anxiety, the anguish, and children of God. Vouchsafe to us in . . . an' from that day to this the grief of the parents of the poor this task of Thy kingdom a special there's been flowers a-plenty for as they watch by their sick or mourn sense of Thy nearness and Thy love, the death of those who need not have inasmuch as we would do it unto Thee. us all everywhere." sickened or died but for the conditions For Jesus' sake, Amen. Thus, "My Lady of the Chim- in which they are oJliged to live. • F rom "Prayers for Self a nd Societ y, " by ney Corner" told her ninth child, In the measure of our longing for James Myers ; As sociation Press, N. Y.; 15c. Alexander Irvine, of the crea- a happy home for our dear ones, with space for gracious living, free from tion of the flowers.
[497 ]
ARE YOU PRAYING? "A LIFE TO GIVE" Missions, on the theme, "The Negro in America." Even the For the observance of the In "God's Candlelights," writ- catalogue is good reading.
World Day of Prayer on the first ten by Miss Mabel Shaw, and "Glimpses of Negro Ameri- Friday in Lent, February 12, available for one dollar in cloth, cans" is a 24-page illustrated 1937, the program was written Friendship Press, New York, booklet giving in concise form by Miss Mabel Shaw, founder of the Livingstone Memorial Girls' the author relates: facts about eight areas of Negro Boarding School at Mbereshi, Kawamba, Northern Rhodesia, One clear evening I went life today: Where Are They? Africa. down to the leper camp at the Who Are They? Where Do end of our village. There were They Live? How Do They Sup- very few of them there. It was port Themselves? Where Do In accepting the invitation to not a pleasant place. . . . And They Get Their Education? prepare the world program, yet they gave me a glad wel- What About Their Health? Do Miss Shaw wrote, "You will be come. They had many needs to They Go to Church? Are They interested to hear that Mbereshi make known: not enough fire- Citizens? The booklet closes 'kept' the Day of Prayer this wood, no salt had been given with a section asking, "Where year. There was prayer in the with last week's rations, they Do You and I Come In?" in school chapel, unceasing from were naked, could I not see? . .. which the interracial movement dawn till set of sun. The girls were there in small groups; even They told me a lion had been is described and the opportunity the little children took their part. At sunset there was a about. . . . before the churches is pointed gathering of all the Christian women in the village church." At last I rose to go. I gave a • out. 6 cents a copy.. $4.00 a When it is ten o'clock, morn- last word and greeting, promised hundred.
ing, in New York, the .tiI?e of I'd remember all their needs, The Department of Race Relations, day in Northern RhodeSIa IS five and was just about to mount my Federal Council of Churches, has colo'clock in the afternoon. bicycle, when out of one of the lected pamphlets from various sources. There are two packets. Packet No. 1 A CALL TO PRAYER little houses came, the old leper contains the pamphlet described above, head-man. He held a spear be- "Amer ica's Tenth Man," and "School tween the stumps that once were Money in Black and White." 15 cents hands, and he went h0bblI' ng a single packet. along the path in front of me. I called to him, and he stopped and Packet No.2 is supplementary ma- looked round. terial for leaders of groups; for ex- Together let us "Where are you going?" ample, a 43-page booklet on cotton- growing communities in rural Amer- Thank God and praise Him for the ica. 30 cents a single pack et. manifestation of Himself in Jesus Christ, and in the abundant life; "I am going to escort you to ……;==::::;] Thank God and praise Him for fol- Mbereshi Village, you can't go alone with lions about/' lowers of Jesus Christ who have made Him known; I smiled at him. "But on my Thank God and praise Him for the world f ellowship of prayer-and bicycle I'll be there in a minute." let each seek a new consecration to Jesus Christ. He would not have it, it was not fitting for me to go alone. I Together let us pray looked at him, a feeble old man, That the church be strong and cou- rageous; handless, feet half-eaten, his whole body covered with marks That the missionary zeal of Chris- of disease, and his face most tians be purified and spread pitiful. through all the world; That the community in which we I said to him half-banteringly, live be recreated through the con- secrated service of God's children; and with a smile, "Now what That our nation measure all activi- could you do if a lion came?"
ties by Christ's law of love and He drew himself up, and with universal brotherhood; a quiet dignity said, "Have I not That the whole earth be filled even a life to give?" in this our day with the knowl- I was silent, seeing a Cross. I edge of the living God, and of His followed him to the village, Son, Jesus Christ.
The World Day of Prayer is thanked him and came home, sponsored by the Council of having met with God face to Women for Home Missions, 105 face. . ..
East Twenty-second St., New ARE YOU STUDYING? York, and the Foreign Missions Conference, 156 Fifth Ave., New Good reading, as well as edu- J. R . S oo tlord York. The Day is observed in cational in content, are the new DOR CH EST E:R AC AD E MY SCHOOLGIRL. more than fifty countries. books published by the Mission- ary Education Movement and McI NTOSH, GEORGIA The program material for F ebruary 12, 1937, is ready. the Council of Women for Home
i OuJM!:~r~~~:~feCu~~~?Ok I '~II=.======================================
.it EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~11=========~==========I$ii)§i AFRICA back to Ethiopia after furlough ment. Twice follow-up meet- in America, have been able to ings have been held with the re- One By One Work in Egypt continue their interrupted jour- sult that hundreds of the rather Missionaries in Egypt deplore ney. -The Life of Faith. wild mountain Bakiga are flock- ing to the churches. Large the lack of desire to win "other Christian Police Association bands are going out teaching. sheep," even on the part of born- One outcome has been that na- About a thousand new mem- tive church collections increased again Christians. Words flow bers joined the International by about half during the last easily, but there is little definite Christian Police Association in three months of the year. It is praying for the conversion of South Africa last year. About expected that the Diamond J ubisouls. A few years ago a coun- ninety police stations and depots lee may be celebrated in 1937. terpart of the English "One By at different places in the Union were visited by the Traveling -C. M. S. Outlook. One Band" was started, and the call to individual work was p:r:e- sented. It was urged that it Secretary, and the most encour- The March of Progress would be a help to be definite in aging feature is that so many prayer if answers were recorded men have accepted Christ as A significant evidence of in the little book "Throne of their Saviour. change in West Africa is seen Grace"; many have now joined The membership of the I. C. in the attendance of the native the Band and some have had an- P. A. in South Africa is now King of Oyo at the reunion of swers to prayer for individuals. about 3,800. During the year old students of St. Andrew's 1,000 New Testaments have been College, Oyo. In all the years of A little group of Egyptian' circulated, besides thousands of the college's history it has never "One by One" members now ex- tracts and leaflets, and many let- been visited by a king. He is ists at almost all the stations of ters of thanks have been re- regarded as too sacred to be the Egypt General Mission, com- ceived from those who have re- looked upon by the common peoposed of teachers, Biblewomen ceived blessing through these. ple, and always when giving auand a few Christian women in The strength of the European the districts. At a testimony force of the South African police dience his face would be hidden meeting of members among the is between 7,000 and 8,000, plus by a veil of coral beads suswomen in Zeitoun last October, the native police, which is be- pended from his crown or coral one told how she had long prayed tween 3,000 and 4,000. headgear. But even the most for a brother who had been ter- strongly entrenched customs of ribly opposed to even the men- -The Life of Faith. the old days are giving way betion of Christ or religion, and fore the march of progress. To- how her prayer had been an- The C. M. S. in Uganda day the theory is gaining ground swered by the brother's conver- that as a king is supported from sion. Dr. J. E. Church of the C. M. the taxes paid by his people, the S. tells how one and another of people should both see and know -Egypt General Mission News. the Christians in Uganda and the man whom they support as Missionaries May Remain in Ruanda have been led during their ruler. Ethiopia the past six years into a new and -C. M. S. Outlook. deeper knowledge of Christ, and Dr. T. A. Lambie, Director of have a keen desire to bring oth- Open Doors in Nigeria the Sudan Interior Mission in ers to Him. "Those who had The Northern Provinces of Addis Ababa, writes that he has this new experience returned to Nigeria-Kano, Sokoto, Katsina obtained permission from Gen- their homes or to visit friends and Bornu, with some other Mo- eral Graziani, the Viceroy, for at other stations, and caused a hammedan sections-have been the missionaries of the Society stir by their obvious joy and en- strictly closed against the misto remain and carryon their thusiasm. Following a conven- sionary and his message. Ef- work. As a result of this news, tion at Kabale last year a move- forts have been made to secure Mr. Eric Horn, a New Zealand- ment of individual conviction religious toleration, and in 1933 er, and his wife and three-year- and repentance began, and in and 1934 sites were given the old son, who were held up in the 250 out-schools this became Sudan Interior Mission in Kano London last April on their way in some places a mass move- and at Garko, thirty-six miles [499 ]
from Kano City. This year the Cameroun Churches WESTERN ASIA Mission has been granted further openings into the once There has been a gain of about Keith-Falconer Mission Jubilee closed areas, and sites are prom- 1,000 in the communicant memised in each of the provinces bership of Pre s by t e ria n The Keith-Falconer Mission above named. One site has been churches in the Cameroun, in South Arabia completed 50 selected at Roni, seventy miles bringing the number to 37,935, years of service in 1935. Today, northwest of Kano City. with a gain of nearly 2,000 in the mission station at Sheikh the number of catechumens, who Othman is many times the size Recently, one of Northern number 52,782. The average of the small grass hut in which Nigeria's leading Emirs said; Sunday attendance for the sixty- Ion Keith-Falconer started his "I would welcome missionaries four churches with their 1,230 work; but it has approximately anywhere in my territory, even outposts is 115,000. Christian the same site. The medical staff in this town where I live, and work is harder than in earlier comprises two male doctors and any of my people who wish to days, due partly to the contact one woman doctor, two nursing become followers of your faith with a civilization shot through sisters, and an Arab staff of sixwill not be hindered in so do- with evil, the deplorable fact teen. The boys' school has fifty ing." Negotiations are under that second generation Chris- boys and four teachers; and way for missions to take over tians are in general less depend- there is a small girls' school. the provincial leper camps, now able than first and the large The influence of the mission is under government supervision, number who make a start then felt throughout the Aden Prowhich will mean a further open- leave the Christian way. tectorate and beyond; patients ing of the Moslem areas to mis- come by the hundred for treatsions. Nearly 7,000,000 people But over against this is the ment from the mountainous and are now brought within the pos- splendid force of native Chris- fertile Yemen. They carry back sible hearing of the Gospel. tian assistants, many of whom to their homes the example of are as earnest and as loyal to the Christian service and the seeds -The Christian. cause as the missionaries them- of Christian truth. There are at selves. These native workers least three small dispensaries Sleeping Sickness Problem are not confined to the evangel- staffed by mission-trained boys. istic force, but are in the educa- The Nlong River with its tional, the medical, the indus- Literacy is rare in South Arabranches is literally the valley of trial, and all lines of missionary bia, so that as yet Gospel distrithe shadow of death because it work, w h i I e throughout the bution cannot be a hopeful way is thickly infested with the tset- churches are many men and of Christ's entry. The simplest se fly-carrier of trypanosomi- women giving much time and possible primary schools are a asis, or sleeping sickness. Be- effort to Christian work. Mis- crying need. fore treatment by Europeans sionary societies organized by began, every infected person the Africans themselves send Arabia Goes Modern succumbed. The French medical catechists to unoccupied fields, service has many doctors in the carryon their support, and in Arabia, in company with all field giving their whole time to some cases have built chapels to Near East countries, is being diagnosis and treatment of this care for the groups thus col- rapidly modernized, and harddisease; they have healed many. lected. ship is resulting to many who have not yet reacted to the There are three large centers Medical Work in Tripoli change. Usages of almost sacwhere the principle part of their rosanct significance are being work is to care for and treat the The medical mission in Tripo. put aside. In the sacred sanctupatients. In some of the camps li, of the North Africa Mission, ary electric light has been inas many as 500 patients take a which has been running for stalled, and the men who tended three months course of treat- nearly fifty years, was in dan- the hundreds of olive oil lamps ment. Several remedies are ger of being closed by the Italian are no longer needed. Motor cars used, nearly all forms of arsenic, authorities. Dr. James Liley, now carry the pilgrims to the which seems to be most effec- who is in charge, has, however, holy cities of Mecca and Medina, tive. These are injected at in- been duly recognized and regis- and the thousands of camels and tervals of from five to ten days. tered in Rome, which carries their attendant army of camel- The treatment sometimes causes permission to practice in Italian men, formerly employed, are not blindness, but it is either blind- colonies. A hampering regula- now required. The Hejaz Govness or·death, for without treat- tion is one which does not per- ernment is reported to have 300 ment there is only one outcome. mit a doctor to compound medi- cars in use, and King Ibn Evangelists throughout this re- cines even for his own patients. Saoud's own procession of cars gion live with, and minister to This must be done by a chemist, may be anything up to 150. the people. Missions have a and consequently adds to the share in combatting the disease, cost of treating the crowds of Diminution of the number of but government forces are well indigent sufferers who come for pilgrims is so great that the organized, so that no place is help. thousands of Arabs in sacred uncared for. cities who lived by serving them -World Survey Service. are now destitute. Medina -The Drum Call.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTOOK
which before the War may have ic institutions, such as schools agricultural impleme~ts and other rural acceSSOrIes. Mr. had a population of 80,000 is and hospitals." Such in brief is Case led the group in prayer and the cavalcade moved on. The now estimated to have 8,000. the summary of a significant band came early into action and we dashed through the town to Such is the etfect of electricity statement made to Bishop Moore the unexpected but inspiring strains of 'Marching Through and motor cars. of the C. M. S., by some of the Georgia.' Citizens said: 'There -The Indian Witness. leaders of the Ezhavas, a com- goes Padre Case to build a new Burma.' When the band tired munity numbering well over two playing, it took to singing, 'Counting Its Blessings" and Situation in Palestine million who reside in Travan- 'Gathering at the River,' in hopeful mood. Arriving at the There appears to be no appre- core and the surrounding dis- village the group resolved itself tricts. They are described as a into Boy Scouts, Sunday school ciable improvement in the sit- virile people, with a strong com- teachers, Passion players and uation in .t'alestine. More troops . munal consciousness, and a de- friends of everybody. Games have been brought in and thus termination to rise. Many have were organized and the village tar authorities have been un- education, good houses and children entered in shoals. Mr. able to establish order. The fear lands; and there have been Case busied himself visiting continues among Jews that Brit- among them lawyers, poets, doc- school gardens, where some ain may yield to the Arab de- amazing triumphs of agriculturmand for the setting aside of tors and religious leaders. al ingenuity were on view, inthe Balfouy declaration which specting his 'Christian pigs,' promises to facilitate "the es- Early in the year their execu- giving a blessing here and a tives, by a vote of twenty-six out warning there. The day ended Lablishment in Palestine of a of thirty resolved on the Ezha- with a religious play, very well National Home for the Jewish vas embracing Christianity. A done by the members of the People" (this being followed by band, in which the foes of rural the words, "it being clearly un- referendum reveals that in most progress and the way to overderstood that nothing shall be localities from 60 to 90 per cent come them were depicted in favor the proposal. ways familiar alike to the resi- dent peasant and the wandering done which may prejudice the If the decisive step of adopt- secretary." ing Christianity is taken, the civil and religious rights of ex- task of imparting adequate in- Significant Event isting non-Jewish communities struction to multitudes of conin Palestine"). The Arabs de- verts will tax to the uttermost The Watchman-Examiner reclare that they will die rather ports an event of extraordinary than give up the battle. The the resources of the missions significance for India. A young which are carrying on work Brahman, a graduate of Madras Government recently decided to there. The Christian congrega- Christian College, was stationed appoint a royal commission for tions in those parts are small at J anumpet as the new postthe study of the whole situation master. After watching and in Palestine as soon as order is and weak, and not well fitted to talking with the Christians of cope with such a situation. Hap- that section he came forward established. The Arabs declare pily some help is available from for baptism. This was adminthat they have· already had istered by one of the pastors, a the stronger Christian commu- Mr. Paul who is an outcaste. enough of commissions and will nity in the Tamil country far- Then this young man became indo nothing to cooperate in sus- terested in Mr. Sunkiah's daughpending the "strike" in order ther south; and parties of vol- ter, a young widow living with that the proposed commission untary workers, such as school her parents. The marriage ceremay look into things. Wide- teachers on holiday, have been money was performed by Mr. spread anti-Semitism partly ex- already coming at their own ex- Paul :-a convert from the high- pense to render assistance for a est caste baptized by a convert plains the deadlock. from the outcastes and married short period in this great work. to an outcaste, and a widow! B ish 0 p Freeman, of the -Original Secession Magazine. American Episcopal Church, Argument for Unity and others have petitioned the Rural Reconstruction Recent events in India have British Government to stand brought into sharp relief the fact that the attractiveness of firm in its policy respecting Pal- In 1917 American Baptist estine and the Jews. Christian missionaries took to farming Arabs, with a representation of and acquired five acres of land Roman Catholics, have sent a for demonstration. The venture protest urging more accurate ac- prospered and in 1922 the govquaintance with Arab griev- ernment leased 180 acres to the ances. -United Presbyterian. Mission, enabling them to open INDIA-BURMA a school which has proved a hap- py instance of cooperation. In the Baptist Missionary Review, The Ezhavas Look Toward J. Z. Hodge describes a weekly Christ rural pilgr1image in which he "Weare dissatisfied with Hin- joined.
duism; we admire Jesus Christ; "We started early, and in we appreciate the lives of the state. A trailer attached to the Christian missionaries; we ad- car contained the school brass mire the Christian philanthrop- band, distributed among various
Christ and His Gospel depend ing murder sentences. The one chow, for up to about three very largely upon the conduct who at first was chief objector years ago it was forbidden by and character of the Christian to Christian teaching is now the the Government. Today there Church. When, eight months most diligent learner. She can is an up-to-date broadcasting ago, Dr. Ambedkar called upon repeat from memory the fif- station in Foochow itself, and the 60,000,000 untouchables of teenth Psalm, the Lord's Prayer practically every other house in India to give up Hinduism and and other Bible verses given her. this crowded city has its own embrace some other religion that In addition, she has assumed the wireless. The programs include will give them opportunities for responsibility of teaching the educational lectures, top i c a I a fuller life, a leader of the de- other women who cannot read. talks, Chi n e s e music, the pressed classes said that his peo- When one of the prisoners was weather and news. Mission ple hesitated to adopt the Chris- released, she took with her schools are asked from time to tian religion, because, whereas copies of hymns, verses. and time to put on a musical pro- they were one solid, united com- tracts, promising to carry the gram, and no obj ection to sacred munity under Hinduism, they light to others. . music is raised. Last Christmas feared they would be divided and – Watchman-Examiner. a sermon was put on.
scattered among numerous sects -C. M. S. Outlook.
when they became Christians. Siamese Church Progresses Poverty Increases Opium The force of this argument must Consumption The two years' history of the be admitted when one sees the Church of Christ in Siam is The secretary for Chinese af- Christian Church split into 163 proving it capable of self-gov- fairs in Straits Settlements in units in India, in America 250 ernment and self-support. In reporting on the opium situation most of the ten stations, new to the International Labor Office or more, some serious rivals, fields have been opened, or new at Geneva, maintains that the others claiming exclusive pos- church buildings erected to care harder and more killing the la- for growing congregations. In session of the truth. -The Living Church.
Gandhi's Son Embraces Islam Kiulungkiang Station, Dr. Cur- bor, and the more beastly the tis Galt lists himself as "straw conditions in which the laborer Mahatma Gandhi seems to boss," with the work of the hos- lives, the greater the temptation sense no religious conviction be- pital and the responsibility for to become an addict. A similar hind his son Harilal's conversion the local church on the shoulders report was made for workmen to Islam, and says that "those of his associate, Dr. Kateya, and t h r 0 ugh 0 u t the Far East.
responsible for his acceptance of Siamese-trained colleagues. The "There can indeed be little doubt Islam did not take the most or- dedication of the new Cantonese that the opium problem would dinary precautions as to the Church in Bangkok took place lose much of its intensity," the genuineness of his profession. during the winter, and Chieng- committee declared, "if the con- Surely conversion is a matter mai reports four new chapels ditions of work and life of the between man and his Maker who dedicated and four others under workers affected were improved alone knows His creatures' construction. Most of these are by such means as the adj ustment hearts; and conversion without permanent buildings. The Pet- of hours of work to the normal a clean heart is, in my opinion, chaburi Churches collaborated physical possibilities of human a denial of God and religion." with the government in holding labor, a medical organization He asks his Moslem friends to an agricultural fair which drew capable of insuring adequate examine Harilal in the light of some 20,000 people. In only one treatment of illness, the adjusthis immediate past, and if they town has there been any definite ment of wages to a level suffind that his conversion is a soul- persecution of Christians. In ficient to allow a standard of livless matter, to tell him so plainly six of the stations there are ing consistent wit h normal and disown him, and if they dis- either groups of lepers, or sep- health and comfort, the estabcover sincerity in him, to see arate leper churches. In Srita- lishment of facilities for lathat he is protected against marat, fully half of the lepers borers to be accompanied by temptations so that his sincerity are not Siamese, but Mohamme- their wives and families when results in his becoming a God- dan Malays, who have a vigor- employment involves protracted fearing member of society. For ous prejudice against Christian- absence from their homes, the many years the son has led a ity; or Chinese who do not settlement wherever possible of profligate, dissipated life. understand Siamese, so that op- such laborers on land in which -Dnyanodaya. portunities·:.for evangelism are they would cultivate food sup- Women Prisoners in Assam limited, tho ugh persistently nlies, and the provision of in- used. -Foreign Missions. creased facilities for the utiliza- A group of Bible women have CHINA tion of spare time." been going regularly to the Gau- -Christian Advocate.
hati jail in Assam to carry the Broadcasts from Foochow Rural Projects Christian message to women prisoners, numbering from five Broadcasting is a compara- In a letter from the field to to eight, some of whom are serv- tively recent innovation in Foo- World Call is reported some of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTOOK
the work being done by Mr. To Teachers: of the pupils were such little Wang Chi-tien who was sent The disciplinary influence of a girls that the Religious Educato Hofei to undertake a work of teacher is great, but seldom of value tion secretary said: "How can reconstruction from the Chris- if exerted through corporal punish- these children get anything? tian point of view. He has se- ment. Sympathetic guidance will do This is a class to train leaders, far more to mold a child's character lected one village near enough to than force can ever hope to do. not a children's meeting!" But Luchowfu to make pos3ible the Tactful cultivatio_n of good habits there they were, apparently abuse of the various institutional sorbing very little. Later, a resources and specialists of the will greatly strengthen a developing school was asked for by the peo- character.
Children whose mentality is below city, and some of the steps al- normal need special understanding ple in Wang Family Village and ready taken are: and sympathy. Every effort should be made to develop in them the will the "too little" girls scrubbed 1. An improved school for the boys to study and persevere. and made ready a room. They and girls of the village has been began by having a daily Bible A good teacher's pride is in the started with a Christian teacher in mental development of his pupils class, to learn how to be Christcharge. The school is practically self- rather than in their scholastic success. like. supporting. To Socia·l Workers: -Woman's Missionary Friend. 2. For the many poor children who cannot pay even the small fees of this The social worker's first aim should Baptist Centennial school, two hour classes are taught by be to provide for children who are the pupils of the regular classes, thus homeless or whose homes do not offer Canton extends a special welmaking education possible for even the necessities for their moral and come Oct. 13-18, 1936, to all visthe poorest child in the village. physical development. itors for the Centennial pro- gram, commemorating the first 3. Medical service, medicine and There is ample scope for the estab- hundred years of American, health education are provided at a cost lishment of welfare centers, children's British and Swedish Baptist within the reach of all at the clinic refuges and hospitals, healthy play- Mission work. In Canton one established by the Luchowfu Christian ground and recreation centers, etc. may see the fruits of the labors Hospital. of I. J. Roberts of Tennessee, In many places effective measures who was the first foreigner to 4. The young men of the village are are not yet in force for prevention of live outside of the restricted organized into a class in the evening. the ill-treatment or neglect, kidnap- area. One of the strongest ping or selling of children. churches in Canton, the begin- 5. Women's classes are held twice nings of the printing of Chriseach week to teach better home-mak- The task of caring for and educat- tian literature and indigenous ing. ing the thousands of underprivileged medical work eventually de- children in this country, training them 6. Means are provided for economic to loyal and useful citizenship, is a improvement through the service of tremendous one, but on it depends the the government reconstruction unit. future strength and vitality of China. Improved seed and improved stock may be obtained by the simple means -China Bookman. of exchanging their poor seed for the Radiating Knowledge improved, and breeding their own One of China's outstanding veloped from his labors. stock to the improved stock without educationalists, T'ao H sin g – Watchman-Examiner. cost. Many hundreds of new trees are made available for the village, Chih, started the idea of pupils Opium Slaves Set Free and will be planted at Arbor Day festivities. in school teaching other people. The Salvation Army main- As a teacher your success he Sequel to "Children's Year" thinks, is measured not by what tains a refuge for opium addicts you have taught your pupil but in China. Since last September "Children's Year" began in by what he has taught another twenty-four men have passed August, 1935, but political un- and what that second has taught through the refuge, and twelve rest and illiteracy have ham- a third and what the third has have been perfectly cured. The pered the movement. Never be- taught the fourth; in short by War Cry tells of one who had fore has such a campaign been the number of generations of traveled many miles to take the launched. The government, in pupils that you have to your cure. Returning entirely free giving its support to this phys- from the curse he showed hi3 ical, intellectual and moral up- credit. Five years ago Old friends the copy of the Scriplift movement, enumerates some Grandfather Yang helped his tures which had been given him, essential points: daughter to teach a class of and had become well marked To Parents: thirty-five in their own front through use. This was his testi- room, till fifteen had finished the mony: "On arriving home, my The influence of home and environ- advanced course. They had paid ment is stronger than that of educa- no fees, the teacher received no friends and neighbors all retion. salary. Then these fifteen were marked about the great change, ready to be teachers for others. commenting on my healthy color Hygienic and healthy surroundings aid the growth of sound minds as well W hen Religious Education and fat face. They were asking Training Institutes were held in what had happened to me, as not· as strong bodies. Changli, Grandfather Ya n g on'lywas my appearance changed, Control of a child's will and guid- hitched up the family donkey but my nature and disposition- ance in the formation of his moral conceptions are among a parent's first duties. and brought these teacher-girls in fact I appeared a new man. A child's personal observation of his along with his daughter to the Then I told them that it was Je- institute. One of them started a sus who had wrought the parents' words and conduct influences class in her home village and two change." his sense of moral values more than any amount of teaching can do.
JAPAN-CHOSEN courses in literature, philosophy The Overseas Evangelistic theology, pedagogy and other Association, an indigenous so- Christian Prospects subjects, according to need and ciety working among Japanese circumstances. emigrants, has fixed a budget of Dr. E. E. Helms gives this Y4300 for its work in 1936. estimate of the prospects Chris- -International Christian Press. tianity has in the Sunrise King- -International Review of dom: Nation-Wide Evangelistic Missions. Movement Because there are but 350,000 Chris- Nationalism, or Loyalty tians in Japan out of a population of Practically all denominations to God? 65,000,000, many count the work of have decided to participate in Christianity in the Empire a failure. the nation-wide evangelistic St. Paul's University, Tokyo, One of Japan's leading dailies recent- movement and to provide the is the most recent target for the ly said editorially: "The question is funds tentatively apportioned Nationalist marksmen. It is remoral rather than numerical. Chris- among them for financing it. ported that the dean of the tianity is giving to the nation a new university read the imperial reconscience." A high official said The committee planning the script on education with some- Christianity has rendered a service movement has issued a state- thing less than the decorum far out of proportion to the number ment to the nation, which, after desired by certain reactionary of its adherents. sketching the present situation students and alumni, and a pro~ in Japan, states: test strike from classrooms wa~ In 1873 there were signs on the the result. That the strike came roads running out of Tokio, "Death "In this crisis we firmly be- just before the term examinatQ All Christians," "Death to Christ lieve that only the Gospel of tions and that the students in Himself If He Comes This Way." Christ can be the safe guiding addition to asking the dean's Now Christianity, by Imperial edict, star for the people's thinking resignation are expecting to be is one of the three official religions of and bring eternal welfare to the excused from the exams until Japan- Shintoism, Buddhism and fatherland. autumn indicates that patriot- Christianity. Last year a Christian ism may not be the only element daily was launched at Tokio, named, "Zealously therefore we bestir in the situation. It definitely ourselves, and. emphasizing the shows also the levels to which The Christ Religion Newspaper. love of God and the grace of nationalism will stoop to win its Christ we proclaim this Gospel point. A compromise will prob- The Christmas story is told each to our fellow-nationals. In so ably be effected to save face all Christmas Eve over a national hQok- doing we would correct the pres- around, but this will only postup, and last year this was climaxed by ent perilous thought – currents pone the head-on collision bethe singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus" and provide a basis for foster- tween loyalty to God and duty by a trained choir of 1,000. The ing a devout and unalloyed senti- to national policy which Chris- Mikado is a total abstainer, and each ment among the people." tians are anticipating and which of his personal bodyguard of 300 will probably occur first in the picked soldiers mnst take a total ab- The movement 0 pen e d on Christian and private schools of stinence pledge. Thomas Carlyle said: April 28 with a mass evangel- the land. "Christianity cannot be counted, it istic meeting in Tokyo. must be weighed." This is the leaven -The Christian Century. that will leaven the whole Japanese In connection with the movelump. ment, a conference for educators Islam in Favor was held in May in Osaka, to -Evangelical-Messenger. consider the place of religion in A writer in The Indian Re- the training of youth, and the view thinks that the conquest of Proposed Union Christian means of inculcating religious China is not the only goal that University truth and developing the reli- Japan has in mind. He says: gious life in schools and colleges. Last April the presidents and In June a special conference for "One of the things that struck representatives of the various factory owners and managers me when I was in Japan at the Christian schools of higher edu- was held, to study the question beginning of this year was the cation in Japan met at Atami of evangelism among factory great interest that the Japanese for a two days' conference under workers. A union Christian were taking in Mohammedanthe auspices of the Executive of training conference is planned ism and building mosques in difthe Christian Educational Asso- for October and a union service ferent parts of their Empire. In ciation of Japan. Considerable of worship for November. pre-war days when I was there time was devoted to the often I came across hardly any J apadiscussed question of the need The Kingdom of God Weekly nese Moslems, but this time I to form a Union Christian Uni- is still sponsored by a committe~ met quite a good number of versity. A proposal was made chosen by the National Chris- them. A fine Moslem seminary for the establishment of a tian Council, the Kyo Bun Kwan has been established in Tokyo, Scholastic Center for the whole and the Kagawa Group. In under the guidance of Imam Christian Movement in Japan, order, however, to cut down Khurbangali, who enjoys the to be devoted to the investiga- overhead expenses and avoid tion and study of subjects per- deficits, the National Christian taining to man's spiritual, moral Council office has assumed the and social welfare. The plans entire work of pUblication. for the development of such a scheme would include the institution in Japan's capital city of a one department University of Literature and graduate
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTOOK
confidence of both the Moslem be put out; it is an original then village, he is overpowered and non-Moslem Japanese offi- work, not a translation and with the prevailing filth. His cials. From this center Islamic therefore closer to Japanese life first act, then, is to line up all literature is circulated all over and thought. the children and march them off the world. In pre-war days it to a clear mountain stream was difficult to come across any -Japan Christian Quarterly. where he scrubs them thorough- Japanese who knew Arabic, Per- ly with a coconut brush. Next sian or Turkish, and there were ISLANDS OF THE SEA he puts the men through a simhardly any chairs for these Is- ilar laundering. The women are lamic languages in Japanese Visiting the New Hebrides doubtless advised to a like universities. But now one meets course. Then his audience being quite a number of Japanese who Rev. Fred Paton of the John outwardly clean he proceeds to are intimate with those lan- G. Paton Mission, New He- preach a cleansing Gospel for guages, and chairs for them brides, writes in The Life of the inner man. Villages thus have been founded in a great Faith: transformed outwardly and inmany J a pan e s e universities. wardly are "living epistles." Why?" A contingent of natives came from Not uncommonly a stranger will Southwest Bay, and when I told them come to a missionary home in "Dry" Experiments a new missionary had been appointed Papua with the remark: "I have their faces lit up with happiness. heard that you live a Christian The number of "bone dry" They have had a hard, lonely time, life. I want to stay with you a villages has reached twenty. and it is a great relief, as they need few days to witness it." A strik- Tomi Oka village in Miyagi pre- help. Once a quarter I see little, ing contrast was afforded those fecture put the scheme to test for lonely villages for a few hours, and present at the mission's Christone year. So good were the re- the people welcome me. mas celebration, when a group sults that the villagers voted to of heathen were asked by some go dry for five years. Nagoya When the seas are rough, it is im- thoughtless person to give the village in Saga completed its first possible to land, but the teacher and Keveri war cry. It was a bloodperiod of three years and has a few natives scramble aboard. We curdling yell which rose in clivoted to extend the dry regime try to give a little bit of tea and sugar max and then· passed into the for another three years. This is and a few matches, and perhaps a few distance. A moment of silence a fishing village, and in spite of sweets and a ball to the children; then and then the Kwato Mission great poverty used to spend yen we back out and they are left three choir, which happened to be 20,000 a year on alcohol. Miho months alone. near, burst out with Gounod's, village in Nagano has completed "Send out thy light and thy three years of a dry experiment The teachers and their wives do not truth, let them lead me." and has extended the period for think they are heroic. They have another five years. heard of Jesus, and some of them vol- -Sunday School Times. unteer to go to the training institute -The Chronicle. for four years, then to return-not to Some Impressions of Australia their homes, but in many cases to an Spread of Christian Literature out-station and occasionally to die Mr. J. Edwin Orr, evangelist there. We have medicines, but if in New Zealand and Australia, General prosperity has caused there is an epidemic the supply runs gives some of his impressions in a rise in the sales of Christian out. The Christian. literature. During 1935, the Christian Literature Society New Christian Oollege in The twin sins of Australia are gampublished 1,046,100 books and Manila bling and pleasure-craze. Australians periodicals. Over 12,500,000 gamble all the time-it is heartbreakpages of Christian literature It is announced from Manila ing. Gambling pervades the air, and went out. Magazines carry the that the Christian college in taints even churches. Well-known Gospel into nearly a million that city has now been organ- church leaders are seen at the races. homes. They go into every cor- ized under Filipino auspices. Many ministers ignore the gambling ner of Japan, to the South Seas, All the boards concerned have menace: in some churches raffles are to the Malay Peninsula, to advised against the organizing a form of church support. America, to Europe, taking the of the college, and have intiword of God to Japanese scat- mated that they will not be pre- The average Australian is not retered all over the world and link- pared to make appropriations ligious: he is not antireligious either: ing all together. Christians are for it. The mission has granted he is just indifferent. The Commonbeginning to use Bible notes and to the college the use of the wealth of Australia seems to be far commentaries. rooms in the Theological Sem- behind New Zealand in religious in- inary building which have been terest. The worst condition of all is Daily Strength for Children heretofore used by the seminary displayed by the outback-isolated has texts for every day in the for its college work. The new communities growing up without the year with a simple, charmingly institution is now under way Gospel. The Gospel is preached by written talk upon each one. This with Dr. Enrique Sobrepena as some societies to the aborigines: but is the first book of this type to its president. their problem is nothing compared to -Presbyterian Board News. the scattered settlements. The atti- tude of denominational leaders to A Preface to Preaching evangelism is encouraging. There is remarkably good feeling between Bap- A recent report of the Kwato tist, Presbyterian, Churches of Christ, Mission describes evangelist Methodists and the rest. All over Davida's preliminaries to his preaching. Going into a hea-
Australia are found prayer groups for The church is on the eve of its home of the medicine man. revival. The Evangelicals know their greatest period of prosperity." What a difference in the recepneed. The subject of revival is dis- This prediction is based upon tion! "Come in," invited the cussed everywhere, and there is in- Mr. Babson's studies of both man cordially. As they entered creasing desire for blessing. economic and religious move- the home, the woman placed ments of the.past three centuries chairs for them and listened at- The younger generation is making of American life. tentively while the missionaries its influence felt. Several of my best sang two gospel hymns in the campaigns were run by younger – Watchman-Examiner. Indian tongue, then to the Christians. The generation born since prayer, and later to a sermon by 1900 means business; a hunger and Forward Step for-Chinese each missionary. The evangelthirst for revival is evident. Christian Community istic meetings were attended by Endeavor is encouragingly progres- such crowds that each evening sive in most states. Campaigners for The Presbyterian Board of many could not get into the Christ are beginning to make their National Missions has approved church. In all, forty conversions weight felt. the sale of the property of Ming were reported. Other villages Quong Home, Oakland, Calif., wanted the evangelists to hold NORTH AMERICA to Mills College for a sum suffi- services there, but time and cient to provide for the reestab- funds would not permit. To Promote Paganism lishment of the home in two -Presbyterian Board News. units, one for the older girls in The Moody Institute Monthly the Chinese section of Oakland, Alaskans Make Progress wonders whether the evident at- and another for the younger tempt of the office of Commis- girls at Los Gatos, a rural com- As already noted, the Presbysioner of Indian Affairs to pre- munity where the home's special terian Hospital at Point Barrow, serve, and even revive, the health work for the children who Alaska, was turned over to the heathen religious beliefs and are under par physically is now government on July 1. Plans practices of our Indian popula- carried on. provide for an enlarged medical tion, particularly in the western program: a resident physician and southern states, means that Ming Quong, or "Home of Ra- and nursing staff at the hospital; the United States government:.is diant Light," came into being in a field nurse who will travel by . going to violate the first amend- 1925, on a site given for the pur- dog team with an Eskimo guide ment to the Constitution by em- pose by Captain Robert Dollar. to the coast villages east of barking upon a program involv- A suburban white community Point Barrow; rehabilitation of ing the teaching of religion, and has grown up around the home, the hospital building and addia debased heathen religion at the inmates are the only Chinese tion of modern surgical equipthat. children in the public schools, ment. The transfer of the medi- while the Chinese church is six cal work makes possible the ex- It appears that certain gov- miles away. The new set-up, tension of the Board's evangelernment officials profess a deep providing an Oakland and a Los istic program, with a full-time interest in the quaint customs Gatos unit, will remedy this service of itinerant evangelism and practices of primitive peo- handicap to the development of among the Eskimos in the negples, and evince a concern to an effective program. The Oak- lected area east of Point Barrow cater to the curiosity of the rap- land unit will be located in the to Barter Island and Demarcaidly increasing army of tourists Chinese community, wit hi n tion Point at the Canadian borwho desire to see Indian life in walking distance of the Chinese der, in addition to regular its original state and setting, church. preaching and pastoral service and witness snake dances, war -Presbyterian Publicity Sheet. at Barrow and Wainwright. The dances, etc., with all the paint entire evangelistic program will and feathers. To carry out such The Scene Changes be under the supervision of Rev. aprogram would involve the em- Fred Klerekoper, who succeeds ployment of government schools, A year ago a missionary called Dr. Henry W. Greist, recently as agents in reviving and per- at a Papago medicine man's retired on account of broken petuating the old tribal life, with home in San Miguel, Arizona, health. the use of federal money. On on the Mexican border, and the whole, the government's con- asked to be allowed to tell the Rev. Russell Pederson says tribution toward making the In- Gospel story. The Indian's wife that Alaskans have made mardian an intelligent and decent went into the house and brought velous progress in the past deccitizen has been nothing to boast out a gun. "Now, go away!" ade. Most communities now of. she said. And the missionary have up-to-date libraries and went, but not without stopping reading rooms. Radios are con- Is A Revival Coming? at the gate for a word of prayer stantly being installed, and pro- for the man and his wife. grams in English help to edu- Roger Babson, noted statis- cate and entertain. The day is tician, makes a confident predic- Some months later a series of practically past when an intertion in his recent book, "A Re- evangelistic meetings were held preter must be used in giving vival Is Coming," that a great for the Papago Indians scattered spiritual awakening is jus t all over that vast desert. The ahead. He says: "All signs in- missionaries again called at the dicate that America will soon again be swept by a spiritual revival. Nothing can stop it. . . .
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTOOK
the Gospel in Alaska. Seldom paintings depicting the history too small already. A lot has been does one find an Alaskan who of the English Bible from the given in a good location and does not understand English. time of Caedmon. plans for a building are under Alaskans are also seeking to end way. Work is progressing at the sale of intoxicating liquor to -The Christian. several branch stations; at most their people. of them plans are going forward -Presbyterian Board News. Better Movie Campaign for enlarged, or additional build- ings. , Invite Government Employees Dr. Fred Eastman, one of the to Church editors of the Christian Cen- Hopeful Signs in Mexico tury, is still campaigning to im- The Committee on Religious prove American movies. Film The Presbyterian Board re- Life in the nation's capital an- producers consider him their ports that its Mexican Mission nounces that, in cooperation "Public Enemy No. 1." Motion is reduced to the smallest terms with the United States Civil picture magnates have insisted in numbers, but is undiminished Service Commission, welcoming they are entertainers, not edu- in activity. While tension on re- letters will be sent to all new cators, but Dr. Eastman has con- ligious questions has relaxed un- employees in the classified serv- fronted them with the fact that der the more liberal attitude of ices of the government. This they are educators whether they President Cardenas, the Mission will mean about 8,000 letters a know it or not; and that in this has been obliged to spend many year. country we are maintaining two months of anxiety and parleying educational system in conflict- over property questions. It is expected to develop this the public school system and the service of making strangers in motion picture industry. In reorganizing to meet pres- Washington feel at home in some ent conditions, the mission has place of worship of their own "Roman Catholics, it will be followed two general principles: denomination or preference and remembered, took the initiative All work is to be considered as of supplying information re- in cleaning up the movies about a project, with definite aims and garding the location of churches, five years ago; Protestants and goals; and no missionary is to church schools, Bible classes, and Jews joined them, so that in one assume responsibility which can other religious activities; and year the film industry lost $10,- be carried by a Mexican col- to extend it to include employees 000,000. The result is that much league. These principles have in the larger nongovernmental debasing stuff has been elimi- worked out, thus far, not only agencies, such as the American nated from films shown in to the extension of established Federati~n of Labor, the Na- America. But the producers work, but even to the opening of tional Educational Association, have not had a change of heart. some new fields. Two years ago, the United States Chamber of They have only been spanked." the progress of missions in Mex- Commerce, and any other new- Meanwhile the problem is being ico seemed blocked at every turn. comers to Washington. approached from another angle. Today, "mission" as an organ- Some hundreds of high schools ized and foreign-controlled en- -The Living Church. in America now have classes in terprise is still blocked, but the motion pictures appreciation, Christians have found their way Texas Bible Exhibit and this idea will probably de- to the hearts of others. velop. The American Bible Society Work among young people in is showing a remarkable collec- LATIN AMERICA Mexico is taking on increasing tion of Texas pioneer Bibles at importance, from babies on the Dallas Centennial Exposi- The Brethren Mission in through college age. Group tion. Copies of a "Breeches" Bi- Argentina training in music, especially ble, published in 1615, and a hymns, has been the service of Czech Bible, published in 1613, The Foreign Mission Society one missionary as she has con- are of particular interest. The of the Brethren Church assumes ducted these classes for young latter was buried in a field for responsibility for evangelizing a people in churches within reach safety during the persecutions strip of Argentina about 200 of the capital. Another new ven- in BoHemia, and was later miles in width and between ture is a church camp for girls brought to Texas by Moravian three and four hundred miles in and still another is student evan- settlers. Other exhibits of note length. Of the hundreds of gelism among young men at- include old photographs and thousands only a few hundred tending colleges in Mexico City. documents which tell the story have a saving knowledge of of the Society's work in Texas Christ. Rio Cuarto is the logical Christianapolis-Model during the last 102 years, por- and geographical center of this Village traits of the first agents and field. It is a growing city, with workers, colored slides showing a promising future. At Hernan- Mr. F. C. Glass recently made the processes of translation, do is the largest congregation. a long trip alone through a sec- publication, and distribution of Some remarkable conversions tion of Brazil, several hundred the Scriptures, more than 7,000,- have taken place, the testimony miles northeast of Garanhuns, 000 volumes of which are sent given is genuine, and the work and found a large and wide- out annually, and a frieze of is growing rapidly. The hall is spread community of Christians
living under conditions that re- made a grant of 18,000 marks the Church Mission to Jews in mind one of the life of the early toward the building. Upon the Poland. A writer in The Chris- Puritan fathers. He says that site a "dignified place of wor- tian tells of seeing this work, a happier, healthier or cleaner ship" will be erected by the State and of being deeply impressed lot of folk would be difficult to building administration aided by the sane methods used by the find. by church members, the Reich missionaries. Their English Government of Prussia, and the class, ostensibly for teaching In another state in the distant National Trades Union. It ap- English, is also used as a means south is a large village called pears that the Prussian Ministry of preaching the Gospel. Those Christianopolis, built in a forest of State recently conferred upon who come are all told very plainclearing and laid out as Faith the Russian Orthodox diocese ly that the missionaries are not Street, Joy Lane, Con cor d the legal rights of a constitution- taking this class only to teach Square, etc., and where only al body in which the Orthodox English, but to introduce to Christians may dwell. They churches in Germany "retain a them the claims of Christ, and have their own shops and little state-recognized and state-pro- the response is gratifying. trades, and possess a church tected form in which the followseating 500 people which is al- ers of this faith can live in close "In personal talks with one ready far too small for their re- communion with their fellow be- and another," says this writer, quirements. They do not smoke, lievers from other countries, es- "I could see how the Spirit of drink, dance, nor is a cinema pecially from the Balkan coun- God was working – breaking allowed to corrupt their morals tries, now living in Germany." down prejudice, and awakening and lure them back to the world. a desire for Christ as their Sav- They hold an annual convention Church Union in France iour, as well as their Messiah. of a Keswick character, when There is no doubt that among huge crowds gather for °a week, French Protestant Churches, their number there are some to study God's Word. chiefly represented by the Re- who are secret believers, and formed and the Reformed Evan- who are weighing up the conse- -The Christian. gelical bodies, have practically quences of baptism. Mr. Par- agreed to unite. By-gone causes sons ought to have fifty aggres- Tent Campaign in Puerto Rico of division are no longer under- sive evangelists and colporteurs stood or appreciated. It is ex- A Sunday school missionary pected that National Synods among the millions of Jews in Puerto Rico tells this story in will shortly reach a definite there." the Presbyterian Banner: agreement. Jews Going to Spain Near Bartolo a Christian brother A financial forward movement began to hold meetings in a large is in progress, and French gen- The legend of "The Wandering farmhouse. Many people gathered, so erosity is open handed. Before Jew" is no myth. From many a a request was sent for the Sunday the fiscal year of the Society of land Jews have had to flee from school missionary to come with his bus Missions closed in March, a mil- persecution. Strangely enough, and gospel tent equipment. We lion francs were received, which one of the lands that is opening packed our bus to the very top with closed the year without a deficit its doors to persecuted Jews is canvas, poles, boards for seats, baby -an experience known only once the land where four and a half organ, literature, stereoptican ma- before in thirty years. Mission- centuries ago their forefathers chine, military cots, gasoline lanterns, aries are returning to their sta- endured the indescribable crueland the hundred and one things neces- tions and no fields are to be ties of the Spanish Inquisition. sary for a fifteen-day campaign. abandoned. The 800,000 francs It is said that government of- accumulated deficits of the Soci- ficials and the people of influ- Those sturdy-headed, reckless peo- ety of Missions will, it is con- ence in general regret the part ple came in crowds to the tent; they fidently hoped, soon be cleared were respectful and interested, they off. The Reformed Evangelical taken by their country in the exwere stirred to the depths, and 103 Churches have launched an ap- pulsion of Jews in the fifteenth confessed Christ as their Saviour. A peal for 3,000,000 francs and in century, and in every way are desire for a chapel grew in their three months have received seeking to convey the impreshearts. A prominent man gave the nearly one-third of it. site and a group of young people from sion that today there exists no the Marina church in Mayaquez -World Survey Service. prejudice against the Jews or helped launch the campaign for rais- any other race. Within the past ing money. Enthusiasm grew, and Poland and the Jewish two years a considerable numout of their great poverty, with plan- Problem ber of Jews from Nazi Germany ning and sacrifice, the Bartolo people are finding their way into Spain, are building a house of worship. A The largest number of Jews large class of candidates is being pre- in the world is found in Poland, a perhaps the largest groups gopared for church membership. which is largely the fountain head of world Jewry. Jews ing to the south. Seville has EUROPE form one-seventh of the popula- growing Jewish population, with tion in Poland. Rev. Martin scattered communities through- A German-Russian Church Parsons is directing the work of out Andalusia.
The Living Church reports As a people, Jews are not that the Nazi ~overnment on identified wit h communism. July 3d placed a building site at Their traditions are all to the the disposal of the Russian Or- contrary. thodox diocese of Berlin for the reconstruction of the Russian Orthodox cathedral, and has Our· Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information BOOKS WORTH READING Omwa? Are You Awake? By P. H. Black and White in East Africa. ON AFRICA J. Lerrigo. 175 pp. $1.25. Revell. By Richard C. Thurnwald, with New York. 1936. chapter on "Women" by Hilde By REV. EMORY Ross Thurnwald. 218. Geo. Routledge Intimate, human and discern- & Sons. London. Western Civilization and the Natives ing sketches of the life of Afri- of South Africa: Studies in Cul- cans and foreigners in Congo- Detailed study of perplexing ture Contact. By I. Schapera. 158. industry, government, religion, problems emerging from the Routledge. London. 1934. medicine, education, folk-tales- contact between black and white by a man who has both knowl- in Africa. An important reference work. edge and insight. Some conception of the cultural The School in the Bush. By Victor shock now being experienced by The Golden Stool. By Edwin W. Murray. $5.00. Longmans Green Africa is necessary for proper Smith. $1.50. Harpers. New & Co. New York. 1929. understanding of that continent. York. 1928. A qualified outsider's view of Christ in the Great Forest. Felix Not to be missed by one who African education. Comprehen- Faure. 181 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 would have, in a very readable sive. Provocative. cents, paper. Friendship Press. form, an introduction to the New York. 1936. African of today against the The Gospel and the African. By background of yesterday. Alexander Hetherwick. 176 pp. Fifteen case histories that 48. 6d. T. & T. Clark. Edinburgh. show Christianity's impact upon God's Candlelights. By Mable Shaw. 1932. Africans in the Gabun. M. 197 pp. 28. 6d. Edinburgh House Faure has been for thirty years Press. London. Friendship Press, Half a century of missionary a French Protestant missionary New York. $1.00. 1936. experience was the preparation in West Africa. for this study of African reli- A discerning teacher's story gious life and the changes African Bridge Builders. William C. of how Christ helped the African brought by Christianity. Bell. 168 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 girls build God's village – the cents, paper. Friendship Press. girls' boarding school at Mbere- Literature for the South African New York. 1936. shi, Northern Rhodesia. Bantu. By R. H. W. Shepherd. 81 pp. 18. The Carnegie Corporation A collection, skilfully and The Life of Dr. Donald Fraser. By Visitors' Grants Committee. Precompactly edited, of stories by Agnes R. Fraser. 326 pp. 78. 6d. toria, South Africa. 1936. and about Africans, taken from Hodder and Stoughton. London. that splendid series, "Little 1934. A comparative study of Negro Book for Africa." literary achievements – in Af- rica and the United States.
Modern Industry and the African. The life story of one great Apolo of the Pygmy Forest. New By J. Merle Davis. $2.50. Inter- African missionary written by and Enlarged Edition. 82 pp. national Missionary Council, New another-his wife. C. M. S. London. 1936. York. 1932. Sons of Africa. By Georgina A. Gol- The fascinating story of an The most comprehensive study lock. 241 pp. Map. 75 cents, African missionary to Africans. yet made of that baffling tri- boards; 50 cents, paper. Friendangle: Church – industry – ship Press. New York. 1928. Among Congo Pygmies. By P. Sche- Africa. Relates particularly to bester. 188. Hutchinson. London. the world's largest mines – of Life stories of great Africans, 1933. diamonds, gold and copper, in more than a score of them, from Africa. the Askia (Usurper) of the 15th About the only full-length century, who founded a great book yet written dealing scien- tifically with those shy people, The African Today. By Diedrich dynasty, to Aggrey of the 20th, among the world's most primi- Westermann. $3.00. 343 pp. Ox- 'Yho did more. tive, the pygmies of the Ituri ford University Press. New York. forest. Aggrey of Africa. By Edwin W. 1934.
Able survey of African condi- Smith. $1.00. Friendship Press. Liberia Old and New. J. L. Sibley tions by one of the directors of New York. 1929. the International Institute of and D. Westermann. $3.00. Smith.
Best modern biography of an New York. 1928.
African Languages and Cul- African. Aggrey was remark- Good short treatment of the tures. able; the book is excellent. Negro Republic. Mr. Sibley Any of the books noted in these columns wi11 be sent by the ReVIew publishers on receipt of price.
[509 ] died in service as the govern- portunity. Mr. Ross, for twenty ciety describes in popular form ment's educational adviser. years a missionary in Africa and recently secretary of the Congo the romance and reality of pro- Forest Hospital at Lambarene. By Protestant Mission Council, here Albert Schweitzer. 191 pp. $2.00. describes the land, its people, ducing Christian literature and Holt & Co. New York. 1931. problems, mission work and fu- Bible translations in new lan- A medical mission to Africans ture – not by a recital of dry discussed by a well-known medi- statements but by picturesque guages that have never been re- cal missionary philosopher. facts, descriptions and incidents. The colored map and reading duced to writing. This is one of Surveys Made by World Dominion list add to its value as the senior Movement. London and New York. study book for the year. the most important parts of the A valuable series of books on D. L. P. missionaries' task. Mr. Smith various African areas, dealing with missionary occupation, sta- tells how men who have gone to tistics, government problems, education, medicine, the Church. Central Africa, the Islands of Africa View. By J. Huxley. $3.50. the Sea and elsewhere, without Harpers. New York. 1931. any knowledge of the language A leading British scientist ex- amines Africa. Stimulating. of the people, have patiently and The Partition and Colonization of Congo Crosses. By Julia Lake KeI'- with ingenuity learned to speak Africa. By C. P. Lucas. $4.20. Oxford University Press. New lersbergeT. $1.00, cloth; 50 cents, with the natives, have reduced York. 1932. paper. Friendship Press. New the languages to writing and A well told story of the Euro- pean grab of Africa. York. 1936. have finally translated the Bible.
Boomba Lives in Africa. By Caro- Mrs. Kellersberger is already Many humorous experiences are line Singer and Cyrus LeRoy Bald- ridge. Holiday House, London. widely known in America for recorded due to mistakes in pro- 1935. her stirring addresess on the nunciation or to misunderstand- Story of a ten-year-old West African boy. For children. Congo, her missionary field. ings. In Uganda the word for Full page drawings by Mr. Bald- ridge. Here she describes the land on "wizard" (forbidden in the Bi- Haile Selassie Emperor of Ethiopia. which s hi n e s the Southern ble) was used for medical mis- By The Princess Asfa Yilma. 305 pp. $4.00. Illus. and maps. D. Cross; the trails and landscapes sionary and added to the diffi- Appleton-Century Co. New York. 1936. of the Africans – heathen cus- culties. Among the Shans of An excellent volume on Ethio- toms, slavery, climate, wars, Burma the same word, with dif- pia, with all its aspects discern- ingly discussed up to early part witchcrafts, hard labor, and pov- ferent tones, means man y of 1936. The writer is a half- British Ethiopian p r inc e s s, erty, which constitute their in- things. "Ma rna rna rna rna" European educated. dividual and tribal crosses, and may be translated, "Help the The Golden Legend of Ethiopia. By Post Wheeler. 183 pp. $2.00. D. finally the Cross of Christ by horse, a mad dog comes." Appleton-Century Co. New York. 1936. which Africans are being re- The book is exceedingly inter- The traditional romantic story deemed for time and eternity. esting and shows the great im- of Makeda, Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon, told by an Amer- This book, especially for women, portance of accurate language ican career diplomat, recently minister to Albania. How the is unique, well illustrated and work in order to get at a peo- ark came to Ethiopia, and other . Ethiopic traditions which have informIng. D. L. P. ple's soul and to give them the greatly helped to mold the Ethiopian nation. The Land and Life of Africa. By Gospel so that they will under- Margaret Wrong. IlIus. Map. Out of Africa. By Emory Ross. 12mo. 144 pp. 28. The Living- stand. D. L. P. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, paper. 216 stone Press. London. 1935. pp.; map. Friendship Press. New Consider Africa. By Basil Mathews. York. 1936. Here is an excellent introduc- Maps. 12 mo. 181 pp. $1.00 cloth, tion to the study of Africa. Miss 60 cents paper. Friendship Press. Noone will wish to miss this Wrong is a well-informed, a New York. 1936. graphically written volume on clear, illuminating writer. She Africa, the continent of adven- pictures vividly the town and Weare debtors to Africa for ture, romance, tragedy and op- village life, not by an array of the gold, the ivory, the dia- impersonal facts, but by describ- monds, the copper, coffee and ing the experiences of individual cotton, palm oil and cocoa, and Africans. She tells also of the skins of all kinds that have journeys through the bush on come from that rich continent; foot, by rail and motor car and we are debtors to the Africans, airplane. African races and even more because of past ex- history, governments and edu- ploitation of these primitive peo- cation are treated in separate ples – an exploitation and op- chapters. It is not a report of pression that is still going on. missionary w 0 r k but gives It is a country of romance and graphic glimpses of the influence adventure of vast variety and of Christianity and reveals the far-reaching possibilities. The background in which missiQn African is a deeply interesting character, of many tribes and work is conducted. D. L. P. races, of varied characteristics, customs and beliefs. But Africa The Shrine of a People's Soul. By and the Africans are changing. Edwin W. Smith. 208 pp. 28. As a rule they are still primitive Edinburgh House Press. London. and childlike but multitudes are 1929. seeing new light and hope and are becoming leaders of their The Editorial Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible So-
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
people. This is the country and of the interesting stations vis- terial, including African games, people, south of the Sudan, that ited was that of Dan Crawford, stories, proverbs, music, sugges- form the foreign mission study so that we have an independent tions for dramatization, refresh- topic for the coming year. Basil view of the work of this mighty ments, etc.
Mathews has given us a most missionary. The whole diary Thinking with Africa. Edited by interesting introduction to the and the photographs enable us Milton Stauffer. Boards, 50 cents; subject. It is less a study book to travel with Miss Dunkel- paper, 25 cents. New York. 1927.
than a popular description of the berger, to see with her eyes, feel African thought interpretea African, his country and char- with her heart and sympathize by Christian nationals and misacteristics. Here we see him with her spiritual reactions. sionaries. with his shining body and ready D. L. P. The Moffats. By Ethel Daniels Hublaugh, his expressive dance and BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEO- bard. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 75 cents. PLE AND CHILDREN New York. drum; his bondage to supersti- Camp Fires in the Congo. By Mrs. Popular life of Robert and tion and fear. We read of the John M. Springer. 128 pp. 75 Mary Moffat, pioneer mission- cents, cloth; 50 cents, paper. The aries in South Africa. African labor problem-so dif- Central Committee on the United Study of Foreign Missions. Bos- Livingstone the Pathfinder. By Basil ferent from American and Eu- ton. 1936. Mathews. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 75 cents. rope – the native moral weak- This is one of those books, os- tensibly written for children The most popular biography nesses and imported white man's which their elders will not read- of Livingstone. ily lay aside, if they once begin vices; the cruelty and oppres- it. But a narrative skillfully Uganda's White Man of Work. By told is one of the best ways to Sophia Lyon Fahs. Cloth, 50 cents; sion of European. conquerors carry important truth. Mrs. paper, 25 cents. Springer's style is direct and and the changes that are taking vivid. Few words are wasted The life of Mackay of Uganda. in abstractions or generalities. place. Finally we read of the That is, it is the style most at- In the African Bush. By Jewel tractive to young people. The Huelster Schwab. coming of the Christian mission- six chapters cover a great num- ber of incidents, which give one Stories of African life for ary and the results of the Gos- juniors.
pel. It is a book worth reading FOR PRIMARY CHILDREN AND BEGINNERS -one that whets the appetite for a better acquaintance with marvelous Africa and the fas- cinating people. A valuable bib- liography and index,· and a good colored map are included. . D. L. P.
Crossing Africa. By Stella C. Dunkelberger. Illus. 8vo. 105 pp. an intimate view of the thoughts Children of the Chief. By Mary $1.00. Mission Office. 147 W. and customs of the Congo peo- School Lane, Germantown, Pa. Entwistle. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, ple. In fact the book contains a 25 cents.
The D. M. Stearn's Fund has surprising amount of informa- The Red Friendly Book. By Muriel ministered to missionaries all tion on the people of the Congo. R. Wray. Boards, 40 cents. over the world for some forty years. After serving for twenty- There are many excellent illus- Kembo: A Little Girl of Africa. five years as home secretary, trations, printed on paper best By Winifred E. Barnard. Boards, Miss Dunkelberger decided to adapted to bring them out. This 50 cents.
visit some of the African mis- book is a fine addition to mis- Efiong: A Little Boy of Africa. By sionary literature, and, indeed, Ella B. Floyer. Boards, 40 <'ents.
sions she had helped, and trav- to popular literature u p 0 n SUPPLEMENTARY eled across Africa by way of the Africa. Congo River and Elizabethville R. M. K. MATERIAL to Portuguese East Africa. These diary letters, with over OTHER FRIENDSHIP Africa Picture Sheet. 25 cents. one hundred pictures, tell the PRESS BOOKS story. It is very enlightening A folder of pictures for class- The Land and Life of Africa. By to share her many interesting room use. experiences, by boat and car- Margaret Wrong. 138 pp. 50 riers of various kinds, as she cents, paper. 1936. Africa Picture Stories. Spedal price, visited the missions in out-ofthe-way stations, saw the na- An accurate account of daily 25 cents the set. tives in the raw and as trans- life and thought, religion and formed by the power of Christ. work in Africa. Recommended Five pictures and a story Some of the photographs are especially for young people and clear and instructive. It is a adults, including leaders of all about each picture. personal narrative, in which age groups. many unimportant items are in- Boys and Girls of Africa. 15 cents. Fun and Festival from Africa. By Catherine Miller Balm. 25 cents, Six sheets of African pictures paper. New York. to be colored.
Directions for Making an African Village. 25 cents.
A set of drawings to be cut out and assembled.
Loose-Leaf Series No. i-Africa. 15 cents. .
cluded and some details of value Pamphlet, by the author of An illustrated pamphlet of are omitted – including the ex- Chinese Ginger and Joy from games, songs, handcraft sugges- act names of workers met. One Jap(m, contains a wealth of ma- tions and folk tales from Africa.
New Books Obituary Notes Mrs. Carrie Ballah Harrell, writer and missionary, said to have been the Lights and Shades of Christendom to (Concluded from page 449.) first white child born in Japan, died A. D. 1000. H. Pakenham-Walsh. July 13th, in Baltimore, Maryland, at Maps. 368 pp. $4.00. Oxford Uni- Miss Jean Kenyon Mackenzie, for the home of her daughter, Mrs. H. versity Press. New York. Donovan Swann at the age of seventy- twelve years a missionary of the Pres- four. The History of the Universities' byterian Church to the Bantu tribes Mission to Central Africa. G. Her- of southern Cameroun, Africa, died Mrs. Harrell was the daughter of bert Wilson. Illus. 278 pp. 2s. 6d. the Rev. James H. Harrell, who es· U. M. C. A. London. September 2d in New York. A native tablished the first Protestant church in Japan, on the treaty ground es- Christian Materialism: Inquiries In- of Elgin, Ohio, and the daughter of ta',Jlished by Admiral Matthew C. to the Getting and Spending and Perry, at Yokohama. Giving of Money. F. J. McConnell. Scottish parents, Miss Mackenzie at- 167 pp. $1.25. Friendship Press. tended school in San Francisco and Mrs. Harrell's introduction of the New York. Braille system into Japan, and her later studied at the Sorbonne, in Par- work among blind and deaf mutes The Social System of the Zulus. E. is. When her father became pastor won her the honor of being received J. Krige. Illus. 420 pp. 25s. Long- by the late Emperor. mans. London. of the Rutgers church, she volun- teered for missionary work and in PROMISE Papuan Wonderland. J. G. Hides. 204 pp. 8s. 6d. Blackie. London. 1904 was sent to what was then the To Read German colony of Kamerun. During The History of Jewish Christianity: and Keep From the First to the Twentieth the next ten years Miss Mackenzie Century. H. J. Schonfeld. Illus. Circulating 256 pp. 7s. 6d. Duckworth. Lon- saw service in four outposts, all but don. one of them ",.lush" towns in the in- Dr. R. A. Torrey's "HOW TO The Way of the Witnesses: A New terior. An internal injury-suffered PRAY," a notable 128-page Testament Study in Missionary Motive. Edward Shillito. 158 pp. one day while riding in a one-wheeled book, and receive copy for 2s. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- African cart-compelled her retire- don. this purpose FREE. ment in 1916. Interpreters: A Study in Contempo- In 1923 Miss Mackenzie attended • rary Evangelism. Max Warren. 142 pp. 2s. 6d. Highway Press. Lon- the Le Zoute Conference to discuss BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE don. the future of mission work in Africa. ASSOCIATION Report on the Religious Life in the Here her long friendship with French, 849m N. Wells St., Chicago, Illinois Christian Colleges in China. 45 pp. China Christian Educational Swiss and German mission forces was Assn. Shanghai. brought into play to help the confer- Christian Union in South India: An ence avoid misunderstandings at a Adventure in Fellowship. W. J. Noble. 94 pp. 2s. Student Chris- time when the World War was still tian Movement Press. London. only five years past.
The Encyclopredia of Islam. Edited Miss Mackenzie wrote many books by M. Th. Houtsma, A. J. Wen- sinck, H. A. R. Gi',Jb, W. Heffening about Africa. Among them are, and E. Levi-Provencal. No. 53: Panguli-Rabb. 1025-1088 pp. Sup- "Black Sheep," "The Trader's Wife," plement No.2: Djughrafiya-Kas- sala. Plates. 65-112 pp. Each "An African Trail," "African Adven- 7s. 6d. Luzac. London. tures" "Friends of wAasfraic~ae"mb"eErxi0l1e Is Christianity Unique? A Compara- and Postman." She tive Study of the Religions. Nicol the editorial staff of Listen which M'acmicol. 222 pp. 6s. S. C. M. Press. London. provides news and interpretation of Apollo of the Pigmy Forest. New and international affairs in simplified Enlarged Edition. A. B. Lloyd. Is. 82 pp. C. M. S. London. English for children and those un- African Bridge Builders. Edited by familiar with the language. Wm. C. Bell. 168 pp. Friendship Press. New York. Surviving are her mother, Mrs. Robert Mackenzie, and two sisters. Across the Years-An Autobiog- raphy. Chas. Stedman Macfarland. gorging the (!]hain of 367 pp. $2.75. Macmillan. New York. CHRISTIAN LOVE The Bible Triumphant. C. Urquhart. encircling the C@orld 144 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering & In- glis. London. Consecrated Missionaries of the Congregational and Chris- Jacob Burkhard. Mary Yoder Burk- tian Churches serving in home and foreign fields are hard. 214 pp. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents paper. Published by author. Gosh- golden links in the chain of International Friendship. So en, Ind. are the thousands who read the MISSIONARY HERALD at Home and Ahroad — the magazine that has worked ceaselessly for 132 years in hehalf of greater tolerance, more kindly understanding, and for the spirit of true hrotherhood inspired hy Jesus Christ. , We earnestly solicit your subscription, believing that it is your desire to be well-informed concerning world conditions.
The rate is $1.25 a year for a single subscription; $1.00 a year in groups of five.
A sample copy will be sent gladly upon request.
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NEW BOOKS ON
OMWA? AN IRISHMAN IN THE (ARE YOU AWAKE 1) JUNGLES OF AFRICA P. H. J. LERRIGO, M.D. Edited by RUTH BURNS MAGUIRE ttOmwa ? Are you awake?" is a native The wonderful career of Gabriel Reid salutation used in Central Africa. The author has utilized this expression as a Maguire, who was a missionary, preacher thread to bind together thIs study deal- ing with the major problems, religious, and pastor, for nearly forty years. "A political, social and mdustrial, confront- mg the great emerging continent today. great and unusual contributIon to the Human interest stories and folk tales illuminate the themes. Illustrated $1.25 missionary literature in which our churches are interested just at this time."-Watchman-Examiner. With an introduction by President Austen K.
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'('But What Am I to Do?"
~ (EW YEAR'S DAY. The gateway of the Metet Leper Colony, Cameroun, Africa· '-a'l9 Clustered about it a pitiful crowd. Some sit, some lie down, some crouch.
Those nearest the gate take an attitude of supplication–dumb, passive, resigned, enduring. Suppliant—but only as a dog is suppliant when he has been beaten and begs, with his eyes open, for the passing of your anger.
The gate opens. A stir among those who wait, like a very faint puff of wind over dead leaves. An American man and woman and an African come out. Very gently, as if trying to say by their motions what they could not speak.
The African stops near one, then another, then another, of the waiting forms. He touches them, speaks a word. They rise with hardly a change of expression and pass inside the gate. Too dazed even to be happy! Six, eight, twelve, fifteen go in like that.
"That is enough, Mfe'e," says the doctor. "There is no more room. We are sorry, Mfe'e. Oh, tell them we are sorry!"
Mfe'e, his hand on the shoulder of an old, old woman, stops and turns toward the gate. Slowly the missionaries walk down the road.
Suddenly there is a cry. They turn.
It is the old woman. She is half standing, half crouching. Her hands are stretched out.
"But what am 1 to do? What am I to do?"
So long as they live, the missionaries can never forget that cry.
CAN YOU?
—————————————– THE AMERICAN MISSION TO LEPERS, Inc. Room 1119-R, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York o Because I too do not forget, I enclose $40 for the admission and one year's care of the old woman at Metet or some one like her o o $15 for a small house for four lepers $10 for medicines for two years–some- o $1 for a month's food times enough for a cure o Name _____________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________ City________________________________________________ Staw__________________
The Missionary Review of the World — September 1936
1936
Six Chiefs Come to Kwato Emma Belle D. Pierson The Bethel Bands in China Andrew Gih Difficulties of German Christians Conrad Hoffmann, Jr.
What IndianWomanhood Owes to Christ Mohini Dass The New Era of Foreign Missions Julius Richter Hinduism as Seen from Within v. R. Chandra 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
NEWS! Dates to Remember president of the General Council
October 12-18-International Con- the Congregational and Christian Churches of America at the biennial for the Children's Division vention of the Disciples of Christ. meeting of the Council, June 16, at Kansas City, Mo. South Hadley, Mass. Dr. Mary E. Woolley, retiring president of Mount of your Sunday School October 14-15 – Annual Meeting, Holyoke College, was elected honorary American Mission to Lepers, New president. Standard's three completely correlated York City. closely graded courses for the Children's *** Division are outstanding in beauty and October 21-24-National Council of completeness. They offer the important Young Men's Christian Associa- Dr. Webster E. Browning, after and vital advantages of being (1) Christ- tions, Cincinnati, Ohio. forty years of service in South Amer- ica. has been called to act as Record- Centered in that the life of the child is November 17-19 – National Confer- ing Secretary of the Board of Forguided toward the attainment of the ence on the Rural Church, Ames, eign Missions of the Presbyterian Christ ideal through the lessons, and Iowa. Church. He will temporarily share (2) true-to-the-Bible as the revealed responsibilities in the administration Word of God. November 23-24 – United Steward- of the work in Latin America and Af- ship Council Meeting, Dayton, Ohio. rica. BEGINNER'S – PRIMARY JUNIOR CONFEREI'TCES AND SCHOOLS *** OF MISSIONS Rev. Ellsworth M. Smith, of An- THE BEGINNER'S COURSE, fully Affiliated with the Council of Women dover-Newton Theological School, has re-edited, profusely illustrated, with for Home Missions and the Com- been elected field worker of the Amerstory papers in full color. mittee on Women's Work, For- ican Baptist Home Mission Society in the Department of Town and Country THE PRIMARY COURSE. Brand eign Missions Conference Work. He is a graduate of Colgate University (1926) and of Andover- New – the last word in Sunday School Baltimore, Md.-October 19-21. Newton Theological School. lessons. The first year of the new three year course is now ready. Mrs. David D. Baker, 410 N. Cal- *** houn St., Baltimore, Md. THE JUNIOR COURSE, popular in Miss Margaret Wrong, Secretary thousands of schools, has been com- Houston, Texas – September 28 – Ocpletely revised this year. tober 2. of the International Committee on Christian Literature for Africa and Dean – Mrs. A. B. Hynes, 618 who has been visiting Africa during the past few months, is contributing THE STANDARD PUBLISHING CO. Highland, Houston, Texas. an article to our October number on Africa. 8th & Cutter St•., Cincinnati, Ohio, Dept. MR 836 Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul)- *** Please send Free Prospectus and complete informa- September 21-25. tion on Standard Courses along with sample lessons Dr. William E. Shaw, a Methodist and lupporting materials for the______Dept_ Ex. Sec. – Mrs. C. E. Heard, superintendent for the Peoria, Illinois 3020 Colfax Ave., Minneapolis, District, has been elected correspond- Name ………………………………………. _ Minn. ing secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Address …………………………………….. . Southern California (Los AngeZes)- Church. September 21-25. *** City …………………….State …………….. . Mrs. H. M. Horn, 1965 Carmen Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Karlton C. Johnson, the organizing secretary of the South African Na- Warren, Ohio-October 6-7. tional Sunday School Association, is now in Durban leading a campaign The Presbyterian Mrs. George Konold, 314 Scott for the improvement of Sunday St., N. E., Warren, Ohio. schools in that district. He will visit each Sunday school, and following A weekly religious newspaper in Personal Items each visit will meet the staff and sugits lo6th year of continuous pub- gest possibilities for the work. lication under the same name. Mrs. Ruth Stafford Peale was re- cently elected president of the Wom- The Rev. E*dwa*rd * Weeks Cross, It is conservative and evangel- en's Board of Domestic Missions of ical, gets its news by telegraph the Reformed Church of America. pastor of the Union Church, Richand keeps abreast of the times. She is the wife of Dr. Norman Vin- mond Hill, N. Y., has been elected cent Peale, pastor of the Marble Col- president of the Home Mission Boards It goes into every state of the legiate church, New York, and suc- of the Congregational Church in place Union, the District of Columbia, ceeds Mrs. James E. Graham, of Up- of William Horace Day, retired. Mr. and U. S. possessions. per Montclair, N. J. Cross was born in Minneapolis and was graduated from Carlton College It goes to Asia and Africa, South *** in 1907. He took his degree in the- America, Canada and New Zealand ology at Oberlin four years later. His and into twelve countries of Eu- The Rev. J. L. Dodds, Secretary of brother, Roland M. Cross and a sister, rope. the India Council for Northern India, Laura B. Cross, are missionaries in Punjab and Western India Missions, China. Subscription Price, – has accepted the invitation of the Ministerial Rate, Board of Foreign Missions of the *** Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., to be- 50e. extra—Canadian postage come one of the secretaries of the Dr. Harold Storm of the Arabian $1.00 extra—Foreign postage Board in New York. Mission of the Reformed Church in THE PRESBYTERIAN *** America, arrived in Bahrain at the end of March after making a tour 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Herbert B. Clark, of Massa- across Arabia and all around the coast chusetts, has been elected president from Jiddah to Bahrain. He started of the Northern Baptist Convention. on June 10, 1935, and traveled approx- He is a graduate of Williams College imately 5,000 miles. and a business man of very wide in- terests. *** *** Bishop John W. Robinson of the Methodist Episcopal Church in India Roger Ward Babson, eminent sta- has resigned from the office of mis- tistician and lecturer, was elected (Concluded on page 385.)
MISSIONARY Christ' and gives us the
REVIEW OF THE WORLD zeal to go on in this service."
DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor FORD G. LASSE, Missionary of the Africa Inland VOL. LIX SEPT., 1936 NO.9 Mission, Congo Beige. Publication and Business Office- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. *** Editorial and Executive Office- Miss Mary E. Markley, President of 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. the American Section of the Govern- Entered as second-class matter at ing Board of St. Christopher's Train- ing College, Madras, India, will be Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., undel glad to give information about the Act of March 3, 1879. school. Mrs. F. G. Cook, whose name is mentioned in the footnote of an 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. article about the school in our July Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. issue, died some time ago. Published monthly, except Aug••st, All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935, Personal Items British agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, (Concluded from 2d cover.) London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, 10 shlllings a year.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- sionary bishop to which he was elected LISHING CO., INC. in 1912. In 1920 he was elected gen- BOARD OF DIRECTORS eral superintendent. Bishop Robinson ROBERT E, SPEER, l'rcsident went to India as a missionary in 1892 A. L, WARNSHUIS, Vice-PreBident and has rendered very efficient, loving WALTER MCDOUGALL, 'l'reasurer service for the past 44 years. DELAVAN L, PIERSON, Secretary SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT *** WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN Miss Jenny de Mayer, the Russian D. J, FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Christian, has at last been released WM. B. LIPPHARD by the Soviet after "three banishments and eight prison stays." Miss de ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Mayer is now in Palestine and is eager When your Call comes from the East … to do something for Moslems and SAIL BY P&O others out of Christ. Her hope is to Choose the convenient and traditional Editorial Chat look up the numerous Onsbek refugees way, to whatever part of the East the from Turkestan who have settled in work of the Faith may take you … to Egypt, Sudan, the Persian Gulf, India, In view of the necessary absence of Jerusalem, Haifa, Beirut, Damascus, Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, the editor from the office of THE RE- and to distribute among them the China,Japan, Australia, New Zealand, VIEW for several weeks, Mr. Robert stock of her Onsbek tracts. East or South Africa. Just cross to M. Kurtz, recently editor of The Bib- England by Cunard White Star and lical Review of New York has kindly *** sail from there in any Liner of the undertaken to edit THE REVIEW for great P & 0 fleet … including the new October. Mr. Kurtz's work on the Rev. F. Raymond Clee, D.D., pas- sister-ships Strathnaver, Strathaird quarterly has made him well and fa- tor of the Old Bergen Reformed and Strathmore. You'll enjoy the utvorably known to a wide circle of Church of Jersey City, the oldest Prot- most comfort of this western world, readers. He is a member of the estant church in New Jersey, and one all the way East! Executive Committee of the American of the leading younger men in the de- Tract Society and is busy in many nomination, was elected president of Convenient through bookings can be arranged other forms of Christian service. the 130th General Synod of the Re- by your local travel agent or any office of formed Church in America this year. *** Rev. John R. Mulder, D.D., Professor CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE of Pastoral Theology of the Western Our next issue, October, will deal Theological Seminary of Holland, General Agents with the foreign mission study topic, Michigan, was made vice-president. 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, New York Africa. Many interesting articles have *** been prepared by missionaries, mis- • Dr. G. Campbell Morgan will celesion executives and native African brate his sixtieth anniversary as a Christians. This issue of THE REVIEW, preacher next December. He began to with its wealth of information on Af- preach when he was thirteen years rica, will be a stimulus to many. Spe- old. Few living preachers have decial rates for quantities ordered at one livered as many sermons, lectures, and addresses, as this honored Bibletime. teacher, whose ministry still attracts 1,800 people every. week. *** The August issue of THE REVIEW was omitted-to save expense and be- Dr. Henry H*. R*igg*s of the famous cause many readers are away from home. To compensate for this the June, missionary family of Turkey, has ac- July, September and October issues cepted the invitation of the Near East each contain sixteen extra pages. Christian Council to become its exec- *** utive secretary. He succeeds Dr. RO.J- . ert P. Wilder who very efficiently filled What our readers think is shown in that office for six years. letters. "We not only keenly enjoy THE RI!l- VIEW but cannot help but realize how Dr. Wi11iam* F.* Fr*azier who has narrow and limited would be our view- been Congregational Superintendent point and our vision out here in Cen- of Vermont and Connecticut, was tral Africa were it not for these chosen by the General Council of the glimpses that give us Current Events, Congregational and Christian Church- Spiritual Teaching, and that benefit es to fill the position of executive that deepens the understanding and vice-president of the Home Mission broadens the sympathy resulting in Boards. He is a graduate of Oberlin.
the edification that brings us day by His headquarters are to be in New day to the 'stature of the fullness of York.
[385 ]
A RECENT TOUR—–<CECIL ABEL AND HEATHEN MEN OF
THE KWATO EVANGELISTIC TEAM, WITH CARRIERS AT AMAU VILLAGE The Rest House, built for the team by Blruma, is on the right. Davida, the Kwato Evangelist, is in the center with a gun. The team crossed the mountains in the distance. REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER, 1936 Topics of the Times PLANS FOR THE I. M. C.-HANGCHOW, 1938 hensive endeavor. Groups will also be formed in Western countries to study the problem of evangelism, and keep Plans are being made to hold the next general in touch with the general investigation.
meeting of the International Missionary Council c. The Life of the Church. Preparation under this head in China-ten years after the important meeting comprises: in Jerusalem in 1928. The Ad Interim committee of the Council met (June 4 to 8) at Old Jordans, (1) Studies of the inner life of the Church, its worship, the religious life of the home, and the problem of religious education.
near London, England, and the principal decisions (2) The enlisting of lay voluntary leadership; the re- regarding the 1938 meeting may be summarized cruiting, enlisting and training of lay voluntary service as follows. * in the upbuilding of the Church and in evangelistic work; the raising up of more lay service in so-called homebase 1. The place of meeting is to be Hangchow, China. This countries in furtherance of the main aims of the 1938 is a modification of the earlier proposal to hold the meet- Meeting.
ing in Kowloon, near Hongkong. The change was made (3) The nature and meaning of the Church. Here it is because of the strong recommendations of both the Chi-· proposed to encourage the publication of individual and nese and Japanese National Councils. The holding of this group studies by national leaders on the subject of the meeting in the Far East is significant in that it is evi- Church.
dence of the growth of the churches in Asia, and of their (4) The relation of the Church to Christian movements place in the future program of the whole Church. The outside the Church such as are found in Japan, China, "homebase" of missions is now world-wide, and East and India, Latin America and elsewhere.
West must work together for the evangelization of the (5) The relation of the Church to the cultural heritage world. of the different countries.
2. The meeting will be held during approximately a (6) The bearing of education on the life of the Church.
fortnight through the closing days of September and A definite effort will be made to survey the findings of the opening days of October, 1938. recent Commissions on different aspects of educational 3. The central theme is to be the Church. This means policy as they bear directly upon the life of the Church.
the universal Church, for the central issue all over the (7) The bearing of medical missions on the life of the world is the Church's life and witness in the face of the Church as shown in connection with studies on medical world situation. The meeting, being held in Asia, while missionary work recently undertaken in China, India and maintaining its ecumenical outlook, will have as its pri· other countries.
mary and immediate interest the development of the (8) The work of the missionary and his training for younger Christian communities as living members of the service under present conditions.
universal historic Christian fellowship. d. The Church and Its Environment. Here there are 4. This central theme comprises five main subjects: four main problems on which it is necessary that work a. The Faith by which the Church lives. It was agreed should be undertaken.
that the statement of the Christian Message as the basis (1) The economic basis of the Church will be studied of world-wide evangelistic work accepted at the Jerusalem in order that definite information may be made available Meeting has been so widely used throughout the world for the leaders of the Church as they face such problems that it is needless to repeat the work that was done there. as the support of the ministry and the maintenance of The need is to relate that message to the changing condi- Church life and worship.
tions of the time. (2) The Church and the changing economic and social b. The Witness of the Church. It is proposed to pro- order. In view of the pressure of the economic situation mote in all countries a study of evangelistic work, to be throughout the world, it is proposed that J. Merle Davis carried out under the guidance of the National Christian should transfer his office to Shanghai, spending the next Councils. All mission boards will be invited to urge upon two to three years in the Far East and India, and that he their missionaries the fullest cooperation in this compre- shall confer with the leaders of the National Christian Councils and of the younger churches as to the nature • The minutes of this meeting have been published and may be ob- of the service which the Church should perform in this tained on application to the Secretaries, 156 Fifth Avenue, New field. York. (Price 10 cents.) [ 387]
(3) The problem of war. In all countries alike the duism re-absorbed much of this reform movement danger of war and the question of the duty of the Chris- and it became possible for Hindus to take over tian in relation to war are matters of urgent concern. what they wished of Christian teaching, provided Regard will be paid to the need for representing Chris- only that they adhered to caste restrictions. tian th'Ought on this subject. Thereafter the Christian movement in India be- came more and more a movement among the low- (4) The challenge of the modern State to the Church. caste or outcaste people; and for two generations Definite study will be undertaken in regard to the diffi- now multitudes of these people have been coming culties of maintaining Christian education under regula- into the Christian Church. By reason of their tions enf'Orced by some governments, and the menace poverty and ignorance they have constituted a offered in certain countries to conversion and to religious great problem for the Church. But, on the other freedom. hand, the obvious transforming influence of Christ working among them has been the most effective e. Closer Cooperation. Under this head three main sub- apologetic for Christianity in India. jects are to be studied: New terminology is now coming into use. In- (1) How to enlist groups of people who stand outside stead of being called the "lowcaste" or "outcaste" the fellowship of the Council and its related bodies. people, these unprivileged millions are now called the "depressed" classes or, in a phrase suggested (2) The financing of cooperative enterprises. by Bishop Azariah, perhaps the foremost Indian (3) The question of cooperation in practical work, the leader in the Christian Church, the "exterior" promoting 'Of more vigorous united activity, and the se- castes. curing of more common planning of Christian work in areas where the situation demands it. Now a new situation has recently arisen of (4) Every effort will be made in carrying out these which the Rev. William Paton, who has just repreparations to observe two principles: First, no attempt turned from India, writes: will be made to lay upon overburdened people fresh labori in the study and preparation unrelated to what they The movement among the depressed classes is both deep are now engaged upon. Second, it is vital to the success and extensive. The regions in which I happened to hear of this work that it should be conceived of, not as prep- most about it were the United Provinces, the Central aration for a meeting, but as the embarking of Christian Provinces, the Telugu country and Travancore. A meetpeople throughout the world upon a combined adventure ing of representatives of the Indian Church and the Misof work, thought and prayer related at every turn t'O the sions in the United Provinces agreed that while in the practical needs of the day, and bent upon the discovery western part of the Provinces the movement of the deof the will of God. In this combined adventure, which pressed classes toward the Church was strongest, and was must extend over years, the meeting will occupy a central rapidly growing in such a way as to demand Christian place, f'Or in it will be gathered up the lessons of experi- reinforcement, the attitude of the same class in all parts ence, and through it fresh light will be thrown upon the of the Province was such that consistent witnessing by problems of the day, and a new incentive gained in the the Christian Church would be attended by n'Otable results further carrying out of the work. everywhere. In the Central Provinces Bishop Pickett has followed up his Mass Movement Report by spending s'Ome The participation of the American churches in weeks in different parts of the Central Provinces studying this adventure will be organized under a special the evangelistic opportunities with Indian Christians and committee appointed by the Foreign Missions missionaries in the light of the principles 'Of his report. Conference of North America. Both missionaries and Indian Christians assured me th8" a number of groups, some depressed class, some aborig-· The need for prayer is emphasized and the wid- inal, were moving as communities towards the Church, ei' use of the Council's "Call to Prayer" is desired. and the Mid-India Christian Council is taking steps to press forward with a campaign of evangelism combined Two other actions of the Ad Interim committee with an attempt to bring to bear the principles of the will be of general interest: first, a new statistical Pickett Report in the study of what had been regarded survey was launched. The last world-wide statis- as sterile areas. tics of Protestant foreign missions were published in the World Missionary Atlas in 1925. The new The great movement in the Telugu country is familiar survey will" be based on the situation as of the to all. It is estimated that in the last two years 112,000 year· 1935. The committee responsible for the persons joined the Church in different parts of the Telugu study is internationally representative; the exec- area. As is well known, the depressed class movement utive offices will be in New York and the Director has in this part 'Of India been so strong and well led that is Mr. Joseph 1. Parker. it has had a profound effect upon the Sudra, or middle caste people, and the considerable accretions to the Church Second, the Archbishop of York was invited to which have come from these groups have been drawn, it serve as a Vice-chairman of the Council in place is interesting to note, mainly from the lowest group of of the late Bishop of Salisbury. the Sudras who are nearest to the depressed classes, and from the highest groups where there is leadership and A. L. WARNSHUIS. understanding sufficient to recognize the great issues at stake. THE "EXTERIOR" CASTE MOVEMENT IN INDIA Possibly the largest single movement by which the Church is confronted in the whole 'Of India is that of the In the early years of the missionary movement Ezhavas in Travancore, Cochin and British Malabar. in India many of the converts were from the higher castes in Hinduism. Then the Hindu reform movements began which supplied a half-way place between Hinduism and Christianity. Later Hin-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
These people are not strictly "Untouchable" or "De- madiyas and others spoke through representapressed," and are rather similar in status to the Nadars tives. Two Christian speakers were heard, of of Tinnevelly, who have been the backbone of the Tinne- whom the Rev. John E. Wallace, of Mainpuri, velly church. Their lower grades are nearer to the Un- who was present, writes: touchables in status, but in their higher reaches they have men in the professions. I was told in southwest India Owing to the crowd, the heat, and the great length of that the total community numbers 2% millions, though this the meeting the speakers did not have an easy time in may be an exaggeration. There is deep unrest among putting their messages across. Our Christian representathem, and a steadily increasing movement for breaking tives were handicapped in coming on the program almost with Hinduism. I understand that they have been pass- at the last after four hours of continuous meeting, and ing resolutions by 90% majorities in groups all over the the Rev. John Subhan was able to present only a part of territory, expressing their desire to become Christians, his message because of the noise. Mrs. Mohini Dass, howand already their leaders have been in touch with Chris- ever, was aDle to get better attention and gave a powerful tian leaders in Kottayam. A special conference held in talk. The next day we heard from several different sources March in Alwaye considered ways by which the Syrian, that the Depressed Class leaders themselves considered Anglican and South India United Churches could coop- the addresses of the Sikh representative and Mrs. Mohini erate in meeting this gigantic opportunity, and it is fully Dass as the two best. On Sunday morning a number of recognized that nothing less than an enormous outpouring the leaders accepted an invitation to attend church service of voluntary service can be of any use. at one of the English churches, where the Rev. Abdul Haqq of our (Presbyterian) church gave a strong message The latest developments of the movement among the "exterior" castes may be said to have A number of us too received permission to attend the begun with the meeting of low castes at Yeola, meetings of their representatives, not open to the gennear Nasik, in the Bombay Presidency in October, eral public. From these personal contacts and conversa- 1935. At that time Dr. Ambedkar, Principal of tions it is apparent that there are many of the Depressed the Law College in Bombay and representative Class leaders who are very strongly inclined towards of the outcastes at the Round Table Conference, Christianity. The Conference in Lucknow took action declared that while he was born a Hindu, he did supporting Dr. Ambedkar's resolve to leave the fold of not intend to die a Hindu and advised the low- Hinduism, but to take no definite step for at least a year. caste people to reject the religion which had been the cause of their misery and to choose for them- The Lucknow Conference took no final action selves some other religion that would guarantee except that the exterior castes would not remain freedom and brotherhood. On November 10, within the Hindu fold. The following are the first 1935, Dr. Ambedkar had a conference with some two of the six resolutions adopted by the Conferprogressive caste Hindus who had been appointed ences: at a meeting on October 26. The report on his position in this interview was summed up by (1) (a) This Conference expresses its full confidence in Dr. Ambedkar, as follows: Doctor Ambedkar, the world renowned leader of the De- pressed Classes. (b) It also supports the resolution passed In brief, being born in the untouchable community, I at the Yeola Conference of the Depressed Classes in the deem it my first duty to strive for its interest and my District of Nasik declaring in favor of a change of reliduty to India as a whole is secondary. I have strong gion. (c) While this Conference declares that for their religious sentiment according to my own conception of salvation the Depressed Classes should not remain within religion, but I have no faith in Hinduism and I hate hy- the Hindu fold it further enjoins that the Depressed pocrisy. I have therefore decided to renounce Hinduism, Classes of this country must not embrace any religion, but I do not intend to do so immediately as I want to until the matter of their conversion is finally decided by carry my community with me. The Harijan army is not an All-India Depressed Classes Conference under the marching today and it is watching and waiting for a leadership of Dr. Ambedkar, after careful study of everysuitable opportunity. In the meanwhile, the "touchables" thing involved. may go on making their efforts on the lines chalked out by you … (2) In order to consider the whole question of the con- version of the Depressed Classes to another religion; this From the point of view of the interests of my commu- Conference appoints a committee consisting of the follownity it is necessary that it should be united with and ab- ing persons, with power to coopt other members. (Ninesorbed into some powerful and living community. It is teen names are given.) This committee after examining my intention to make this movement for change of re- the different aspects of all the religions and considering ligion an all-India one. If my community does not follow the whole matter in the interest of the Depressed Classes me then I will alone change my religion. should submit their report to the All-India Depressed Classes Conference. This committee will also work as From these beginnings agitation has spread the Executive body of this Conference. far and wide among the lowcaste people of India. In many local gatherings the question was de- Following the Lucknow Meeting there were bated as to which religion should be chosen, and meetings both in Madras and in Bombay. The after several postponements an All India Con- Times of India reports that the Bombay Conferference was held at Lucknow on May 22, 1936, ence, of nearly 10,000 men and women, urged on at which representatives of the different religions its members to stop worshiping Hindu deities, of India were invited to speak. The Mohamme- stop observing Hindu festivals, and stop visiting dans, Buddhists, Bahais, Sikhs, Quadianis, Ah- Hindu holy places.
Another great meeting was held at Dadar in the Bombay Presidency at which Dr. Ambedkar
spoke and at which similar resolutions were King displayed a keen interest in the proceedings, adopted. Mrs. Updegraff of Nipani writes of this personally attending a number of sessions and meeting: entertaining the leaders at a reception at the royal palace. Bishop Lunde, Primate of the Church of Although there were from fifteen to twenty thousand Norway, presided at the opening session and took people present everything went off like clockwork, quietly an active part in the convention arrangements. and sympathetically. Another presiding officer of distinction was Hon. Lord Kinnaird of England. Among the greetings Many special thoughts from Dr. Ambedkar's speech had received, was one from King Edward VIn and been printed beforehand and posted in prominent places an extended and striking message from Generalin the Audience Hall . . . Here are some of the above issimo Chiang Kai-shek of China. mentioned sentences in his speech: The reports place the present membership of 1. Why do you stay in a religion which does not allow the Sunday schools connected with the Associayou to become educated? tion at thirty-eight million-an army of peace far exceeding, numerically, all the standing armies 2. Why do you stay in a religion which comes between of the world. More than one-half of this vast you and employment? membership is in the United States, but impor- tant advances are reported from China, Africa 3. If you wish to live happily, change your religion. and other lands. There are 419,000 pupils in the 4. If you wish to gain independence, change your re- Sunday schools of South Africa alone, and 200,- ligion. 000 children in the Sunday schools of China, with 5. The religion that says to the illiterate, remain illit- 6,500 teachers. By way of contrast there are but erate, to the poor, remain poor, and gives this teaching, 7,500 Sunday school children in Italy, with 579 is no religion-it is punishment. teachers. 6. The religion that does not feel defiled when it touches impurity but feels defiled by touching a man, that is no The Convention theme was "Christ the Hope religion, it is foolishness. of the World" and the addresses were largely on 7. Why do you remain in a religion which at every step this lofty evangelical plane. Sir Harold Mackindestroys your self respect? tosh, President of the Association, proved an able The speaker making the address of welcome said: "In chairman. His brief addresses were marked by getting ready to change their religion (to prepare for it) unusual felicity and tact. Among the leading even old men and women in villages have thrown out of speakers, in addition to those mentioned, were their houses like rubbish their Hindu shrines and religious Hon. Nils Hjelntveit, representing the Norwegian books, etc.! People have become so ready to throw over Government, Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa, of Japan, Dr. Hinduism that whenever Dr. Ambedkar or his leaders D. Willard Lyon, of China, Dr. S. W. Hughes, of will say so, the Mahars will do whatever they say and London, Professor Daniel Lamont, Moderator of join whatever religion they tell them to join." the Church of Scotland, Dean Luther Weigle, of It is evident that a movement has begun, Yale Divinity School, and the very Rev. Garfield freighted with almost boundless possibilities for Williams, D.D., Dean of Manchester Cathedral. good or evil. The National Christian Council of The General Secretaries, Dr. Robert M. Hopkins, India is seeking to provide wise guidance for the of New York, and Dr. James Kelly, of Glasgow, Christian forces, and there should be prayer in interesting addresses dealt with the progress through the whole Church throughout the world of the movement and the challenge for the future. for all missionaries in India who are related in Workers from many lands gave encouraging reany way to the deep stirrings of the sixty million ports of progress, though in certain countries of people who may be affected by these movements Europe as well as of Asia they labor against alin their attitude toward Christianity. most insuperable obstacles. As Dr. Kelly ex- pressed it, "In some countries evangelical Prot- ROBERT E. SPEER. estantism is fighting for its life with its back against the wall." THE WORLD'S SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION A large number of departmental conferences dealing with methods, details of administration, The twelfth quadrennial convention of the and other topics, were held in different churches World's Sunday School Association, held in Oslo, of Oslo, led by specialists in the various branches Norway, July 6-12, was a striking manifestation of activity. Growing out of all these sessions there of the solidarity and influence of this world-em- appeared to be a consensus of opinion that the bracing movement for the spiritual welfare of missionary enterprise had been in the past too childhood and youth. The attendance of 3,000 largely an adult movement and that a vastly more delegates taxed to the utmost the accommodations fruitful field was to be found among the children, of the Norwegian capital. Representatives were present from practically every nation on the globe, the largest delegation-820-being from the United States.
The land of the Vikings presents a particularly happy setting for a world convention of Christians. Ninety per cent of its people are said to be connected with the Evangelical Church. The
who in all parts of the world are keenly alive to opinion on points of teaching and emphasis, the new influences and who are especially looking to cause of division was the question of obedience to the more advanced countries for light and guid- constituted authority. Ballington Booth, the son ance. of the founder of the Army and commander of Officers for the new quadrennium were elected the forces in North America, resigned from the as follows: President: Sir Harold Mackintosh, Army rather than to obey the order transferring Halifax, England; Vice-Presidents: Dr. Charles him to India. A result was a split in the Army Anderson, Capetown, South Africa; Sr. Jose Luis in America, with much bitterness and strife. Effi- F. Braga, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; James Cun- ciency and discipline were endangered. In the ningham, J. P., Glasgow, Scotland; Dr. Bayard midst of this dispute one officer, a major, then Dodge, Beirut, Syria; The Rt. Rev. Dr. Erling later commissioner of the Army, Samuel Brengle, Eidem, Archbishop of Upsala, Sweden; Charles stands out as an exponent of the Spirit of Christ. He was a graduate of DePauw University and of Francis, Montclair, N. J.; Theron Gibson, Toron- Boston University School of Theology and was to, Canada; The Rt. Rev. Johan Lunde, Oslo, devoting his rare talents to the saving of souls Norway; Sir John A. Roxburgh, Glasgow, Scot- and the promotion of spiritual life in the ranks. land; Rev. Dr. Sven O. Sigmond, Brooklyn, N. Y.; In the midst of this crisis Samuel Brengle refused Dr. Tadavki Yamamoto, Tokyo, Japan. to be turned aside from his main purpose and to be involved in fraternal strife. He wrote at this A Convention Edition of the New Testament time: and Psalms was furnished by the National Bible Society of Scotland, a copy being presented to each delegate. A richly bound copy of this Tes- "God is calling us to heart-humbling prayer…. We tament was also presented to the King of Norway. must beware and not let love leak out of our hearts, and The New York Bible Society also presented each bitterness and ill-will creep in. If we do, the devil will delegate with a copy of the Gospel of John in have accomplished his purpose even though our rivals should disband tomorrow. . . . It seems to me that now English and Norwegian. is the time to strike root; to deal with our people to make The next Convention of the Association will be them mighty in God." held in South Africa in 1940. This was decided He launched no diatribes against his rivals-even with- drew to another street when meetings were started obupon in view of the present opportunity for Chris- viously designed to embarrass and draw away his crowds.
tian service in Africa. The month tentatively "I am praying God," he said, "to thwart his efforts to suggested is August and the city is likely to be do us harm, but to bless him if he devotes himself to get- ting souls saved." either Capetown or Johannesberg. HUGH R. MONRO. A woman in the flat over Officer Brengle heard him preach in a Methodist church and asked if she might come down to his family prayers. One morning she was late CHRISTIAN UNION AND DIVISION and listened outside the door. "The Lord poured out the spirit of prayer mightily" on Brengle that morning, and In spite of the standards and ideals set up by the woman was brought to her Saviour's feet. Officer Brengle "trembled for days at the thought of how she Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the tend- might have been lost" if his prayer had been unloving or ency among many of His professed followers vindictive as he mentioned the rift in the Army. seems to be to divide rather than to unite. The ideal of the Christian army is not only loyalty to Is there not great danger today, in the Presby- the supreme commander, but unity and coopera- terian and other churches, that Christians will be tion in the campaign to win men to God through hindered in their testimony by being turned aside Christ. The ideal of the Church as the Body is from the one great purpose of the Church to win unity-but not uniformity-under the absolute men to God and to cooperate under the Divine control of Christ, the Head. Yet how far we come, Head in carrying forward His campaign?
as Christians, from reaching this ideal! The Prot- In the past twenty-five years many movements estant Church, with all its education in the Word have sprung up all over the world to reunite the of God, is divided {nto over 200 separate sects, followers of Christ and so to avoid even the aptoo often engaged in rivalry and disputes, rather pearance of strife in the Church, and waste of than in a common campaign against sin and for money and effort that reduces efficiency and hin- the salvation of men to the glory of Christ. ders her testimony to the world.
In view of the most recent division that has As in the Salvation Army forty years ago, the taken place in one of the largest and most influ- chief cause of strife in the Church seems to be ential Christian bodies in North America (The due, not so much to a desire for freedom in fol- Presbyterian Church); it may be helpful to note lowing the leadership of the Holy Spirit, as in a the lessons taught by a similar division in the desire to decide for others in matters of Biblical Salvation Army, forty years ago. Then as now, interpretation, in the fitness of candidates and as while there were doubtless many differences of to who shall exercise authority in the Church.
The desire to rule as dictators to others or to important to note the methods employed in anti- Christian teaching in America. There are those refuse to recognize any human authority seems who pride themselves on their liberalism and broadmindedness who would be called zealots and to be characteristic of some otherwise good men. fanatics if they were extending the knowledge of Christ in the same way that they attack Him. Is not the great question in the Church today, The General Secretary of the International How can we best exalt and glorify Jesus Christ Christian Crusade, Maud Howe, of Toronto, has contributed to The King's Business an article as Lord and Saviour and how can we best fulfill headed by the question: "How Can the New Athe- ism Be Met?" We give a few striking quotations: His desire expressed in His high-priestly prayer: "That they all may be one … that the world may believe … that the love wherewith thou lovest me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17: 21-26) ? D. L. P.
"WHEN YOU BECOME A UNITARIAN" Christian parents, Christian young people, and leaders in evangelical churches too often regard as "alarmists" Presumably every enlightened person would those who warn of the deadly peril of an aggressive contend earnestly for the right of everyone to "under-cover" atheism. We of the International Christian believe as he saw fit, and to express his beliefs Crusade (formerly the Canadian Christian Crusade) would freely. However, freedom of speech should be call attention to the fact that in this day there is a "New governed by high ideals, a thing many preachers Atheism," a world apostasy that embraces far more foland teachers seem to have overlooked. If a man lowers than do merely the communistic groups or the does not believe the Bible it is his right to say visible organizations such as the "4 A's" (American Assoso to those he meets in a general way, but it is ciation for the Advancement of Atheism). This new athenot his right to express his unbelief to students ism already claims a membership of over seventeen million in a conservative Christian school which may, members, placed in sixty-four countries of the world, workthrough some oversight, have engaged him as a ing, as many atheists have told me personally, "night and teacher. day" to bring about world revolution.
So also the preacher or missionary who has The "new atheism" is not the classical free thought of never accepted Christ as His Divine Saviour, or the seventeenth century in any sense of the world; it is a who has afterward abandoned that faith, has no far more subtle and dangerous thing. The new atheism right to proclaim his disloyal views, in his pUlpit invites into its membership every cult and ism under the or elsewhere. Outside its religious aspects, this sun, except the teaching of salvation through the cross of is a matter of fundamental ethical principle, and Calvary. Its elasticity reaches out to Evolution, Humanno man of high personal honor will continue in ism, Pantheism, Iscariotism, Spiritism, and the like. A the pulpit of a church whose faith he denies. Dr. universal religion is more than welcome, as it opens the Samuel M. Lindsay is credited with these search- way to ultimate acceptance of the tenets of the new atheing little paragraphs on this point, under the ism, which is based on human effort to attain human heading, "When You Become a Unitarian": ideals. The new atheists boast that those who deny the Calvary atonement will soon, under the tuition of versed Join the Unitarian Church. Do not try to convert your atheists and radicals, lose any faith they still possess….
church to Unitarianism from a Trinitarian pulpit. What are the methods employed? Members of the new atheist cult visit hospitals, even in some cases help ped- Do not try to convert your pupils into Unitarianism dlers to propagate atheism as they go from door to door. In almost every well-known school and college in the world while teaching in a Trinitarian seminary. there is an theist member; they have atheist workers in Christian organizations; they have atheist members at- Do not try to broadcast Unitarianism while serving as tending churches to offset any appeal from a Christian pulpit. Everyone of these statements can be proved up a Trinitarian missionary. to the hilt.
Men have the right to change their minds regarding the The Second Annual Report of the A. A. A. A. states: "We have representatives in the principal nations of the Deity of Christ, but when they do so they are under the world . . . the 4-A seeks to establish branches in every community … the hOlding of large meetings is not necesobligation to move from one denomination to another. sary. The silent individual propaganda with the use of 4-A literature is the hardest to counteract. . . . When Charles Francis Potter and Addison Moore be- But the attack is not merely upon young people of colcame Unitarians, they founded the Unitarian Church and lege age. Let us remember that years ago there were 1,700 known atheist Sunday schools in Canada and many continued their ministry in Unitarian pulpits. While we more in the United States. Statistics now give as a very conservative number 4,000 atheist Sunday schools in Cancould not approve their theology, we could appreciate their ada. They are of course "under-cover" societies, running in many cases as "social clubs," "camps," and the like. sincerity. R. M. K. A woman and a young Christian man called in the same AN ANCIENT FOE week from different districts in Toronto, to report a new atheist Sunday school begun in each of their separate The propagation of atheism in Russia has been neighborhoods. The young ma~ asked help to win back the subject of a vast number of protests ever two boys of twelve years who had been bribed to leave his since the present order of things there was estab- Sunday Bible class to attend the atheist school near at lished. But we have the same vicious propaganda hand, a group meeting in a private home. nearer home, and not only so, but it is carried on with a zeal that the Church may well regard R.M.K. as offering a serious obstacle to its own advancement in this country. In this connection it is
Heathen Chiefs Come to
Reports from Recent Letters from New Guinea By EMMABELLE D. PIERSON Montclair, N. J.
'RIDING on a west-bound train that was en- lime kiln and show the Papuans how to utilize tering mountainous Colorado, I sat beside the coral reef in building the hospital; to exa young man from the plains of our middle plain the workings of different engines, or to states. "I couldn't be happy living among mountains," install electricity; to equip a kindergarten, or to assist in nursing, or to do the work of an absent he volunteered. "They shut off my view." teacher. The mission is vibrant with consecrated "Oh, but think of the surprises that lie the young life, and carries on in the spirit and faith of the founder. The boat-building, printing, other side of the mountain," I said. "Mountains weaving, studying, nursing, houseworking, garare so challenging." dening, all go forward in an atmosphere of song. It is a place difficult to leave. "No," he said, "I like to see my work all laid out before me, and then tackle it. With a broad horizon I have plenty of time to consider and pre- pare for the 'what next' coming toward me." The Papuan Government is highly paternal, It was not an unnatural and the Governor gladly ac- step from that beginning to a knowledges the help Kwato few anecdotes of youthful pio- missionaries have given when neer missionaries who revel in he has wished to parole young scaling mountains of difficul- murderers instead of throw- ties in a great cause, -inspired ing them into jail. Two lads by the thought of what lies from an inland tribe, who had beyond. murdered their grandmother, were sent to the mission sta- ** * * The challenge of the unex- tion at Duabo. Their fright plored mountainous country was pitiable, for they thought of New Guinea, where air- their last hour had come when plane scouts frequently report they saw a g rea t kettle the discovery of new tribes, brought out in preparation for gripped the group of young the school dinner. Two years missionaries who live in Kwa- later they were returned to to, Papua, in the southeastern GADO, DANIEL, BIRUMA, their mountain home, happy end of the huge island. For a a native a Kwato a Dorevaidl Christians-the only members Christian generation Charles Abel and Guide Chief of their tribe with a knowl- his wife trained converted Papuans to work edge of Christ as Saviour. Whenever the Govern- among their own people; as a result, twenty-four ment is at its wit's end to know what to do with stations, manned by self-supporting Christian wife-stealers, murderers and other persistent iIl- Papuans, are now flaming torches around Milne doers, young Kwato Christians, brown and white, Bay and the China Straits of New Guinea. Two offer the best solution of the problem.
sons and two daughters came into the work thor- In the mountains of Papua, back in the interior, oughly equipped, and within the last six years to the west of the mission, live the Dorevaidis and after Mr. Abel's death in 1930, eight other young the Keveres, murderers all because of a tribal cus- people have thrown in their lot as teachers, nurse, tom which requires every young man to win his doctor, accountant, architect, business manager spurs by murdering some one. Then he can wear and engineer; but first of all they are evan- a white cock's feather in his bushy hair. The gelists, out to win these people to their Lord. more his murders the smarter his headdress, and In a most remarkable way casual visitors have the greater the young man's prestige among mar- changed their plans and have stayed on a month, riageable young women. The Government has a season, or even a year with them to build a tried to root out this custom, but both kindness [393 ]
and severity have failed. The prisons are usually meeting in the evening, and several of our group full of the murderers. At last the challenge came of Christian Papuans gave their testimonies. to the Kwato mission group just when they were Gado, a new inquirer, seemed to impress them considering plans to open up a new field. An ear- most of all. They listened in rapt silence until nest mature Papuan Christian and his wife volun- the speaker had finished; then they discussed teered, and the mission sent out Davida and what they had heard among themselves in low but Eauvenibo, his wife, with prayer and joy to settle emphatic undertones. We had to wait until they in Duram, on the Duram River, five miles inland, had said all they wanted to say, and then conwhere the trail from the mountains comes through tinue. The singing they seemed to enjoy, but to the sea. For a year these faithful witnesses could not understand. In every place we had to worked, influencing those near at hand, and con- tell them that it was not necessary for them to tacting the Dorevaidis and other tribes from the close their eyes while we were singing. Some mountains. women would forget, and then there would be a scolding and a slapping, or a man would pick up Davida is a cheery soul, so warm-hearted and a handful of pebbles and throw them at the bowed understanding that he makes friends quickly. heads of the women! Poor souls, they seemed Rumors of the new teaching and of his way of desperately anxious to do the right thing. Mothliving drifted back into the mountains and a ers and fathers put their hands on the eyes of Dorevaidi chief sent word asking him to come up. little children lest they should peep while the mis- The chief was interested, but still a bit doubtful sionary was 'making prayers,' as they put it." about the Message, so he said: "My wife and I will come down and stay awhile with you in your Chief Bidau gave a testimony: "Look at all home and see how the new way works out in your these young men! (indicating the Papuans of our team). They are my own age, and are doing life." God's work. What am I doing? Still following They came to Duram and must have been satis- the way of death?"
fied, for soon an invitation came for Davida to That same day he prayed his first public prayer. climb the mountain and meet the tribe in assem- He said how he was still ignorant of God's way of bly. A rare letter from Davida describes this first life but was glad that he had been allowed to come encounter. Men, women and children sat before along with us, for he was already beginning to see him so caked in dirt that the evangelist felt he the Way, and asked that as he went along his eyes could not give them the pure words of God. He might be opened, and that he might find life. put the matter before them, and then, with his disarming smile, marched all the children to the In the Dorevaidi villages, Mun, the ex-murderer, river where he scrubbed them well with sand and and Alice,.a Papuan girl of the group, gave telling grass. When they returned with shining faces, messages. Mun could speak on the subject of the men fell in line, laughing, and proceeded to their terrible customs, and Alice appealed to the remove some of their dirt. Then Davida gave his women "to help their men instead of degrading message to an outwardly clean and eager group, them." Cecil Abel writes that the "women's eyes and used the little episode to illustrate his talk. never left her face, and the men nodded approv- Ceeil Abel says that no one but Davida could have ingly as she spoke of the awful carnage resulting carried out such a program as a joke and not an from women inciting men to kill, and of the years insult. Chief Biruma was dead in earnest, and the their men had to spend in jail because of this hornext few months saw four ex-murderers petition- rible custom. Her final appeal was to cut it out ing Davida to forward an invitation to his Kwato because of God's law, 'Thou shalt not kill.' " friends to visit their mountain villages. As the Papuan team went on their way, chief For two years the Kwato "Power House" had after chief joined their party and went to the next echoed with prayers for these people, and now at place with them until they had acquired six. As last the time seemed ripe for a team to set out. the team set sail in the Lantic all six announced A Gospel group of six Papuans and Cecil Abel that they would go with them to Kwato and learn took the mission boat, the Lantic, and sailed miles more of the new life! around the coast and then six miles up the Duram River. There they were joined by Davida and So it came to pass that in the afternoon of the four mountain men whom he had interested in the day before Christmas, 1935, just as the Kwato true God-Chief Biruma, Chief Bidau, Mun (a Christmas festival was getting underway, the triple ex-murderer) ,and Gado. All were just Lantic was sighted, bringing the evangelists' and ready to learn more and to take further steps in their new seekers after God. Suddenly a bloodgiving their testimony. curdling war cry from the six chiefs came over the water!-rather a grim joke for people only A picture of one meeting will help us to realize one generation removed from cannibalism. some of the obstacles to be overcome. "At the peoples' request," writes Cecil Abel, "we had a As I read the description of Christmas at Kwato, the early morning carols, the communion
SIX HEATHEN CHIEFS COME TO KWATO
THE TOUGHEST CROWD WE MET-IN THE VILLAGE OF KEVER!
service, the simple feast, the representati.ons of very good; but we have good food at Dorevaidi the Manger Scene, and of the worshipping kings too. We have not come f.or that. Your schools of the East, I tried to see it all through the eyes and shops are very good. We would like to learn of those chiefs. Their contribution to the Christ- too; but we have not come for that. We have mas party was a repetition of their war cry, and only come for one thing-to learn about G.od. its horrible echoes had hardly died away when the Now our hearts are burning to go back and tell strains of the beautiful Christian anthem, "Send our friends all we have learned.' out thy light," sung by the Kwato children, fell on their ears. The contrast was thrilling. "You would not recognize these six chiefs as the same men who came to Kwato at Christmas For three months the visitors stayed at the mis- time," Russell Abel continues. "They are so sion station, hearing God's word and seeing the changed in appearance. They are going ahead Christ-life in action in most amazing ways. Rus- splendidly. An invitation came from the Chrissell Abel writes: tians at Sariba, asking them to spend the week- "Chief Biruma, one of the Dorevaidi converts, end with them there. * It was a fine opportunity gave a marvellous testimony in the morning service. He felt the Lord speaking to him, telling him for them to experience purely village, and not to testify, and at first would not .obey. Then the mission hospitality. It was also a great chance Lord told him that he would not grow any more for them to see village Christianity where it was until he obeyed, so he got up and spoke. There touching elbows with heathenism, and not only was quite an awe over the audience while he was Kwato Christianity at our mission head station. talking. One thought of all our prayers for that So they went to Sariba. We took them over on work and here was the fruit. Two missionaries Friday and they came back on Monday afternoon, who understood Motu were at Kwato at the time simply bubbling over with the marvellous time from another society. They were very much im- they had had. Chief Biruma went into lengthy pressed, and told us afterward what Biruma had descriptions, shaking his head and making exclabeen saying. He told how the Government had mations of wonder. I could not understand a been trying to make friends with the Dorevaidi word of it, until finally I got an interpreter. and Kevere people, inviting them to feasts at Biruma told him how wonderful it was wherever Abau, but they had gone back to their murderous they went to meet friends-friends for Christ's ways. 'Then the Government put us in jail, four sake. He could not get over it. years, five years, six…. We did not mind. Government rice and biscuits are very good.' They "The Chiefs were taken for a tour of the vilhad come back home still unchanged. 'At last,' lages, each village taking charge of them and said Biruma, 'God's children came out of love for showing them the next bit. There was a wonderus and brought us the real light that has changed ful feast in their honor, and a huge meeting on us right round inside…. Your food at Kwato is Sunday at which they were thrilled. There was • Sarlba Is a large island about ten mnes trom Kwato. It now has several l!ttle Christian communities with schools and churches min- Istered to by Christian Papuans.
not room in the church building to accommodate Sibodu and Labu, set off for the interior, stopping the crowd. Judging by the description, the serv- en route at villages, holding meetings, praying ice must have lasted hours. The chiefs all spoke, with the sick and dying, and working individually and many of the people spoke too. The Dore- with the people till nightfall-God working with vaidis used their own language which Sibodu, the them confirming their message by signal answers Chief of Kuroudi, interpreted into Motu which to prayer. most of the Sariba men understand. Then Viki, another Sariba man, translated it into local dia~ Davida writes, and Russell Abel translates: lect. They had a grand time, with no end of an "Sibodu and Labu reached Kuroudi, their home uplift. Finally, and I think this is most interest~ village, and had a meeting with the people. They ing, the Dorevaidis said that they never wanted told them all the news and testified to what they to lose touch with the Christians of Sariba. They had learned at Kwato. The meeting lasted till asked the church leaders to write regular reports midday, when the people scattered to get food for of their work and send it to them, so that they a feast the following day, to which they invited could pray for them regularly. They said that their neighbors from Nebulu village. The feast while they themselves could not read or write, was in honor of Chiefs Sibodu and Labu, and gave they would send their news to Duram to Davida, them an opportunity to speak to all the people. and ask him to write back to Sariba for them. The words were well received, and unanimously Fancy the Christians of Sariba being helped by the people decided to build a new village in which the prayers of erstwhile murderers! If one uses both Kuroudi and Nebulu will combine. They will one's imagination a bit, it is very thrilling. There break up their old villages and rebuild on the main is real romance in it." trail, with a school for the children and a play- ground. Shortly before Easter the chiefs left Kwato for their mountain villages, and the first report of "While Sibodu was at Kwato he was impressed with the belief, during his quiet time, that when DAVIDA, SE'ATIDD AT THE RIGHT, TAKES A he got home he would pray for a sick woman and CENSUS OF DOREVAIDI CHILDREN she would be healed. When he returned to Ku- roudi he asked his wife, 'Is there a sick woman The Chief, Ofekule, Seated in Front. Tobernome, here?' 'Yes,' she said, 'so-and-so is ill with a Next to Him Wears a Big "Pigtail" swollen leg, and her entire body pains. She can't even come out of her house.' It happened this them from Davida, the Papuan missionary at way: She was in a rage with a child and had Duram, has come through. After spending four been thrashing the child, and chasing it with a fruitful days with Davida and his wife, holding stick. The child ran into the thick scrub, and meetings with the people, two of the chiefs, when the woman followed into the bush her pain began."
"Sibodu said, 'I will not hasten to see her. I will pray about it first.' For two days he made it a matter of prayer; then he went to see her. He said to the sick woman, 'I will not pray to God to heal you yet. I will talk to you first.' Then he explained to her what was her great sin in God's eyes. 'This child,' he said, 'that you were beating and chasing is a creation of God's hand. He has sent you this sickness to make you realize. When the missionaries came here they wrote down the names of all the children on a paper. At Kwato they are praying for our children, but you are abusing them.' He taught the woman new respect for children, and her eyes were opened and she understood that God had something to teach her through her sickness. Then Sibodu prayed for her, and she was healed. Her swollen leg burst and pus drained away quickly and she felt better and was able to walk about. She said, 'Truly the power of the missionaries is great.' Sibodu too marveled on account of this power.
"When I heard of this I sent for Sibodu' and warned him to be careful and show the people that
SIX HEATHEN CHIEFS COME TO ICWATO
he had no power, nor have the missionaries, but their sacred day. Again the white man was angry only God is powerful. Sibodu told the woman and said, "Where did you learn this fashion? that God had healed her by His power in answer You are bushmen!" to prayer, and that we must know and obey Him." Finally he picked up some Morima* boys who Labu and Ofekule, another chief, had an expe- had gone to Abau to work for Dimdims. They rience with a Dimdim (white man) who was were old Methodist mission boys. On their way prospecting for gold. He wanted carriers and they came upon a large wild pig and the white visited all the villages looking for "boys." But it man, who had a big dog, set him onto it. Both dog was Sunday and the villages were empty, for all and pig disappeared. They waited so long that the people had gone to Dorevaidi to worship, and finally the "Dimdim" sent one of the boys to look only feeble old men were left. He asked them, for the dog and pig. He too did not reappear. "Where are all the people?" and they answered, The white man sent the other boys to search for "They have all gone to Dorevaidi to the Mission- him while he himself went on along with his cook ary chiefs to pray." So he went to Dorevaidi and boy to Kauru. harangued the people, saying, "What are you doing? Who taught you this idea?" They ans,wered, They searched for the lost boy two days. Then Chief Sibodu, from Kuroudi, met them on the DAVIDA GIVING HIS TESTIM:ONY AT KUROUDI-A HEATHEN VILLAGE "This is our holy day, and we have all met to- main road and asked what was the matter. They gether to worship God. The missionaries taught said, "Our master must be ill-deserving, for first us and God taught us." The white man was angry his dog and then his boy has been lost." Sibodu and told them they were deceived, and it was all said, "What people are you ?" They said, "Weare untrue. "You don't belong to any mission," he Morima." "Do you know God?" "Yes, we used said, "you are only bushmen." Then he told Labu to live with missionaries." and Ofekule that he was not going to listen to them, but insisted on getting the carriers he They all sat down together while Sibodu prayed wanted. But they answered, "We are chiefs here, with them, and prayed specially for the missing no one will move without our consent." He was boy. While they were praying this boy appeared very angry and called them liars and said they from the bush. He told them he had been dizzy were mad. They said, "So be it; we are mad. Go in the head for two days and had not been able to your way, and one day God will give you some find his way. At last he had remembered to pray, sign and speak to you as He has spoken to us." and after prayer his head had cleared and he had The Dimdim set off without a single carrier. found his way quite easily. Sibodu asked him if he When he reached Kuroudi the same thing hap- knew about God. "Yes," he said, "I have known pened again. Chief Sibodu told him that it was a long time." "You have known about Him a long • Marima is on Ferguson Island in the Archipelago, northeast of Kwato.
time, but have you really got His salvation in your old things ar~ false to me. There is only one real heart?" power, and that is God's. I tell you, throw those things away today; they can only bring you Sibodu led the eleven of them to Kauru and death." back to their master. When they met him they said to him, "It was your fault that this boy went Sibodu took the charms in his hands and prayed astray. The Kuroudi missionary met us and over them and said, "These are now powerless. through his prayers all is well and we are arrived God's power is greater." here. In future respect God's day, for we too are the children of missions. We have seen God's F1inally Naula said, "Take these things away. hand in this." I have already repented." Sibodu told him all that the New Way the missionaries had brought The Dimdim answered not a word but called would mean in his village, and Naula confessed Sibodu and offered him rice and two sticks of to- his sins. bacco, which Sibodu declined, saying he did not smoke. So the white man took it back, and asked Chief Biruma worked in Amau, Domara and him where he was going. "To Duram, to my mas- Eava. Then he became ill. In his illness he was ter, the missionary there." He said, "What mis- very down-hearted and said, "I have not even sion ?" Sibodu replied, "Kwato Mission." begun my work in Dou and sickness has got me. I have lain in a house for a week and done noth- Let us pray earnestly for Sibodu. He doesn't ing." He was weary of this and said, "How is this? Does God test me? Why is this sickness?" BE'LEI, A CHEERFUL CHIEF OF AMAU Weak as he was, he cloaked himself in a nogi and He accepted the Gospel and gave his life, his set off to Amao. He gathered the people together but felt too ill to talk to them. Just then Chief village and all his people to God. Ofekule arrived on his way to Dorevaidi. Biruma was much encouraged and said, "Ofekule, it is fear his old friends and just now is on a tour of well you have come to do my work for me. I am villages. His great longing is to learn to read. He too sick. I have gathered the people. You do the has had some lessons and some teaching about work here." how to work. He tried to win Naula, the chief at Makaia, for God. Naula showed all his magic The following day Biruma went to Domara. things to which he pinned his faith. Sibodu said, Here he stayed eleven days teaching the people. "My friend, what are these things?" He an- He taught them to pray and to have their quiet swered, "What I use to kill people." times of prayer in the morning. He won a man called Du'ubo, whom he brought to Duram later. "Are they dead things or living things?" This man is a case of real out-and-out conver- "They are living things." sion. He has given himself entirely to God, and "My friend, in God's eyes those are the things is a challenge to us all at Duram because he of death; don't say they are things of life. Give is so whole-hearted. He has won his wife, and yourself to Christ. He is the true Way of Life. she publicly cut off her heathen signs and de- Those things there I too used to believe in very stroyed her magic charms. Du'ubo longs to visit much. Then I went to Kwato and found life and Kwato and learn more. God's power, and I saw His wisdom, so now those The Chief of Domara needs prayer. His name is Bobogoni. He is not yet converted, but Biruma brought him to Duram and he is staying a few days in our home.
Here in God's new garden the harvest is ripe; where are the reapers to cut and gather it?
Greetings: I am Davida of Duram.
**** In response to this S. O. S., Russell Abel has set- tled the first contingent of Kwato-trained Papuan leaders in the Dorevaidi mountains, to strengthen the work so zealously begun by the six chiefs.
This is not an ended tale. The story of the six seeking and witnessing chiefs told in England this summer by young missionaries now on furlough from Kwato, has been the means of turning six British lives to God. Undoubtedly more surprises await behind the mountains to the west of Kwato.
of German
Naziism, Anti-Semitism and Foreign Missions By CONRAD HOFFMANN, Jr., New York Director of Committee on the Christian Approach to the Jews "B LUT und Boden," the Nazi slogan fre- the paper has recently been purchased by the quently heard, has dread significance for "Propaganda Ministerium," and we are told that many thousands in Germany today. It a large sum was paid to Streicher; but if the first implies purification of Germany from all traces few issues under the government management are of Jewishness or Jewish contamination. The any index of future policy, we are forced to con- Nazis, who do not necessarily represent all Ger- clude that the Sturmer will continue in much the mans, are determined to eliminate everything same vulgar fashion as heretofore, unworthy of Jewish from the "Dritte Reich." If consistent what one knows as German Ritterlichkeit. It does they will not stop at elimination of J ewishness not improve matters that in view of the Olympic from their physical life – race, commerce, civil Games' visitors this summer, many of the service, etc.-but will proceed to eliminate Jew- Stiirmerboards in the large cities have been re- ishness from their cultural, ideological, and spir- moved or are being used for other purposes.
itual life as well. In Berlin-Zehlendorf-West* a statue or monu- They fully recognize that Christianity is a dom- ment was recently unveiled in the presence of the inant factor in the field of ideology, and because local mayor and other municipal authorities. It Christianity is "Bluts-verwandt" with Judaism, is dedicated to Theodore Fritsch (1853-1933), a they have decided that Christianity also must be pioneer agitator of anti-Jewish sentiment and eliminated. Accordingly the fight against Jewish- represents a crocodile-like monster with a mali- ness and Judaism includes the fight against Chris- ciously exaggerated Jewish head. Sitting strident tianity, which in its origins and content is so on this monster is a man with uplifted sledge largely Jewish and Judaic. hammer in the act of crushing in the skull of the The racial purity ideal of Adolf Hitler demands monster. The pedestal carries the following in- that Jewish blood be eliminated from German scriptions which are extracts from addresses or blood, or at least must be made innocuous by a writings of Theodore Fritsch: sufficient infiltration of virile German blood. 1. No improvement of race without disappearance of Hence only the third generation from a mixed Jewry. marriage is acceptable to the Nazis. For the 2. The Jewish question is fundamentally a struggle be- Nazis, J ewishness is a scourge or plague like cancer, which must be exterminated at all costs tween the honorable and the dishonorable. and without mercy. 3. If it is proven that the lower race (meaning the Jews) deteriorates the higher (German), then the higher must display sufficient pride in its purity as well as Nor can Hitler escape responsibility for the will power and determination to keep the lower from brutal anti-Jewish madness which has' swept its life.
through large circles of Germans. Some would One hears stories from reputable people which seem incredible and the inventions of the devil. excuse Hitler, but he is the one who set things on One such is that of a schoolmaster compelling an unfortunate Jewish or non-Aryan child in his fire, a fire which apparently has got utterly out class to read aloud to the class some of the obscene anti-Jewish fomentations of the Sturmer. All of control. With all his autocratic power, for ex- one can say if such is true is that it is devilishly horrible. ample, Herr Hitler could easily have put an end That this anti-Jewish campaign does not stop long since to the vile, vulgar, and pornographic short of becoming anti-Christian as well is evi- denced in many ways. There are some who mainanti-Semitic Sturmer, edited until recently by tain that Jesus and all disciples but Judas were non-Jews, and that Judas, who betrayed Jesus, Julius Streicher. Instead, not only has the paper • AlleeI,n Cahatrmiabnegrlualianr,anladndWscianpteedrfepldlatc-setrbaossuennd.ed by Theodore Fritsch been permitted to continue publication, but also the posting of each issue of the Sturmer on special bulletin boards throughout the country has per- sisted. On these bulletin boards all the pages of the paper are displayed to serve as virulent poisoning of the minds of adults as well as of I. nnOCen t an d suscept 'b le ch1'ldreno It'IS t rue that 1 [399 ]
only did what the typical Jew would do. Others age. The issuance of the first number of their would debar all consideration of the Bible in- magazine was the occasion for a house investiga- cluding the New Testament because it is all tion by the police and Gestapo. April 28 and 29, Jewish. Some weeks before Easter, Professor their chairman attended the meeting of the Inter- Hauer, of the German Faith Movement, spoke in national Committee on the Christian Approach to Hamburg at a big mass meeting in a public hall, the Jews in The Netherlands. During' the first with permission of the local authorities, on the week in May the Society was ordered to liquidate!
question, "Can a German Be a Christian?" His These are signs of the times. In the face of answer was in the negative. Among other things them it is obvious that the whole foreign mission- he declared that ever since Christianity was in- ary enterprise of the German churches is bound troduced into Germany, one thousand or more to be seriously handicapped if not in actual danger years ago, it has done harm to the soul and fibre of liquidation. One must admire the many Ger- of the German people; moreover that religion man missionary friends for their continued faith, must be racial, each race having its own religion, hope, effort, and courage. There are forces at and that a German who is Christian in faith is no work which threaten to crush out their very exist- longer German but a bastard. All of these re- ence. To combat these forces is at the risk of marks were loudly applauded by the vast audience. liberty, if not of life.
When leaders of the Confessional Church move- Foreign Mission Difficulties ment applied for permission to hold a counter- meeting in the same hall, it was refused. They Among the major difficulties resulting for the then organized a church meeting in protest, using German foreign missionary enterprise, the folthe same topic but answering it in the affirmative. lowing merit mention. They are taken from an So many turned out that it was necessary to hold article by Professor Julius Richter in the October, two overflow meetings – evidence of the feelings 1935, issue of the Neue Allgemeine Missionsand convictions of many Germans. Zeitschrift. The title of the article is "Die Kri- tische Lage der Deutschen Evangelischen Mis- It is well to voice the caution that one should si.onen." never generalize when talking or writing about Germany, or for that matter about any country 1. Financial: First because no public appeals or people. Not all Germans are anti-Jewish or or collections for funds can be made. Second, anti-Semitic, nor are all Germans necessarily anti- owing to the foreign exchange regulations of the Christian. Moreover, whereas most Germans to- German Government, the thirty societies federday probably regard Hitler as their only hope, ated in the German Evangelical Missionary Althat does not mean that they agree with all his liance, and responsible for one thousand missionaims or policies. aries (not counting the wives), are permitted only 172,500 marks per month for foreign transmis- But having said that, one must add that there sion. That equals 172 marks ($43.00) per misare powerful forces at work in Germany today sionary family per month. This means roughly which, if not checked, will undoubtedly make·Ger- but 2,000,000 marks per year can be forwarded many anti-Jewish and anti-Christian and force all from Germany to the foreign mission stations Germans to become subservient to the extreme maintained by the German societies. In 1933, totalitarian concepts of Hitler. These violate hu- however, before the exchange regulations were man liberty and rights as well as annihilate all enforced, the actual remittances and expenditures freedom of conscience. It is here where the men- were 11,000,000 marks. ace lies. This menace, like the sword of Damocles, swings with scientific precision ever lower and An analysis of present income prospects reveal lower, lopping off all possibilities of a livelihood the following: in Germany for increasing numbers of Jews and non-Aryans. Ultimately, if unchecked, it will Assured from Germany ………….. marks 2,000,000 reach the heart of the Christian faith as well. In prospect from friends in Switzer:and, 1,400,000 Already religious publications, such as Y. M. Holland, Alsatia, etc. ………….. Government appropriations for schools C. A. monthly magazines and even the Missions- and hospitals and contributions from 3,000,000 Zeitschrift ("Missionary Review") of Professor native Christians ………………
Julius Richter, are classed as political publica- A total income of 6,400,000 marks is available tions. They are therefore subject to the rigid to meet expenditures of 11,000,000 per annum.
censorship of the Gestapo. Some time ago the The German Exchange Bureau allows merely for German Jewish Missionary Society of Berlin was the existence minimum for German missionaries reorganized in an attempt on the part of its mem- but nothing for the 10,951 native workers and bers to manifest Christian love and neighborliness nothing for maintenance or upkeep of the mis- to the unfortunate Jewish and Christian non- sion stations.
Aryan friends. One can only admire their cour- 2. All stations are undermanned. From 1914
DIFFICULTIES OF GERMAN CHRISTIANS
to 1925 no new young missionaries were sent out. The greater the difficulties and the opposition, the Hence missionaries on the field are largely old veterans, many of them near seventy years of age. greater the resistance. Today there are fifteen German Protestant mis- "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor sion stations in South Africa, six in China, and five in East Africa entirely unoccupied. Whereas life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, the Gossner Mission had thirty main stations with nor things present, nor things to come, nor forty-three ordained missionaries in 1914, today height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall it has but four stations with only seven ordained missionaries. The other societies without excep- be able to separate us from the love of God, which tion report similar reductions. is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 38, 39.
3. The lack of unity and federation among the Let us thank God for the marvelous stamina German missionary societies in the face of these and faith of so many Germans. It is truly a mirsituations is disastrous, even if in some cases at least excusable. Origins, traditions, all these can- acle that so many Germans have stood so loyally not be suddenly pushed aside for the sake of unity by even in the face of unpopularity if not actual without serious consequences. danger of persecution and imprisonment. We who are Christians outside of Germany should appre- 4. Finally, there are the great difficulties in the home field arising out of the present currents ciate more our freedom; we need to pray for our in German life, to some of which reference has German colleagues as they fight for the faith. already been made. These hamper the Christian Church and missions. There is much propaganda During the summer a lull is anticipated, due to against Christianity as we have seen, in spite of the plea of Hitler for "positive Christianity." new developments in international affairs, and the Books like "Salvation from Christ," by Mrs. M. presence of many Olympic Games' visitors. But Ludendorff, and Alfred Miller's "Deterioration of most people with inside information agree that Race Under the Cross," help to undermine Christian faith. Men like Wilhelm Hauer, Graf Revent- a renewed tightening of the reins will come in the low, Ernst Bergmann, exercise unusual influence autumn. Should such actually occur, the Jews in many circles. Former Bishop MUller's "Deutsche Worte," while utterly discounted in and non-Aryans will probably suffer first and Confessional Church circles, is nonetheless read increasing difficulties will follow for the Church by many, and notably by youth. The difficulties and its auxiliary foreign missionary enterprise. put in the way of Christian youth organizations, and the increasing pressure brought to bear to More trials and tribulations are thus likely to force all German youth into the Hitler Youth come. But in the end the Christian faith will Movements, do not serve to promote Christian faith or interest in Christian missions. triumph. Indeed, may it not emerge purified as gold by fire, freed from all hampering dross and And unfortunately, at this critical time when positive Christendom should present a united so able to go forward with new courage, new confront, there are increasing divisions within the viction, and with new dynamic power to help ranks of the Confessional Church circles. build the Kingdom of God among men in Ger- Anxiety is felt. Fear exists, but not despair. many as well as throughout the world. * * "There were twenty-four large evangelical missionary conferencGs held in Germany in the year 1935. The missionary forces supported on the foreign field by these societies number 1,571, whereas German Catholic missionary societies support abroad 3,673. As there are twice as many Protestants as Catholics in Germany. the Catholics are four times more numerous on the mission field than Protestants. Against 515 ordained Evangelical missionaries the Catbolics have 999 missionary priests. In contrast to the 851 feminine Evangelical workers on the missionary field the Catholics have 2,002 Catholic sisters. There are 205 Evangelical nonordained workers as contrasted with 672 Catholics. The German Evangelical societies are respon- sible for 61 mission fields whereas the German Catholic societies have 50. The total number of Evangelical native Christians is 1,176,381, with an additional 64,553 to be baptized. The Catholic native Chris- tians In the missionary field number 742,716 with 126.144 to be baptized." Data taken from Die Deutsche Evangelische Heiaenmis- sion. Der Vereinigten Deutschen Missionskonferenzen. 1936.
LEADERSHIP MUST FEED ON DIFFICULTIES The leaders in momentous days like these must be able to feed on difficulties. Probably never has there been a time in the history of the expansion of the Christian religion when the leaders of the home base, in fact in every country, were confronted with such a consentration of unsolved problems and impossible difficulties. We have all too many among them who have become expert in seeing lions in the path, men who have become habituated to taking counsel with their fears. Great is the need of more men and women in positions of leadership who; while not failing to see with clear and steady gaze all the adverse or opposing facts and factors, are even more determined to take counsel with their faith. In reality is not this one of the chief functions of a leader? The true leader is at his best under most baffling circumstances. The board secretaries and board members to whom the churches are most indebted are not those associated with so-called strategic retreats but with steady, triumphant progress under conditions where the majority insisted that the advance was impossible.- John R. Mott.
Bethel Bands in
Experiences of Chinese Evangelists in Manchuria and in the Provinces By REV. ANDREW GIl:I, Shanghai A Chinese Evangelist of the Bethel Mission I N 1931 the official members of the Bethel Mis- North Manchuria near the border of Siberia, with sion Band were praying for the Holy Spirit's a total membership of about twenty-five, including guidance as to a particular field to which we preacher and elders. It would take three nights should go with the Gospel. We were impressed and two days on the train to reach that place, and with a verse about Jesus being led by the Spirit it did not seem very wise to spend so much time, into the wilderness. We remembered that Man- money and energy for our team of five people to churia was in many respects like a wilderness- go to preach to twenty-five. We wanted to divide not densely populated-so we . our party by sending one of our took it to be the place where we Band to this small church and should go to conduct an evan- The Bethel Mis s ion 0 f the others to some big city. gelistic campaign. The tem- Shanghai was established But as we prayed we felt imperature in winter was fifty or some years ago through the pressed that we should keep tosixty degrees below zero, so we min is try of Miss Jennie gether, even though we could prepared for the cold weather Hughes, formerly an Ameri~ not understand why the Lord and started out the last of Au- can Methodist missionary, wanted us to go together to gust. and Dr. Mary Stone, the first such a small church. When we Chinese woman to receive her When we arrived at our first medical degree in America. arrived at the place where we stopping place we found a con- This mission has now grown should make connections with ference of Christian leaders to large proportions and ex~ a train going to our destination gathered there for s p e cia I erts a nation~wide influence. we learned that Mukden had meetings. It was a wonderful been captured by the Japanese. opportunity, for if all of these It includes a large church, While we were waiting for the hospital, schools, theological leaders could be filled with the seminary and evangelistic train the Lord spoke to me, tell- Holy Spirit and be set on fire bands that go all over China, ing me to go to find some for the Lord Jesus Christ there working in cooperation with church near by. My co-worker, might be a wonderful revival missionaries and Chi n es e Mr. Frank Lin, and I walked in the whole of Manchuria. Christians of many denomi~ over to the town and found a nations. It is a "faith mis~ But the Lord led us another sion," believing in the full small church. The preacher way. The door was suddenly Gospel, depending on prayer was away but his wife asked us shut and we decided to turn and the Holy Spirit, and to wait until her husband got our steps to the City of Muk- trusting God for the supply home. We replied that we did den. There was a large Chris- of every need. Mr.. Andrew not have time because we were tian church there but our sud- Gih is now in America hold~ waiting for the train. Fortu- den arrival gave little time for ing evangelistic meetings. nately the preacher returned preparation. The elders and soon and very kindly said he leaders got busy in the morn- would accompany us to the rail- ing, riding on bicycles to make these meetings way station. There we found two members of the known. The first night about three hundred peo- Band sitting beside our luggage, surrounded by pIe came, and night after night the meetings grew policemen, but one member of the Band-the until the large church was packed with eager lis- youngest-=-was missing. An officer had suspected teners. People had to sit on the window sills and this group of young people and had taken this to stand outside the doors. The meetings closed young man for cross-examination. They could not on September 18th with over one thousand people understand why, in the time of war, this group of professing salvation and rejoicing in the Lord. young people had come with no other motive than We prayed again that the Lord would lead us to preach the Gospel. We had not been invited by to other places. There was a small church in any church or promised our expenses, so the Chi- [402 ] nese authorities thought that we must be Commu- And yet they had not bothered us nor questioned nists. The young boy was frightened; he had us, but had let us in.
been told by the police that if he could produce During the Manchurian war great numbers of some one from the city to guarantee that we were people were killed and there was much confusion evangelists they would let him go, otherwise the and turmoil. People were fleeing here and there!
whole Band would be taken to prison. I whis- yet for more than three months the Lord guided pered to the local preacher, "Now this is some- us, protected us and delivered us from all dangers.
thing you can do for us." So he went with me and When we were ready to go back to Shanghai, we told the officers his name and his church. When did not have enough money for our passage, s.o asked by the police if we were really the Bethel we prayed that as the Lord had given us souls, Band Evangelists here to preach the Gospel, he re- now He would provide passage back to Shanghai.
plied, "Oh, yes." We did not want to burden the Manchurian Chris- "Do you know them?" tians, so we prayed that the Lord would, in some "Yes, I know them." way, send us the money. The owner of a steam- "Are you willing to guarantee them ?" ship company was converted in our meeting and "Yes," he said, and took his pen and signed his was s.o happy that he gave us first-class tickets on name. Two minutes later we were free. one of the steamers sailing for Shanghai. The Now when we arrived at the town where we Lord is faithful. For His glory about five thou- were to hold meetings the rumors of war were sand people were saved during that period, during everywhere. The Japanese airplanes came flying the time of war and trouble. God delivered us in the air and the people there were much fright- from all dangers. He is still on the throne and ened. They wanted to flee somewhere for refuge proved His faithfulness.
so we could not go on with the meetings. We had Dear Christian, if we walk after the Spirit and to flee with them to another city. The war was are spiritually-minded we will know the will of so bad that communications were cut off. The God. We ought to be like the handmaiden of money we had was spent and we leaned hard on whom the Psalmist speaks, whose eye is always the Lord for needed guidance. We wanted to go watching the hand of her mistress so as to catch to another city but didn't have any way of inform- any indication of her will.
ing the people there because the telegraph and In the Gospel of John we learn in the third chap- telephone offices were guarded by the Japanese ter that the Holy Spirit gives life to the soul. In and the Chinese were not allowed to send mes- the fourth chapter we learn that the Holy Spirit sages.. We had to go on by faith trusting God to becomes a fountain within the soul, keeping the protect and to lead us. When we arrived in the Life renewed. In the seventh chapter we learn evening we hired a horse and cart to take us into the Holy Spirit becomes "rivers of living water,"
the city. We found the church and the residence bringing this Life to others.
of the pastor, but the doors were shut. We The Holy Spirit, when I was yet a sinner, dead knocked but the pastor could not believe when we in trespasses and sins, came to quicken my soul told him that we were the "Bethel Band." and to give me life, so that I was born again.
"Where do you come from ?" He also works in me as an abiding fountain "Weare from North Manchuria." springing up unto everlasting life. This is a won- "How did you come?" derful experience. But He promises to do an even "By train." greater work through me by causing me to over- "How did you get into the city?" flow in blessing to others. There is no reason why "By horse and cart." we Christians cannot testify to others and bring At last he opened the door and said, "Now are souls to God. Jesus Christ gives us these experi- you really the Bethel Band?" ences because He wants us to tell others about His "Yes, we are." salvation. He has not only given us an experi- "Now how did you come?" ence that we can talk about, but He has promised "We came by train." to give us power to witness for Him.
"But how did you get into the city?" When we should be "rivers of living water"
"By horse and cart.'" many times we are like the Samaritan woman's "Did you· see the Japanese soldiers at the city pitcher which was continually becoming empty gate ?" and had to be brought back to Jacob's well. Our "Yes, four of them, two at each side, fully capacity is so small that we easily become dried armed." up. We go to special meetings to be filled up; and "Then," he said, "how did you get past them, then go home to become dried up again. There is for the soldiers have been told not to let the Chi- water down deep in the well but we must go there nese go in or out without being examined and to draw it up. In the modern days we have the searched?" pump, but when we stop pumping the water stops
flowing. It is sadly true in the churches today sengers. They already had forty passengers and that somebody must pump all of the time or spir- the little boat was top-heavy, but that was the only itual life dries up. We must pump to keep the way we could go, so we committed ourselves into prayer meeting going; pump in the song service; God's care and went aboard. There wasn't any pump in the testimony meeting; all the work of private cabin so we had to sleep on the floor like the church has to be pumped, otherwise it will not sardines. There were crying babies all around go ahead. But the Holy Spirit cannot only fill our that took turns crying so that we could not sleep. hearts but will make us rivers of living water that The Yangtze River has many rapids. When we naturally flows out to others. A river does not came to a strong rapid the launch could not go on, need to be pumped, it flows itself and nothing can so cables were thrown out and the villagers, a coustop it. If each Christian will realize his need and ple hundred people, helped to pull the launch up come to the Lord Jesus Christ with a thirsty heart the rapids. Going through one of the rapids the and freely drink of the Water of Life, rivers of people were pulling and the engine was going to living water will flow out through him to others. its limit of power. Suddenly there was a terrific shake and a noise-the cable had broken. Our The prophet Ezekiel had a wonderful vision of ship was carried down by the power of the swift the river of living water (chapter 47). He saw stream and it seemed as if it would be dashed water issuing out of the altar of the temple. The right on a big rock. Then suddenly the ship was Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost so that lifted by the water and was landed right up on the 120 were filled with power. The Spirit came from rock. It was a miracle. The next question was the Holy of Holies as a river of living water. This how we could get the ship off the rock. The pas- River still flows today and we can have the same sengers were taken ashore in a rowboat and were privilege as the early disciples. Paul tells us that told to pull, but we could not move the boat. our bodies are temples of God when the Holy Spirit lives in them. If we want to overflow with Then I went behind the rocks to pray. I respiritual power and blessing we must be wholly minded the Lord that we were on His mission and dedicated to God. Then the Holy Spirit will be a should not delay any longer. The Lord told me to river flowing out through our lives. attend to my business and that He would attend to the boat, so I went back to distribute tracts and to There are four steps to the overflowing life as preach. Finally the boat was pulled off the rock pictured in Ezekiel. First the water reaches to to a place of safety. It was about four o'clock in the ankles. This means the guidance of the Holy the afternoon and we were told that the boat Spirit. How many times we so-called Christians would not go on that day, so we went to the vildo not walk after the Holy Spirit, but after the lage to preach and distribute tracts. We felt that flesh. Weare worldly and are interested in the our boat was not reliable so we again knelt on the things of the world; but if we would walk after river bank and prayed that the Lord would send the Spirit we would be spiritual. God will guide us a better ship and take us to our destination in us by the Holy Spirit, by His Word and also by time to keep our appointment. His providence, to the "green pastures beside the still waters" where our experience c~n be en- Before we had finished praying we heard a larged. whistle and suddenly a large steamer appeared. This was not a place where it usually stopped, so Next Ezekiel says that the water came up to the we asked the Lord that it might stop if this was knees. This denotes prayer. Christians and the boat for us. We watched with joy when it did churches do not have much power today because stop in the middle of the river. We hired a small they neglect prayer. The prayer room is less used row boat to take us to the steamer and asked if than the dining and social rooms. When we pray there were accommodations for us. Then I heard in the Holy Spirit prayer will become power, a man calling out, "Jesus man, Jesus man." A bringing real fellowship with God. We don't few seconds later a man with a smiling face, came know how to pray but the Holy Spirit can help us. and took my hand and said, "Are you Pastor When He leads us to pray we forget time and our Gih ?" souls are lifted up. The windows of Heaven are opened and blessings are poured down upon us. "Yes," I said. "How do you know?"
Members of the Bethel Band have experienced "I was in Shanghai and attended your confermany answers to prayer. The Band started out for ence and- heard you preach." West China, arrived at the Yangtze River, where we were to catch a boat going up to Szechuan. "That is good," I replied, and asked him if he We were in a hurry and wanted to catch the first could help us to get accommodations on this boat. boat. The river was so low that the large steam- He went to the manager and told him that our ers had to wait for the water to rise. There was party came from Bethel Mission. only a small river launch scheduled to sail up the river, and this launch could only carry twenty pas- "Why, my wife talks about Bethel Mission," re- plied the captain, "because she has a friend study-
THE BETHEL BANDS IN CHINA
ing there. If they are from Bethel Mission I will Many a soldier found the Lord before he was make special accommodations for them." killed. Many prized the tracts and Gospel por- tions given them, and read them in the trenches. We thanked God for the answer to prayer and went back to the small river launch to get our The Japanese airplanes were able to destroy the things. The next day we safely reached our desti- strong defensive lines and the Chinese had to renation. Later we learned that the day after we treat. The Bethel Band had to flee for their lives, left the small launch it went to the bottom of the and on their way they passed through a village river. where there was no way of getting out of danger. As our boys stopped to give a short message of In Ezekiel's vision the next measurement of the the Gospel, they heard the planes coming. The water was "up to the loins." This, I think, de- villagers asked the boys to go with them to hide notes humble service in the Holy Spirit. At the in the dug-outs which they had made but the boys "last supper" Jesus girded Himself with a towel refused to go. They remained in a little Gospel and washed the feet of His disciples. When we Hall, saying that if they were going Home they are obedient to the Holy Spirit, we will know how would rather go from the heavenly Father's to serve the Lord. How often we work in our house, so they knelt there in prayer and were preown power! We labor, but do not see any results. paring their hearts to go to Heaven at any mo- Before the day of Pentecost the disciples worked ment, when they heard a terrific noise and felt and preached, but there were no conversions; the foundation of the building shake. Something when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, in one hit the roof of the little Gospel Hall and they day three thousand were saved. . thought it was a bomb; but everything quieted down and they opened their eyes; they were still In 1932 there was war in North China between alive and so they thanked the Lord for His deliv- Japan and China. The papers reported the erance. The villagers who had hidden in the dugslaughter of Chinese soldiers because the Japa- outs had all been killed. The little Gospel Hall nese had airplanes and big guns while the Chinese was the only building left standing. They thanked lacked these modern weapons. Our Chinese boys God that before they returned to Shanghai they and girls at Bethel Seminary were greatly stirred had been able to lead over 2,000 soldiers to the and four young men especially seemed to have a Lord Jesus Christ. The time was war, the place definite call from God to go to the front to preach was dangerqus, the hearts were hard, yet they to the Chinese soldiers. They said, "Weare here worked in the power of the Holy Spirit and saw preparing for the ministry, yet our soldiers are over 2,000 soldiers converted. dying by the hundreds every day." We prayed for them and everything was ready for them to In our seminary young men and young women go except the money. Our mission is a "faith are trained to be evangelists, full of the Spirit of mission" and we don't keep reserve funds; so God. Their aim is to go out and preach to the these special undertakings must have special lost the message of the Gospel. May the Lord funds to meet them. Dr. Mary Stone was invited bless these young people, provide the needed funds to preach at a church in Shanghai and took two to take in those who cannot support themselves, of these boys, who called themselves Bethel War- and give them proper training so that they may zone Band. They told the people of their call and go out to preach the Gospel, to evangelize China. asked the people to pray for them. The people not only prayed for the boys but prayed that be- The last measurement that Ezekiel reports is a fore the soldiers should slip into eternity they river that he could not pass over, water to swim might have a chance to hear the Gospel from these in. This may denote the life lived wholly in the young people. The next day a special messenger Spirit. It is a life of liberty, a life of trust, a life came to Dr. Stone with an envelope containing of fruitfulness and power. Christians must first $300, with a note saying that since the sender be obedient, second must spend time in prayer, could not go to preach to the soldiers the money third in work for Him, and then we will have the was being sent to enable these young people to go. secret of living in the Holy Spirit. When we live in the Holy Spirit our life will be naturally fruit- The Bethel Warzone Band started forth to ful and the results will be far-reaching. The preach the Gospel, not only risking their lives in tragedy today is that many people want to expethe dangers of the war but also facing Chinese rience the Holy Spirit while in the church, but soldiers some of whom were angry. One soldier when they go back home, to business, to school, loaded his gun, threatening to shoot them if they to hospitals or to their societies they do not seek preached again. He said that China was invaded to have the Holy Spirit control them. We must by a foreign nation and yet these Chinese boys had not only believe in Christ, but we must live Christ. come to preach a foreign religion. It required bold- We should so live in the Holy Spirit that we will ness, with tact and wisdom, but the Lord was car- live victoriously. ing for them and they preached to the soldiers.
The prophet Ezekiel tells us that "at the bank catch nothing because the nets are broken. We of the river were very many trees on the one side not only need to go to preach to others but we and on the other." If there is not water the land need to take care of our nets by spending time in is dry and barren, but when the water comes the devotions, prayer and Bible reading so that our trees, grass and flowers will grow; the place will nets will be able to hold the fish. become beautiful and fruitful, for the water is life-giving. The water in the vision flowed into Ezekiel tells us about the fruits-new fruit a sea and the salt and bitter sea water was healed every month and leaves that shall not fade. We and made sweet. How many lives are filled with are to bring forth fruits all of the time. Green bitterness because of suffering and disappoint- leaves represent fresh testimonies because we rement. If Christians are filled with the Holy ceive new blessings every day. Some people give Spirit, their bitterness is turned into sweetness. as testimonies the yellow leaves many years old and repeat them over and over; people get tired Ezekiel also tells us that there were many kinds of hearing the same thing, but green leaves are of fish in the river. The Holy Spirit enables us new experiences. The leaves can be used for to become fishers for men, to lead souls to Christ. medicine for some needy souls who hear our testi- mony and are healed. Spiritual diseases can be There are several ways of catching fish. First cured by this medicine. with a hook-personal work, hooking them one by one. But sometimes the fish hooks just on the Do we desire to live in the Holy Spirit? Do we skin of the nose, and the fish is hurt-the skin is want to be fruitful and victorious and powerful? broken, and it flees away and never comes back. Do we want to live a life of joy and liberty? Then, When we do personal work we should not argue. beloved, let us give ourselves wholly to the Lord, We should be careful not merely to hurt the feel- so that our lives become sanctuaries of our heavings of the people, but gently to lead them by giv- enly Father. From the Holy of Holies these rivers ing them food. of Living Water flow out until many souls are won to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the life that He There is another kind of fishing, by casting nets wants us to live-lives of faith, of joyful satisfacto catch a number of fish. This is preaching in tion, of service and victory. public. Many times we preach in public and VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR AFRICA* Young men and women with the spirit of adventurers and the devotion of crusaders; who are not afraid of hardship; who can play the game as goodspirtsmen; who can carry on as good soldiers-men and women, eyes aglow with vision, faces agleam with high resolve, hearts ready for service here in Africa, a good, good land even though Christopher Columbus didn't discover it.
The need is urgent. Reinforcement must be had. Our total working force numbers eighty-five. Only fifty-three are on the field. Our responsibility is enormous.
We need doct.ors. Only two are on the field, one away off on the periphery of the mis- sian; the other in charge of the large, modern hospital at Elat, itself a job for two doctors, and with the care and oversight of eleven of the mission stations,-an impossible task. We need some of the sterling stuff that had its counterpart ten years ago in young men return- ing from the wars. Where are they?
Four years ago we began a French Normal School at Foulassi with the expectation of placing there a force of three teachers. Instead, presently, there will be but one. We need teachers-men who, were the War still on, would be doing their bit as interpreters at the front.
Ten years ago we began an Agricultural School. For two years it has been closed- no agriculturist. Where is the Christian graduate of one of our Agricultural colleges who will volunteer for this big job, tremendous, rich in opportunity and promise?
This past year money has been pouring in for new buildings and repairs. Almost every station has large unused appropriations for buildings, urgently, pressingly, needed. Mis- sionaries now have more demands made upon them than they can meet, they can not build. We need builders. – Young men and women with the spirit of adventurers and the devotion of crusaders- come! The missionary enterprise calls, and above all Christ calls-"Who will come and work today" Come!!
• A call from The Drum Call, pubJished by the American Presbyterian Mission in Cameroun District, West Africa.
as Seen from
-'~l!;11 _In_d_ia===~II~- ===_B_y_V_._R=._C_H_AN=D=R_A_*,=M_a_d_ra_s_, I am sending to you a manuscript written by V. R. Chandra, The community acts like one man. They are cal- B.A., one of Dr. Ambedkar's men from Madras. I hope you can CUlating about the religious, social, political and economical consequences, should the eighty thoumake use of it in some publication as showing how Hinduism looks sand Untouchables join their fold. So do the Christians; so do the Sikhs. from the Inside and the bottom. Mr. Chandra went with us to the Malerkotla Jalsa, and was duly Impressed by the neat church and On the other hand, what do I find in the Hindu society? The Hindus are sleeping and snoring clean appearance of the Christians there, who are the sweepers of soundly. They are indifferent. They are immov- able. They are believers in "Karma" or "Kismet" the city streets. Indeed, I learned later that during the communion (or Fate); they think that what should happen will happen and so why bother! On the other service he wished to take part. One of our workers reminded him hand their religious leaders, the Sankaracharis that he was not baptized as a Christian; but he said, "But why should I not remember the Lord Jesus who gave His life for us Untouchables." He took part reverently, and no one wished It otherwise. India is indeed being shaken from the very foundations, and all religions are In the Providence of God being judged by these "who are not." The Christian Church is slowly awakening, but I feel we are not nearly so alive to the significance of all this as are the Sikhs and Mohammedans. I may add that It Is very diffi- cult to get such an article published in any except our Christian papers out here, as most of the larger publications are financed by Hindu money. REV. CLINTON H. LOEULIN, American Pre8byterian Mission, Jullundur City, Punjab.
SOCIALLY, religiously, politically, economi- and the Brahmin Pandits, are advising the Un- cally we, the people of India, have been the touchables to join any other religion which is a .slaves and helots of Hindu society, and branch of Hinduism or to start a new religion of consequently of other societies as well, for ages their own. This is unsolicited and unwanted and are even today being crushed down in spite advice to the Untouchables who know by now of the British Government. We have found out what to do and what not to do. Having crushed that the remedy for these wrongs lies in our hands us too long and too much, and incapable of eradi- and not in others. Dr. Ambedkar, than whom cating the darkest blot on humanity in the name there can be no better, nobler, worthier leader for of God and religion, it is not for them to advise us, has suggested a very easy remedy and it is for us now when we have already decided upon giv- us to carry out that suggestion into execution. ing up Hinduism and all its paraphernalia.
Ever since the great doctor made his announce- Now what are our sins that merit this great ment that emancipation of the Untouchables lies curse? We have been of great service to Hindu in the desertion of the Hindu fold and embracing society from time of yore. Weare washing your any other religion according equality and broth- latrines, we are sweeping your roads, we are erhood there is a stir in the religious, social and ploughing your fields, we are stitching your shoes political atmosphere unparalleled in this country -in short, we are a band of very useful servants or for that matter, in any other country, ever be- of human society, being also hewers of wood and fore. All other religions and societies are agi- drawers of water, working like bulls during day tated over the situation, except Hinduism and and night. The wages that we get are nothing Hindu society. rfhe Moslems, the Christians, the to the hard and the dirty work that we perform.
Sikhs and others have begun to think furiously Our position is nothing better than that of the and seriously about the situation created. I am slaves of Abyssinia and helots of ancient Greece going about the country for the last four months. and Rome. To such useful servants of the society Wherever I go I am struck by the wonderful mil- what is the treatment accorded? It is worse than itary dicipline that is actuating the Moslem com- the treatment meted out to pigs and dogs and munity in matters social, religious or political. donkeys! We are called "Untouchables"; we are excluded from society and are made to dwell in • An address by a Hindu, delivered at the Jullundur District Con- dirty and unsanitary slums both in towns and ference of Untouchables, June 15, 1936. A large number of dele- villages. Why? Is it because we eat beef? Do gates, numbering about 500, attended and great enthusiasm prevailed. not Europeans also eat beef? Do not some Mos- Hindu, Mussulman and Christian public watched the p·roceedings- lems eat beef? Don't you touch them? Then why the audience numbering about 1,500. Three resolutions were not touch us? We alone are untouchable. Why? adopted: the first expressing loyalty to the British throne, the They say we are unclean. They say we do dirty second voting full confidence in the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar work. They say we are latrine cleaners. Do not and condemning the misleading manumvres of almost all the so- your mothers and sisters clean the filth and excalled nationalist papers and the press of all and sundry denomina- creta of their children? Do you call them "Untions to pooh-pooh the activities of the accredited leader and the touchables"? Do they not serve you food? If we uncrowned king of the Adl-Dravldas (Untouchables) of this land. The third resolution appealed to the Untouchables throughout the land, saying that unless and until they give up completely the Hindu religion and all the paraphernalia of Hindu ceremony and worship, the so-called sacred books and beliefs, superstitions and pilgrimages to the so-called holy places and tltirthas, the community has no chance of any advancement either spiritually, socially, economically or politically.
[407 ]
are unclean, thanks to the nature of our work, it try there was a civilized race, the aboriginal race, is for society to allow us sufficient water conveni- an agriculturist race, called the Dravidians living ence and sufficient wages to keep us fit and neat in this country. Overpowered by numbers, and to be respectable members of society. You do not overpowered by bows and arrows of the Aryans allow us even drinking water. You do not allow (who lived by hunting) the Dravidians had to us to draw water from public wells and get into submit to the barbarous Aryan brute force. Those public tanks to wash off our dirt or to wash our of the Dravidians who meekly submitted to the clothes. Aryan yoke were given superior ranks, such as Kshatrias Vaisias and Sudras, and those who Anyone may be made an untouchable under stood strong and long and fought sternly and firmsuch conditions. Even if Mahatma Gandhi, Ma- ly were reduced to eternal slavery and dubbed lawiya, and the Sankaracharia could be shut up "Untouchables" or Chandalas. This historical in a room without any water facilities for three truth was recognized by even Mr. Winston days together they will be as clumsy and dirty Churchill in one of his speeches, meeting the castesmelling as any of the worst among the so-called Hindu-ridden-Congress-wallahs' threat of driving "Untouchables." Such being the case it is for the out the foreigners from this land bag and baggage. municipalities and union Panchayats and other The Aryans are as much foreigners to us-the agencies in charge of sanitation and health to see aboriginals-as Europeans. Perhaps even worse, that sufficient water is supplied to the "Untouch- being unsympathetic. able" quarters. But what do we see in actual practice? It is the touchable quarters that are sup- Then, the Aryans concocted the institution of plied any number of taps in towns and any num- Varnashrama Dharma or caste system, placing ber of wells in villages and the "Untouchables'" premium on birth. They divided the community quarters go almost without any. Under such cir- as the Head-born, Hand-born, Hip-born and the cumstances how can we fail to be unclean? Dogs Heel-born of the God-Head. They assigned no and pigs that eat the human excreta (including place in the God-Head as the origin of the Un- Untouchables') enter your houses and temples, touchables. The obvious inference is that the Unbut your conscience is not pricked, though you touchables came from the obviously understood are touched to the quick, as if by an electric shock, natural place, viz., from the womb of their moththe moment you consciously or unconsciously ers. No physiologist, no doctor would dispute this touch an Untouchable. The reasons that you as- inference. What about the four castes said to have sign to damn us as "Untouchable" are unreason- burst from the God-Head? Coming as they did able and unconvincing. What, then, is the real from unnatural places and non-human sources, cause for this unprovoked animosity against a it is not surprising that they have been behaving whole community for ages together? There is an from time immemorial, including the year of grace historical cause. There is a racial cause. 1936, unnaturally and inhumanly towards the nat- ural-born Untouchables. I was once discussing with a Sanathanist the question of Untouchability. I told him that due The Bible, the Koran, the Granth Sahib is open to Hindu conservatism and intolerance, the Hindu to all. They are published in different languages population which was the only population in In- of the world and everyone is requested to read dia, once upon a time numbering about 330,000,- including the Negro of Africa, and the Red Indian 000, has now dwindled to about 210,000,000, and of America. But the Vedas has been the monopthe rest of the Hindus have become either Mussul- oly of the Head-born, the Brahmin, and a sealed mans, Christians, Sikhs or Buddhists. He replied book to the otherwise-born. Noone but a Brahthat it was not so, that the number of Hindus min should read the Vedas, nay, not even hear it were only about 210,000,000 from the beginning chanted, lays down the Manusmirithi-the ancient and the rest of the population, viz., 120,000,000, law book of Hindustan. Pray what is the penalty? were formerly Rakshasas who gradually changed The tongue that reads the Vedas would be pulled into either Buddhists or Moslems or Christians or out, and the ear that hears it chanted should feel Sikhs and that Sanathanism was a divine crea- the molten lead. This is Hindu Dharma! Still, it tion; therefore no Sanathanist could ever be con- is the Hindu politicians that glorify the India of verted to any other religion. the past and attack the present administration of racial prejudice and discrimination. Yes! my brothers, there is no use of laughing over the statement. That only shows you have Mahatma Gandhi wants Sewarajya to be turned forgotten the history of your forefathers and that into Ram Rajya of old. He calls the present Raj the Sanathanist has not, for what is the historical the Satanic Raj, devoid of sympathy and imagbackground for this? You must remember when ination. Now I feel it my duty to illustrate Ram the barbarous Aryans, in search of food for Rajya by a story in Ramayan in the interests of themselves and for their cattle, entered this coun- Truth which Gandhi is never tired of experi-
HINDUISM AS SEEN FROM WITHIN
menting upon. During the reign of Ram over assertion when his own eldest son, Hira Lal Gan- Ajodhya, and Ram is considered the tallest of dhi, stands transformed into Abdulla Gandhi be- Aryans, a Brahmin and his son were bathing one fore an awe-struck and wondering world! No day in the Ganges. A crocodile stealthily snatched better reply, no more convincing answer need be away the boy. The broken-hearted Brahmin ran given to the Mahatmic egoism. to the palace of Ram and broke out thus: "Oh Ram Chandra! While I am living, my son is dead. The very people, the caste Hindus in general This should not happen in your Rajya, Ram and the Brahmin politicians in particular, are Rajya. There is something wrong with you, never tired of asserting Swaraj and self-deter- 'something is rotten in the State of Denmark.' mination to be their birth right, but it is they that Find out the cause and deliver my son into my deny, in the name of their religion and God, even hands, else be_ prepared for the curse of a Brah- the elementary civil rights to the so-called "Unmin." The great Ram, the great Avatar, began touchables." All temples are closed to us, some to shake in his shoes and commanded his brother roads are blocked to us, no wells and tanks are Lakshman to find out the cause at once. Laksh- open to us, riding on horses is not for us, no shoes man hurried out of the palace, and returning for us, no jewels for us, no umbrellas for us, no after some time told Ram that he had found chapels for us, etc., etc. Still no man, no nationout the cause for the incident-that a Sudra alist, no Hindustani, no congressman, and no Sonamed Samhoog was making Tapasya, or meditat- cialist came forward to form any "civil liberties ing upon God, in the forest. Ram asked his Brah- protection league" for us. The great president min Guru, Vashishta, regarding the punishment of the so-called Indian National Congress talks tall for such a crime, viz., the breaking of the Varnash- on Socialism but he had no word to say against ramadharmic rule. Vashishta turned the pages of Varnashrama or Caste System. He has only one Manusmirithi, the then law book of India, and sentence, and that a very short sentence, in his read out that capital punishment alone could meet long presidential address to say about untouchthe ends of justice and commanded Ram to carry ability which is considered to be the burning quesout the punishment by his own hand. Ram ac- tion of the day. He carries on a tirade against cordingly hastened to the forest and did "justice" imperialism, landlordism and capitalism but has by chopping off the head of the "criminal." And entirely, and, conveniently forgotten Brahminism lo! and behold the crocodile restored the child! which has been corroding the very vitals and This, my brothers, is Ram Rajya and Dharma poisoning every department of Indian Society in Rajya for which the great Mahatma is yearning general, and Hindu society in particular. Blood day and night, in and out of jail as well as in and is thicker than water, and the great Kashmiri out of politics! Pandit has only proved it to its very hilt. It is the irony of Indian politics that the political ex- And when our leader suggested conversion to tremists prove social reactionaries, as the late Dr. some other religion as the only proper remedy to T. M. Nair of revered memory once observed. get relief from such a Ram Rajya and from such a religion and society that is trying its best to Socialism is a thing by which the Untouchable bring about such an unfortunate contingency, has everything to gain and nothing to lose and the Mahatma said that none has any right to as such he wiII never be shy of being a Socialist change one's faith and that one's faith dies only but then, if the agitators, with the slogan of Sowith one's death. What an extraordinary dictum cialism on their lips, should try to distract the this! If there should be any rhyme or reason or present determined position of the Untouchables any logic in this, then, all other religions except to renounce Hinduism for obvious reasons and Hinduism, which is as old as barbarism itself, embrace any other religion based on equality and stand condemned. According to Mahatmic asser- brotherhood, then such deep diplomacy should tions, Lord Budda, Lord Jesus Christ, Prophet meet with strong resentment, and should be Mohammad, the Ten Gurus of the Sikhs, etc., (all treated with the contempt it deserves. of whom, so to say, revolted against Hinduism or heathenism, conservatism or barbarism and . We have tasted enough of Hindu diplomacy. preached perfect fraternity) ought to have gone We have found it so bitter and suffocating that on bended knees before this great Mahatma to we do not want any more. By now all Untouchget sanction for breaking away from their re- ables should have come to know the deep and the spective faiths in which they were born and es- dark diplomacy underlying the Poona Pact. How tablishing new ones for the glory of humanity did it come about ?-the Communal Award grant- ed separate electorate to the Untouchables. Mahatand to the eternal shame of Hinduism. Alas what ma Gandhi protested against such a "calamity" an open revolt against Mahatmic inj unctions! and began his now notorious fast unto death to and now comes the fatal knock to the Mahatmic coerce the unfortunate Untouchables to walk into the joint electorate. Days and weeks passed. The
Mahatma was choking. His son, Mr. Deva Dass a garland of human heads round her neck, a Gandhi, was weeping. And other Hindu leaders tongue a yard long hanging out, four hands, one assembled round Gandhi's bed were shedding with a raised blood-stained sword, another holdtears-but only crocodile tears. That was the ing a chopped off human head, the third with a scene created before the eyes of Dr. Ambedkar vessel to hold the dripping blood. This figure is adand other Untouchable leaders. How could the dressed by the crowding devotees as the Loka doctor, coming as he does of the Untouchables, Matha or the Great Mother of the Universe! who, historically as well as practically, even unto Daily sacrifices of goats and buffaloes are made this day would rather submit to all sufferings at to appease her thIrst. Even human sacrifices others' hands than retaliate, persist in the midst were made in pre-British days. It is indeed a of such a heart-rending scene? At last Dr. glowing tribute to the British flag that Kali has Ambedkar "succumbed" to the coercion. A very lost taste for human blood now! Among her enchanting picture was drawn that a new heaven devotees may be counted eminent Bengalees of would be created on this old earth and that every light and leading, such as Arobindo Ghose, Dr. conceivable social, religious, political, economical Tagore, etc. Still, "what Bengal thinks today and educational facility would be given to the the rest of India thinks tomorrow," boasts the Untouchables on a par of equality with the Hin- Bengalee. I stared at the figure. The more I dus. It is now nearly five years and nothing has looked at it the more I disliked it. She is obviousbeen done, not even one promise carried out ex- ly to my mind a great enemy of mankind wearcept that a new name "Harijan" has been coined ing a garland of human heads and holding a hufor us and a big fund collected in our name for man head dripping with blood. Perhaps she rep- Congress propaganda or perhaps it has gone the resents a bloodthirsty Aryan "demon" in womanway of Tilak Swarajya Fund and other such form who should have massacred a number of funds. Poona Pact is a bundle of broken pledges. my ancestors-the Dravidians. For no other rea- It is another Manusmirithi written with the blood son would an Aryan, a Brahmin, a High Caste of the Untouchables to tie them to the intolerant Hindu worship such an ugly, atrocious and aweand tyrannical Hindu yoke and to reestablish a striking figure. I was wondering why Gazni Mo- Hindu Raj, a Ram Raj, once again in this coun- hammad should not have paid a short visit to try. The Untouchables are going to taste the bit- Kalighat! ter fruits of the Poona Pact for the first time in April next when the new constitution sets to work. One day as I was bathing in one of the ghats It is the Peters and Judas Iscariots among the near the Howrah Bridge, I saw two people emp- Untouchables that are going to be backed by the tying two big vessels of milk into the Ganges Caste Hindus; it is the Vibhishanas and Hanu- costing at least Rs. 10/-1 coul~ not bear the mans among the Untouchables that will poll heav- sight, and asked them why they did it. They said ily, thanks to the Divide and Rule policy of the that Ganga Matha liked such offerings and that Hindus; it is the traitors and betrayers of the they only carried out a former promise to her. sacred cause of the Untouchables that will be re- Just then some coal dust was coming along the turned to the legislatures to be but the hand- waters obviously thrown out from some steammaids of Hindu politicians. boat. I pointed the spot to them and remarked that their Ganga Matha could not discriminate Apart from the social and religious inferiority between milk and dust! They simply smiled and and superiority complex nursed and nurtured by went away. Hinduism, economically also it is a big waste and drains the hard-earned resources of rich and Another day I witnessed in one of the bazaars poor alike. Besides, it breeds and encourages all two Hindus feeding cows and bulls with gur from foolish ideas, inhumanities, superstitions and im- two big baskets. Just then about four or five possible beliefs. Ever since I went through Miss beggars, including two children-all skin and Mayo's "Mother India" I desired to go through bones-dressed in tatters, stood stretching their North India to see things for myself. Since the boney hands begging for a piece of gur. The two last four months I am going around. I spent a Hindus would not give them anything but only scolded them, stretching their hands and legs and month in Calcutta. The first place I visited in heads to beat them and asking them to run away Calcutta naturally was the Kalighat. The moment from the place. This was appalling to me. I ar- I set my foot into the precincts of the temple I gued with them and pointed out to them their felt the atmosphere so deadly and nasty-smell- unreasonable and unsympathetic attitude towards ing that I had to close my nostrils as if I had their own kind while being so over solicitous and entered some fish market or beef market. I ap- over charitable to nonhuman beings. They said proached the sanctum santorum and I saw the in reply that the beggars and the sufferers in this huge figure of "Goddess" Kali with a huge head, world were condemned by God as a result of their
"Karma" and that it was a great sin to go against ers, camphor, incense, bread, fruits, sweetmeats, the will of God and that He would be angry with and what not. "Mother India is poor" is the slothem and displeased with them should they help gan of the "patriot" and he stretches his hands the poor. What a high and soul-stirring philos- towards the west for this poverty. I wish a pubophy! lic enquiry committee would look into this waste and place it side by side with the much maligned While crossing the Ganges bridge near Be- military budget! There are innumerable Dharamnares, my nap was slightly disturbed by sounds salas Chatrams and choultries throughout India. as if several stones were thrown on the carriage. There are nearly 360 Chatrams in the "holy" city Just then I saw the one sitting by my side throw- of Benares alone. Poverty is no basis of feeding ing something into the river. I asked him what. in these Chatrams. Birth and caste alone is the He said that he threw a rupee into the Ganges as deciding factor. "For Brahmins only" is the writpromised. I remonstrated with him that while ten and the unwritten law of these so-called charhe had not the mind to give a pice to the old and itable institutions. So much is made of color bar blind beggar, yet he was so liberal with the and the Brahmin politicians attack the Govern- Ganges which could have no use for it and from ment and the Europeans for it. Has anyone which it could never be recovered. He assured among them till now said or done anything against me that in return for the one rupee that he gave this discriminative feeding. Still they swear by Ganga Matha was going to bless him with a lakh Socialism! All sorts of imaginary exploitations next year. What a fine investment! Such "in- by Europeans should be violently condemned but vestments" range from one pice to one rupee and the actual exploitations by Brahmins in every one hundred rupees, and in the case of merchant walk of life should be silently ignored! That is princes and Maharajas and Maharanis even sov- the Brahmin ethics, that is his social game, his ereigns and precious jewels costing thousands of political game, that is his dirty game everywhere. rupees are deposited into the depths of the Ganga He is not only exploiting the people in every pos- Matha. Still, "Mother India" is poor, thanks to sible and conceivable way but has made them the Satanic Government," prates the Hindu poli- fools and idiots in the name of religion and God tician! and is daily injecting, inventing and encouraging all sorts of false beliefs and foolish ceremonies "Dressing the Ganga Matha" was another of and customs. The Brahmin has captured religion, the scenes that I saw in Benares. A long line of captivated the society and even today dominates boats were stationed in a line from one bank of politics. There are parties and parties and the the river to the other and all the boats were cov- Brahmin politicians figure prominently in every ered by a long stretch of new cloth. After the party. They may make nice distinctions between pooja was over, lasting for nearly an hour, the parties, they may carryon even some word-fights whole cloth was bundled and thrown into the -all pillow fights-with a view to mislead the center of the river and proper care was taken to public as they have done in the religious sphere, see it was well drowned. The cloth could have but all of them, if you slightly scratch them, will easily dressed at least 200 beggars appearing be black communalists. The Brahmins have been almost naked in the streets of Benares, but then, the lagos of Indian affairs either in Hindu Raj, Hinduism and Hindu society wills it otherwise. Muslim Raj, Sikh Raj or British Raj. So long The burning ghats in the midst of human habita- as the designing and unscrupulous Brahmin tion in Benares, causing nuisance and poisoning priest and politician is occupying the present the atmosphere and spreading disease, speak vol- strong position that he does today and the other umes of the civic and sanitary consciousness of misguided Hindus follow his lead, only one course Hinduism and Hindu society! And the Govern- is open to us Untouchables, viz., to give up the ment is pledged to non-intervention in religion! Hindu fold completely with all the paraphernalia of Hindu ceremony and worship, the so-called While bathing again in the Ganges at Harid- sacred books and beliefs, superstitions and pilwar, I was horror-struck to find a Marwadi wom- grimages to the so-called holy places and Thirthas an throwing five shining fresh silver rupees into -all which were invented to drain our poor rethe waters-perhaps to propitiate for the sins of sources-and embrace any other religion practicher husband or son dealing in money-lending busi- ing as well as promising equality and brotherhood ness which is of a blood-sucking nature. There is and salvation not only after death but in this life no end to what the Hindu people throw into the as well. Ganges from its very sources, all along its course, and up to the point of its emptying into the Bay of Bengal-money, milk, honey, curds, ghee, flow-
Indian Womanhood Owes to Christ*
~J,!,;;l=====B;o;;Y;o;;M;o;;R;o;;S;o;;';o;;M;o;;O;o;;H;o;;I;o;;N;o;;I;o;;D;o;;A;o;;S;o;;S====~II~'- T HE only, reason why I am standing before In the so-called depressed races of the world to- you today is that, though a nominal Chris- day there are many who are not in the least tian for many years, it was just five years "depressed," who hold their heads high, but, view- ago that I discovered for myself the wonderful, ing the situation as a whole, I maintain that, as life-changing power that Jesus Christ can bestow for suppressed individuals and races in general, on those who accept Him whole-heartedly. Since so for women, Jesus by His teachings and His then, the greatest desire of my life is that others, life opened a new door of opportunity. Listen to too, may know of this marvellous Force which has what Jesus proclaimed at the very outset of His transformed the lives of so many individuals and ministry. He said, "The spirit of the Lord is upon races, from a life of suppressed potentialities to me, because He hath anointed me to preach the one of power and usefulness. Gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the Glance for a moment at the history of the world, broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the cap- with special reference to the condition of women, tives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set and you will see that in olden times there was at liberty them that are bruised." He taught hardly a country where women were not treated therefore that oppression and the suppression of more or less as members of a Depressed Class. the individuality of anyone is wrong, be he man Look at Japan. There was a time when no Jap- or woman. In the olden days it was customary anese woman was allowed to scale the sides of for the Jews to have more than one wife. Jesus the sacred mountain, Fujiama, for fear of defiling realized that this "bruises" the self-respect of a it. woman, so, when questioned by the Pharisees on Turn to China. In olden days, more often than the subject, He laid down that a man should have not, girls, when born, were exposed to die. Dur- one wife and "they two shall be one flesh . . .
ing the days of the Old Testament the Jew gen- therefore they are no more two, but one flesh."
erally prayed as follows: "Lord, I thank Thee Listen to what is laid down for the guidance of that Thou didst not make me a woman, or a leper, the followers of Jesus in the New Testament: or a Gentile." "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither In our own India it has been taught that if a bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, man's deeds in this life are not what they should for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
be, he may be born a woman or dog in the next. Jesus proclaimed this new principle to the world Turn to Europe, to Africa, and, indeed, to any -this principle of equal opportunities for all- country the world over before the coming of for all whose individualities have been sup- Christ, and you will find that generally speaking, pressed, whether they be men or women, and the condition of women at that time was more what was the result? Wherever His teachings or less that of a depressed class. They were often took root the condition of woman began to alter.
classed with "dogs" and "lepers"; Their condi- She became not just a glorified courtesan and tion in every way was, generally speaking, the housekeeper, but a home-maker, a companion to condition of a "depressed" or "suppressed" race. her husband and a fit mother for bringing up his I stand here to witness, and I challenge anyone children.
to repudiate the statement, that it is Jesus and A famous European scholar has propounded His teachings which have permeated the world the theory that, very probably, the ancient civ- and have caused the women of the world to stand ilizations of the world crumbled away because in erect as useful members of the community, and of those days woman was not given her proper the race. place in the home and in society as a whole', Con- True, this does not mean that in the years be- sider the proposition for a moment and it will fore the Good Tidings that Christ brought to the strike you as one that is reasonable because it is world, all women were classed as dogs and lepers. the woman in the home who has the care of the • An address delivered at the All-India Depressed Classes Con- children in their most impressionistic years and ference in Lucknow. May 22. 1936, it is the children who are the promise of the fu- [412 ] ture. What your children are, not only physically Indian Christian women drawn from the Debut morally and intellectually, will be what your pressed Classes, but now teaching, among others, race is, and your children will be more or less the children of Brahmins-looked up to and rewhat their mothers are. It is the woman too who spected by them. And this one example is typical outside the home must help in tackling the prob- of many institutions in the Punjab and in this lems which affect her and her children, for it is Province, and in fact, all over India. she who has the best knowledge of these problems. Again, the Indian Christians of one of our prov- The new idea regarding women, which was inces chose a woman to represent them in their thrown out into the world by Jesus Christ, has Legislative Council because of her outstanding resulted in a revolution the world over, a revolu- ability, and that woman was drawn from the Detion that astounds one in its tremendous implica- pressed Classes, but she was now an honored tions. I have time to cite only a few outstanding member of a Christian group which probably incases of the effect of this revolutionary teaching cluded some formerly Brahmin and Kshatriya on the women of the world in general and of India converts. in particular. Right here in this very city about five or six Listen-the very first college for women estab- years ago the Legislative Council was meeting in lished in Asia was established by a Christian the magnificent Baradari, once the home of the woman. I refer to Isabella Thoburn College for Women, in this very city. The first hospital Ruler of Oudh and his 150 wives. A resolution founded in Europe was founded by a Christian woman. The Red Cross, an association that has was put to the house regarding the entry of womdone such invaluable work for the alleviation of en into the Council. One of the supporters of the suffering, was initiated by Florence Nightingale, resolution rose, and looking up at the ladies' gala Christian woman. lery, thronged with visitors, mostly past and pres- ent students of our Isabella Thoburn College for True, and we thank God for this, the flower of women, said "How can we do anything but pass emancipated womanhood is now blooming every- this resolution with the pressure that is being where, but from whence came its seed? It is ob- brought to bear upon us from the galleries." This vious to a student of history that the seed was "pressure" was from the past and present stuthe principle of equal opportunities for all, in- dents of a Christian college for women! jected into the world by Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago. Brothers, we are quite conscious, just as you are, that there are many so-called followers of the Why turn to other lands? Just consider our Lord Jesus who are not really His followers, and own motherland. Of the three communities in who are surely crucifying Him afresh by their India which rank the highest with respect to num- actions and their words, but we would entreat you bers, the Indian Christians are placed third in to consider what the Lord Jesus has accomplished order of numerical value, but rank first of these the world over as well as in India through those three communities with respect to the literacy of who have sought to follow their Master wholetheir women. And, mark you, 90 per cent of this heartedly. And we would assert once again that Protestant Indian Christian community are from not only did Jesus initiate the idea of release from the so-called "Depressed Classes"-once sup- bondage to oppressed men and women the world pressed but now equal members of a glorious over, but that He has accomplished through His Kingdom. sincere followers this release, this newness of life in India and the world. Stop for a moment and see what is happening. In both mission schools and hospitals the daugh- Brothers, have I helped you to see, even in a ters of so-called Depressed Classes, now Chris- small way, the potentiality of that Force released tians, are teaching and tending the children of nearly 2,000 years ago, and still energizing in the Brahmins! Untouchables? What has happened? living present ?-the Force that worked as leaven They are Untouchables no longer, for Jesus has and revolutionized the position of women, as that touched them! Come with me to Kodikanal in of all suppressed peoples? If so, my purpose is South India, climb its highest peak and you will accomplished. I am not here to make glowing see stretched out on the plains below many vil- promises. I only point to the sources of tremenlages nestling among the trees. These villages dous power, power that has transformed those of have schools run by local boards, and three out your number who have accepted Jesus, power that of every four of the teachers in these schools are has tremendous possibilities, if accepted by you who are the leaders of your people.
New Era of Foreign
By JULIUS RICHTER, D.D., Berlin, Germany Author of "Missions in India," "Missions in the Near East," etc.
THERE is widespread agreement that we are nearer proximity and greater eagerness than ever passing through a new crisis in the foreign before, and when humanistic or atheistic or anti~ missionary movement. Since the first com~ religious philosophies at the same time are claim~ mon experience of the whole race in the World ing world-wide allegiance, it is becoming more War, the rapidly extending communications, tele~ and more a question of life and death for the graph, radio and wireless, railroad, steamboat Christian Church to proclaim triumphantly and and airship all compete to bring individuals and with new tongues that there is no other salvation nations all the world over near to one another as for the human race than in Christ Jesus.
one big family with the same problems and It is true that at present there are many achievements. The occidental civilization, like a hindrances which impede any rapid advance and rising tide, is penetrating even the remote corners that threaten to bar the way of further advance.
of the globe and is irresistibly changing its back~ The financial stringency in consequence of the ground. world depression is immediately pressing into The system of the family of nations is out of view; in Germany it is excluding all financial joint. Agriculture and industry easily produce subsidies for the foreign field, beyond a meagre overwhelmingly more than the impoverished race allowance for the missionaries' salaries. Shall is able to buy. So half the race is lingering on our foreign missions be starved out, just at the the point of starvation whilst the other half is time when the rapidly advancing impoverishment ruthlessly discarding its useless surplus and thirty of the peasant millions of Asia are iess than ever or more millions of unemployed have no scope able to provide church finances? Nationalism neither for life nor for death. Whilst world everywhere creates pride in one's own cultural traffic is laying down all separating walls, nation~ heritage, but in many countries this goes hand alisms are everywhere building up even higher in hand with a recrudescence of the primitive re~ barriers and dire necessities of self-preservation ligions so that Christianity is looked at askance are squeezing down interchange of commerce to as a part of foreign imperialism, all the more ab~ paltry barter between neighboring countries. The horring because it is looked upon as creating for~ missionary movement of the Christian churches eign . cultural groups in the heart of a nation.
falteringly is seeking its way through the gen~ During the greater part of the last century Prot~ eral confusion and the kaleidoscopically changing estant missions had a fairly free field, distances scene. being great and the field large; the Roman Cath~ There are large tasks and alluring vistas be~ olic competition, though hitting sorely in many fore us. The more than one hundred fifty mil~ places, was not considered particularly dangerous.
lion primitive and animistic peoples, in Africa, This situation is changing rapidly. Under the Oceania and many parts of Asia, are rapidly dis~ ingenious leadership of the popes Leo XIII and intregrating religiously and culturally. It may Pius XI, the Roman Catholic propaganda is cov~ be a question of only a few generations before ering the globe with a close net of missionary they will be absorbed by the stronger religions dioceses, vicariates, prefectures, and missions.
busying themselves about them. A carefully Year by year new monastic orders, missionary planned campaign and an energetically pursued societies, brotherhoods and sisterhoods are enter~ crusade might cause these millions to be integrated ing the foreign fields; hundreds of priests, breth~ into the Christian Church. The Roman Catholic ren and sisters are swelling their ranks and al~ Church is already dreaming of a Roman Catholic ready in many fields they outnumber the meager continent of Africa. Many mission fields seem Protestant forces. This advance of Roman Ca- slowly to pass from the period of a slow knocking tholicism in the world-wide crusade is a loud at closed doors to a landslide when mass move- challenge to the conscience of Protestant Chris- ments sweep tens of thousands into the church tians. .
and the missionaries look around for companions What then shall we do in this emergency?
to bring in safely the breaking nets. The task of Some parts of our duty appear to be evident. Let world-wide and powerful evangelism has never evangelical forces join ranks; cooperation is the been greater than at present. When the great call of the hour. If Protestant missions are in world religions are confronting each other at danger – as they really are – it is disastrous to [414 ] dissolve into unorganized, independent groups, state of adolescence, are acknowledged as of full without a concerted plan of action; it would be age there remain the hundreds of millions of their own fault if they are pushed aside and their pagans so that the task of the "sending countries" praiseworthy endeavors, sanctified by prayer and is not diminished but is rather increased. We self-sacrifice, prove futile. The work of the In- may ardently hope that the "younger" churches, ternational Missionary Council and of the Na- in their youthful vigor and enthusiasm, will . tional Christian Councils in many countries and grapple energetically with their surrounding mis- of similar enterprises has never been more needed sionary problems but it is clear that every bit of than at present. The leadership of the Christian help that the sending countries may be able to movement in many countries, particularly in Asia, provide will be needed in an enterprise far sur- is passing from the "older" to the "younger" passing even the most strenuous exertions. churches. On the side of the "older" churches there will be a generous acknowledgment of the Syncretism has always been a lurking danger particular responsibility of those "younger" when Christianity was confronting foreign re- churches and an unreserved willingness to give ligions; even so, agnosticism was a danger when them full scope for the development of their yet the young Christian religion for the first time untried forces and inexperienced methods, even emerged into the world of Greek philosophy. if their ways sometimes may seem curious and Wide-spread relativism also resulted from the not very practical. The older generation of the rapprochement of Christianity, Islam and Juda- missionaries has learned much from its failures ism at the time of the crusades. Similar syncre- and mistakes. There are many complicated ques- tistic tendencies will be unavoidable in the mixing tions with regard to church property, colleges, and meddling of various types of religions and universities, hospitals, literary undertakings, and philosophies at the present age. Perhaps at no other establishments and organizations, where time has there been greater need for a hallowed knotty problems are to be solved through further theology soundly based on the divine revelation in cooperation; this includes the handing over of Holy Scripture; the task of the theological fac- partial or complete ownership to the "younger" ulties at home and abroad was never more urgent churches, and maintenance of their original scope. than in the present emergency. Often there will be a wide divergence of the opin- ions, or even convictions, on both sides; their In view of the world-wide issues, the dwindling readjustment needs an exceptional measure of missionary forces, the threatening hindrances, sanctified common sense in an unbiased considera- and the overwhelming tasks to be solved, our con- tion of the common end in view. Even if all fidence is only in the Lord of lords. "younger" churches, which are at present in the It is Thy cause, Lord Jesus Christ, The cause on which we stand, And as Thy cause alone, in the end it cannot fail.
DR. CARROLL'S CODE AT EIGHTY * [EDITOR'S NOTE: In publishing the following "Code" exactly as it has came to us-title and all~t is perhaps necessary to say that "Carroll" is Rev. Charles W. Carroll, D.D., Superintendent Emeritus of the Middle Atlantic Cowference, widely knrYWn u,nd well beloved throughout the Congregu,tional !ellow'ship. The "Code" has worked so well in his case thu,t it may be wisely c01nmended to others.] I. BE PREPARED to live in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people. Never become embittered by any calamity; even the death of your beloved. For these things must come.
II. START OUT to live a victorious life. Like Paul, smile in the face of every disaster. Never whine. III. FIT YOURSELF for an occupation which you love. Then learn to work and play and pray, and live the Jesus way. IV. GIVE YOUR BODY and mind every possible chance to get and to retain their normal vigor. Avoid all enslaving habits. Be a free man, or woman, even in this cigaret age. V. KEEP FIT; Think straight; Get a competence; Found a home; Find a faith. VI. SET OUT TO FIND and to stress the good in the world and in the people. Recognize evil only when you can mend it. Be an inveterate optimist. VII. PLAN TO HELP all needy folk you meet, by helping them into self-mastery. Ask little; give much; and make all the people with whom you come in contact glad they have met you. VIII. FEAR NOTHING but sin. An honest man or woman has nothing to fear, for he or she is guilty of nothing. The worst the world can do with such a person is to hasten his death. Soon or late that comes to everyone. Fear is our most enervating foe. Perfect love casteth out all fear. IX. BEHOLD a personal Father in all nature: His tender love in the sunshine and the flowers; His magnificent power in the tempest. Let His world teach you beauty and strength. X. TRUST GOD in every experience of this life; and fall on eternal sleep assured that the mystery of the future is in the keeping of One who loves you with a perfect love.
"I know not where God's islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care."
• From The Congregationalist.
Youth Looks at
By the REV. CHAS. A. PLATT, ~, East Orange, New Jersey I Assistant Minister of the Munn Avenue Church A CONFERENCE table! Around it are gath- effect he has upon the personal, social and political ered a group of twenty young people of lives of the people, and what motivating power college age or older. They have come to- sent him there in the first place. 'These are factgether to begin a study of some definite religious finding queries, not argumentative footballs to be topic each week during the winter. What sub- kicked about a conference table. They lead to a ject will best enable us to view Christianity in the greater understanding of the whole enterprise and face of today's problems? Is Christ's faith and are fundamental in determining questions of pol- life being carried along by the momentum it icy after the subject is mastered. To argue gathered in a by-gone age, or has Christianity whether missions are good or bad is to attempt to within itself a power strong enough to face our determine a policy before we know the problem.
materialistic world? Every thinking person will agree, regardless of To answer such questions we must view Chris- his other convictions on the subject, that the mis- tianity on the frontier where it stands or falls on sionary enterprise is the most unselfish activity its own merits. Stripped of local tradition, and in the world. Any man who will bury himself in having been transplanted into a new philosophical the heart of a jungle, or lose himself in the midst and social climate, one could see the workings of of a hostile mining community, without thought the Christian enterprise in its primary stages. of remuneration or recognition, is certainly un- This is just what the group wanted. What better selfish in the true sense of the word. Therefore, vantage point could be found than to look at he must have been spurred on by a great ideal or Christianity through the eyes of the missionary? loyalty which would cause him to make stich a Thus we began a year's course in missions. It sacrifice. What is that ideal? How effectively was not a select group, but one which could be has he been able to realize it? Has that ideal duplicated in a hundred different communities. helped or hindered the people to whom he has There was no common background, except youth gone? These questions point out the path which and new-found friendships, There were eight col- leads to truth.
leges represented by actual students, and a larger Youth is making a valiant attempt to fit the number of institutions by alumni. But from this whole missionary enterprise into the picture of varied background and experience, there arose one international relations. In so doing, he finds one strong common bond-interest in missions. of the strongest arguments in favor of Christian Our first question was, "Do you believe in for- mISSIOns. One glance at the panorama of this eign missions?" Instead of the usual thoughtless modern world reveals how much closer together answer, "There's too much to be done at home," people are living now than in any previous genthe group replied, "How can we know what we eration. The old world of Africa and Asia is believe or do not believe until we know something no longer a month's or year's journey by land and more about the subj ect?" They had found the sea. The peoples and problems of these lands are key to understanding the missionary enterprise. a part of our daily life. We read the news, we Before making up' their minds, either for or see the pictures, we think of them as neighbors. against the great work, they determined to study We recognize the folly of any attempt on the part the subject from an inductive point of view. of America to live a self-contained, self-sufficient When youth looks at missions he does not neces- life. We must approach the other peoples of the sarily argue. In fact, if he does, he is apt to world as_ part of one great family. This implies spend all of his time polishing arguments instead industrial and political intercourse. Should'it not of searching for truth. Therefore, to approach also mean religious fellowship?
the subject from an inductive point of view is the Youth reasons that if we are sufficiently inter- most helpful because it is the most progressive. ested in Africa to develop its natural resources We want to know, says youth, what the mission- and use it as a market for industry, why should ary does for a community, what he teaches, what we not be just as much interested in sharing with [416 ] these people what we believe to be the best phase view of our religion opens the door to a blessed of our civilization, namely, Christ and His teach- faith. ings? Too often the industrialization of a primi- tive land means its exploitation. We too often Then there arises a more batHing problem. send our worst; let us also send our best. The What about missions and Christianity's modern balance of influence must favor righteous living competitors? No ancient religion is encroaching . and the ideals of brotherhood if America is to upon the realm of Christianity, but materialism, build for a better future. rationalism and secularism are its most potent enemies. How does Christianity measure up when Youth is idealistic. He is seeking to adjust his confronted with Communism, Fascism, or ma- thinking and his actions to the ide:;tls which he terialistic humanism? What has the religion of cherishes. And in missions he sees a purely un- Christ to offer a world just awakening socially selfish attempt to help make mankind better. He and industrially? In many a mission land, the sees other religions holding civilizations on the modern trend is away from its established reli- low level of ignorance, hatred, indifference, gion-Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, or Confucian- selfishness, and Christianity raising humanity in ism. Will the people of such a land embrace to- every instance to higher levels. Christ-through talitarianism, a superpatriotism, an aggressive His missionary-must be the answer-the only nationalism, or Christianity?
answer. Is the moderp youth interested in missions? Religion is a complex thing in even its simplest Of course he is! He loves romance, he longs for news from strange places and about strange peo- forms. Yet behind its outward aspects and within pIe; he thrills at courageous adventure; and the its ramifications, there seem to be two funda- fire of his interest is kindled anew by reports that mentals absolutely necessary for effective life and stimulate his imagination. Paint a vivid picture fellowship with God: They are sincerity and of life on the Tibetan frontier or in the wilds of truth. Without the former in the heart of the Africa, or a winter in northern Alaska, or among believer and the latter at the heart of the religion, the Indians in the great southwest, and you have there can be no real progress to higher things. captivated youth. Give him facts, something defi- Youth takes these two principles and uses them nite to cling to; give him a practical, working ap- as a test of all religions. He sees evidences of the plication of the abstract truth in religion. He sincerity of millions who worship a multitude of wants to be definite, he wants to know. Expose gods. He sees some truth in every faith, but him to the Christian missionary enterprise and amid them all, he sees faith in Christ as the reve- you bring his soul closer to the Kingdom of God. lation of God standing far above and beyond the others. He sees in that faith a basis for an THE SCULPTOR OF THE SOUL eternal hope which spurs men on, and a love which is as broad as humanity itself. As the sculptor works in wood and stone I would devote myself to the living soul. Let there be no mistake. Youth also sees many But I face the solemn thought that the sculptor evidences of insincerity, hypocrisy, sham, and in- difference hiding beneath the cloak of Christian- cannot carve either in wood or in stone any- ity. But being idealistic, he recognizes these thing better than himself. faults as evidence of human weakness rather than All the lines of my carving as signs of theological fallacy. Christianity, he Will but reveal my own soul. says, is the true solution of the world's problems, Gazing at my hand, at my chisel, I shudder. and the work of Christian missions is the .method How long will it take for this human sculpture by which its frontiers are advanced. which I can never carve better or finer than my own soul? .Furthermore, the missionary approach to reli- How shall I escape! how escape from my pitiable, gion is the positive approach. It counterbalances limited self, and rise to become a carver of the vast amount of current religious argument. God! In a very real sense this approach is the evan- gelistic approach. It must be. No youth can Happily there is a guide for me, understand Christian missions until he has probed One Who has opened the door of the sanctuary, deeply into the positive statements of faith with One Who in His living flesh which the successful missionary is armed. He Has given us an Image of the living God. must understand and know the importance of hav- ing great convictions about the Sovereignty of -Toyohiko Kagawa. God; the Person of Christ and His Mission; about sin and the needs of men; as to divine power and the place of the Holy Spirit. Such a
Filipino Superstitions
I -&( By MASON LOWE, Mount Vernon, Iowa I)at- ~==============================~ T HE break between the older and younger In the same province an image of the Virgin in generations today is very noticeable in the one of the churches was supposed to have the Philippines. Newspapers, magazines, schools miraculous power of showing approval or disapand churches, travel, and contact with foreigners, proval of the parishioners by a change in its facial have caused the younger, educated young people expression. Generous contributions to the church to discard most of the superstitions harmful to caused the image to assume a benignant expres- progress, but some of these still crop up and oc- sion. Immoral acts brought on an expression of casionally are a positive menace. sadness. The image was reputed to wander Many superstitions are connected with animals around the streets at night, watching over the and nature. The enormous ant hills that one sees village and protecting its inhabitants. In proof when traveling thrpugh the country are objects the people pointed to a small burr which appeared of superstition, and the peasants give them wide on the hem of the virgin's gown on the mornings berth when working in the fields. Owls and but- after her expeditions.
terflies are very much feared, especially if they One older high school student, who was acting come into the house. The tiny house lizard is as a supply pastor in a Protestant church in one regarded as a symbol of longevity, and houses of the isolated districts, went to a town in the are full of them. Their cries are supposed to hills. In the rainy season the town was particuforecast the coming of a visitor or some other larly susceptible to floods and this year the river unusual event. was especially threatening. The Roman Catholic Sneezing is looked upon as a bad omen. A de- priests took advantage of the situation by telling vout woman will always cross herself and mutter the people that the floods were a punishment from a prayer before going down steps. God because some of them had been listening to Everywhere night is considered favorable to a Protestant preacher.
demons. The aswang is an evil spirit that is be- Certain magic is known as anting-anting, and lieved to go abroad at night looking for victims. its medicine men are called arbolarios. Anting- Like the "banshee," he can be heard wailing on anting includes belief in incantations, amulets, windy nights. During the day he may assume and black magic. One of the more harmless forms some familiar shape such as that of a pig, a dog, is the belief that on first entering a new town one or a monkey. This may account for the fact that should taste a handful of earth from that town Filipinos, usually not over humane, are careful so as not to become homesick. In some districts not to harm certain animals. the more ignorant people find it difficult to dis- Just as the ignorant American mothers fright- tinguish between anting-anting and Christianity.
en crying children by telling them that the gypsy A constabulary officer was sent to investigate will get them, so does the ignorant Filipino fright- the activities of a certain young "wonder-healer"
en hers, using the "Bombay" as the bugaboo. The who was attracting hundreds of people with his "Bombays" are big hairy, turbaned Sikhs who cures. The officer, a graduate of the public high travel the countryside carrying packs on their schools and of the academy for the training of backs, the contents of which they peddle about. constabulary officers, took his wife, who suffered Many people, even high school students, attribute from headaches, along to consult the apo before crimes and misdemeanors to "Bombays" or per- proceeding with the investigation.
sons with an evil spirit. The apo, a psychopathic case, began to have Superstitions vary greatly according to locality. visions from God demanding that he cure people, In one place near Manila I found practically none. by touching them and prescribing a bottle of soda In another province my students were contin- water. The vendors of soda water wheeled their ually quoting local taboos. A senior high school carts up to the house and did a thriving business.
girl, who was absent one day, on her return ex- Anting-anting is also used as first aid to jilted plained that the night before she had seen a ghost lovers.
and had to go to bed. A mixture of salt and Many of the beliefs in the Islands have their garlic, rubbed on her body, had made her immune counterparts in other countries. Riding with a from harm! Filipino friend in a district only a few miles from [418 ]
IF I WERE BLACK
Manila, I passed through a rather out-of-the-way adds: "It is hoped that the people can be induced village near Laguna de Bay, which specializes in to eat them as the Tagalogs do. Bulletins describwitchcraft. Many old people can be hired to do ing their preparation can be obtained from the harm to an enemy. They make wax effigies, and Bureau of Agriculture." after mumbling incantations stick pins into the effigy or melt it over a slow fire. The torture that When a typhoon and earthquake almost wiped the enemy undergoes corresponds to the treatment out the town of J 010, a serious outbreak against of the images. the government followed and many soldiers and Moros were killed. The Filipino reporter who The minority races in the Philippines present went to investigate the situation, sent back word their own peculiar problems. For example, some that the Moros were disturbed because they be- Moros in Mindanao caused trouble for Bureau of lieved that the catastrophes came as a punish- Agriculture officials who were sent there to try ment from God because their spiritual and temto control the locust pest. Believing that the lo- poral head, the Sultan of Sulu, had taken to cigacusts are protected by Saint Augustine, the Moros ret smoking and cabaret frequenting while he was were doing their best to prevent the officials from supposed to be attending to his legislative duties exterminating them. The newspaper dispatch in Manila.
If I Were Black* By LEILA AVERY ROTHENBURGER The Wife of the Pastor of 'the Third Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana A VERY alert and widely read Pullman porter more," in which he tells of the chilling blight of told me that he would hate to be a white racial hatred as it falls upon the heart of an erst- man. His reason, stated without trace of while happy lad of eight. It is this downright rancor, was that while the Negro has a hard time meanness, passed on to child from parent, that I physically and economically he does not in addi- should not be able to endure unless indeed my soul tion have to battle his own meanness. It was an had wings. evaluation of the relative spiritual calibers of two races. I am the wife of a minister, belong to the so- called middle class, university trained, and I am About four years ago I listened to a Christian rearing a family. Suppose my skin were black? Endeavor group discuss the question, "Would you How would the picture change? As a family we rather be born black or blind?" Concentric circles would sink in the scale of living. We would be of thought produced by that incident are still wid- forced to move into a neighborhood much less deening in my brain. If I were black? Trying to fit sirable. Economically we would sink to the verge into this mood I have read books, searched tables of poverty. If my children were to continue their of statistics, listened to speakers white and black, education I would have to join my husband as a made a seminar journey into the Southland and wage earner. Culturally we would be cut off from repeatedly have found myself submerged in a sea practically every fine feature of advancement and of discouraging facts. entertainment that the city offers, other than the public library. Many of these facts the whites need to know in order that they may understand how underprivi- I begin to list Negro families I know in which leged the Negro is physically, economically and the parents are trained folk – doctors, teachers, culturally. But when all such facts have been religious workers; people whose positions are inpresented, I am inclined to think that, if I were dicative of their character and preparation. black, it would not be these handicaps that would concern me most. They would no doubt worry The first is a dentist who maintains a home me but they would not crush my heart. The thing comparable, in this case even as to location, to that would dishearten me is that which is made mine. Recently during the illness of the little vocal for us in Countee Cullen's poem, "In Balti- child in that home, the mother, unable to leave, telephoned to the nearest grocery, explained the • From World Oall for February. 1935. situation and asked that certain much-needed articles be delivered at her door. The grocer re-
fused. The delivery boy, touched by sympathy, Negro came in and, after purchasing and paying surreptitiously took the things to the mother. for several articles, asked for a soda. In a voice that could be heard by everyone present the clerk Next Miss X comes to mind. She is a univer- said, "If you want a soda you'll have to go outside sity graduate and a high school teacher. When to drink it." "Green Pastures" was booked to appear in my city, the theater sent letters to all high school I am not presenting an argument with reference teachers urging them to see this remarkable play to the policy of the drug store or the above-menby an all-Negro cast. Unable to go herself but tioned theater. We are dealing with this matter thinking the invitation sincere, Miss X notified a of meanness. If commercial concerns are going friend who would want to see the play. This per- to pursue the segregation policy, why are they not son ordered a ticket by mail and on the afternoon decent enough to do it when it means the loss of before the performance made a trip of one hun- money as well as of what they think is social dred twenty-five miles to the theater. At the door status? she was refused admittance because her ticket was for a part of the theater where a Negro might not Could This Happen? venture and the limited section to which they were restricted was sold out. A member of the board Not long ago the Federal Council of Churches of management of a large Y. W. C. A., and an- put out a pamphlet entitled Could This Happen in other high school teacher had the same experi- Your Community? We studied the leaflet and ence. They were free to walk the streets while found it all too easy to duplicate the instances of they meditated upon the land with "liberty and human meanness that the dominant race in our justice for all." land shows to its minority groups.
Do you remember the thrill that was yours as a But why go on? Such a recital always irritates child when you rode on a merry-go-round; how certain groups who either accuse one of being you picked out the particular charger you desired sentimental or fling back with, "Why don't you to ride? The tantalizing music set your toes danc- tell the good things the whites are doing?" The ing. Pictures of lovely ladies whirled by so fast fine things done are blazed forth. If I were black you could not tell which was the loveliest. It was I should try to talk about them more; being white hard to watch both the ladies and the horses. I need to find where I am at fault. When your turn came, how you wished that nickels grew on bushes that you might ride and ride. I am concerned to know what I would do if day My third name is that borne by a little lad who after day such things had to be faced. For a long gazed with shining eyes a long summer through. time I halted between the pronouncements of two Why could not he ride? Rather than tell him his other gentlemen whom I might have quoted in father took him along on a trip to New York. At preference to the Pullman porter. One of them Coney Island the ride went on and on until the is the late Dr. John Hope whose sensitive face pocketbook was cleaned of the last nickel, but comes to mind as he says, when speaking of a rewhether the lad or the watching father enjoyed it buff, "Such things are so common in our lives more only the gods can tell. This father is a that they no longer cause resentment, only fatrained executive, head of an institution that is tigue." The other is Dr. W. E. B. DuBois who, doing a most constructive work in community up- looking us squarely in the eyes, speaks in his beaulift. Judged by his training and what that train- tiful, well-clipped English, "We grant you whites ing is doing for the civic body, his child should superiority in only one thing, the technique of have every right that mine has. If I were black, personal insult." it would be denials of a child's right to happiness that would give me the Pullman porter philosophy. If I were black would I be able to show the world a face beautiful as an etching with suffer- Speaking of the child brings to mind the case ing and weary patience? Or would I, with an asthat runs the closest parallel with mine. It is a surance born of the knowledge that I was right, minister's home. Both parents are college trained hurl the javelins of bitter truth? Or would I goodand shepherding a large church. One of the chil- naturedly give thanks that I was not born into a dren has defective eyesight. I can think of noth- race whose soul is mean? ing that I as a mother would struggle so hard to keep for my child as that bit of precious vision. When I repeated the Pullman porter's sentence When the one class for the conservation of eye- to a well-known Negro writer there came a sudsight was opened this child was rejected because den illumination of the face that told me this eval- her skin is brown. uation of the white race struck a responsive chord.
One intolerably hot day we sat cooling ourselves Is it true? Do I belong to a race whose soul is in one of the well-known chain drug stores. A mean? Carrying in my mind's mirror the faces of a Hope, a DuBois, a Negro poet and a Pullman porter, I am not at ease.
STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL STATISTICS, ISSUED FOR
A blank was sent to the officials of the communions named below and the statistics are from their replies. Gifts reported are from living donors. Interest and legacies are not included. Budget benevolences are those in the denominational national budget. Denominational benevolences include budget benevolences and such other contributions as are made for denominational missionary and beneficent work outside of the budget. The statistics are for the denominational fiscal year.
The column headed "Total Gifts for All Purposes" in some cases contains gifts from living donors which were given either for non-budget denominational benevolences or for non- and interdenominational benevolences, and there is no method of dividing them.
PER CAPITA GIFTS I .,TOTAL GIFTS :IIi , ., gj '§6 1&::>lc'b1 ~1 oo I ..!.6 I Q:,6 r:>.:<I I I '0": >'I r:.:I 13 .. >'I 'E~ 10 Ii'; "'0": .A0.O.,:>f"f'iI ! I i I I … -3 ,,0":0": .0.".. :~- : <il .E <il <il -.3. I ~0§:-oo I <il I .."0: IA>'I ~~0~'"I ! 0: Communion Itl 0: 0: oo "0: ! I I 0: I I p"'"o", '" .>.".'I,I~~ :3~ :3~ ~ & I :3 00 "" I""'" ,s;;1 "'" " '"§"~ ! """00 & do: I0 >."..'I, ~"; I -e:;;;8 0 '":a "0 rgs:lO'J 0"0,1O""l ,"00 I I A I 0~:.,=,0.;: I J"''l"."< 00 ">'I " ""0"10'1" , «Is:l~1 ""oo I ,13 .. '§-3 "" , '" ~.2 ~ ~:3~ i ."'0" '0 '"'" ~~s:l "0":0": , Jl.< """ g 1°0:~ 0'" 0"0,:0"": § ~I :::: "0 00 0: ": _" I 010<:> I :;a 13 "0 Z A Z I 0 I "'1 ">'I I o"Ol 00 ' " :;";: I 01 liZ< !Z ;.< I Baptist, Northern ……………………. $1.55 1 $1.59 . ….. $9.74 $11.341 $2,290,247.00 $65,611.00 , 1,480,231 April 30, 1935 4,277,052 April 30, 1935 $0.04 , $2,355,858.00 ……………. $14,423,290.00 $16,779,148.00 Baptist, Southern ……………………. 0.99 …… I 0.99 …… 4.77 5.76 4,251,668.00 ……………. 4,251,668.00 ……………. 20,401,608.00 24,653,276.00 Brethren, Church of …………………. 1.22 0.63 1.86 $0.44 6.28 8.58 195,376.00 100,000.00 295,376.00 $70,000.00 1,000,000.00 1,365,376.00 159,128 Feb. 28, 1935 Brethren in Christ, United …………… 1.37 3.641 1.73 1.84 8.81 10.72 562,505.00 147,556.00 710,061.00 75,520.00 3,609,181. 00 4,394,762.00 409,874 Oct. I, 1935 1,443,942.00 157,799.00 1,601,761.00 512,816.00 13,305,260.00 15,419,837.00 Congregational and Christian ………… 1.42 0.15 1.57 0.50 13.00 15.00 1,029,002 1934 Disciples of Christ ……………………. 0.86 0.33 1.19 0.06 6.39 6.64 1,899,068.06 529,347.12 1,928,415.18 90,000.00 8,727,830.00 10,746,245.18 1,618,832 June 30, 1935 1,833,651.00 1,608,338.00 Episcopal, Protestant ……………….. 0.90 0.78 1.68 …… 13.31 14.99 3,441,989.00 ……………. 27,134,440.00 30,576,429.00' 2,038,477 1934 Evangelical Church …………………… 1.58 0.92 2.50 0.51 15.23 18.24 370,417.00 214,938.00 585,355.00 118,932.00 3,559,600.00 4,263,887.00 233,792 Aug. 31, 1935 3,310,817.73 3,836,340.63 281,598 Jan. 31, 1935 Evangelical Synod of N. A. ………….. 1.34 0.51 1.85 0.02 11.75 13.62 378,334.08 142,933.37 521,267.45 4,255.45 11,626,185.00 13,834,729.00 1,066,686 Dec. 31, 1934 9,860,727.00 12,093,094.00 994,366 Dec. 31, 1934 Lutheran Church, United …………….. …… …… 2.07 …… 10.90 12.97 ……………. ……….. , …. 2,208,544.00 ……………. 9,974,492.00 12,726,618.00 981,588 Dec. 31, 1934 Lutheran Conference, American ………. …… …… 85,125 Dec. 31, 1934 2.25 …… 9.92 12.17 ……………. ……………. 2,232,367.00 ……………. 583,240.00 737,760.00 Lutheran Conference, Synodical ……… …… …… 2.80 …… 10.16 12.96 ……………. ……………. 2,752,126.00 . …………… Lutheran, Other Synods ……………… …… …… 1.82 …… 6.85 8.67 ……………. ……………. 154,520.00 …………….
Methodist Episcopal ………………….. 1.61 0.12 1.72 0.15 12.27 14.151 5,966,817.00 435,745.00 6,402,562.00 560,805.00 45,560,265.00 52,523,632.00 3,711,702 May 31, 1934 1.64 0.67 2.31 0. 191 6.85 9.36, 18,695,683.00 25,533,820.00 2,727,485 Dec. 31, 1934 Methodist Episcopal, South ………….. 3.70 0. 191 15.90 19.791 4,476,217.00 1,843,420.00 6,319,637.00 518,500.00 3.70 …… 274,940.30 342,247.67 17,294 Dec. 31, 1934 Moravian, North …………………….. 4.52 …… 22.25 26.77 63,970.46 . …………… 63,970.46 3,336.91 2,489,800.00 2,995,572.00 111,905 Dec. 31, 1934 1.78 2.73 2,579,253.00 3,866,908.00 179,338 Mar. 31, 1935 Nazarene, Church of …………………. 4.85 1.85 6.70 0.48 14.88 21.56 199,664.00 806,108.00 505,772.00 ……………. 6,626,358.00 9,086,068.00 477,467 Mar. 31, 1935 Presbyterian, United …………………. 4.26 0.70 29,186,135.00 35,655,536.00 1,920,897 Mar. 31, 1935 Presbyterian, U. S. …………………… 2.55 0.82' 4.96' 0.19 13.88 19.03 868,893.00 333,352.00 1,202,245.00 85,410.00 Presliyterian, U. S. A………………… 3.37 …… 15.19 18.56 2,032,248.00 336,238.00 2,368,486.00 91,224.00 4,899,762.00 1,569,639.00 6,469,401.00 …………….
Reformed In America …………………. 3.15 0.15 3.29 0.59 17.58 21.46 503,902.00 23,351.00 527,253.00 94,048.00 2,814,040.00 5,435,341.00 160,065 April 30, 1935 Reformed in United States ……………. 1 1.52 0.73 2.25 0.14 10.25 12.64 527,986.01 254,968.80 782,954.81 48,118.19 3,568,769.00 4,399,842.00 348,189 Dec. 31, 1934 222,975.00 33,488.52 861,726.21 1,118,189.73 56,600 Sept. 30, 1935 Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec 3.95 0.51 4.53 …… 15.20 19.10 488,832.00 88,867.00 256,463.52 ……………. 3,026,704.00 179,548 Jan. 31, 1935 Presbyterian In Canada ………………. 2.73 0.50 3.22 …… 13.51 16. 74 1 2,424,937.00 577,699.00 …………….
United Church of Canada …………….. -3.-57 -0.-11 3.68 0.34 13.92 17.95 2,244,346.00 71,199.00 2,315,545.00 216,734.00 8,748,858.00 11,281,137.00 Ii 628,614 Dec. 31, 1934 $8,262,898.81 $50,831,296.42 — — — 1 $2,489,699.55 $251,347,435.24 i $304,692,499.21 25,174,855 …………….
$1.60 $0.47 $2.02 $0.21 $9.98 $12.10[ $35,220,820.61 Compiled for the United Stewardship Council, HARRY S. MYERS, Secretary, 152 Madison Avenue, New' York City, January. 1936.
l421 J
Notable
JAMES L. BARTON accustomed to say with great emphasis, "The missionaries are the Board in action." The thirty-three years of Dr. James L. Barton's service as Foreign Secretary of the Ameri- This attitude, and his eager interest in the work can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- of each individual missionary under his care sions, almost exactly covered the time of the greatly endeared Dr. Barton to the workers on mighty forward surge in missionary giving of the field. A little incident illustrates this attitude. men and of money that came with the growth of Early in my own missionary career I had written the Student Volunteer Movement. He was pe- an article for our missionary paper in India, and culiarly fitted in mind and spirit to enter into and to my surprise and delight I received a letter playa leading part in just such a great epoch of from Dr. Barton expressing appreciation and sug- gesting that I write more. In his busy career he advance as that in which he lived. had found time not only to read this paper from The passing of this great Christian in Brook- India, but to write a friendly note to a young line, Massachusetts, on July 21st calls to mind mIssIOnary. When we missionaries came home this remarkable period of the Christian Church we always found Dr. Barton's door open to us.
in which he was a conspicuous leader. Even though his program of work was so crowded Dr. Barton responded to the missionary call that it meant burning midnight oil, he allowed no missionary to feel that he did not have abundant while a student at Hartford Theological Seminary time to talk with him and share his problems. and went to Turkey as a missionary in 1885. He was of tbe stock and background of Northern He was always a missionary at heart. As foreign New England and had the combination of deep secretary he carried into his work the convictions religious devotion, strong common sense and vig- he had gained as a missionary, and gave effective orous executive ability that the hard soil of New encouragement to the development of strong na- England has sometimes produced. In his delight- tive churches, and of educational institutions ful "Recollections," printed in the Missionary Her- which would be qualified to train native leaderald in 1927, he tells us that he went to the field ship.
without any special missionary preparation, so Another great principle in his program was his that at least there was not a great deal for him emphasis on union efforts. He early discovered to unlearn. the loss that came through division, and he never Evidently he brought to his work the same alert could understand why all Protestant churches on openmindedness that has been an outstanding the field should not be united. He realized the characteristic throughout his entire life. He was associated with strong missionaries and native importance of union in education and was a conleaders and quickly learned that missions must spicuous and effective promoter of union colleges and theological seminaries. '
be a cooperative enterprise between these two Many vigorous and significant higher educa- groups, conducted on terms of complete equality. tional institutions on the field today, some under He also soon became' a convinced believer that a the American Board alone but more under union self-supporting, self-governing and self-propagat- boards of trustees or under independent manage- ing church is at the heart of the missionary pro- ment, owe a great debt to Dr. Barton. These form gram, and, a little later, that higher education is a remarkable and enduring monument. important for the development of leadership in As we would expect from a man of his cath- such a church. olic spirit, cooperative planning among the boards When Dr. Barton was called to be foreign sec- at home found in him a strong supporter. He was retary of the American Board in 1894 he hesi- one of the prominent leaders of the Foreign Mistated a long time before accepting, saying that sions Conference of North America. he regarded his missionary career as primary, Dr. Barton's work as foreign secretary early but the health of Mrs. Barton made it necessary took him on deputations to Japan and to India for them to stay in America and he finally ac- and Ceylon, and later to China. With keen incepted. For the third of a century during which sight and sympathy he entered into the life and he was foreign secretary he gave primary place problems of these lands and in the process himto the mission and the native church, regarding self grew to the stature of a world citizen. Indeed his own function as largely that of advocate and this became one of Dr. Barton's most distinctive promoter of the work for whose policies and con- characteristics. He was a man whose heart and duct they were primarily responsible. He was mind habitually took in the world.
[422 ] The combination of great qualities in Dr. Bar- portant place it held in the interest of the Chris- ton gave him a position of influence with leaders of American life. He was at home with statesmen tian public. and presidents as well as with business men and philanthropists. He awakened in men of large The period of financial depression came after business such a sense of confidence in his wisdom and such a desire to share in the enterprises that Dr. Barton had retired as foreign secretary and he laid before them, that they entrusted to the Board millions of dollars largely to build and en- put his policies to the severest test. I have just dow educational institutions in which he was in- terested. returned from a trip to many of the missions in He also had the art of putting into clear and which Dr. Barton was most deeply interested and DR. JAMES L. BARTON can say with assurance that the principles for convincing form the appeal of the world-wide which he worked have stood this test. The higher Christian enterprise. His first book, "The Mis- sionary and His Critics" was effective in break- educational institutions were so well founded that ing down prejudice and winning support. "The Unfinished Task," written for the Student Vol- they have continued to carryon and some of them unteer Movement was a powerful marshaling of the appeal of missions. "Daybreak in Turkey" even to go forward. The leadership training has and "The Christian Approach to Islam" were careful studies of particular areas of effort. In been done so well that many nationals have taken these and other books and in many articles for a great variety of magazines and for the daily over work formerly carried by missionaries and . press, Dr. Barton played a conspicuous part in giving the missionary enterprise the vitally im- the churches have assumed heavy new duties.
The opening of the War brought a new chal- lenge to Dr. Barton's leadership through the suf- ferings it brought to peoples of the Near East.
With characteristic ability Dr. Barton helped to organize the Near East Relief, of which he was chairman throughout its life. This great under- taking won warm support from Jew, Catholic and Protestant in America as well as from all the governments concerned. It raised and spent tens of millions of dollars and saved the lives of un- counted thousands of suffering people. Dr. Bar- ton was also prominent in organizing and con- ducting the Near East Foundation growing out of the Near East Relief and carrying on perma- nent service in that great area.
Up to the time of his death Dr. Barton was a member of many boards on which he was render- ing service of high order. His mind was alert and resourceful to the end. He was a great op- timist. That was a principal element in his strength. But his optimism was not the result of shallow thinking. It was deep-rooted in the character of God. It was his living faith in the God of Christ that made it possible to face even the hell of war experiences in the Near East and still to believe in the coming of God's Kingdom among men. There is nothing that the Christian Church needs today more than men of such deep- rooted, contagious faith as that of James L. Bar- ALDEN H. CLARK. * ton.
BISHOP LLOYD Arthur Selden Lloyd was a Twentieth Century saint. His saintliness was manifested by aware- ness of God in every phase of human life and by power to help others realize spiritual possibilities.
Born near Alexandria, Virginia, in 1857, his young boyhood was spent amid the anxieties and sacrifices resulting from the war between the North and South. As a youth he shared the physi- cal and spiritual agonies of the reconstruction • Secretary of the American Board.
period. That he came through it all with a loving telling of its successes and failures and calling heart, is sufficient indication of the quality of his upon his fellow churchmen to pray, to give their soul. He intended to study law but the influence children and their money, and to ally themselves of an older brother, who was finding joy in the with God's purpose for the world. He became a minis,try of the Church, led him to enter the Vir- great missionary to the conscience of the church. ginia Theological Seminary instead of the Uni- The old miracle was repeated-the dry bones beversity Law School. gan to live.
After five years service in rural mission In 1906-07 Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd visited the mischurches, he was called, in 1885, to St. Luke's sions in Japan, China, the Philippines and Hawaii, church, one of the smaller parishes of Norfolk, as well as some of the Church of England work Virginia. The fifteen years that followed were a in India. He found little to criticize, but much to period of unconscious preparation for tasks that be thankful for in the spirit of the missionaries, lay ahead. St. Luke's grew into the largest and and in the sound planning of the leaders. On the most active parish in the city, but better still it other hand, his rare gift of understanding, his became a parish whose rector and people were quick sympathy and his self-identification with known throughout the Southland as devoted dis- the workers, won their lasting affection and stimciples of Christ and eager to serve their fellow ulated them to do their best. They realized that men. "Mr. Lloyd," as he was affectionately they had a champion at the Home Base who unknown, became one of Norfolk's first citizens, and derstood them and the cause to which they had his walks through the business districts were con- given their all. Reinforced by first hand knowlstantly interrupted by the men of his congrega- edge, Dr. Lloyd returned enthusiastically to the tion and others who wanted a word with the "Par- work of arousing the church to the greatness of son." His influence with young men especially is her opportunity. evidenced by the number who were led by him to enter the ministry, and who are doing solid work In the period from 1904-1908, Dr. Lloyd was today in various parts of the country. elected successively to the episcopate by the Dio- ceses of Mississippi, Kentucky, Southern Virginia Arthur Selden Lloyd always taught his people and Maryland. Convinced though he was, of the that their church has a world-wide mission to high and important character of the office of bishmake our Lord known, and his intensive work in op in the church, Dr. Lloyd felt it his duty to dethe diocese was stimulated and balanced by a cline these successive calls to the bishopric, in world outlook. In 1899 he was elected to be Gen- order to continue in his missionary post. When, eral Secretary of the Board of Managers of the however, in 1909, his home Diocese of Virginia Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the elected him to be Bishop-Coadjutor, he felt Episcopal Church, whose work has been lan- obliged to accept. The following year the Board guishing for lack of spiritual conviction and fi- of Missions recommended a recasting of the adnancial support. There were some rare leaders ministrative machinery and at the triennial Genand faithful workers in the mission fields over- eral Convention of the Church in 1910 Bishop seas and at home. They faced boundless opportu- Lloyd, by a large majority was elected president nities in the field, but when they looked to the of the Board of Missions with increased executive home church they saw but half-hearted concern. authority. The office of General Secretary had been vacant for more than two years, and four men had suc- There followed a decade of notable constructive cessively declined to take up the task. To Arthur work. Bishop Lloyd visited the African mission Lloyd the action of .the Board was the call of the and on his return he devoted himself to two Church and, through it, the call of God. With major projects: one provided for a further addetermination to give himself to the work with- ministrative reorganization of all the general acout reserve, he entered upon his duties at the tivities of the church under one authority, known National Headquarters in New York City. The as "the Presiding Bishop and the National Countechnique of the task was new, but its aim and cil," the other called upon the church as a whole purpose had been the guiding principles of all to move forward to a "Nation-Wide Campaign" his ministry-to win men and women to dis- for the development of all its resources, spiritual cipleship to their Lord and Saviour. That, he and material for the extension of the Kingdom of asserted, is the mission of the Church. What men God. When these two projects were adopted by sometimes slightingly call "missions" are sim- the General Convention of 1919, Bishop Lloyd ply the means by which the mission of the Church retired from full time administration of national is to be realized. work but continued to be an invaluable member of the Department of Missions and of the Ameri- For six years he traveled widely over the United can Church Institute for Negroes. States, interpreting the mission of the Church, As Bishop Manning truly said: "His life was
TWO NOTABLE LEADERS
an inspiration and example to all of us. In the A OHINESE EVANGELIST diocese of New York to which he was elected suffragan bishop in 1921, he was universally beloved, [On page 402 of this issue of THE REVIEW will be found and was one of the most beloved and revered an article by Rev. Andrew Gih, of Shanghai. Quite opbishops in the whole church." portunely there appeared, in China's Millions, this brief account of his work, but it came too late to be given space In his eightieth year, on July 22d, Bishop Lloyd with Mr. Gih's contribution.-EDIToR.] passed into the Life Beyond. It was a great happiness to him that he was able to carryon his Readers of Chiw,'s Millions are familiar with work to the end. Not only the Episcopal Church, the "Bethel Bands"-groups of Chinese evangelbut the whole Christian community is richer for ists who from their headquarters at Bethel in Shanghai have visited nearly every province in BISHOP ARTHUR SELDEN LLO'YD China, including scores of China Inland ~ission stations. We have recently had the privilege of the life of this saintly and very human bishop, welcoming at Newington Green, London, Dr. who had such rare capacity for inspiring all sorts ~ary Stone, the Chinese leader of the work, and of people to desire and to choose the Christian her American colleague, ~iss Hughes, and on Oclife. He was a notable member of interdenom- tober 29th Pastor Andrew Gih hopes to arrive in inational gatherings, not so much because of what England from America. The duration of his stay he said as because of what he was. He was a great is uncertain, but our Deputation Secretary, the missionary leader, a great friend and above all a Rev. T. Gear Willett, has agreed to arrange opengreat interpreter to others of the ~aster he so ings for him in this country. He is a fluent Engfaithfully and joyfully served. lish speaker, and though he is primarily an evan- gelist, he has a message for Christian people also. JOHN W. WOOD.* Pastor Gih entered the Bethel High School in • Executive Secretary of the Department of Missions of the Na- Shanghai as a bitter opponent of Christianity. tional Council of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His primary object was to learn English, but gradually he began to be conscious of spiritual need, and one of the instruments used by God for his conversion was ~iss C. F. Tippet. Now for nearly ten years he has been one of the most prominent leaders of the evangelistic bands. On our visit to China last year we were constantly hearing of souls saved and Christians revived through his ministry. Last year it was arranged that he should visit the United States, not to speak at meetings, but for a rest and change after years of most strenuous work. But there too, both amongst Chinese in California, and at a large number of Bible conferences and other meetings, his time has been fully occupied with work for the ~aster. Pastor Gih specially asks for the prayers of our readers that his visit to this country may be for blessing both to himself and to others through him. We are fully assured that his one desire is to exalt Christ as an all-sufficient Saviour for sinners and for saints.
Roger Babson recently decl!!.red: "I have not been able to find a single useful institution which has not been founded by either an intensely religious man or by the son of a praying father or a praying mother. I have made this statement before the Chamoers of Commerce of all the largest cities of the country, and have asked them to bring forward a case that is an exception to this rule. Thus far, I have not heard of a single one."-The Watchman-Examiner.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'==========================~I OUR SUMMER SURVEY its letter is filled in between the·· of the Department of Race Rela- From the vantage point of a dotted outlines with any color tions in the Federal Council of series of summer conferences the Department Editor has come desired. A Grade B auxiliary is Churches, a Lenten Offering to realize that the new missionary plans of the various denomi- one completing eight goals, Service and a mite box demonnations have a sizable "Greatest Common Divisor" ; that Grade A representing all the 10 stration e n tit led "The Last ecclesiastical specifics may be de- goals. With the slogan, "Doing Mite." The May program is on leted without marring some excellent program patterns; that Common Things in an Uncom- "Appreciation of Our Missioneach unit will be enriched by neighborly borrowings, and that mon Way" (a method followed ary Family" (Wesleyan Service on the road to victory we all should heed the admonition of at Tuskegee Institute for Ne- Guild, Young People's and Junthe Negro spiritual, "Walk Togedder, Chillen." groes), the women begin follow- ior societies), incorporating a ing the outline in a 59-page dialogue in which the several in- This year's study themes are practical and inspiring and lend booklet entitled "Appreciation terests are discussed under the themselves particularly well for Year Studies," each program of impersonative conceptions of a general falling into step-and a quickstep at that. It is hoped which gives the actual material Everychild, Mychild and Ourthat the blue prints of plans for its introduction, background, child. This may be adapted for given in this and the October issue may prove helpful to pro- organization of the topic and a Mothers' and Daughters' bangram builders of various theological persuasions. All mate- considerable of the actual sub- quet, although a program esperial sent in to this Department will be given impartial consid- ject matter; this reduces the cially for that use is given, to be eration and the absence of your leader's work to a minimum. illustrated with shadowgraphs. denomination's new material Thus the first program, on "An The June meeting, "Appreciawill simply mean that none has Appreciation of Citizenship," been furnished to the Editor. tion of the Year's Attainments," has a preview-introduction, an Appreciation Year article on "Origin-Background relieves the monotony of its an- nual reports by introducing an Under this unifying theme the Methodist Episcopal w 0 men -Purpose," the digest for a impersonation of the Recording have planned for their society and its affiliated or subsidiary talk on "Christian Citizenship in Angel dressed in white robes, o r g ani z a t ion s. A unique writing in a book of gold the "Achievement Poster" shows the Our Country," and a full text first few measures of the spir- for "The Challenge of the Pres- main points of the several reitual, "Lord, I want to be a ent." "An Appreciation of the ports and closing the service Christian"; but in place of notes with a poem of commendation. there appear in corresponding Value of Organization" follows; "Appreciation of Va cat ion positions on the staff the letters then "Appreciation 0 f 0 u r Days," for July, gives full direc- A, P, P, R, E, C, I, A, T, I, 0, N, Workers in Institutes" culmi- tions for high-class book rein broad outlines, each letter- nates in a monologue by Mrs. note correlated with a goal for the year. As a goal is attained, Greatheart, with a voice off- views. This booklet may be ob- stage entitled Mrs. Weakheart; tained from The Woman's Home Missionary Society, Methodist "Appreciation of the Prince of Episcopal Church, 420 Plum St., Peace" furnishes an original Cincinnati, Ohio, for 50 cents a copy, or booklet, poster and de- Christmas d ram a tic sketch; "Appreciation of Our Leader- ship" incorporates material for votional pamphlet for $1.00. the Leadership Training Course inclusive of a series of heart- The Young Woman's organi- searching questions to be an- zation has a correlated program swered; "Appreciation Studies" entitled "Youth's A Year," covers three successive pro- stressing the A's "that will help grams on the study book, "A us Attain, Achieve and Appre- ciate," even the study of the Preface to Racial Understand- American Negro fitting in. The ing," and incidentally includes a monthly topics are "All Advance true-and-false test, a paper on and Advance Along All Lines,"
"Church Women and Race Rela- "Aroused Action," "Ardent Ap- tions," by Katherine Gardner, preciation," "Adoration of a [426 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Saviour" (Christmas program), and drawing the name of the gro"-looking toward definite efforts "Achieving Anew," "Adventur- woman with whom she is to to cooperate with others in improving ing in Negro Realms," "Acquir- share it. the conditions under which the Negro ing Appreciation of Neg r 0 lives,. plays and works; "Hindrances Achievements," "Adjusting At- 5. The King's Highway. and Helps in Education"-seeking titudes," "Appreciation of Cul- deepened interest in the education of tural Art," "Able Attainments Autumn report of house parties the Negro in our country and efforts and Accumulated Assets" and and denominational and inter- for an equality in opportunities; "Adventures in Outdoor Atti- denominational summer confer- "His Contribution to America"-the tudes." ences. outcome to be an intelligent grasp of the largeness of the Negro's contribu- The Juniors continue their Stewardship program. tion and an increased respect for the travels on the "Road of the race; "The Negro and the Church"- Loving Heart," becoming this 6. The Path to the Ballot Box. indicating that we shall never attain year "Singing Partners." More to the Christlike spirit of kindness, will be told about these youth Christian Citizenship presentation. justice and brotherliness until we programs later, but each set of Our magazine (Missions). manifest these qualities in our contheir booklets and leaflets for duct toward Negroes in all church restudy, not inclusive of the text- 7. Highways and By-Ways. lations; "Conquest of Racial Prejubook, costs $1.00. With text- dice"-which focuses the whole study book, $1.50. Christian Friendliness (Christian upon the "Golden Rule Resolution," Americanization) . adapted to meet the Negro situation. The Forward. Fund Dedication of White Cross over- These excellent programs are re- This is really a movement on land quotas (missionary sup- plete with practical application and the part of the whole Baptist plies) . activation material and are so neglidenomination to advance spirit- gibly denominational that their appeal ually and financially in a cam- 8. The Road to Bethlehem. is universal. The pamphlet may be paign of intensive education and obtained for 15c from The American inspiration over a period of Christmas gift box opening. Baptist Publication Society, 1701-03 three years. The current year's Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. program in the women's work is 9. Crowded Streets. adaptable for various mission- "Graded Material for Teachers and ary units and age interests. It Christian Centers (social service Leaders in Church Schools" and based is entitled "Roads," from the work). on current mission study themes, corkeynote: "I will make all the related with handwork, story telling hilltops a highway, and lofty January reading of an annual and visualization is covered in a pamroads shall be built" (Kent's field booklet Baptists use daily phlet furnished free by The Baptist translation). A brief resume through the month. Board of Education as cited above. It follows: would be only fair, however, for ap- Play or program put on by chil- plicants from other denominations to Opening poem, "My Path," by Eliza- dren's organization. furnish postage for its mailing. beth Kendrick Holt. 10. Jungle Paths. Baptists have made a new venture 1. Cross Roads. this year outside of denominational. African Trails, using material corrals in issuing their rather lorgs Consecration of officers and mem- from THE REVIEW for October. catalogue of missionary education ma- bers of society. terial for various young people's Marking of Forward Fund poster. gr01lps in three sections, na'Inf.Jly: "For Introduction of new study books. Baptist Groups with Organizational Distribution of gift boxes. ("Mrs. 11. World Roads. Connection," "Independent Baptist Gr01tpS with No Affiliation" and "Bap- Pickett's Missionary Box" as Evening meeting for entire church, tist Gr01lps with Interdenmninational monologue, in costume.) invitations in form of coupons, Relationship," the materials and pro- booths arranged to represent prams built thereon being provided in 2. Country Lanes and Forest Trwils. foreign countries in which the affiliation with the general Missionary denomination has work, also Education Movement. "This coopera- Luncheon with program of Afri- one for the Forward Fund, with tive enterprise representing 36 boards can and Negro stories and Ne- costumed women in each to dis- in 14 denominations produces annu- gro spirituals. distribute literature. Audience ally high grade mission study books progresses according to schedule and teaching materials based on great Assign each woman the name and on tickets. Refreshments. themes and subjects." station of a missionary of whom she is to be a prayer partner Display of White Cross quotas for Let this good work go on among the and to whom she may send mes- overseas. young people even if the older folk sages during the year. cannot think outside of the ruts and Presentation of Every-Member brain-sets of specific theologies and 3. Christmas Street. Canvass plans. ecclesiastical blue prints. .
Porch or lawn party (in July) on 12. Paths of Pleasantness. "Southland Spirituals" contains 64 Christmas in mission lands. Negro songs as arranged by The Foreign gift box opening. Rodeheaver Co., 124 N. 15th St., Bringing of gifts to be sent in Banquet for girls of church Philadelphia, Pa., and sells for 25c. Christmas mission boxes. with program on "Pioneer Mis- sionary Heroines in America" "A Little Leaven," by Elsie Line- 4. Mountain Trails. and "Youth Unafraid" (study weaver and Mary Reed, is an inter- books by Anna Canada Swain). racial play with eight characters and W. W. G. (girls' organization) to two scenes. Order from The Federal plan picnic, inviting members Material for these programs Council of Churches, 105 E. 22d St., of women's society, each girl is cited on the folder, which lat- New York City. Price 15c. putting up two boxes of lunch ter may be obtained free from The Baptist Board of Mission- Brown Birthrights ary Education, 152 Madison Ave., New York City. Specifically this is a series of four programs on the Negro "The Negro in America"-six pro- grams inclusive of dramatic presenta- tions and suggested projects (for adults and older young people's groups) and based on "A Preface to Racial Understanding" has been pre- pared by Augusta Walden Comstock. The topics are: "His Story"-a study to test the assumption of superiority and inferiority relative to Negro and White races; "Odds Against the Ne-
brought out by the Board of Na- national Forward Movement Commis- Study of social standards for Negro tional Missions of the Presby- sion of the Church, is planning to family of the South, as drawn from terian Church, 156 Fifth Ave., make this possib:e on a diocesan scale fiction of the better type. New York City, for groups de- this year, and a national scale next siring to handle the theme in year. There is no reason why the The Negro family as revealed in ficmeetings of the women's and Church should remain in the horse- tion. young people's organizations or and-buggy stage of using lantern the midweek services of the slides and such primitive methods Summarize advantages and disadchurch. Price 10c. Other study when it has at its disposal such a vantages of segregation of Negroes in theme collateral published or great and effective force as the sound- schools. handled by this Board includes: on-film movie. . . . The bishop an- nounces that he is planning to raise Prepare material for denomina- A picture map of the U. S. (50c) sufficient funds to start on an experi- tional use in Negro school, as an exwith insert sheet sketches of Negro mental scale, with the intention of pressional project. life, to be colored, cut out and used broadening it to a national and poswith the map (10c). sibly an international scope next year. Roll call, "Incidents about my N e- Films would be made of prominent gro School Friends." Plays: entitled speakers, and through portable sound movie projectors the members of small Program for general public-ar- "Under the Skin"-l man, 5 women parishes who otherwise would be de- ranged as radio broadcast, dramatic as characters; time, 30 minutes; nied the opportunity of hearing the in part or whole, etc., using material price 10c. speaker could hear the addresses. of study book. Pictures could be made of institutions, "America Grows Up"-third epi- hospitals, schools, missionary projects, The Negro in Literature, illustrated sode of pageant, based on revelation and all the membership might be ac- by one or more readers preferably. that opportunity offered Negro girl in quainted with the work done through North is made possible by white the church, that missions might be A portrait gallery of notable Newoman whose father had asked for personalized. Only a few minutes are groes. the slave grandmother in payment of necessary to set up the sound projector a debt and had taken her North, thus and begin the movie. . . . Bishop Hob- Group singing of spirituals, with breaking up the Negro family. Three son mentions that missions have not stereopticon or printed programs and characters, with chorus of colored been personalized lately, and that the able leadership. children off stage; 15 minutes; 25c. church memJers thought too fre- quently of giving only in terms of Presentation of chapters 7 and 8 as Pictures: "the red side" and "the black side" of an open forum or panel discussion for the church envelope. class members, with or without others "Sepia Tones"-Ten enlarged pic- invited to listen. Discussion must be tures on photograph mounts, with ac- While nearly all denomina- carefully prepared by leaders, incorcompanying descriptive material and porating textual material yet giving worship service, affording full pro- tions are using movies to a opportunity for personal opinion. gram material. Rental 25c, plus post- greater or less extent, this would age both ways. seem to be the first connected Our Illustration movement on a large scale and "Teaching Pictures"-Ten in set, may well serve as a pace setter shows a group of genial Negro with descriptive material. Rental 15c, children in Granville, Ohio, plus double postage. for fellow denominations. where the Baptist Women's so- ciety held its June meeting as a "The Family Goes Traveling"-pic- "Preface to Racial Under- lawn picnic with the little folks, ture story book for children. Price in standing" costumed and drilled to sing in paper, 35c. a native dialect by Mrs. J. E. From the study outlines of Geil-a missionary at home on Stories: Mrs. B. P. Heubner, of Ottawa, furlough from her work in the Kansas, familiar to our readers Belgian Congo. The parents of "The Cow That Went to School" as an instructor at summer the children were guests of (children, 2c); "Little Lost Two schools of missions at Lake Ge- honor at the picnic supper, thus Pigs" (children, 3c); "Maceo Redcap" neva, Wis., and elsewhere, we furnishing a project as well· as (young people, 2c); "The Seventh cull a few of her outstanding a program looking toward racial Turn" (intermediates, 2c); "Trou- topics, questions and devices, as appreciation instead of prejubled Waters Clear" (intermediates, dice. 3c); "Why They Laugh" (young peo- follows: ple, 2c). The Negro worker in my commu- Seven familiar Negro spirituals at 5c per copy, $1.00 per hundred. nity.
Book of spirituals, 25c. Interview a representative Negro from the professions relative to possi- Three motion pictures and two bilities for his people in the professtereopticon lectures are also available in the autumn at moderate sions and business. rental. If you were a Negro with your Movies, both silent and sound, are coming into increasing use present educational and social equipfor missionary meetings, particularly in the annual schools ment, where would you seek and perof missions. The Episcopal Church is to make large use of haps secure employment? – sound movies in its current Forward Movement. The Granville Account of a visit to a Negro sec- Times says: tion of your own city, covering hous- The Rt. Rev. Henry W. Hobson, of ing, sanitation, social and recreational Southern Ohio, and chairman of the facilities, schools, churches, places of business, etc. May include more than one person's inspection.
Talk by Negro doctor or nurse in your community.
~====~='=""=~======,'"
BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~'~I~~~~~==~~~~~ Must It Happen Again? "It Must Not Happen Again"
In Arnold Zweig's "Educa- Courtesy 0/ the Sculptor Joseph P. Pollia tion before Verdun" (1936) there is on the front page an ad- "It must not happen again" is ment was dedicated May 30, monition to "Know thy lot, know the theme of the bronze monu- 1935, in Orange, Massachusetts. thine enemies, know thyself." ment, a memorial to War Vet- There are nine so-called "books" erans pictured on this page. Listen to yourself telling chilin the 444 pages. On the very The sculptor, Joseph P. Pollia, dren the meaning of the WorId first page of the story is a de- of New York city, conceived a War! Are we among those who scription of the supposedly green monument in which a strong, "only too willingly forget"? Do fine soldier tells the boy the we go on into the forest, seeking earth as follows: truths about the WorId War in refreshment? "The earth lay like a yellow- which he took part. The monu- Will it all happen again? stained, blood-soaked disk, over [429 ] which arched the mouse trap of the merciless blue sky, caging humanity in with ,the torments of its own brutality."
It must not happen again! In the last chapter called "Envoi," we read: After years of privation, misery, and horror, mankind has indeed the right to be a little mad. The young author, Bertin, and his wife, were on their way to seek refreshment in a country that they knew and loved. But Bertin had resolved that before they disappeared into the mountains, he would go and see the Kraysing parents and tell them how their sons had died, and in how pitiful and futile a fashion; they must be made to understand that it was no deed of heroism or sacrifice, that had robbed them of two young men who would have comforted them in their old age; it was an act of villainy, and a stroke of chance … the poor souls must be left under no illusions, they must be made to reject the current coin of patriotism and the glories of war….
"I can't do it," said Werner Bertin decisively. "Com!! let us go into the forest. Weare not here to open old wounds and then to poison them….
"Besides, there are a few people hereajouts that won't forget, and they'll give the shock of their lives to certain others that would only too willingly forget."
Weare told that the wife "at the bottom of her heart did not quite approve of Werner's refusal. What a man has set himself to do, that he must do, she thought."
Marathon Round Tables, discussion groups. They are For that great day when wars shall cease, and men 1936-37 called "Marathons" because the Shall live as brothers in a unity word itself carries a challenge Of love-live in a world made splen- Announcement has been made by the Marathon Committee of to continue to educate and in- did? plans for the new Marathon form until an enlightened and Round Table Study Course, ma- effective public 0 pin ion is -Studdert Kennedy. terial for which will be ready reached. Closing Note to Reader for distribution by September "The Evolving Foreign Policy Beware of "the Roar Ma- 15th. This project of the Na- of the United States" chine," a contraption used at the tional Committee on the Cause Cleveland political convention to and Cure of War was estab- is the theme for study. The measure the intensity of sound. lished in 1932 and has gained choice of two plans is offered. Dorothy Thompson reported that a witty Frenchman considmomentum year by year until Plan A-Beginners' Marathon ered this contraption "a perfect now it has 'become necessary to for New Groups substitute for the ballot, a means plan for a graded course which will not only present simple and The ABC of world peace ma- of achieving direct democracy, basic material on the essential chinery and the relation of for here was a scientific instrufacts about organization for American foreign policy to ment, etc. . . "
world peace and the part which world organization for peace- The radio listener following the United States plays in the a simplified course which will closely the relation between affairs of the world, but which include an analysis of public ideas expressed by the convenwill also prepare a course of opinion and propaganda. tion speakers, the noise, and the study and discussion for ad- Plan B-Advanced Marathon indication of the roar machine, vanced groups whose members For Groups Already Familiar either laughed at the nonsense have progressed far enough to with the Theme of it all, or wept bitterly that the need a greater challenge to their American people measured their thinking. Three hypothetical cases will political ideas by those among us At the annual conference held be posed in which the United who could yell and howl the in Washington in January, 1936, States might become involved loudest. the Committee was able to re- because of the complications in And Jesus spake a parable which Luke the physician report 740 registrations distrib- different parts of the world. uted throughout 42 states, the Kits of material will be ready cords: Dis t ric t of Columbia, and by September 15th and will con- "Can the blind guide the tain instructions for organizing blind? Shall they not both fall Hawaii.
In answer to the question groups and carrying on discus- into a pit? The disciple is not w h i chi s frequently asked, above his teacher; but everyone "What are marathons and why sions, and subjects for meetings when.he is perfected shall be as are they so called 7"-Marathon and committee activities, in ad- his teacher. … Round Tables are small groups of ten to fifteen persons, prefer- dition to simple pamphlets, study "For each tree is known by its ably both men and women, who outlines, and bibliographies for own fruit. F.or of thorns men agree to study and discuss inter- each subject. The commi,uee do not gather jigs, not of the national issues of the moment as bra m b l e bush gather they they affect the United States. has announced that two Head- grapes. line Books are in preparation by In addition to study and dis- "The good man out of the cussion, these groups are re- the Popular Education Depart- good treasure of his heart bringquired to come to some measure ment of the Foreign Policy As- eth forth that which is g.ood; of agreement before they defi- and the evil man out of the evil nitely leave any subject, as well sociation which are to be used in treasure bringeth forth that as to translate their opinions and the beginners' course. Here is which is evil; for out of the agreements into some form of abundance of the heart his activity. In other words, a a method which will help the mouth speaketh," group tries to find a common de- people to speak so that statesnominator by means of which "The Mission of Peace," a they can act together either to men and governments will heed. service of worship prepared by educate and inform their com- Registration and subscription Mrs. William R. Buchanan, munity or, when they are ready Chairman of the International to do so, to become an effective will be the same for both Relations Committee of the courses. Council of Women for Home Missions, is now in the press. Group registration @ $2.50, Individual subscription @ 75c. Secure material from The Na- tional Committee on the Cause and Cure of War, 70 East 45th St., New York, New York.
unit of public opinion. Each Is It a Dream? The World Day of Prayer magroup, when once formed, is terial for February 12, 1937, is autonomous and the elements of Is it a dream-and nothing more- also ready. The theme: "Thou conference and action distin- this faith guish them from most study and Art the Christ, the Son of the That nerves our brains to thought- Living God." our hands to work
World,wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO 1 ~====~=========================~ JAPAN-CHOSEN have sprung into existence. He course. The afternoons are given to says: Christians Speak Their Mind practical work, such as tree-crop cul- For an extended period new reli- Japanese Christians seek a bet- gious cults have applied for recogni- ture, the preparation of ham, bacon, ter way of strengthening the tion at the Government's Bureau of Japanese people than by mili- Religions at the amazing average of and sausages, the making of furnitarism. They believe that the one each week. Some have borrowed way of Christ is the best way to heavily from Christian truth. Others ture, and weaving. In the evenings achieve national solidarity. strike a high nationalistic note. Still others are grossly superstitious, and there are group discussions of prac- The Christians at a mass others have physical healing and meeting in Tokyo recognized material gain as their major motive tical farm problems. . that Christians in the past have and goal. Some of these mushroom fallen far short of fulfilling their cults are sweeping across the nation "Those who finish the work of the great mission, and in deep re- like a forest fire and alreadY count pentance they affirmed in this their followers by the hundreds of schools return to their villages, concrisis their belief that only the thousands. Gospel of Christ can be the safe duct their own farmers' institutes, do guiding star for the people's Because of its strong internationthinking and can bring eternal alism and its high moral standards, experimental work in agriculture, arwelfare to the fatherland. the Christian Church has not shared in this forward run on the part of range lecture courses for the mem- Zealously, therefore, we bestir our- religious organizations. However, it selves, and emphasizing the love of is playing a most important role in Jers of our faculty and engage in God and the grace of Christ we pro- this significant phase of the nation's claim this Gospel to our fellow-na- life. The present phenomenon proves all sorts of village planning. Now tionals. We, the Christians of the that at heart the Japanese are pro- Empire, united and with an unbroken nounced religious. the whole Christian movement has front, propose to launch a great union evangelistic movement and carry for- Lepers in Korea taken over the model evolved from our ward a nation-wide dynamic program of aggressive evangelism. It is reported that there are experimentation and every year near- more than fourteen thousand All the evangelistic efforts of known lepers in Korea. Four ly a hundred short-term Peasant Gosthe various denominations and thousand of these are being Christian organizations through- cared for in the public hospital pel Schools and institutes are being out the country are now being on Little Deer Island, while over unified and inter-related. Among one thousand are being treated held in various parts of the Empire. the types of gatherings contem- in the two Christian leper hosplated are public mass meetings, pitals at Soonchun and Taiku. "These Gospel Schools can also be training conferences for reli- The remaining nine thousand gious leaders, special round ta- more or less, are at large un- adapted to meet the needs of the fishbles for educators and with pub- cared for, homeless beggars. lic-spirited village, town and city ing folk. There are only eleven midleaders, meetings in educational Peasant Gospel Schools institutions, and conferences on dle schools among Japan's 550,000 rural uplift and for furthering In "Christ of Japan," Toyoevangelism in industrial and hiko Kagawa describes the fishing families. In education they commercial areas. schools which are being organ- ized all over the empire. are leagues behind the rest of the -World Call. What isa Peasant Gospel School? population. I pray that the religion One Cult Each Week In my own schools-held during the short leisure season on the farm-the of Christ of the Sea of Galilee, with Writing in Missions on the forenoons are devoted to class work. current revival of religious in- There is a twenty-five hour course on its full-orbed provision for the whole terest in Japan, Dr. William Ax- the Sermon on the Mount; also ling refers to the amazing num- courses on rural sociology and village of life, may be made available to these ber of new religious cults which welfare work. The history of the Christian brotherhood-love movement long-neglected, hard-pressed toilers of is taught, as is also the history of the Christian social-love movement. The the sea. science of agriculture is a part of the Daily Christian Newspaper [431 ] Another factor making for unity among the Christian forces in Japan is the publication of the Daily Christian News, now almost a yearling. Its promoter and editor is Rev. Shoichi Mu- rao, until recently professor in the Episcopal Theological Sem- inary,more widely known per- haps in the field of newspaper evangelism, and now general sec- retary of the Tokyo Y. M. C. A. Not presuming to be a large pub- lication but purporting to be more of a clipsheet of news of religious significance from home and abroad coming daily to the study of the busy minister or layman, the Daily Christian News has brought to realization a dream more than thirty years old among the churches and be- lievers of Japan. Though as yet purely a private undertaking, it is being well received in all quar-
ters and deserves enlarged sup- of the world while as yet they ISLANDS OF THE SEA port from individuals and offi- cannot do it alone. The united cial religious bodies. thank-offering and the daily use The Way of the Shining Face of intercessory prayer are no- -Christian Century. table features." A number of Solomon Island's savages had gathered for a feast JAPAN-KOREA -The Living Church. with their heathen chief, for whom the Christians had been Enthusiasm for Forward A Worth-While Job praying for years. Suddenly the Movement chief stood uPland said, "I want A Y. M. C. A. secretary in you all to pray strong for me. I A Forward Movement is be- Korea describes an unusual hu- want to bring my people to your ing carried on under the aus- man rescue project. A young church to learn of your Master. pices of the Brotherhood of St. Korean Christian picked up I see that you all stop very good. Andrew. from the city streets about 200 I see the faces of you all shining thieves, beggars, outcasts; got as if your hearts were happy, as Ten thousand copies of a Japa- permission for them to sleep in if you were very glad. My peonese version of Discipleship an empty warehouse; extracted ple are not like that. They all have been prepared and distrib- from the mayor and chief of look as if they were sick. They uted throughout the ten dioceses police a small grant for a few look heavy, and their eyes are and 271 parishes and missions necessities, and set up his hostel. dull. They look as if they never making up the Nippon Sei Kok- The boys managed to feed them- swim (wash). They do swim, UJai. Recently, 4,000 additional selves in ways mysterious-per- but they look as if they never copies have been requested by haps nefarious. They told their swim. They look no good. Beclergy and missionaries. The escapades quite frankly to their fore you all live like us and pray enthusiasm and widespread use youthful mentor. No one ran to to our Adaros (devils). But I being made of the movement led tell the police, and somehow pil- see you find a better way. Your to predictions that when the sec- fering is dying down. The ware- way is the way of the shining ond booklet, Disciples of the Liv- house was a little less cold than face! I want very much to come ing Christ, was released during the streets outside; and within and learn of your new Master. Holy Week, more than twenty were classes, Bible stories and You all pray strong for me." thousand copies would be re- evening prayers for those who quired. chose to stay. No equipment, no -Brethren Evangelist. organization, little money. -The Living Church. Aboriginal Religion Temperance Gaining Ground The Woman's Auxiliary Have Australian aborigines Japan has a law which for- any religion? Rev. J. R. B. Love, A retired deaconess of the bids, with penalties, the selling writing for The Bible in the Episcopal Mission in Japan says of liquor or tobacco to any per- World proves that they have. that one of the most remarkable son under twenty years of age. Among the Wororas there are evidences of the success of the A movement is now on foot to sacred possessions of the tribe work of the Church in Japan is secure ,the passage of the same which express their religious the way Japanese Christian law in Korea. Pastor Song Sang strivings after the eternal and women have given their time, Sook is back of the movement. unseen. These are (1) groups their money and their personal He began last fall in Pyengyang, of artificially arranged stones at service in forwarding Christ's had meetings with newspaper various places; (2) collections Kingdom. One great manifesta- editors and other prominent peo- of pictures, crudely painted in tion of this has been the Wom- ple and secured their endorse- red and yellow ochre, white clay an's Auxiliary in the American ment of the movement; then and black charcoal, on the walls dioceses, which celebrated the went to Seoul, with the result of caves in the rocks; and (3) fortieth anniversary of its work that all the newspapers in Seoul a number of objects made of in Japan in 1934. The Auxiliary have swung into line, and com- carved wood. The stones mark is a strong organization and mitted themselves on the matter sacred places, where according well planned, supporting two with editorials. Mr. Song next to Worora belief, the spirit-eswomen workers in Formosa, and appealed to the officials of the sence of man abides in the earth. maintaining a succession of Government-General, and there Should a Worora man be camped short-time w 0 r k e r s in Man- also he found much sympathy. near one of these sacred places churia and also workers in Sag- His third step was to gather to- he may, in a dream, conceive the halein. One of the most notable gether leading Christians in Se- spirit of his future child. The features of the Japanese Aux- oul and some others interested wooden objects are kept stoted iliary is the gift of appreciation in these matters and they have in a cave, which may be visited to the mother church in Amer- agreed to back the movement only by fully initiated men of ica and England. They send heartily. This is an all-Korea the tribe. At certain ceremonies, one-tenth of their thank-offering movement, and signs point to they are brought out, carefully to the home church of the re- its success. handled and looked at by all spective dioceses, that they may grown men. join in the foreign mission work -Korean Echoes.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The Worora have a name for Indies Mission of the Christian son and vice-president of Baba Supreme Being, but it is sel- and Missionary Alliance, who son's statistical organization, redom heard, never used in song. come from Menado in Northern ported at the annual meeting of In all their crude beliefs there is Celebes, made a tour of evangel- the Association of Statisticians an underlying element of the ism and investigation in the un- of American Religious Bodies eternal truths that the soul of evangelized part of the Celebes. that while in 1921 the Protesman came from God and returns These two young men left Ma- tants gained 1,710,000 new to God, and that man's duty is kassar in November, and visited members by confession of faith, to love and serve God, and to many of the important centers last year they gained only 990,- express his devotion through round the narrow stretch of 000. A recent survey of 1,000 love and service to his neighbor. land, which forms the curve churches made by the Commis- from the city of Donggala, to sion on Church Attendance of Tristan-Isle of Opportunity Menado. Their trip has brought the Congregational and Chris- to light considerable informa- tian Churches showed that only Tristan Da Cunha, an isolated tion concerning this field about twenty-five per cent of regisisland in the South Atlantic which comparatively little is tered members were supporting Ocean, has always been called known. Many places they vis- their churches by personal at- "Isle of Loneliness." Rev. Har- ited are without a witness of the tendance and only thirty per old Wilde thinks it should have Gospel. The expenses of this cent of the seats in United States a new name-"Isle of Oppor- trip were met by the National churches were being used. Mr. tunity." Every child on the Bible Society of Scotland. Their McCullough said: island now possesses a Bible, the sales of the Scriptures were fairgift of the Bible Society, their ly good, but colportage work is Every department of church work only book. But Mr. Wilde reads difficult because of the illiteracy depends on church attendance. If other books to them. "Since last of the people, and the bigotry of church attendance continues to peter year we have finished Alice in the Mohammedans. The Gov- out our mission societies and all our Wonderland, Robinson Crusoe, ernment has given the mission other church organizations will go Robin Hood, Grimm's Fairy permission to carryon regular overboard. To save the church our Tales, and the Christmas Carol. missionary work in this vast un- laymen must go to church. Attend- The children are very keen and occupied area, and as soon as ance at Sunday schools has declined never miss school, whatever the students are sufficiently pre- even faster than church attendance. weather. I have taught them pared, they hope to take up the Between 1931 and 1935 it declined two of my mottoes: 'You never work in this field. eight per cent, whereas church atwin by giving in,' and 'Any old tendance declined one per cent. Sunthing won't do.' In fact the chil- -The Pioneer. day school attendance reached its peak dren are doing so nicely that around 1917. The zenith of church now the older folks are asking to NORTH AMERICA attendance was in 1880. be taught, and they want me to start a night schooL" Population of the United Alert to New Opportunities The older folks have lectures S.tates When the Board of Home Mison Wednesday evenings. "So sions of the Presbyterian far" says Mr. Wilde, "I have The estimated population of Church, U. S. A., learned that talked on First Aid, Egypt, the United States on July 1,1935 the Rural Habilitation Service Shakespeare, War Reminis- was 127,521,000 as compared was planning to move 200 famcences, Coal and Oil, Things to with the official federal census ilies from Minnesota, Wisconsin Make for the Home, Cost of Liv- figures of 122,755,046 on April and Michigan to Alaska, the ing in England. The lectures 1, 1930 according to William L. Board sent the Rev. Bert J. are quite voluntary, but no one Austin, director of the Bureau Bingle from Cardova to Matamisses, and they all say how of Census. This is an increase nuska so that he was on hand to they enjoy these evenings." of 3.9 per cent. The greatest in- welcome the settlers on their ar- crease was one of 22 per cent rival. A community hall has The chaplain is also getting in the District of Columbia, at- now been built with the assistthem to work for themselves, tributed to the influx of federal ance of the settlers, and has and make all kinds of articles employes during the present ad- served not only as a place of for home use. The men and ministration. In Georgia the in- worship for the Community boys are making little things to crease was 15 per cent, in South church which Mr. Bingle has orsell to any visiting ships, and so Carolina 15.7, in Tennessee 11 ganized, but also as a hospital are the women and girls. All and in Florida 9.9. Eleven when an epidemic of scarlet feare learning to share in the work states show a loss in population, ver attacked the camp. of the mission in other fields. Arizona leading with a loss of The people are faithful in keep- 11.4 per cent. -Presbyterian Tribune. ing up private prayer. -Watchman-Examiner. The Southern Baptists -The Mission Field. Protestant Church Today there are 4,389,417 In the Northern Celebes Membership members in the Southern Bap- tist Church. The year 1935 has During the past year two stu- Charles J. McCullough, pri- been one of distinct gains.: 177 dents at the Netherlands East vate secretary .to Roger W. Bab- new churches, 202,047 baptisms; $22,264,052 given to local work,
a net gain of $1,862,444; gifts pIe were not attending any United Church of Canada to missions, education and be- church. Meetings were held, nevolences were $4,624,515, a two a day six days a week, be- During the past ten years the net gain of $372,847; the total ginning on Sunday morning and United Church of Canada has gifts to all causes increased to closing the next Friday night; received 250,378 persons into $26,888,567, a net gain of $2,- moving to a new place on Satur- church membership on profes- 235,291. day and beginning all over sion of faith-an average of a again. Every afternoon a Bible fresh Pentecost of believers The Foreign Mission Board Study group was held in the every six weeks. After deductreports 400 missionaries in the farm homes; every night a ing the losses through death and following countries: Africa, Ar- service in the schoolhouse. One otherwise, communicant memgentina, North and South Bra- district was quite pagan, where bership has increased from 600,- zil, Chile, Central, Interior, for twelve years there had been 668 in 1925 to 687,973 at the North and South China, Hun- no religious work until this Sun- close of 1934. There is also an gary, Italy, Jl:J.pan, Jugo-Slavia, day school was started. The increase in Sunday school enrol- Mexico, Palestine-Syria, Rou- school teacher said that among ment from 579,482 to 638,960, mania and Spain. her pupils only one had known Young People's Society member- the Lord's Pray~r, or had ever ship from 104,607 to 205,979, The total receipts last year seen a Sunday school paper. and families from 369,652 to were $1,294,613 and the total 459,089. The Dominion census disbursements were $1,293,426. Recently a young farmer said of 1931 reports that 2,017,375 to the leader in this work: "My persons in Canada have declared The Woman's Missionary temper has always been al- themselves associated with the Union reports the total number mighty quick, and I used to be United Church. Upwards of of Woman's Missionary Union plenty free with the stick when 1,300 congregations have been organizations in the Southern the children acted contrary, but organized in communities that Baptist Convention is 34,645, we're better pals now. I don't had no Christian service, thus with an aggregate membership know just how or when it began reaching new settlements on the of 593,766. Of this number 11,- but I've been changing the last prairies, in mining camps, pulp- 407 are Woman's Missionary So- two years." His wife, kneading wood towns, and among fishercieties, with a reported member- bread, turned around and looked folk with the Gospel of Jesus in ship of 293,833, and 23,238 are at him. "I know when you a way which the churches, sepayoung people's organizations, started to change," she said. "It rately, could never have equaled. with a membership of 299,883. was when the Sunday school It is of interest to know that These organizations contributed opened here." He is taking an the United Church preaches during the past year to denomi- active leadership in that Sunday the Gospel in Canada in thirty national causes a total of $1,- school now. different languages, while the 972,370. The total number of Bible is distributed in book and tithers reported, 95,292. Pagans in America leaflet in more than fifty dia- lects. More than 1,000 congre- -Henry W. Tiffany, Ph.D. American missionaries have gations, struggling for exist- penetrated the far corners of ence, nearly all receiving grants Crime and Church the earth, yet within our own from Home Mission Boards, borders there are more than 45,- have been united into harmoni- Judge William T. Aggeler of 000 pagans who still worship ous unions, thus destroying re- Los Angeles, for many years de- their tribal gods, according to ligious competitions, and multifender of public order in that Bishop Howden of New Mexico. plying their effectiveness in decity, declares that of the thou- They are the Navajo Indians in voted Christian ministry to their sands of men and women who Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. communities. came before him charged with every conceivable crime, only 2 "Their paganism cannot be -Presbyterian Alliance per cent were active members ascribed to any lack of proselyt- Bulletin. of any church. The other 98 per ing by the Christians," observes cent either had no religion, or the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, LATIN AMERIOA had ceased to attend church. "because since the Spaniards first encountered them in the six- Caguas Church Too Small -Religious Digest. teenth century they have been subjected to systematic cam- It is refreshing to hear from Opening Pioneer Work paigns of conversion. With the Puerto Rico that the Baptist exception of a comparatively church in Caguas is progressing In 1933 the Women Preachers few individuals, other Indians rapidly. Miss Lola Llabres Association appointed a Com- have accepted Christianity, but writes: mittee on Fields and Workers. the Navajos have remained ob- One of the developments that durate. This does not mean that We have little room to accommofollowed was a piece of pioneer they are irreligious, because date the crowds of children and adults work in southern Kansas. With atheism and agnosticism are un- who come to the meetings, and specialthe help of some local women known among them." ly to the Sunday school. Many who five Sunday schools were organ- have made their public profession of ized in regions where the peo-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
faith are anxious to join the church prison for embezzlement of the he set out to do his duty for his through baptism. Each member does public funds. He promised to his best to help others to know the give the rest of his life to the country. In the battle of Cana- Saviour. The men's society has or- da, Chile, he lost all his possesganized to work in the country dis- service of Jesus Christ in the sions, and among them his Bible.
tricts. Those who can preach help in prison. Yet he had learned from memthis way, and others give invitations ory many of the most important to the meetings. There is great en- -National Bible Society passages, and these continued to thusiasm about this activity, and it .of Scotland. bring him consolation. On July is our hope and prayer that this may be the way to oring many to Christ. Lost in Amazonian Forest 11, 1934, he was wounded, and The women too are not idle. They on September 14th he arrived at Somewhere in Brazil today the hospital in Santa Cruz, hold services in homes where the peo- three pioneers are lost, brave where he remained for several ple sympathize with our work, but men who went out under the Un- months. Following his discharge are not brave enough yet to attend evangelized Fields Missions. from the hospital, he came fairthe services held in the temple. This They are known as the "Three ly regularly to the Gospel meethas proved to be a good means of in- Freds," their names being Fred ings, and knowing of his long teresting people in the Gospel; by Roberts, Fred Dawson, and Fred association with the Gospel, Mr. and by they visit the church and Wright. Mr. Roberts, who is in Horne many times pressed him learn to know the Saviour. Seven charge of the party, is an Au- to decide for Christ. On 17th and even more Sunday schools are stralian, who has been ten years January of this year, being trouheld every Sunday afternoon. in Amazonia, working entirely bled about his sins, he retired to among Indians. His companions his aunt's home. There he found – Watchman-Examiner. are new recruits. They started a disused Bible, and opened it at last May for what would be a passage he had never hitherto In a West Indian Prison called in war an "unhealthy sec- read. As he met the words: "Be tion" in the center of Brazil. not deceived; God is not "In those beautiful islands of They were seeking the un- mocked: for whatsoever a man the West Indies," writes George touched field of the wild Kaya- soweth, that shall he also reap," Herbert of St. Kitts, "where na- pos, of whom very little is a deep conviction penetrated his ture seems to have lavished her known. They are said to shoot soul, and falling on his knees he choicest gifts of vegetation and at sight and to regard white men confessed his sin and accepted romantic scenery, it is sad to as their rightful prey. Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Althink that many must be con- though he has had to endure perdemned for their misdeeds to The three were supplied with secution from his companions, spend many months in prison. an unusual outfit which included he continues to be a joyful Their enforced confinement, a 4% h. p. outboard motor which Christian. however, offers opportunity, can be fixed to a canoe, a docwhich has been eagerly taken tor's microscope and other sci- -National Bible Soc. .of advantage of, for securing their entific instruments, a six-foot Scotland. attention to the things of the cross saw, guns and ammuni- Spirit to which, in their days of tion for use against wild beasts New Life in the Chaco freedom, they were oblivious. and for hunting game, galvan- In confinement many of the pris- ized sheet iron, rivets and tin Last January (midsummer in oners have listened willingly to cutters,-put in that the pio- the Argentine), in the cool of the message of the Gospel, and neers might make themselves the evening a company of Indian in the reading of the Book have steel shields as armor against chiefs were squatting in a circle found the way to God. The Indian arrows. Their last let- in serious conclave. A year or changes that have taken place in ter, sent over a year ago, re- two ago this would have meant the cases of a number have been ported that they had treated either a seance of witch doctors so marked that even the justices over 100 sick people and had or the beginning of a drinking and the officers in charge have held meetings that were crowded feast. But this circle of thirtyborne witness to the power of to overflowing. The Mission has five men, including ex-witch docthe Word to uplift and trans- sent out a rescue party in search tors and warrior chiefs, had met form. for the three missionaries. in the shadow of the trees on the mission compound for prayer, Never before have there been -The Christian. seeking guidance for the evanso many persons in jail for various misdemeanors. Nevertheless, not a few have had the great experience of meeting God face to face in the prison. So Conversion of a Soldier gelistic trips to be undertaken profound was the impression that week end. The universal made by the Holy Spirit during Peter J. Horne of Santa Cruz, week of prayer had just come the preaching at one service that Bolivia, tells the following story to a close.
nearly everyone of the fifty men of a young Bolivian who left It is more than a year since present made profession of his home in 1933 to serve his coun- these evangelistic trips were intention to live a new life. try in the war with Paraguay. first begun. Men and women, Among these there was a high He had received a Bible from a chiefs and their whole villages dignitary in the local govern- Bolivian Indian missionary, and have been so attracted by the ment civil service, who was in with this precious companion, Gospel message that they have
come to live here temporarily to Far East in 1938. The first ses- best to educate the entire memlearn more of Jesus and His sion was given entirely to an ad- bership of the Church in the nawords. A group of over 200 In- dress by Dr. John R. Mott. At ture of the work abroad, and to dians, living fifteen miles down the second session, Rev. William reveal its character as a deeply stream, have been asking for a Paton outlined the plans for the spiritual movement vital to the missionary for several years. proposed meeting in China, the life of the Church at home. Some of the chiefs with their general theme of which is to be They were seeking to lay upon people have been living here for "The Upbuilding and Mainte- the heart of the Church the cona few months-attracted by the nance of the Younger Churches" viction that more missionaries, work of the evangelists-four of as a part of the world-wide men and women, were urgently the chiefs and nearly forty of Christian fellowship. The five needed if the Church of Scottheir people having joined our principal divisions of this theme land was worthily to fulfil its inquirers' class which has passed were discussed in the following function as a missionary church. the 200 mark. The church is sessions. filled nightly to overflowing. Other societies find themselves Witchcraft, drinking and danc- The closing session was a tes- in a simlar position,· and it ing belong to bygone days. The timonial and a farewell to Mr. might be a good thing if once a Holy Spirit is very obviously at Kenneth Maclennan, who has year, in the churches of all dework in their lives, and there is been the secretary of the British nominations, there could be a a genuine desire to become, as Missionary Conference from its Recruiting Sunday, when a defimany so often pray, the "chil- beginning, and who now retires nite appeal should be made to dren of light." because of age limitation. His young men and women to enlist successor, the Rev. J. W. C. Dou- in the service of Christ, whether -The South American Mis- gall, who has been educational at home or abroad. sionary Society Magazine. adviser to the missions in Kenya and Uganda, will assume these -The Life of Faith. EUROPE secretarial duties next January. The conference also authorized Churches and Bibles in Spain British Y. M. C. A. its Standing Committee to call a second secretary to be associ- Thirty-six churches w ere The British Weekly comments ated with Mr. Dougall, thus burned recently in Spain during favorably on the recent conven- making it possible to reorganize the present revolution, within a tion of the Young Men's Chris- the cooperative work of the period of 48 hours and 34 othtian Association held in London British missionary societies so ers were damaged by fire; 160 which devoted itself to a study that the home base activities churches have been destroyed in of the important report on aims may be more fully coordinated, four months and 251 have been and policy drawn up by commit- and so that the work of the damaged, said Jose Maria Gil tee after a three years' survey of United Council for Missionary Robles, leader of the (Roman) Y. M. C. A. work throughout Education may be included with- Catholic Popular Action in the the country. in the responsibilities of the sec- Cortes. retaries of the Conference. There had been a growing doubt On the other hand Bible disas to whether the Y. M. C. A. had not -A. L. Warnshuis. tribution continues: lost sight of its original purpose. Partly this was due to the whole- Need for Missionary Recruits A lady missionary was hurryhearted way in which the Association ing through a crowded street in threw itself into the tasks which thc The recent reports of all the Barcelona when a smiling Spanwar imposed upon it-"serving of ta- leading missionary societies of ish woman accosted her. "Are bles" in the sense of providing social, Great Britain indicate financial you the Senora who gave me a educational and recreational facili- deficits, but, great as is the need little book the other day, in the ties for young men and boys. The of money, there are indications Calle St. Anna?" report recalls it to a renewed empha- that the need of missionaries is sis upon its definitely Christian and even greater. One of the most The missionary had distrib- Christianizing ideal. Y. M. C. A. important discussions of the uted many of these little Scripleaders have almost unequalled op- General Assembly of the Church ture booklets in the wide, busy portunities for bring young men with- of Scotland in Edinburgh was avenues of the great Spanish in the influence of Christ and His devoted to the work of foreign city. Gospel. As a result of the London missions. convention they plan to go to their "May be," she said, "Was it work with a clearer view of their op- Rev. C. W. G. Taylor, in pre- one like this?" portunities and their obligations. senting the foreign mission re- port of the Church of Scotland, The Spanish woman's face lit -Presbyterian Banner. declared that the special effort up as she saw the booklet which which they were making was the missionary held out. "Ah, British Mission Conference not, first and foremost, a finan- yes, that is it. My sons have cial drive. They were seeking, read it, and asked me to get The annual meeting of the rather, to bring all congrega- more for the other members of Missionary Societies in Great tions to the consideration of how the family. And indeed these Britain and Ireland was held at words are true," looking down Swanwick June 10-13), program at the little book with a softened being centered around the pro- expression. posed meeting of the International Missionary Council in the -Scripture Gift Bulletin.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Anti-Semitism in Rumania We have received copies of your year to learn the language be- Gospel of St. John. Understanding fore coming to Urundi, there It has become extremely dan- that 1,000 unbound Gospels are ur- is no man on the field to occupy gerous to be a Jew in Rumania, gently needed for the good of the peo- Kayero. where, out of a population of ple, we have telephoned concerning 18,000,000, 1,000,000 are Jews. them to the Foreign Minister. Our Two others from South Africa Jewish youth are no longer able great desire is that this plan might have been appointed to the to attend certain branches of be carried out, and that the books Congo in 1937, after their furcertain universities, and those might reach our camp for the use of lough. who have already studied several the soldiers. semesters are prevented from Catholicism in Angola passing the i r examinations. -Life Of Faith. Many of the ways to free pro- The Angola press, especially fessions are closed to Jews. Vio- Another Translation in Luanda, has published severlent actions have been taken to al articles lately, setting forth exclude Jewish lawyers from Rev. W. S. Martin of the the necessity of "Catholicizing" leading places at the bar, and French Sudan writes that the the colony. Catholic baptisms in similar measures have been National Bible Society of Scot- 1934 numbered 43,000, and the taken against Jewish doctors, land has now completed the number of adherents in the coldentists and builders. Mer- printing of the whole New Tes- ony is put at 425,000. The anchants are so heavily taxed or so tament in Songoi, or, as it was nual subsidy given by the Anf r e que n t I y fined on bogus formerly called, Sonhrai. golan Government to Roman charges that they are being Catholic missions is about 4,- forced out of business. Anti- This great race differs from the 000,000 angolares, approximate- Semitic propaganda takes two ordinary Negroes of the southerly ly £40,000, as well as privileges, forms: an anti-Jewish press and districts. They belong to the "Sudan" such as exemption from customs anti-Jewish meetings. The fight stock. A little above the average in dues, hut taxes for workers, etc. against the Jews has become the stature, they are well developed, black social, political and economic skinned, have prominent noses and Nevertheless, e van gel i c a I issue in Rumania. The Jews medium coarse features. In mental- work is pushing forward. The are stigmatized as Rumania's ity they are a little above the aver- Dondi church, a comparatively enemy No.1. age African, but centuries of forced recent organization, c 0 u n t s submission to conquering Arabs and 5,000 members and a very large -Alliance Weekly. Touregs have produced something of number of catechumens. The a servile nature. Bailundo church has a member- AFRICA ship of 7,000. Sunday school Songoi is the general trade lan- work is taking on a new inter- Bible Work in Addis Ababa guage for a distance of about one est and the general outlook is thousand miles along the Niger, be- hopeful. A survey by the World The British and Foreign Bi- ginning at Djenne on the Bani River, Dominion Press in 1933 showed ble Society has received news a tributary of the Niger, and extend- the existence of a Protestant from T. P. Bevan, their repre- ing down into the Niger Colony and Christian community of 240,000 sentative in Addis Ababa, con- Dahomey. in a probable native popUlation cerning the looting of the Bible of 4,141,730. There were then House last May. The trouble While the Songoi as a race are still 249 foreign missionaries and began on the morning of May 2, Mohammedan, many individuals are 2,854 national workers. and the same evening Mr. and ready to welcome the Gospel, and the Mrs. Bevan were taken to the former fanaticism is breaking down. "Little Man, What Next?" British Legation. Some men Now, at last, when the Word of God were left in charge, but two days is made available to them in their Nurses at Holy Cross Hospilater they were overpowered. own language, there is little doubt tal, Pondoland, suspected their The day following (May 5) the out that many of these fine people gardener and fac totum of wast- Italians entered the city, and will be brought into the Kingdom, ing his time; and required him that night the Bible House was and the whole tribe will be affected, to write a list of his daily activiset on fire four times, but neigh- as well as many of the neighboring ties. This is what he wrote: bors came and extinguished the tribes. flames. Next morning Mr. Be- To sweep back and front of the dinvan regained possession of the -Alliance Weekly. ing-room every day. To carry water premises, but the Bibles had all for the washer once a week. To cut been taken. Thus he was re- In the Belgian Congo firewood and chop them for the bath lieved of any anxiety concerning and ironing three times a week. To their distribution! Mr. J. W. Haley is superin- empty pig'soin twice a day. To col- tendent of the Mission Libre lect eggs once a day. To collect hens Mr. Alfred Buxton quotes Methodiste at Ruanda-Urundi, into their runs four or five times a the following letter, written by Central Africa, on the water- day, and mend their runs as many the Emperor of Ethiopia as he shed of the Congo-Nile River times a day. To get cream Monday, was starting for the front line: systems. In a news letter he Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. To writes that the government does get vegetables from the garden daily. not wish to grant official status Working flower garden, weeding it, to a mission until they have at manuring it, turning soil, planting least 10 workers on the field; flowers, watering them and tidying it on the other hand, the mission every day. To whitewash Sisters' waits for official sanction before adding to the staff. Eventually, the vice-governor gave permis- sion to occupy a site at Kayero. While the Board expects to send missionaries to Belgium this
rooms twice a month. To cut lawns One day a State official came dred thousand Jews have come to gather taxes. He saw that to settle in Palestine, but the once a week, to sweep them and tidy Bazele was well educated and two races do not get along well much more refined than the men together. Great Britain is standoff. To divide fruits from 'rnseleni of the jungle. Just before the ing by her mandate and declares State official left the village he she will keep order and enforce (store) for nursery and Mrs. Drewe called everybody together and justice at any cost. said, "I want you to know that once a week. To un:oad goods from this is a man of God. He is your Colonial Secretary William friend. He has come to help you. G. A. Ormsby-Gore revealed that Natal, such as boxes, and open them When he beats the drum every over 600 persons have been in- one come and hear him. Divide jured in the recent outbreaks, to be unpacked, twice a month. To your food with him." Because and 84 had been killed. The the white man had given his number increases day by day. carry Sisters' boxes to the Night commands the natives obeyed. Racial Bitterness Nurses' huts and to change beds to At the end of six months three men had accepted Jesus Christ In the political disturbances Mrs. Drewe's and tables twice a as their Saviour. Bazele has between Jews and Arabs, a seri- now been in the village about ous phase has been reached, month. To be a messenger to St. four years. There is a church, which calls for special prayer. and a group of people who come Because of the increase in vio- John's, Cottage, St. Monica's, St. every day to learn the Jesus lence the Jewish and Arab com- Christ way to live. munities are now practically Mary's Hospital, Mrs. Drewe and isolated from one another. The Neighboring villages are send- bitter feeling is also reacting Mrs. Hartley two times a day. To ing to Lotumbe, saying, "White seriously on Christian mission- man, send us someone to tell us ary work, one of the regrettable kill a cock three times a month. To about Jesus like Bazele is telling developments being the hostile to his people."-World Call. attitude taken by many Protesmake up French drains and roads tant Christian Arabs towards WESTERN ASIA both the Jews and the British twice a month. To take one bag of Government. Some Arab pas- Palestine in Turmoil tors are even publicly denouncmealies from hospital for nursery ing the present policy from their All Palestine is in commotion, pulpits. once a month, and grind one tin of with riots breaking out in its cities and towns. It is a highly The Arab community finds it mealies for nursery once a month. To tangled situation with roots run- hard to understand the action of ning back through thousands of the Government in recognizing carry one bag of coal for nursery years. The basal trouble is the the claims of the Jews to a coun- presence of two races and two try in which the Arabs have had once a month. To get fruits from the religions, both claiming Pales- undisputed claims for some cen- tine as their holy land. The turies. They feel that their gardens such as apples, peaches, etc., claim of the Jews goes back to rights have been ignored, and Abraham, and of the Arabs to are clamoring for what they betwice a month. To bury poisoned the invasion of the land by Mo- lieve to be justice. But, Pales- hammed twelve hundred years tine is far from being fully ocdogs, cats and dead hens any day ago. The Jews, without a coun- cupied. The incoming of the try anywhere, have always Jews has been an unquestioned it happens. To clean drains in hen- turned their longing eyes to- benefit economically. The Arabs wards it and cherished their re- have themselves profited very runs, to give meajes to the hens every turn to it as their passionate materially from the improved dream. conditions. But they recognize afternoon. To fill up seed boxes with the initiative and the aggressive- The close of the great War, ness of the newcomers, and are soil, manuring them and watering which left Palestine in the hands afraid lest they be eventually of the British, seemed to open dispossessed. them every day, when hot to put mats the door for them to return. The Zionist movement started up to -Christian and Missionon top of young plants to prevent provide the means for consum- ary Alliance. mation. But at once the difficulheat. W ALTER BUT!. ty arose because the Arabs have Modern Times in Arabia so long occupied the land. It The nurses were satisfied. was proposed to buy them out Pious Moslems in Mesopota- -The Mission Field. and millions of dollars were fur- mia used to spend four or five nished for this purpose by Jews months on camel routes to make A Transformation all over the world. Over a hun- the pilgrimage from Baghdad Bazele Daurdi, an evangelist of the Disciples Mission at Coquilhatville had a burning desire to carry the Gospel to some village where the people had never heard of Christ. The missionary sent word to Lotumbe asking what the mission there thought but before an answer was received Bazele had already started. When he and his wife got to the village they had in mind, they beat the big drum and called all the village people together. He told them of the love of God and of Jesus Christ and his love and mercy. Some of the old men came up and said, "Why are you here? Why did you come?" He told them it was because he loved them and God. They retorted that they had never known of a stranger of one tribe loving people who wore different tribal marks and they accused him of being a spy, or a thief. They refused to divide their food with him.
Bazele and his wife built a little house and started a garden but went hungry many times because the people refused to supply food.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to Mecca. Now a motor road strongest Christian centers in felt the great challenge of his reduces the time to four or five the Nizam's Dominions. country's need and resolved to days. Last year a party of Mos- do all that lay in his power. lems came by motor all the way -The Christian. to Mecca from Delhi in north- Mr. Devadhar was President ern India. "A great increase in Growth at Ratnagiri of the Servants of India Society missionary mobility is foreshad- and has been referred to as "the owed," observed The Interna- From the West India Presby- intellectual center of Indian poltional Review of Missi.ons. terian Mission comes the report itics, which he regarded as a that the church at Ratnagiri constructive agency for building INDIA AND BURMA shows growth both in member- the India of his dreams. It was ship and in evangelism. There he who created the "Woman's Serf Saves a Village have been ten children baptized Movement" of India, which has and thirteen members received sent out over 1,300 women as Rev. Charles W. Posnett, Ni- into the communion of the trained social workers, over 300 zam's Dominions, relates the church by profession of their being medical and 1,000 nonstory of a young man named faith in Christ. A Women's medical workers. In Poona alone Punnyadass, whose father was Society, a Temperance Society the organization maintains six bound by a debt of five pounds, and the Y. M. C. A. are func- hostels for women, where there for which he had been working tioning as church activities. are 22 workers and 224 resident for thirty years simply to pay There are ten Sunday schools, pupils and 93 who are partly or the interest. Once a year he was two in the town of Ratnagiri wholly supported by the society. given a blanket, and his wife and eight in the district, con- "Lift up the women and the nawas given a cloth, and daily they ducted under the supervision of tion will lift up itself," is the had only enough food for one the church. The Y. M. C. A., slogan. meaL Anxious that his son at its own expense, made an should rise above this miserable evangelistic tour through the The Baptists in India existence, he sent the boy to Mr. district during the months of Posnett 25 years ago. Punnya- April and May. During the Dr. J. H. Rushbrooke, Secredass was trained as an evangel- Christmas holidays, the church tary of the Baptist World Alist, and the villagers of Marelli carried out the week of evan- liance, reported on his visit to begged him to come and teach gelism in Ratnagiri and the India in part as follows: them the Gospel. The village near-by villages. All the men, chief was angry, and said that women and most of the children The Telugu Mission field is the he did not want any Christians took part in this. Twenty vil- largest Baptist field in India. At the in his village. The roof of his lages were visited, many Gospels Assam Centenary celebration in J orshed was pulled down, and sold and tracts distributed. The hat, the conference was attended by everybody who went near him communicant membership is about 5,000 of the 56,000 church memwas persecuted, but the boy won largest in the history of the bers in the province. Twenty-three the love of all. church. languages were represented, though only four or five were officially used. Then plague broke out last A Great Servant It was a strange experience for speakyear, and spread to this village. ers to utter a sentence or two, and Two or three people died, and A writer in Dnyanodaya says wait until the simultaneous translathe whole village was infested that one of his richest experi- tion of the official interpreters and with rats. The chief left the ences was to attend the 60th the murmured rendering by others village and built himself a hut birthday of Mr. Gopal Krishna should cease. A veritable Babel, but two miles away in the jungle; Devadhar-who died last No- also a Pentecost; for the word but Punnyadass obtained medi- vember-and to hear his address reached "every man in his own cine and disinfectants and at- to about two thousand people in tongue." tended to all those who were which he paid tribute to the instricken. He then got the young fluence that missionaries had A Hindu editor, not a Christian, men who were very devoted to upon him in all his life work, was there to express appreciation of him to clean the village and especially the self-forgetting what the Baptist mission had done drive out the plague rats. They spirit shown by missionary for the cultural uplift of the people. whitewashed the houses, inside women. Most moving of all was He spoke of the setting up by the and out, cleaned the roads, and his statement that when he was mission of the first printing press in destroyed everything that they a young man, a missionary in the province, the publication of dicthought would encourage the the Scottish Mission compound tionaries, the circulation of books and rats to stay. Attacks of plague at Jalna pointed out to him how the promotion of education. When he subsided; the people began to the illiterate Indians were wor- had closed his tribute, he raised his feel that as long as Punnyadass shiping the idol Maruti and chal- arm and pointing dramatically to a was there they were safe. The lenged the young Devadhar with group in one corner of the enclosure, chief returned and admitted that the words: "When are you go- he cried, "Who dares to assert that the boy had done a fine work. ing to do something for your Christian missions have failed? This village is now one of the people?" It was in that hour Those men a gene1'ation ago were head that the noble G. K. Devadhar hunters." …
-Canadian Baptist.
Rest Haven in Burma Since January, 1927, when the Peabody-Montgomery Rest Haven was opened in the hills of Taunggyi, Burma, 119 young
women have received treatment al unity, with Nanking's author- Already 18,000 have been settled for tuberculosis. In the entire ity largely recognized; Commu- there and now these 35,000 who province of Burma and the Shan nism almost suppressed in many have signed as being willing to States it has been the only source of the provinces, and the Gov- go are to be transferred there. of help for people suffering from ernment looking forward to a The Provincial Relief Committee this disease. Now word .comes freely elected People's Confer- is contemplating starting emerfrom Miss Lizbeth Hughes: "A ence to adopt a Constitution. gency hospitals there. tubercular clinic has bee n (2) The improvement in means opened in a congested part of of communication in ruined rail- Inspectors in the flooded re- Rangoon. Since this section of ways restored to efficiency; an gion report that the waters are the city is nonresidential, the increased mileage in five years now receding rapidly and over usefulness of the clinic will be of 45,000 miles; and the estab- large areas it will be possible to limited, but it is a good step ishment of airways. (3) The do some sowing this spring. which will lead to a fully expansion of industry whereby However, it is also true that the equipped sanitorium in the hills China manufactures many ar- people who have returned to later on, we hope." The Govern- ticles formerly imported. (4) those parts will be in need of ment is at last realizing this The improved status of women, help for the next three months great need which Christian mis- including the right of daughters as they have no food supplies. sions has been pointing out for to inherit as well as sons; of years. . wives to own and dispose of Y. M. C. A. in Government property; of individuals to free- Schools – Watchman-Examiner. dom of choice in marriage; and the discouraging of concubinage. An immense task has been left Bible Reading in Siam (5) The expansion of improve- behind by the "Youth and Reli- ment of social services as shown gion Movement" campaigns. It The American Bible Society in a national and higher educareports an outstanding growth tional system and a national has been estimated that the toin spiritual interest in eastern health service, at least, in larger tal attendance of the Eddy and Siam. From the reading of the cities. (6) The development of the d e put a t ion meetings Word, with no teacher other a spirit of social service and civ- amounts to 339,595 and the total than the Holy Spirit, hundreds ic responsibility, with the trend number of "decisions" to 12,832. of people in this section of the definitely in the direction of hon- Association secretaries and country have accepted the Gos- esty and efficiency. church workers are simply bepel as the true way of salvation. wildered about the follow-up Whole villages have come to be- All these things are creditea work. Government and nonlieve in Christ as the true Sav- by this journalist, directly or in- Christian private schools iniour of the world, and, with the directly, to Christianity and the creasingly outnumber Christian guidance the Christian workers efforts of missionaries. institutions. This must arrest could give them, a number of the attention of those who are chapels are being built by these -Alliance Weekly. interested in student work in believers. Because of this won- China. According to the latest derful revival movement a Bible Famine and Flood statistics, there are 111 universchool for the training of colo- sities and colleges in the counporteur-evangelists is b e i n g Dr. E. H. Edwards relates try, of which only eighteen are opened in Korat. The plan is to some interesting details concern- Christian. Out of a total of have each village, where there ing the famine and flood relief about 40,000 students in these is a sufficient number of believ- carried on in the Yellow River universities and colleges only ers, select a man, or preferably area of China under the direc- 3,500 are in Christian institua man and wife, send them to tion of Dr. H. R. Williamson, tions. In regard to the middle the Bible training school for a Chairman of the China Interna- schools, only 196 out of a total year, then have them for the tional Famine Relief Commis- of 1,892 are Christian institutraining of colporteur-evangel- sion. tions, and only 30,000 students istic work for a year. This pro- out of 400,000 are in Christian cedure is to continue until each In a recent letter Dr. William- institutions. Roughly we may man has had at least three years son says that the amounts sent say that only one-tenth of our of Bible training. to him have come at exactly the college and middle school stu- right time when Government re- dents are studying in Christian – Watchman-Examiner. lief is failing. "The Provincial institutions and thereby gaining Government has issued an order some kind of knowledge about CHINA that all refugees must leave their Christianity, whereas the other camps by the end of the month. nine-tenths are practically un- Modern China reached by direct Christian in- The Provincial Government, fluences. A journalist, writing in W.orld he goes on to say, contemplates Dominion, lists six outstanding transferring 35,000 of the refu- Christians seem less able ecofeatures in the reconstruction gees to Li-Chin near the mouth nomically to send their sons and taking place in China. These of the Yellow River to help cul- daughters to Christian schools. are (1) The approach to nation- tivate the reclaimed land there.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
They are, therefore, attending Canadian Mission in an obscure neighborhood, where the non-Christian schools in increas- Manchuria people knew my friend and had ing numbers. planned for her to conduct a short- The Canadian Presbyterian term school for two weeks. One stu- -The Chinese Recorder. Mission in South Manchuria has dent would bring a bushel of rice, an- maintained encouraging prog- other vegetables from his garden, and Broadcasting the Bible ress since 1934. There were another oil or a little money. All the nearly 1,000 baptisms in 1935, offerings were pooled and they formed Not by radio but by salesmen. the largest number for any year a committee who should cook, who For many years the Presbyteri- since the inception of the work. should wash dishes, and who should an Mission has engaged colpor- Eleven new centers were opened sweep out the two fairly large mudteurs which were financed by to the Gospel, and other villages floored rooms. the British and Foreign Bible have offered to provide meeting Society in Canton. Under a new houses if the mission will send The next morning we had early arrangement evangelists, Bible them an evangelist. prayer time, communal music and women and other volunteers literacy classes in the morning. I could have taken to selling Bible por- In the southern section of the see peasants and their young children tions on their country trips. field no fewer than 464 memor- as well as their old fathers and moth- They pay the Society a fixed rate ized the golden texts for the en- ers studying out of the same book. per box of portions and are al- tire year. As a reward, those This sort of cooperative school was lowed to keep the proceeds from who could read were given a not an experiment, for the same sort the sales, thus relieving the Chinese translation of Mrs. Go- of thing was going on in many parts strain of economic pressure due forth's stirring book on "Blind of China. to the general depression and Chang." Those unable to read sudden cutting off of the usual were given a Gospel picture. -The Christian Advocate. subsidy from the Board. Al- Ten of the mission's members ready this has resulted in greatly have dedicated their lives to Turning the Other Cheek increased sales during special evangelistic work, and gone for campaigns in cities, market training, at their own expense, A missionary in Linchow towns and at festivals. The to Bible schools and theological sends an account of a young contwenty~ thousand copies ordered seminaries. vert in Pao On who in spite of were soon exhausted and anoth- persecution is steadfast and er order of ten thousand was The vital part of the women's faithful: placed. work is the annual short-term Bible training school, and since Last year he borrowed money to at- Itinerating Among the Loi Manchurian women exercise tend a Christian conference. When he considerable influence over their returned home his father beat him. The Loi people inhabit the men folk, has been the means of His family, especially his uncle, have southwestern part of Hainan equipping many women for been very mean to him because he is Island. A party of 19 which in- fruitful Christian service. a Christian. They have forbidden his cluded missionaries, an evangel- going out with the evangelistic bands, ist, a cook, three Loi school boys -The Life of Faith. but he starts out in another direction and twelve carriers, recently and meets them somewhere on the made a two weeks trip through In Chinese Villages road. He is very helpful in the church, that area. They report that not even helping sweep the floor and light five years ago the number of Muriel Lester of London re- the lamps. One day he reproved his Christians in the Ha Loi area cently completed a trip around uncle's children for mistreating their could almost be counted on the the world. From India she sent dog. His uncle became angry and fingers of one hand. Now the this comment of what she saw threw a large stone at him, injuring entire population of five villages in a Chinese village: him seriously. Despite this fact he worships the Saviour. Not three was put in prison and spent the night years ago, these same villages Among all the villages I saw in there. At first his father took no inwere threatened and their Bi- China one of the most interesting is terest in the matter. He said that his bles, tracts and hymn books pub- a place near Soochow, a city between son was always causing- trouble ever licly burned. Now the chief of Nanking and Shanghai, which is often since he became a Christian. The the whole area is an earnest in- ca'lled the "Venice of China," for there Christians secured his release and quirer. During five days' stay we use canals instead of roads, and talked to the father showing him the in this region, 87 patients were boats instead of buses. The girl whom large stone which had been thrown at treated; many inquirers were we were staying with was a singer, a his son. His heart was finally touched visited, though none were ready lover of children and a Christian. and he was persuaded to send the boy for baptism. For the first time to Linchow to the hospital for treatthe Gospel was taken to the Ha She had given up the foreign house ment. He was especially struck by the Loi tribes themselves. They in the town which was given to her for peaceful manner in which the Chrisseemed genuinely interested and her work, and built a mud cottage in tians settled up the matter. While the asked for more. a quiet village. A low shelf ran round boy was in the hospital the Christians her room, on it all manner of toys, took turns in coming to see him. This picture books, balls, and dolls dear to interested the non-Christians for it the heart of children all the world showed the love of the Christians for over. one another. The father has become interested and has attended a number One day we set out with this friend of meetings. on a little houseboat which was fitted up. most neatly with cooking stove and Fighting Girl Slavery bunks for four people. At the end of the day we arrived in a tiny village in The Methodist Conference of Foochow struck a telling blow at girl slavery. The China Chris- tian Advocate reports: Resolutions were presented on the festering subject of child slavery, pre-
viously adopted by the woman's con- the men's reception room to "dis- educational, (4) cooperative, ference. Dr. Carol Chen of Hwa Nan cuss the doctrine" with Pastor and (5) reorientation. For the College and Mrs. Ling Guong Ing at- David Sung. Mr. Jenness also most part mission hospitals are tacked the evil at every point of its writes of special meetings. still the best and most trusted pU-.Jlic and private implications, de- medical facilities within reasonmanding investigation in the high "Charles Li is thirty-three able reach for millions of people places, and a house cleaning at home. years old, a tall, strongly-built in Asia and Africa. About half man, who five years ago was a the modern hospitals of China The resolutions adopted provide that young salesman in the employ of are still mission hospitals, while all girl slaves shall be freed and shall a British firm in Tsingtao, draw- in Southeastern Asia, parts of be treated as daughters in the family. ing a high salary. He was con- India, Persia, Arabia and equa- This applies to all girls working with- verted, and almost immediately torial Africa, the mission hosout pay, whether or not they have been felt God's call to preach the Gos- pitals are in the preponderance. bought with money. They shall wear pel, resigned his position and Though reasonably classed as the same kind of clothes and eat the went out on faith. His own modern, most of them are small same kind of food as the family, and words are, 'Since then the Lord -not many have over 100 beds receive some education. has never allowed me to suffer -and their equipment varies want. When there has been any considerably. Often they are Included in this action are the lit- lack, it is because I have lacked weak in maintenance funds, labtle daughters-in-law, and provision is here,' and with that he slapped oratories, records and the finer made for their return to their parents' his knees; meaning that when elaborations of hospital adminhomes if for any reason they are not he prayed little he received little. istration and scientific medicine. married at a suitable time. Only a minority, but a rapidly "Several committees were or- growing minority, have X-rays. For The Blind ganized to plan the various phases of the campaign, a the- -Presbyterian Tribune. Mr. Homer S. Wong has an ater was leased for 15 days, the article in the China Critic de- Electric Light Company agreed A Laity Mission scribing work for the blind. He to wire the place for lights, and says there are at least a million when I reached the theater the A church mission by the laity blind Chinese, and probably two first night an electric cross for 1937-38 will be undertaken million partially blind. Fortune- blazed high on the roof. Inside by the evangelism unit· of the telling appears to have been the the ramshackle building were Board of National Missions of traditional occupation of male about 700 people. Banners and the Presbyterian Church. In Chinese blind; and so lucrative Gospel posters decorated the preparation of this mission, has been this profession that dingy old walls, and the whole church Christian fellowships some blind fortune-tellers amass place was flooded with light from will be held to discuss the followconsiderable wealth; and some two huge electric lamps. Smiling ing questions: What Christ who have been educated in ushers with pink badges greeted Means to Me; The World Situa- Braille are tempted to take up all comers at the door and helped tion as It Affects the Christian fortune-telling. Others rely on them to find seats on the narrow Church; the Purpose of the music for a livelihood. saw-horse benches that served as Christian Church; the Present chairs. A large round table near Situation in the Presbyterian Mr. Wong states there are not the rear was presided over by a Church; The Place of the Laity more than three thousand who couple of policemen who occa- in Making the Church Effective; have learned Braille, with about sionally regaled themselves with What Do I Mean to Christ? a thousand still in school learn- tea from a cracked little porceing it. These Braille students are lain pot. The objectives of the mission distributed among thirty-three are: 1. A more definite, vital schools located in fourteen prov- "We are following up the cam- and sacrificial service for Christ inces. Of these, nine are private, paign with Bible classes. We on the part of the ordained offitwenty are missionary and only have special classes in four cers in the churches; 2. A rethree governmental. There are places for the new converts. In affirmation of faith on the part also eight associations and blind all four places over 90 new con- of every member and an accepthomes of which five are mission- verts are enrolled in these Bible ance of Christ's program in ary, two private and one govern- classes." every area of life; 3. Every mental. church member trained to wit- MISCELLANEOUS ness as to his Christian experi- In Shunteh ence; 4. An invitation commit- Century of Medical Missions tee in each local church assum- Rev. Richard E. Jenness, Pres- ing responsibility for winning byterian missionary, writes that Generally speaking, medical others to Jesus Christ as Savanyone who thinks the Gospel of missions may be said to have iour and Lord; 5. A program of Christ has lost its power should had five stages or phases in their evangelism for the laity in every come to Shunteh and attend a one hundred years of history. presbytery. Sunday morning church service. These can be concisely outlined The congregation is made up of as (1) pioneer, (2) hospital, (3) -Presbyterian Tribune. about three-fifths men-farmers, merchants, government school teachers, students and clerks from the district-court. After church service five or six clerks from the court often remain in
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~=—–=—-=—-=—-===-=——=======I~ Day of Immense Sun. By Blair ment of beauty, simplicity and left! As it is, wild Patagonia Niles. $2.50. Bobbs Merrill, New strength. He adores a little girl York. 1936. of noble birth chosen to become still awaits the Christian mes- a Virgin of the Sun in the con- EI Jimmy, Outlaw of Patag~:mi!l' By vent at Cuzco. From the simple senger. SAMUEL GUY INMAN. Herbert Childs. $3.00. Llppmcott, life of shepherds and peasants Philadelphia. 1936. one is led through the complexi- What Happens After Death! By ties of life in the family of the Rev. William Striker. Cloth, 226 These two volumes are far Inca, on to the invasion of the pp. $1.50. American Tract Soapart, but they' both tell of f?r- empire by the Spaniards, to the ciety, New York City, New York. eigners going to South AmerIca execution of the Son of the Sun, -the Spanish Pizarro in 1539 and finally to the first pulse of In view of the modern tendand the English adventurer, life in that new Inca-Spanish ency of preachers to remain Jimmy Radburne, about the nation-Peru. silent on the great issues of the turn of the last century. future life, one welcomes any El Jimmy is the story of the earnest effort to grapple with Day of Immense Sun is mainly adventures of a rough and re- the really difficult questions, esabout the Inca empire. In these markable Englishman who for pecially when these are considdays of the "New Deal," a forty years lived the life of a ered from the Biblical point of "planned society" and Commu- rancher and outlaw in the wild view. The author of this volnism, Blair Niles has gone to country of Patagonia-one of ume has evidently given much Peru to study the communal life the world's few remaining fron- thoughtful study to the subjects of an ancient people. After two tiers. Jimmy Radburne went which he treats and there IS no years of intense research he has fro m England to Patagonia doubt of his own evangelical brought back to us this beautiful when he was eighteen and first convictions. Perhaps not every story, which along with its pow- got work in Tierra del Fuego in thoughtful evangelical believer erful emotional sweep, gives also the days when the sheep men will be able to follow him in all an accurate historical picture of there were brutally exterminat- of his conclusions. This is due the most remarkable of ancient ing the Fuegian Indians. Cross- to the author's occasional tendcivilizations. Readers will be ing over to the mainland, he ency to enter the realm of specusurprised at the revelations here later became a gaucho on a large lation when discussing such of the perfect organization of sheep ranch. The book tells with topics as paradise and the interthat great socialistic empire gusto of Jimmy's life at the mediate state. Nevertheless, Mr. which extended from Colombia sheep estancias, now and in the Striker is to be commended for on the north down to Chile and early dramatic days. It tells of his courage in attempting to Argentine on the south. It was the sheep industry and of the deal honestly with a very diffiso well organized that there was irresponsible, nomadic life of cult and much neglected subject. practically no want, with little the gauchos. crime, and a remarkable amount F. E. GAEBELEIN. of contentment-to which the As one follows this story he complete absence of money no lives over again in contrast the The Daughter of Abd Salam. By doubt contributed much. The great life of service given by Florence Mary Fitch. 75 pp. Illus. way this life was mercilessly de- Allan Gardner in this same raw Bruce Humphries, Inc. Boston. stroyed by the Spanish conquis- country. If only the missionary tadores, blessed by the Christian forces at home had supported The story of an Arab peasant priest Valverde, in the treacher- Gardner and not allowed him to woman of Palestine interestingly ous murder of the Inca Ata- die of cold and starvation, what pictures the inner life of. t?e peohualpa is told in dramatic terms. a different Patagonia would EI ple of Bible lands. It IS well Jimmy have found! And if written and touches the customs Such information is only inci- Jimmy himself had only used and problems of these people. dental however in a romantic his super-human strength and love story of peculiar beauty and endurance as a "sky pilot" in- H. H.F. chaste idealism. The character stead of a sheep rustler, what a of the shepherd boy Tito is one noble inheritance he might have A Wider World for Women. By that will return to the reader Lucy W. Peabody. 128 pp. Cloth, again and again as an embodi- [443 ] $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Company, New York. 1936.
To many Christian women the name of Mrs. Lucy W. Peabody
suggests an oracle whose every What woman will do with her gon" to the Uni,ted States and word is to be heeded. Her mani- suffered a martyr's death, that fold activities as missionary and present freedom is the question. missionary administrator, as his companion Spalding has founder and patron of the Wom- Despite occasional disappoint- been relegated to a rather oben's Union Christian Colleges in scure background. Dr. Drury, China, India and Japan, as inde- ments Mrs. Peabody is incurafatigable protagonist of the who is pastor of the First Pres- Eighteenth Amendment, as the bly optimistic in her estimate of byterian Church of Moscow, moving spirit in the development of the Florida chain of woman. If too much so it is a Idaho, has now brought him formissionary conferences, as mili- ward as a missionary fully entant Christian always, h a v e venial fault which women readearned for her the right to titled to share the honor which speak with assurance. Hers is ily forgive; and perhaps bethe voice of experience. Her has been showered upon his writings are therefore sure to cause of what it reveals of her better known colleague. This attract a large circle of readers. graphic and well-documented belief in them they love and fol- In her latest book, "A Wider account is not a panegyric. The World for Women," Mrs. Pea- low her. Her highest praise is body undertakes in characteris- picture is painted with the warts tic sprightly fashion to discuss reserved for her friends of the included. It is not surprising some of ,the questions which con- that nerves were sometimes on cern women and their relation missionary enterprise, who m edge and that friction developed to society: "Do women need or among strong,' individualistic want a wider world ?"; "Do they she ranks as the incomparable in America require a greater men in remote and lonely outfield for the i r activities?"; exponents of Christian interna- "How are they using the world posts where hardships and perils they already have? What are tionalism and effective advo- were the daily lot. But Spaldtheir limitations? If the femi- ing, as well as Whitman, was a nine sphere widens will the cates of the peace for which the man's sphere narrow?" big man and he did big things. world is athirst. To the Bible, The Nez Perces among whom he For the answer Mrs. Peabody turns to history; first to the as the Word to which woman labored proved to be more re- Bible and then to other records. sponsive than the refractory Her veneration for the Scrip- owes her high estate, a chap- Cayuses in Whitman's field. He tures finds expression in her thesis, that God in his program ter is devoted—eommemoration was not only a successful evanfor the world assigned to woman gelist who baptized more than a definite place as companion of the 400th anniversary of its and helper to man. A discrimi- 900 Indian converts and foundnating appraisal of notable appearance in English printed women of the Old and New Tes- ed nine churches, but he showed taments indicates how they ful- form. To it she summons re- practical resourcefulness in imfilled ,their mission. Other chap- proving the educational and ecoters call the roll of important newed allegiance, suggesting to women of the middle ages and nomic conditions of the Indians. later centuries down to our own women's organizations that they He taught their children in modern era who have rendered constructive s e r vic e to the "start the movement back to the school, showed them how to irriworld.- The rise of women's organizatfons in the nineteenth Book on whose ideals our na- gate and cultivate land, make tools, build houses and weave century traces a steadily ad- tion was founded." Thus the cloth. He brought in improved vancing interest and participa- keynote of the first chapter is breeds of animals and built the tion with increasing responsi- found in the last. first flour mill, sawmill and bility in public affairs. It is a blacksmith shop and operated fascinating pageant, inclusive of In this little volume, well the first printing press. He the humble cottage and the royal worth reading, Mrs. Peabody studied the flora of the region and made a collection of plants palace, of women as mothers, summons Christian women to and flowers which won the praise of the celebrated botanist, home-makers, teachers, nurses, rededicate themselves to a de- Asa Gray, of Harvard Univerphysicians, writers, speakers, termined effort "To mend and sity. He made records of the weather which the Government missionaries, reformers. make over a world out of re- Wilkes' Expedition of 1841 pair," which "is the major task found so accurate that it incor- of women today." B. G. J. porated them in its official re- Kagawa, An Apostle of Japan. By port. He made the first contri- Margaret Baumann. 12mo. 96 pp. bution to Indian linguistics and 75 cents. The Macmillan Co., New translated Scripture portions York. 1936. into Nez Perce. Much might be The life story of this remark- said, too, of his devoted wife, of able Christian Japanese is al- frail physique but indomitable ready well known, through Dr. Axlipg and other biographers. spirit, enduring, as a woman Miss Baumann has given us a brief but dramatic story of Dr. usually does, even more than her Kagawa and his life of sacri- husband the hardships of fron- ficial service. The book is short, tier life. It is a happy coinci- well written, sympathetic and gripping. It is an excellent in- troduction to the little man who is the subject of discussion and of praise in three continents.
Henry Harmon Spalding. By Clif- ford Merrill Drury. Illustrated. 8vo. 438 pp. $3.00. The Caxton Printers, Caldwell, Idaho. 1936.
So much has been written about Marcus Whitman as the heroic pioneer, who "saved Ore-
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
dence that this attractive vol- viated sketch of this learned cob- funds, and his labors have not ume appears in the year that is bler who became a pioneer Bap- been in vain in the Lord. being celebrated as the centen- tist missionary in India in 1793. nial of the arrival of those mis- The book reports most of the Christ and the Indian Church. By A. sionary pioneers in the Pacific main facts and incidents in the J. Appasamy. Paper. 172 pp. S. Northwest. life of this pioneer, but it would, P. C. K., Madras, India. 1935. to our mind, be greatly improved ARTHUR J. BROWN. if it were subdivided into chap- Dr. Appasamy is a well edu- ters or sections. As it is this in- cated Indian Christian and the Christ in the Great Forest. By Felix terpretation of Carey and his substance of this book are ad- Faure. 12mo. 181 pp. $1.00. work is presented in one long, dresses given in Bishop's Col- Friendship Press, New York. 1936. unbroken chapter. In the midst lege and elsewhere in Calcutta, of many difficulties, changes Allahabad and Madras. He Life in the villages of West and discouragements, Car e y seeks in this little volume to ex- Africa is full of romance and stands out as a hero who plain fundamental Christian tragedy, of superstition and achieved marvels-in preaching, doctrines to Indian readers. fear. This collection of true teaching, translating and in There are chapters on God, stories by a missionary of the opening the doors to further Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Paris Evangelical Mission gives evangelism. Church, the Sacraments, Prayer, dramatic glimpses of this life- the Bible, the Missionary Task birth, marriage and death; the Arthington's Millions-The Romance and the Future Life-all illusfetishes, medicine men and their of the Arthington Trust. By A. M. trated from the Bible and from black arts. It is a dark picture Chirgwin. Illus. 8vo. 160 pp. Indian traditions. In the s e but is illuminated by the light of Paper, 2s; cloth, 3s. The Living- chapters Dr. Appasamy at- Christ. Members of. the Nuo stone Press, London. 1936. tempts to explain Christian tribe turn to follow God and the teaching-not altogether satisway of "Yesu." They show the Thirty years ago Robert factorily but with deference to power of God to overcome the Arthington of Leeds, England, Christ and the teachings of the power of taboo and witchcraft· a "millionaire pauper," Ie f t Word of God. To our mind the and the temptations of the flesh nearly $5,000,000 to "spread the author does not make sufficiently and the devil. These stories are Word of God amongst the clear the difference between vivid pictures which help us to heathen" (excluding Moslems). Man as God and Christ as God; see life in French Equatorial Now we have a report of how nor does he make plain the Africa and the power of the this money was expended in Af- atonement of Christ on the Gospel. Mrs. Schwab, of the rica, South America, India, cross. The studies are, how- American Presbyterian Mission, China, Tibet, Manchuria, Japan ever, spiritual and interesting as furnishes illuminating explana- and New Guinea. presenting Christian truth from tory notes. an Indian point of view. Arthington was a Quaker and John and Betty Starn: Martyrs. By the son of a brewer who gave up Daniel Alexander Payne: Christian Lee S. Huizinga, M.D. Illus. Paper. his profitable business for con- Educator. By JosephUS R. Coan. 95 pp. 35 cents. Zondervan Pub. science' sa k e. Arthington's 8vo. 139 pp. A. M. E. Book Con- Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. 1935. mother was a strong influence in cern, Philadelphia, Pa. 1935. his life. He never married and The story of John and Betty lived like a pauper. He gave The story of this remarkable Stam and their "Miracle Baby" largely during his lifetime and American Negro was published, is now well known through left his fortune to trustees who in brief, in our June REVIEW. many periodical accounts of administered it through Baptist, This fuller record of his life is their martyrdom in China in Methodist, Congregational (L. worth reading. Daniel Payne 1934 and through the volume by M. S.) and a dozen other agen- was born in South Carolina in Mrs. Howard Taylor. There is cies. He was a devout believer 1811, of Negro and Indian parnot enough that is new in this in the Premillennial Second ents, and died 1893. After his record to make it of special Coming of Christ and one of his graduation fro m Gettysburg value but it is well to have the objectives was to prepare the Seminary he was pastor, church story circulated as widely as way for that second advent by historian, teacher, bishop, unipossible through many channels. the preaching of the Gospel to versity president and author of The testimony of John and Betty all nations. This story of Chris- several books and pamphlets. is still effective. tian stewardship and its results His life shows what an asset to is stimulating reading-whether civilization an educated Chris- Carey. By S. Pearce Carey. Illus. one had five dollars or $5,000,- tian Negro can be. 12mo. 127 pp. Marshall, Morgan 000 to invest. Robert Arthing- and Scott. London ls., and Zonder- ton was a student of missions, Long Live the King. By Eric Ac- van Pub. Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. not a haphazard giver. He was land and Ernest H. Bartlett. Pp. 40 cents. 1936. devoted to Christ and so was not 373. Price, $1.50. The John C. given to self-indulgence. He Winston Co. 1936. The. name of William Carey was rich in faith as well as in is known and honored wherever This stirring narrative of the the story of the Cross in India reign of George V with a sketch has been proclaimed. Here we have a straightforward, abbre-
of the life of Edward VIII, the od, the most effective use of Students and the Christian World reading, programs of interna- Mission. Report of the Twelfth present King and Emperor, tional fellowship, missions and Quadrennial Convention of the S. worship, making mission study V. M. Edited by Jesse R. Wilson. should be of interest to all those classes mean more, giving and 8vo. 333 pp. $2.00. Student Vol- missions, an interdependent unteer Movement, New York. 1936. who realize the influence and world and missions, responding to human need and building a The Indianapolis convention power of British rule. Mission- new world. marked the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the S. V. M. aries throughout the world have Best of all, for the untrained at Mount Hermon, Massachu- leader, Mr. Irwin has provided setts. It was the latest and perbeen indebted again and again information in certain chapters haps the last of these student to show ways of organizing a missionary conventions. The adto the kind officers of British group as well as interesting de· dresses varied greatly in value vices to catch the interest of the and only a few of them were officials, and next to the loyalty indifferent and uninterested. marked by missionary fire. Most This is the best source book for of the platform addresses are which they owe to the American leaders in this particular field. reported in full and will repay careful reading. They are by republic, many of them feel MARY E. MOORE. such leaders at home as John A. MacKay, Archbishop Wm. Temgrateful for the British throne The China Christian Year Book- ple, Richard Roberts, Robert E. 1934-35. Edited by Frank Rawlin- Speer and John R. Mott; there and all it has signified during son. 8vo. 458 pp. $2.00. Arthur are also missionaries, such as H. Clark Co., Glendale, Calif. 1936. Wm. M. Vories, Frank C. Lauthe past decades. The book is bach and Ray Phillips; some of To cover a nation with one- the strongest addresses are by popular in character and con- fourth the world's population in the Christian products of mis- one volume is no small feat. sions such as Gonzalo Baez tains thirty-one photographic Here, China, the Chinese and Camargo of Mexico, T. Z. Koo of z. their affairs are reviewed from China, Toyohiko Kagawa of Jaillustrations. a Christian standpoint with the pan, and Mrs. Frank Pak of help of twenty-one Chinese and Chosen. Hearts That Understand. By Louise Anglo-Saxon writers, under ar- Harrison McGraw. 8vo. 292 pp. rangement between the Chris- The convention seminars on $1.00. Moody Press, Chicago. 1936. tian Literature Society and the various important topics are in- National Christian Council of adequately presented. The sub- Here is the story of a young China. As usual the volume jects of discussion are listed woman who sought to find her (now a biennial) includes a rec- with brief notes but as a rule sphere in sacrificial "social serv- ord of principal events for 1934- without adequate "Findings." ice" without sensing and minis- 35 and a consideration of the More space is given to questions tering to the deeper spiritual current trends forward. Na- raised than to adequate replies. needs of human lives. Later the tional life, religious life, misheroine, Meriweather Hamilton, sions, education, social, medical Moody Still Lives: Word Pictures discovered and followed the and literary work make up the of D. L. Moody. By Arthur Percy higher, more inclusive way of seven sections. The seven ap- Fitt. 12mo. 159 pp. $1.50. Flemlife and service. pendices include statistics, bibli- ing H. Revell Co., New York. 1936. ography, obituaries, etc. There It is not a great piece of fic- is great variety of subject and Dwight L. Moody was a truly tion but it is a good story with treatment but no one who wishes great man and left a remarkable a purpose and a message that to keep pace with events and impression on the world. His reveals the different types of in- trends in China can afford to name, his character, his mesdividuals and the ideaIs that overlook this volume. Among sage, his work ought never to be characterize various forms of the striking sections are those forgotten and will be remem- Christian work. on "Present-day Thought Move- bered long after the men and ments," by P. C. Hsu; "Modern- women pass away who came un- The Missionary Education of Young ization of Chinese Women," by der his influence. The one hun- People. By John Irwin. $1.00. Miss Ah-Huna Tong; "Chinese dredth anniversary of his birth Missionary Education Movement. Communists," by Geo. W. Shep- will be celebrated next year in New York. 1936. herd; "The Missionary Situa- America and England by a tion," by Margaret Frame; series of memorial meetings in This is the fifth in a series of "China's Cooperative Move- which former students of the Leaders' Handbooks on the prin- ment," by C. F. Strickland; and educational institutions that he ciples and methods of mission- "Medicine in China," by E. H. founded and others who hold his ary education. The author has Hume. memory dear will participate. had a wide experience in leading young people from fifteen to twenty-five years of age in an understanding of the missionary message of Christ to the presentday world. His writings are the sharing of his own practical experiences and leaders will welcome this very helpful addition for their "work libraries."
The book contains fifteen chapters covering a variety of subjects, including the following interpretation of world events in light of missions-the dramatic method, the visual meth-
While the whole of Mr. pened a few times, he never said ten about this fascinating coun- Moody's sixty-two years is cov- a word." ered in this brief volume, it is try and people. Here we have a chiefly a series of reminiscences As to Mr. Moody's method of by his son-in-law and former preparing sermons, Mr. Fitt scholarly book which should ap- secretary. It has been written says: "Having decided upon a to help commemorate the anni- text or topic, he would take a peal to every student of the Bi- versary. Already six or seven large blue linen envelope, of biographies have been published, which he kept a stock on hand, ble. two by his son William R. and write on it the title or Scrip- Moody, one by J. Wilbur Chap- ture reference – "Sowing and The author presents well man, one by Gamaliel Bradford, Reaping"; "Psalm 23," etc. In two in the Colportage Library these envelopes he stored his thought out evidences to show by A. P. Fitt and Paul Moody, own thoughts, outlines and an- and two brief appreciations by ecdotes, clippings from papers, that not alone is Palestine the Dr. Charles R. Erdman and Dr. extracts copied from other men's John McDowell. These latest sermons and from commentaries land of the Bible dependent for reminiscences by Mr. Fitt con- and other writings, newspaper tain little that is new, omit much reports of a sermon whenever its religious concepts upon the that is important and make no it got into print, anything that pretence to literary merit, but had a bearing on the subject. civilizations of the Nile and they are interesting and entire- When he wished to preach on ly sympathetic with Mr. Moody's that topic he would go through Euphrates Valleys. He shows beliefs, aims and achievements. the contents as an auxiliary to the Bible itself and organize his that in this hitherto unknown Mr. Fitt came into contact address. Then he would take . with Mr. Moody just before the double sheets of writing paper, desert lying back of Palestine- write on these in large script Chicago World's Fair campaign catchwords or phrases that Syria is a third source which would recall his prepared mate- in 1893, six years before Mr. rial and slip these sheets into has contributed much to the Bi- his Bible under elastic bands. Moody's death. He became his Thus, with his open Bible in his ble. He says, "But there is a hand or on the pulpit, he had secretary and son-in-law and so before him the outline of his peculiar color and atmosphere sermon . . . After the ad- knew him intimately. After Mr. dress he would place the notes to the biblical life which giv~s in the envelope and write on the Moody's death Mr. Fitt was for outside the name of the town or it its special tone, so that church where the address was a time closely connected with deli vered." it is not just another "civiliza- Moody Bible Institute. Mr. Fitt shows Mr. Moody to tion," another "culture." "And have been a firm believer in the One of the best contributions inspired truth of the whole Bi- that touch comes from the ex- that Mr. Fitt makes to our ble, a man of prayer, dependent knowledge of Mr. Moody in this on the power of the Spirit, a panses and free-moving life of volume is his testimony to the great-hearted lover of his fellow great evangelist's retiring mod- men, a devoted husband and fa- what we call Arabia." esty and his self-denying atti- ther, and a humble, open-minded tude toward money-a contrast learner. Mr. Moody still lives- Under the desert sands lie to some other evangelists. Mr. for Christ lives in the institu- Fitt says: tions he founded and in the men buried many secrets which alone and women whom he led to "He never once tried to create Christ. excavations reveal. There is a sense of his self-importance, . . . compensation never en- Arabia and the Bible. By James A. therefore being revealed slowly tered into his dealings with a Montgomery. 207 pp. University committee (in his evangelistic of Pennsylvania Press. Philadel- proofs that the three eastern re- work). He would not allow any phia. 1934. sum to be set, nor any collections ligions, Islam, Judaism and to be taken for him. Before he Arabia is increasingly attract- left a town the treasurer of the ing the attention of the world. Christianity certainly had their meetings usually handed him a Many new books are being writ- sealed envelope, which he put in birth within this desert and his pocket without looking at it; no one but his wife, to whom he therefore the history and culture handed all his income, ever knew what compensation he received. of Palestine is closely allied and Even when he received no per- sonal compensation, which hap- connected with the history of this fascinating desert and des- ert people.
From such studies as Philol- ogy, early Arabian letters, trade routes, and secular history he draws his evidences. He cites many quotations from the Bible itself and shows how they agree with the recent discoveries made within the Arabian Desert. One reaches the end of the book feel- ing that Arabia and the Bible are more closely allied than scholars have hitherto admitted.
New and wonderful vistas of truth are opened.
To the missionary worker among Moslems this book adds new lustre to his pearl of hope.
In the light of Dr. Montgomery's studies such passages as Psalm 72 and Isaiah 21 and Isaiah 60 ring out with new fervor and challenge to greater faith and confidence. HAROLD STORM.
Books A Keen Look at the Last Book of the The Roman Empire-Its Coming Re-
Bible. E. Perkins. 128 pp. $1.25. vival and end. W. E. Vine. 18. 94 Apolo of the Pigmy Forest. A. B. Revell. New York. pp. Pickering & Inglis. London. Lloyd. Is. C. M. S. London. Levuka Days of a Parson in Poly- Statement Exhibiting the Moral and African Bridge Builders. Edited by nesia. C. W. Whonsbon Aston. 95 Material Progress and Conditions Williams C. Bell. $1.00 cloth, 60 pp. Is. S. P. G. London. of India, 1933-34. S. F. Stewart. cents paper. 169 pp. Friendship Map. 196 pp. H. M. Stationery Press. New York. New Life the Dead Receive. 1935 Office, London. Report of the China Inland Mission. Across the Years-An Autobiog- 58 pp. London. The Turkish Transformation. A raphy. Charles Stedman Macfar- Study in Social and Religious De- land. $2.75. 367 pp. Macmillan. Night Tragedies of Scripture. R. J. velopment. Henry Elisha Allen. New York. Smithson. 96 pp. Is. Pickering & 251 pp. University Press. Chi- Inglis. London. cago. $2.50. The Bible Triumphant. C. Urquhart. 144 pp. 2s. 6d. Picking & Inglis. Out of Africa. Emory Ross. 216 pp. Anthea's Ambition. Grace Pettman. London. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents paper. Friend- 188 pp. Is. 6d. Pickering and ship Press. New York. Inglis. London. Jacob Burkhard. Mary Yoder Burk- hard. 214 pp. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents The Only Hope of the Church of If you use paper. Published by author. Gosh- God. What Is It? 158 pp. 2s. en, Ind. Pickering & Inglis. London. PRINTING The Customs of the Baganda. Sir A Preface to Racial Understanding. YOU will profit from an ac- Apolo Kagwa. Translated by Er- Charles S. Johnson. 205 pp. $1.00. quaintanceship with us. We nest B. Kalibala. 200 pp. $4.00. Friendship Press. New York. do the job complete in our own Columbia University Press. New plant, whether it be large or York. Annual Report of the Rockefeller small. Foundation. 480 pp. New York. Christianity in Thought and Practice. While our specialty is Books, William Temple. 112 pp. $1.50. Students and the Christian W orId Magadnes and Pamphlets, yet Morehouse Pub. Co. Milwaukee. Mission. Edited by Jesse R. Wil- we have a variety of modern son. 326 pp. $2.00. Student Volun- equipment to meet all the re- A Century of Mission Work in Iran. teer Movement. New York. quirements of your particular A Report of the Presbyterian job. You will find our service Church. 170 pp. American Mission The Soul of Egypt. Allison Douglas prompt, careful and courteous. Press. Beirut, Syria. Bantros. 40 cents. Zondervan Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. Will you allow us to estimate EI Jimmy, Outlaw of Patagonia. on your next printing? We be- Herbert Childs. $3.00. Lippincott. The Story of the American Negro. lieve you will be delighted with Phila., Pa. Ina Corinne Brown. 208 pp. $1.00. our product, price and service. Friendship Press. New York. Ethiopia. John H. Shaw. 95 pp. The EVANGELICAL PRESS Ethiopian Consulate. New York. The Search for a New Strategy in Protestantism. Ivan Lee Holt. 190 PTinters of For Me to Live. Alice M. Ardagh. 208 pp. $1.50. Cokes,mry Press. Nash- The Missionary Re"iew of the World pp. $1.00. B. 1. C. Assn. Chicago. ville, Tenn. PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE The Gospel We Preach and the Swan Song of Paul. Herber Lockyer. Third Ind Reily Slreets Hlrrlsburl, PL Beauty of the Christian Faith. 93 pp. American Bible Conference George Goodman. Is. 96 pp. Pick- Assn. Philadelphia, Pa. PROMISE ering & Inglis. London. The Three Freds-Martyred Pioneers The Heritage of Saints. Herbert for Christ in Brazil. Wm. J. W. Lockyer. 127 pp. Is. Pickering & Roome. 126 pp. 40 cents. Zonder- Inglis. London. van Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich.
Kowateekay-One Act Folk Play. The Way of Partnership. S. A. Mor- Alice Carter Cook. 16 Pp. 25 cents. rison. 87 pp. Is. C. M. S. London. Bruce Humphries. Boston, Mass. We Sing America. Marion Cuthbert. CALVERT' 117 pp. $1.00 cloth, 50 cents paper. Friendship Press. New York. "The School That Comes To You" With Christ Into Tomorrow. Hunter B. Blakely. 160 pp. 50 cents. Pres- No matter where you live, you can byterian Committee on Publication. give your child a superior education Richmond, Va. from kindergarten to high school with Calvert School home study courses. Moody Still Lives. Arthur Percy Fitt. 160 pp. $1.50. Revell. New Recommended by Mission Boards, York. Educators, State Department and Army and Navy Officials. With the use To Read of this Course, every and Keep Daily lessons, selected books, station- Young People's Society may Circulating ery, special materials and personal be converted into a School for guidance . . . by mail . . . from our Bible Training, Dr. R. A. Torrey's "HOW TO prominent and successful private day PRAY," a notable 128·page school in Baltimore. 1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE – book, and receive copy for this purpose FREE. Write today for illustrated catalog. Four Parts-52 Lessons, Part I, The Bible-The God 01 the Bible, Part II, The Christ 01 the Bible • Mrs. G. S. Rhoads. ,-The Holy Spirit. Part III, Man-Sin and Redemp- Director 0/ Home Instruction tion. Part IV, The Church-Future Events, BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION CALVERT SCHOOL Send lSc in stilmps for current issue. 849m N. Wells St., Chicago, Illinois 189 Tuscany Rd., Baltimore, Md. HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INC: 1502 N. Third St., Harrisburg, Pa.
[448 ]
Notes Russia as a representative of his sion in China, died April 19th
church and, in 1931, was decorated Paoting. For years she had the dis- Commissioner Samuel L. Brengle, by President Von Hindenburg with tinction of being the oldest living mis- the Order of the German Red Cross sionary, and quite likely the oldest D.D., a world famous officer of the for his services in European relief living foreigner in all China. Miss Salvation Army, died at his home in after the War. In 1898 he married Andrews was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Scarsdale, N. Y., on May 20th. Com- Hermine E. Ohl who survives him. in 1840, and went to China in 1868. missioner Brengle has had a world- Dr. Benze was for some years asso- ciated with THE MISSIONARY REVIEW *** wide influence as an evangelist and OF THE WORLD as translator of articexponent of personal holiness. He les and news from foreign language Dr. S. D. Gordon, the widely known periodicals. and highly esteemed author of "Quiet originally came from Indiana and was Talks" died in Salem, North Carograduated from DePauw University *** lina, on June 26th after a few weeks' illness. He was born in Philadelphia and the Theological School of Boston James Hudson Edgar, a missionary in 1859 and was converted under D. L. of the China Inland Mission at Tat- Moody. He became a Y. M. C. A. University. He was for a time pastor sienlu, Szechwan, China, and agent of secretary but in 1895 resigned in or- the National Bible Society of Scot- der to devote himself to writing and of the Methodist Episcopal church of land, died last spring after thirty-five speaking on spiritual themes. Hun- South Bend, Ind., but joined the Sal- years of labor in the wild borderland dreds of thousands of his books were between China and Tibet. He was a sold and he conducted conferences in vation Army fifty years ago and was fellow of the Royal Geographical So- many lands. Mrs. Gordon survives ciety and a Fellow of the Royal Asi- him and the influence of his Bible given the unusual honor of being ap- messages will abide. atic Society. pointed to the rank of Commissioner *** in 1926. He retired from active serv- *** ice in 1931 and was decorated with The Rev. S. Parkes Cadman, D.D., The Rt. Rev. Albion Williamson one of the best known and best loved the "Order of the Founder." Although Knight, the first Missionary Bishop Christian preachers and lecturers in of Cuba of the Protestant Episcopal America, died of peritonitis at Platts- 78 years of age at the time of his Church, died June 9th. He was born burg, New York, on JUly 12th. Dr. death, Commissioner Brengle was ac- at White Springs, Florida, August Cadman was born in England seventy- 24, 1859. Bishop Knight served as one years ago and came to America tive till the last as a soul-winner and bishop in charge of Haiti, Puerto in 1895 to take up the pastorate of Rico and the Panama Canal Zone; the Methodist Metropolitan Temple in Bible teacher. His books have been a later he became president of the Uni- New York City. He went to the Cengreat blessing to multitudes. They versity of the South. In 1923 he be- tral Congregational Church in Brook- came bishop coadjutor of New Jersey lyn and was pastor there for thirtyinclude, "Helps to Holiness," "The which position he resigned in 1935 five years. Dr. Cadman was particu- because of ill health. larly famous for his lectures and radio Soul-Winner's Secret," "Resurrection, addresses and was formerly presi- Life and Power." *** dent of the Federal Council of Churches. He was very widely read *** Bishop Arthur S. Lloyd, Senior and was known for his brotherly spir- Suffragan Bishop of the Protestant Dr. John A. Snell, Superintendent Episcopal diocese of New York died it. of Soochow Hospital, Soochow, China, on JUly 22d in his eightieth year. He was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on *** died on March 2d, of pneumonia. May 3, 1857. He was very active in the missionary work of his church Mrs. Edith Fox Norton, the widow The Rev. * H* . * D.D., for- and in 1900 became general secretary of Ralph C. Norton and with him co- of the Board of Missions. He was founder of the Belgian Gospel Mis- John Kerr, elected Bishop-Coadjutor of Virginia sion, died in London on July 21st after but resigned a year later to become an operation. Mrs. Norton was a merly a secretary of the American president of the Board of Missions woman of rare Christian spirit and and for a time was editor of The great ability as a writer and speaker. Tract Society and later pastor of the Spirit of Missions. With her husband she became inter- ested in the Belgians during the War Arlington Avenue Pre s b y tel' ian Dr. James L'". B'" art*on, for thirty- and they were instrumental in found- ing a very successful Gospel mission Church in Brooklyn, died while at- three years the beloved and honored which spread to all parts of Belgium. secretary of the American Board of She and her husband were more than tending the General Assembly in Commissioners for Foreign Missions, once received by Queen Wilhelmina died in Boston on July 21st at eighty Syracuse, N. Y., on June 3. Dr. Kerr years of age. He was born in Char- and the value of their work was rec- lotte, Vermont in 1856, was graduated ognized. The Belgians who have been was 78 years of age and had come to from Middlebury College and Hart- born again may be counted to carry ford Theological Seminary. He went on the work but the great difficulty attend the Assembly and to meet his to Turkey as a missionary in 1885, will be in keeping alive interest and served at Harpoot for seven years financial support in the United States. son, Rev. Wm. C. Kerr of Korea, ex- and for two years was president of Perhaps the time has come when the Euphrates College. Dr. Barton did Belgian work should be self-supportpecting to drive back to California valient service as chairman of the ing. Near East Relief and was a valued with him. A daughter, Miss Marcia member of many other boards. He *** was author of several volumes on Kerr, is a secretary of the Presby- missions and the Near East. Julia Anna Eliza Gulick, one of the famous family of that name, who laterian Board of Foreign Missions in '" * '" bored under the American Board for 35 years in Japan, died recently in the Pacific district. Dr. Kerr retired Elizabeth P. Tenny, widow of Dr. Hawaii. She was an evangelistic mis- Charles B. Tenny, of Japan, died on sionary who did effective work for from the active ministry in 1928 hav- May 13th in Rochester, N. Y. Mrs. Japanese women. She was appointed ing served the cause of Christ for 46 Tenny was born in Okayama, Japan, by the Woman's Board of Missions to years. of missionary parents. Japan in 1873 and in 1908 was called back to Hawaii by the Woman's Board *** '" '" * of Missions of Hawaii to work among the Japanese there. She retired from Mrs. Robert F. Fitch, Presbyterian Miss Mary E. Andrews, a mission- active service 16 years ago. missionary in China since 1898, re- ary under the American Board Miscently died at Hangchow, China. Mrs. Fitch was a graduate of Wooster College and had spent all her married life in China in connection with schools and colleges, Dr. Fitch being president of the Hangchow College from 1923 to 1931.
*** Dr. John Alfred Morehead, for twelve years president of the Luther- an World Convention, died on June 1st.
The Rev. C. T*he*odo*re Benze, D.D., Professor of Theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mt. Airy, Pa., died at his home on July 3d at the age of 71. Dr. Benze had been ill for some time and had recently undergone an operation. He taught Old Testament theology in the Lutheran Seminary for the past ten years; was a member of the General Council of the Lutheran Foreign Mission Board, and exerted a wide influence in his church. He traveled in India, Germany and
and Reality •In
Viewed by Africans and Missionaries ILLUSTRATED WITH MAPS, CHARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS PROGRESS AND CHALLENGE IN AFRICA By ALEXANDER McLEISH THE AFRICAN'S VIEW OF AFRICA J. By VARIOUS AUTHORS-PREPARED BY D. TAYLOR THE PRINTED WORD AMONG THE BANTU By ROBERT H. W. SHEPHERD GREAT HINDRANCES TO CHRISTIAN PROGRESS By C. S. JENKINS VICTORIES OF THE GOSPEL AMONG AFRICANS By THOMAS MOODY AND OTHERS AFRICAN VIEWS OF JESUS CHRIST By THE BISHOP OF UGANDA PIONEER WORK IN AFRICA By HERBERT SMITH THE ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN PAGAN AFRICA By KENNETH G. GRUBB REVIVAL IN CENTRAL AFRICA By ANDREW MACBEATH SEND YOUR ORDER NOW ================ 25 Cents a Copy $20.00 a hundred $2.50 a year Special Price in Quantities if ordered before September 10 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — July 1936
1936
Unoccupied Mission Fields Alexander McLeish The Education of Indian Girls Charlotte Wyckoff The Pageant of One Hundred Years George Dexter T ay lor Memories of Forty Years in Africa Roland V. Bingham A Moslem Seeker Who Found God L. Bevan Jones The Reign of Christ in Arabia Paul W. Harrison Limko Christians of Hainan Paul C. Melrose 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember Eaglesmere, Pa.-June 26-July 3. Obituary
Mrs. E. B. Breeding, 24 Rugby June 29-July 10 – Indian Missionary Lane, Scarsdale, N. Y. The Rev. Walter Laidlaw, D.D., Conference and Annual Meeting of formerly secretary of the New York the National Fellowship of Indian Houston, Texas – September 28 – Oc- Federation of Churches and founder Workers. College of Agriculture, tober 2. of the Clergy Club of New York, died Madison, Wis. Dean – Mrs. A. B. Hynes, 618 suddenly in New York City, on May Highland, Houston, Texas. 20th. Dr. Laidlaw was born in Cana- July 6-12 – Twelfth World's Sunday da seventy-five years ago. He was School Convention. Oslo, Norway. Lake Geneva, Wis.-June 27-July 4. graduated from the University of Mrs. T. A. Freeman, 427 Green- Toronto and later studied at Berlin. July 9-August 12 – Win 0 n a Lake wood Ave., Evanston, Ill. He made a careful study of the cen- School of Theology. Winona Lake, sus and edited the Statistical Sources Ind. Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul)- for Demographic Studies for Greater September 21-25. New York. Recently he has been August 16-23-World Missions Insti- working on the City Planning Com- tute, Chautauqua, New York. Ex. Sec. – Mrs. C. E. Heard, mittee of New York. 3020 Colfax Ave., Minneapolis, CONFEREtTCES AND SCHOOLS Minn. *** OF MISSIONS Mt. Hermon, Calif. – July 25 – Aug- Mrs. Frank W. Wilcox, for nine- Affiliated with the Council of Women ust 1. teen years Associate Secretary of the for Home Missions and the Com- Mrs. N. J. Forsberg, 325 Dor- American Missionary Association of mittee on Women's Work, For- antes Ave., San Francisco, Calif. the Congregational Church, died in eign Missions Conference her home in Montclair, N. J., on May Mt. Lake Park, Md.-July 10-16. 19th. Caroline S. Mellick was born Baltimore, Md.-October 19-21. January 15, 1867 and married Frank Mrs. David D. Baker, 410 N. Cal- Mrs. B. H. Sincell, 103 2d St., W. Wilcox in 1889. She lectured at houn St., Baltimore, Md. Oakland, Md. many missionary conferences and conventions and was in charge of the Bethesda, Ohio-July 20-24. Northfield, Mass.-July 6-14. "Box Work" of the Women's Soci- Miss Mary 1. Scott, 310 Tomlin- Miss Amy Ogden Welcher, 796 eties of the Congregational Church. son Ave., Moundsville, W. Va. Prospect Ave., Hartford, Conn. For sometime she was vice-president of the Council of Women for Home Chautauqua, N. Y.-I n s tit ute of Southern California (Los Angeles)- Missions and was a member of the World Missions (August 16-23). September 21-25. Editorial Council of THE REVIEW. Mrs. F. C. Reynolds, 309 Wood- Mrs. H. M. Horn, 1965 Carmen land Road, Roland Park, Balti- Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. (Concl11ded on third cover.) more, Md. Warren, Ohio-October 6-7. Mrs. George Konold, 314 Scott St., N. E., Warren, Ohio.
DO NOT MISS THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor SOME ARTICLES IN THE JULY NUMBER TOR ANDRAE'S MOHAMMED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel M. Zwemer THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ISLAM ……………………. . Leo A. Cullum EARLY MOSLEM LEADERS IN CHINA ……..•.•……………….. Claude L. Pickens JINN AMONG THE MOROS ………………………………….. Jose R. Collante RELIGIOUS EDIFICES AND COMMUNITY LIFE ……………………… . D. N. Wilber ISLAM IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL SUDAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Dighton KORANIC WISDOM ACCORDING TO A TURK …………………….. Paul M. A. Mulla THE TURK IN HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY ……………………….. G. L. Schanzlin MISSIONS TO MOSLEMS IN SOUTH AFRICA ………………….. W. J. Vander Merwe MOSLEM CHILDHOOD IN BENGAL …………………………….. . Hilda McLean CHRIST SETS UP HIS CHURCH IN MUSCAT …………………… . Paul W. Harrison Current Topics – Book Reviews – Survey of Periodicals » » SUBSCRIBE NOW « 50 Cents d Copy. $2.00 d Year (postpdid) In combindtion with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 d Year. (Foreign Postdge, 50 Cents) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & seon, 12 P.lernosler Building., London, E. C.
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REVIEW OF THE W ORlO Dr. John Alexander Mackay, sec- ORIENT DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor retary of the Board of Foreign Mis- si{)ns of the Presbyterian Chul"ch, with VOL. LIX JULY, 1936 No.7 U. S. A., has been elected president of Princeton Theological Seminary to S p e e d – C o m f o r t – Economy Publication and Business Office– succeed Dr. J. Ross Stevenson who Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. has occupied that post for twenty-two Take the shortest, fastest crossing to years. Yokohama . . . only 10 days by Editorial and Executive Office– Empress of Asia or Empress of 158 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Dr. Mackay was born in Inverness, Russia. Or sail to Honolulu in 5 Entered as second-class matter at Scotland, May 17, 1889, was gradu- days … reach the Orient in 8 days ated from Aberdeen Coilege in 1912 more by Empress of Japan (largest, Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under and from Princeton Theological Sem- fastest liner on the Pacific) or Em- Act of March 3, 1879. inary in 1915. After his ordination press of Canada. by the Free Church of Scotland he 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. went as a missionary to South Amer- Surprisingly low round-trip fares Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. ica and was appointed principal of by luxurious First Class or comfort- Published monthly, except Augr,st. the Anglo-Peruvian College at Lima. able Tourist Class. Also, inexpen- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. He later became professor of Philos- sive Third Class on all Empresses. British agents – Marshall, Morgan ophy at the National University at and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, Lima but continued his missionary Regular sailings from Vancouver London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, activities. He returned to the United and Victoria in Canada's Evergreen 10 shillings a year. States in 1932 to accept the position Playground. Orient fares include of secretary of the Board of Foreign passage from and to Seattle. If you MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Missions. sail from Los Angeles or San Fran- LISHING CO., INC. cisco, connect with an Empress at *** Honolulu. Orient ports-of-call: Yo- BOARD OF DIRECTORS kohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Shanghai, ROBERT E. SPEER, President Dr. John McDowell, secretary of Hong Kong, and Manila. A. L. WARNSHUIS, ViC6-Pre8ident the Board of National Missions of • World Tours as low as $579.90. WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer the Presbyterian Church, has been Go on one inclusive ticket, good for DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary elected a member of the Board of two years. Write for folder of six Trustees of Princeton Theological most popular world tours. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Seminary. Booklets, information from YOUR WILLIAM 1. CHAMBERLAIN *** OWN' AGENT or Canadian Pacific: D. J. FANT New York,.344 Madison Ave.; Chi- Dr. John M. Springer, for many cago, 71 E. Jackson Blvd. ; San Fran- MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD years a missionary of the Methodist cisco, 152 Geary St.; and 38 other WM. B. LIPPHARD Episcopal Church in south-central Af- cities in U. S. and Canada. rica, was e;ected Missionary Bishop ERIC M. NORTH of the church at the recent General ~~ Conference in Columbus, Ohio. by SAMUEL M. ZWEMER EMPRESS *** Editorial Chat Dr. H. W. Greist and his wife, who As has been our custom, to save ex- is a registered nurse, stationed at Bar- row, Alaska, the most northerly mispense and in view of the absence of sion station in the world, have re- cently resigned and are returning to many of our sUJscribers from home, the United States. Dr. and Mrs. Greist have done a remarkable work our August issue will be omitted. among the Eskimos of northern Alas- The September and October issues ka within the Arctic Circle. Their places are to be taken by Rev. and will have more pages to catch up Mrs. Frederick G. Klerekoper who have been for two years stationed at with the news and to give our readers Skagway, Alaska, under the Board of the National Missions, Presbyterian some additional articles of especial Church. Mrs. Klerekoper is a regis- tered nurse but the medical work at value. *** Barrow is to be taken over by the United States Government. While you are away fr{)m home will *** you speak a word for the REVIEW and so help to secure additional readers, Dr. and Mrs. O. R. Avison, who retired last year from mission work and at the same time promote inter- in Korea, are temporarily located in New York City. Dr. Avison was for est in the work of Christ? many years president of Severance Medical College at Seoul. *** *** "Every issue of THE REVIEW is full of informing and stimulating ma- Mrs. Fred S. Bennett, vice-presi- dent of the Presbyterian Board of terial." MRS. B. P. HEUBNER. National Missions, in recognition of her services in connection with the Ottawa, Kansas. development of the work in Santo Do- mingo, has recently been given $2000 *** for a clock and bell for the Evangeli- A CORRECTION cal church in Santo Domingo City.
Our attenti{)n is called to an erro- (Concluded on third cover.) neous impression given in the article on "Preaching Liberty to the Captives [337 ] in Portugal" by E. R. Holden. This article which was condensed from the manuscript sent by Mr. Holden implies that the Cardinal-Patriarch, the highest dignitary in Portugal, offered to Mr. Reis material advantages if he would recant. Mr. Holden writes that the Cardinal "most definitely did not hint at anything of the sort and left Reis very well impressed by his truly Christian spirit and indeed no one can read the Cardinal's frequent speeches and writings without being convinced that he is a real Christian while all one hears of his life bears out this impression."
THE KILLING OF THE WITCH IN 1836 (EPISODE
Photographs by Lynn Acutt REPRESENTING DR. WILSON AT THE GRAVE OF MRS. WILSON-MOSEGA, 1836 THE PAGEANT OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS IN SOUTH AFRICA (See article by Dr. J. Dexter Taylor, page 343)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 7 JULY, 1936 Topics of the Times PRESENT-DAY TRENDS IN ISLAM destitution. Nevertheless Mecca is the center from which the press and these returning pil- The collapse of the caliphate and the failure of grims proclaim a renaissance of Islam under poall attempts to revive it would lead the superficial observer to conclude that Pan-Islamism is dead. litically independent rule, with as much modern- ism as is safe.
The policy of the new government in Turkey and There have been radical reforms in al-Azhar the complete secularization of the republic points at Cairo where the Fundamentalists are at war in the same direction. The Turkish press utters with the Modernists while both are agreed that severe judgment on Islam and its Prophet, while Islam is the religion of t~e State and the hope of one by one the old sanctions and customs of reli- humanity. Foreign missions are sent out to gion are publicly discarded. A few years ago a China, Japan, Spain and America to preach Islam. British official of high standing actually wrote to A violent wave of religious feeling is passing me: "Islam as we once knew it is dead in Turkey, over Egypt, and over the Islamic world, so violent that nobody knows what the outcome will be. Sevit is dying in Persia, it has ceased to carry real eral are anxious about its effect on the strong weight in Egypt, it may survive some gen~r~ti~ns fortress of Islam. The Minister of Education wished to render Islam a service and to heap iwnillAirnabtiha~ but the basic truths of ChrIstIamty further honor upon Egypt in its service of Islam long run even there prevail." Such by translating the Koran from Arabic into mod- ern languages. From the governing body of aljudgment may be prophetic but it is undoubtedly Aihar (great Moslem university) some supported his idea; others opposed it absolutely. Compremature. There are at least three centers to- day that keep alive the pan-islamic idea and are active as never before in defending and propagat- ing the Moslem faith-Mecca, Cairo and Lahore.
Arabia under the able leadership of Abd ul mittees have been formed to work at it, and the Aziz Ibn Saood may not covet the caliphate, but rector of al-Azhar has written a long letter to is the fulcrum of agitation for uniting all the the Prime Minister in which he says: "A literal Arabic-speaking states of the Near East. The translation is not possible to all the Koranic whole peninsula is being rapidly modernized. The verses, but a translation of the meaning is percamel has had his day. Usages of almost sacro- missible, only it could not be used in the official sanet significance are being put aside. In the prayer, where only the original may be used." Kaaba court electric light has been installed, and In Palestine the Arabs are rising to oppose fur- the men who tended the hundreds of olive oil ther Jewish immigration. The Arabic press still lamps are no longer needed. Motor cars now "breathes out threatening and slaughter" on any carry the pilgrims to the holy cities, and the thou- and every occasion when they imagine the glory sands of camels and their attendant army of cam- of the Prophet is at stake. The Young Men's Moselmen, formerly employed, are not now required. lem Association is a keen rival of the Y. M. C. A. The Hejaz Government is reported to have 300 r'and itinerant preachers of the Koran vie with cars in use. Christian colporteurs and evangelists in their The diminution in the number of pilgrims is so zeal. The first congress of the Moslems of Europe considerable, that the thousands of Arabs in the was held at Geneva (September 12-15), last year sacred cities who lived by serving them are in presided over by Emir Shekib Arslan.
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In India, with more than seventy-eight million benefit from it, and expressed their determination not to worship at Hindu shrines and temples. Moslems, the rival Ahmadiya groups of Qadian They are free to adopt any religion they wish, provided it offers them freedom. and Lahore both broadcast their Pan-Islamic One of the greatest signs of change in India is propaganda from Lahore and London. A dozen in the position and opportunities of women-fornewspapers and magazines, although outside of merly considered unworthy of education and of orthodox Islam, are welcomed widely as the best lower status than the cow. Mrs. Mira S. Ramdas, weapons against Christianity. Their chief aim an Indian Christian, read a paper on "Modern India," before the Women's Conference in Bomnow is to win over the "untouchables." bay last March. In this paper she said (in part) : Christian missionaries in Egypt, Arabia and To any casual observer it is apparent that the India of India are in close touch with all these movements the twenty-five years ago is not the India of today. The which are signs of the times. In carrying the whole nation has undergone a tremendous and rapid Gospel to Moslems anywpere we face the whole change in these few years. Old ideas are swept aside, old methods of life and education have been given up. New front of this rival faith. 'We see encouragement life has been infused and has awakened the millions in India. Willingness to change for the better, to adopt new in the fact that in Arabia our medical mission- ways and think bold thoughts is to be seen everywhere aries enjoy the personal friendship of the King today. . . .
and are welcomed into the interior of his vast A few things have happened as the direct result of the domain; in Cairo missionaries minister to the national awakening which must be noted here in a general blind sheikhs of al-Azhar and its students crowd way as they have a bearing on our subject. the American University to hear lectures on so- 1. First is the great rush for literacy and general educial reform; in Lahore the Henry Martyn School cation. The leaders wish to educate the masses to enable is training young missionaries to meet the situa- them to take in the new things; on the other hand the tion. The Gospel of Christ is the dynamic of God masses desire education so that they can follow intelli- gently what is happening in the country. The popularity unto salvation. We can afford to wait for the of the press is a sure indication of this fact. Both gov- ernment and the national leaders are busy coping with Cross has never been defeated. Christ will con- this situation. . . .
quer. S. M. ZWEMER. 2. Second is the great desire towards industrialism. With the knowledge of what is happening in countries f outside, industry has assumed new charms. . . .
ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN INDIA 3. Third is the religious upheaval. With the spread of literacy and with the tending of the mind towards indus- In ~oslem lands, in India and China, incredible trialism and materialism, there has come about a severchanges are taking place in hoary beliefs and cus- ence from ancient Indian ideas and ideals specially a very toms–changes that would have been thought im- noticeable severence from the Hindu religious ideas. The possible fifty years ago. Then the conversion of average Hindu man or woman today does not have much Moslems was generally spoken of as an idle dream faith in the religion of his forefathers. But this is not all, apd the field was almost barren of fruitage. To- he or she does not have much use for any religion at day thousands of Moslems are turning to Christ all. . . . in .Malaya and hundreds are openly confessing their faith and leaving Islam in Iran. The doors This then is the India today: nationally awakening, are opening wider and wider, even in Arabia. seeking education, preparing for industrialism, and put- ting off old things and especially her religious mindedness China, in the early days of missions, seemed to which was so characteristic of her. present an impregnable barrier to Christian progress. Prejudice, superstition and pride in Con. Indian women today are being educated in fucian ethics and culture obscurred Christ and schools and colleges; they are becoming teachers, made the people unreceptive. Today not only are lawyers, physicians and nurses; they are enterthousands of Chinese of all classes becoming ing into business and into political life. Christian Christians, but thousands are effective evangelists women especially are enjoying a freedom never and some Chinese, like T. Z. Koo and Andrew dreamed of before and their views are listened to Gih, are even coming to America to preach Christ. with a respect that their fathers and grandfathers would have never dreamed possible. The rise of India for many years presented the barrier of women in India is all traceable to the work of the an elaborate Hindu philosophy, deeply rooted re- early Christian missionaries. ligious customs and caste which stood in defiance of the spirit and teachings of Christ. It seemed SUMMER – RETREAT OR ADVANCE impossible to break down the system which was built into the very foundations of Indian life and Will the coming summer be a time for re-creathought. Indian womanhood was kept in seclu- tion and growth, or only for relaxation and rest sion of mind and body – what power could draw from our usual occupations? In these warmer the veil? Today caste is tottering on its founda- months many churches and Sunday schools are tions and a press dispatch reports that on June 1st 10,000 "untouchables" assembled in Bombay to renounce Hinduism because they had received no
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
closed, ministers of the Gospel are away from stay-at-homes, through family gatherings and the their parishes, and too many Christian workers opportunity to hear visiting preachers. There are are taking a vacation from service and serious many books and magazines that richly reward thought. Children whose parents can afford it careful reading. They are for all ages and are go to camps or to the shore or mountains where usully neglected during the busier months. They worldly rather than Christian influences prevail. include biography, missions, travel, sermons, pop- Relaxation includes not only mental and physical ular science and some fiction. Many of these letdown but a moral and spiritual slump as well. books can be obtained through public libraries or The result is that multitudes of church members, in reading circles formed for the exchange of some of whom have been active in Christian work, volumes. Twenty-five cents a week for each famcome to the autumn with less spiritual life and ily may supply a goodly number. Education costs purpose than they had when summer began. It but it is worth the price. Upward progress calls often takes a month or two to catch up the slack for the expenditure of energy; only a downhill and to start the wheels moving again. course requires no effort.
Christ and His disciples felt the need for rest At the end of this summer will we and our famafter their strenuous mission tours and days of ilies show progress and growth or retrogression strenuous service; they turned aside for refresh- and deterioration – not only in physical development but always with the purpose of preparation ment and mental alertness but in moral strength for more effective living. Do not many of us in- and in closer sympathy with Christ and a clearer cline to seek relaxation without reference to serv- understanding of His plan for us and for manice? The only reasons that justify a Christian in kind? We cannot take a vacation from God and seeking relief and amusement are: (1) the fact His service, but we can recreate with God for that we have worked hard enough in God's service further service.
so that energy needs to be rebuilt and (2) that we A MISSION TO UNIVERSITY WOMEN are preparing for further service.
If the summer months are to be a time for It is a surprising fact that in Bombay, the key growth, how can this be promoted? The wise position for organizing work among Indian womparents are those who, so far as is possible, plan en, there is still no women's college. Madras, to surround themselves and their children with though so far away in the south, has two over- Christian companions and influences that tend to flowing colleges, one missionary, one a governbuild up spiritual life and character, irrespective ment college. In the far north at Lahore, there of personal convenience and preferences. Today are also two colleges, though the number of womthere are multitudes of summer camps and confer- en seeking higher education is so much smaller ences in the mountains, at the shore and by inland there than in progressive Bombay. It is a lamentlakes, where recreation is combined with Chris- able fact that the six hundred women undergradutian comradeship and spiritual stimulus. Those ates of Bombay have no intellectual home of their who put first the Kingdom of God seek to use these own, although women do attend lectures in men's opportunities and are willing to pay the cost. colleges.
Those who go from home to the seashore or This yawning chasm in the educational system mountains, or travel at home or abroad, can find of India has been potentially filled by women stumany opportunities for service and encourage- dents from overseas. More than thirty years ment. Many missions and small churches have ago a hostel for university women was founded in been greatly cheered by the attendance and sup- Bombay by graduate women in other lands. As port of summer visitors. In many vacation lands long ago as 1896 the British graduates were in- -in Europe, Alaska, Canada and the western tensely aware that, having greatly benefited states-those who are interested may find strik- themselves from college life, they ought to pass ing centers of mission work, with devoted work- on these benefits to Indian women. They were ers whom we may greatly encourage, while at the still more intensely aware that the great emancisame time we learn more of the work God is doing pating power for Indian women is Christ. Few in these fields. Not all travelers are selfish or people realize how unable Indian women would be self-appointed critics of missions. to take their place today in the reconstruction of their own country had not Christianity prepared Many a summer colony also is strengthened for the way for their emancipation. To Christian the whole year by the cooperation of summer missions they owe not only the conviction that visitors and their families who are not seeking a women's souls are as valuable as men's, but also vacation from God and His service. practical machinery for equipping doctors, teach- ers and nurses. Till a few years ago a vast ma- But even for those who cannot go far from jority of all trained teachers, doctors and nurses home the summer offers many opportunities for growth through reading, fellowship with other
were girls trained in Christian schools and col- pressed their gratitude but welcome also to the leges. settlers who have enjoyed and learned so much In this campaign of emancipation the Bombay through their warm friendships.
Settlement has played an honorable part. The But the uphill work of devoted service to all nucleus of its work is a hostel where about forty castes and creeds needs the Christian dynamic, women undergraduates make their home, with a if it is to succeed. At every turn one feels that staff of four or five graduates from British or Christ alone can set these women free, and that other Western universities. The students include there should be not one settlement to carry His Hindus, Mohammedans, Pharsees, Jews, Chris- message, but a dozen.
tians and others who speak sometimes as many India is still afraid of Christ, but perhaps when as ten different tongues, though all can speak Christianity is no longer associated with an alien English, the language of their degree work. government, Indian women will acknowledge Though the settlement is recognized by the Uni- openly what so many of them already acknowledge versity of Bombay and a certain amount of coach- secretly, that they owe more to Christ than to ing and lecturing is done by the staff, the main anything in their own religion.* object is to carry the standards and teachings of Christ to these students, and the workers seek to THE VALUE OF MISSIONS PROVED show by their lives what Christ has meant to them. The household daily gathers for prayers The so-called "criminal tribes" of India have in a chapel which forms the centre of the home. been a great problem to the British-India Gov- For over thirty years the. work was housed in ernment. Like gypsies they not only lived off the rented premises, but in 1930 a suitable house was communities to which they wandered, but took purchased and the dedication of a chapel became what they wanted both of property and life. Ex- possible. The workers are daily grateful for the tensive policing did not control the situation and peace and strength given to them through this the Government had to admit failure.
visible symbol of their faith. Though adherents Some fifty years ago the Salvation Army was of other religions are not under any obligation to attend Christian worship, they almost always asked to try to do something with these tribes come voluntarily, and thus learn what Christ who menaced the whole country. The Salvation might do for them. The students attend five dif- Army accepted this challenge. Enforcement of ferent colleges, and form two major groups, the the laws is a tremendous task and Christianizing medical and the arts students. They come from people who have been lawless for generations homes all over India, and have no common reli- seems almost impossible. But the Salvation Army gion, language or race. Thus one of the first needs with infinite patience and "no compromise with is to get them to mingle with each other, and this evil" is getting results, with financial help from the settlement manages to a remarkable extent. the Government. Instead of the twenty-two separate messes for twenty-five students, such as are found in a cer- In the Malay peninsula, with a population of a tain men's hostel, the settlement has only two little less than four millions, Great Britain has kitchens and dining rooms for its students. The felt responsibility for educating the young people. Brahmin-cooked food is served for orthodox Hin- Chinese and Indians have helped to develop the country, working in the most important tin mines dus in the big brass platters on the floor, and . in the world and the great rubber plantations there is a European dining room with tables and which supply a large amount of this modern nechairs and "unorthodox food" for those who either cessity. Government schools were established with prefer it, or must acquire Western ways before good buildings and paid teachers. But they could embarking on their travels to America or Europe. not get or keep the right sort of teachers. Then Apart from the hostel, the Settlement occupies the work was turned over to the already estaba remarkable position in Bombay. After all only lished mission schools. Nothing was said about a small percentage of advanced women find their teaching religion, but it was assumed that they way to college, and it is perhaps the Settlement's would. The method has furnished this developmost original contribution to mission work that ing country a body of alert young people with it has always shown itself the servant, not only the background which they need for modern of the student, but also of the most advanced life. The young women alumnre of the mission leaders among Indian women. Friendship with schools are bright, cultured, progressive and the progressive section of this most emancipated charming, taking their places in the life of their city in India has always been a welcome feature community and nation.
of the Settlement's work, welcome not only to the • The British office of the Missionary Settlement for University Women is at 296 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, S. W. 1. countless Indian ladies who have so warmly ex-
Pageant of One Hundred
The Centenary of the American Mission in South Africa By REV. J. DEXTER TAYLOR, D.D., Johannesburg, Transvaal Missionary of the American Board I N A SNUG vale amongst the rolling hills of The Pageant opened with a symbolic Episode Adams Mission Station, Amanzimtoti, Natal, entitled "The Light of Life." After a Gregorian with a background of bamboo and native bush, chant had sounded, the Narrator declaimed the a colorful presentation of the hundred years' his- simple ·Scripture story of the shepherds and the tory of the American Board Mission in South wise men and the college choir sang, Africa was given in connection with the celebra- As with g:adness men of old tion of the Centennial. The spectators had come Did the guiding star behold.
by motor cars and busses from Durban and Then across the stage came a group of shepherds Maritzburg, from near-by villages and planta- with their sheep, one of them carrying a tiny tions, and even a few from lamb in his arms. In the man- Johannesburg, 400 miles away. ger scene, the shepherds draw About 1,500 European guests near with reverence and while and a large company of Afri- they bow in adoration the pro- cans saw the spectacle. cession of the wise men bearing The scenery, from behind gifts moves slowly across and which the actors emerged, con- completes the picture.
sisted of a group of realistic The music changes, the shep- boulders, interspersed with na- herds and wise men vanish and tive huts, all made out of bur- one by one the stage is taken by lap, paper and paint by mem- representatives of the different bers of the Adams College staff. races and nations of the earth.
The orchestral music on which Africa, the Islands of the Sea the episodes floated smoothly and Indian America form a onward was supplied by gram- group of the primitive peoples; ophone r e cor d s, amplified China, India and Japan repre- through microphone and loud sent the Orientals; while Rus- speaker. The two Narrators, sia, Germany, Holland, Spain, one a European in full aca- Scotland, Scandinavia and the demic robes and the other a rest, all in picturesque national Zulu in pagan garb, declaimed garb formed a third group of in English and Zulu, poems Photographed by Lynn Aoutt peoples from the West. Again especially written for the occa- THE ZULU CHRISTIAN NARRATOR a screen is moved and high in sion, each stanza carrying the the background appears the spirit of the episode which followed it. The Zulu Cross, with the Angel of the Resurrection. Three poem was written by B. Wallet Vilakazi, B.A., ang01s of light appear from the foot of the cross the first Zulu poet to publish a volume of Zulu and lead the nations slowly forward to group rev- poems. erently before it, while the choir breaks forth into I the Hallelujah Chorus.
As out across the chaos of a world unborn II Went forth the word, "Let there be light," Where ruled the primal darkness of a pagan life And all the gloom and shadow of a scene forlorn And witchcraft's bane held all enthralled, Was changed to glory by that Word of might. Where scenes of peace and quiet sudden turned to strife, And fear's dark shadows e'en the day appalled.
So dawned upon the chaos of a world distraught Was there to be no dawn, no setting free The Light of Life, the Word made flesh, Of prisoned souls? no healing touch?
And shadowed lives, the victims of the way mistaught, No voice of God to whisper of the life to be? Saw light arising and Hope spring afresh. Said not the Christ, My Kingdom is of such?
[ 343 ]
As the Narrator's voice died away the stage IV was filled with a merry group of pagan Africans (most of whom in real life were high-school stu- T,his land of lights and shadows, clash of old and new dents and a few were African B.A.'s of the staff) . Her welcome gave to one small band; The happy domestic scene was suddenly disturbed Forth fared they self-forgetting; far horizons drew, Nor doubted they for God to take the land.
From scenes of war and pillage, sick at heart and sad, Their footsteps turn, and hope grows dim.
The word of Peace is silenced by the war-drums mad. Their hands they turn to other tasks and wait for Him.
Photographed by Lynn AClltt The arrival of the six pioneers, Adams, Grout, Champion, Lindley, Wilson and Venable, their TREKKIXG MISSIONARIES A CENTURY AGO (EPISODE IV) meeting with Dr. Philip, the famous London Mis- sionary Society leader at the Cape, the division by the entrance of the witch-doctor; soon a most of the little party into two, one of which trekked realistic "smelling-out" was in progress and the north to Mosega in Mosilekazi's country, while witch was dragged forth to her fate. The mar- the other made its way by sea to Durban and to vellously natural acting of the scene was a vivid Dingaan the great Chief of the Zulu nation-all reminder that such an inheritance is still in the this was portrayed in a series of scenes in which blood of the Africans, and that "the primal dark- bullock wagons, costumes of 1835, Voortrekker ness of a pagan life" is scarcely yet of yesterday. scenes and wild pagan dances carried the thoughts of the spectators through those early years of III heroic pioneering, and reminded the generation of today at what cost present attainments have been "Thy youth shall visions see and maidens dream," won. So prophets spake. They dream and do! Do American Christians know the story of Mrs. Beneath a haystack's shelter from the rain's quick stream Jane Smithy Wilson, the dainty fragile girl, who Youth saw a vision and the dream came true. after enduring the hardships of the long north- ward trek and living for months in the midst of The church, her soul new wakened and with faith fresh war and bloodshed, died in that far country, the girt first great sacrifice in the winning of the field? We saw young Dr. Wilson kneeling by her grave Their challenge heard, her youth sent forth. in deepest grief, then walking brokenly away So bore they balm and blessing for the world's sad hurt watched by the blacks whose preoccupation with war had made the missionary enterprise amongst And dead souls quickened into life's full worth. them impracticable. The little soapstone grave- stone roughly carved by Dr. Wilson's own hand, Who does not know the story of the beginning was unearthed by the late Dr. Gubbins in 1912. of the American Board in the Haystack Prayer The choicest treasures of this famous collector of Meeting at Williams College, where in 1806 a Africana now occupy an entire floor of the new dozen young men, led by Samuel Mills, driven to Johannesburg public library. Lindley's ten years the shelter of a haystack from the sudden rain of work amongst the Voortrekkers, while the that caught them in the midst of their outdoor shattered foundations of the mission enterprise prayer meeting, continued their ardent discussion were relaid, was hinted in a tableau in which he of his fantastic proposal to take the Gospel to the was seen baptizing the boy Paul Kruger, a true lands of the East. They followed his suggestion though little-known incident in the life of the to "make it a subject of prayer under the hay- great president. stack, while the dark clouds are going and the clear sky is coming." And then afterward the V challenge was put to the General Association of Massachusetts by Judson, Mills, Nott and Newell From seed long sown and watered comes the fruit at last, which led directly to the establishment of the Souls seek the light, the darkness flees; Board in 1910. Both scenes were effectively pictured and by virtue of their own inherent emo- Forth from the ranks come those who face the future not tional content provided one of the great thrills of the past. the Pageant. As time moves on so knowledge grows by swift degrees.
In Zulu's liquid cadence speaks the Book divine; See, Afric's sons take up the torch!
In work and play and service climb toward heights that shine, Young men and maids, whom changing times shall not debauch.
1936J THE PAGEANT OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS
Photographed bY Lynn Acutt THE FINAL SCENE OF ONE' HUNDRED YEARS IN SOUTH AFRICA Not now the pagan darkness of the days of old Fear not that God will fail you, if your course ye run. Obscures the path, and witchcraft's murk, Your cause is His. Christ bids you, On! His pledge, the Cross. But problems new created by the lure of gold Beset all life. God us forbid the task to shirk! So finally was pictured in a grand march the educational, social, medical and religious progress Ten long years after .the little group began its of today. The Adams College staff includes in its heroic enterprise, the first convert was won at number five African B.A.'s and a fine body of Amanzimtoti. Her son was the first fully quali- young South Africans, both English and Afri- fied Bantu physician. Here the foundation of an canders, from the universities. The staff and stu- educational system was laid and has its consum- dents of Inanda Seminary sang to the memory of mation today in the High School and Training Mrs. Edwards, their founder, a song composed by College known as Adams College. Later came the an African; another group of students was led beginnings of a Native ministry, the first ordina- by Rev. John L. Dube, founder of Ohlange Insti- tion in 1870 and the completion of the first trans- tute, an offspring of the American Board Mis- lation of the Bible into Zulu in 1883. Each of sion; doctors and nurses in hospital uniform rep- these forward steps was dramatized. Especially resented the McCord Zulu Hospital in Durban charming was the primitive school conducted by and the Bridgman Memorial Hospital in J ohan- Mrs. Ireland, represented by a member of the Col- nesburg; African teachers, ministers, mechanics, lege staff, the scholars being African kiddies from builders, farmers poured from behind the rocks the kindergarten department. and trees of the African scenery passed across the field stage and gradually massed under the VI three flags, the Union Jack, the Stars and Stripes and the flag of the Union of South Africa. Sud- Is there above the chaos of the clash of race denly high up behind the central platform rose a A rainbow gleam? Shall there be light? glowing silver cross. The whole great company turned to face this emblem of the Divine Sav- M'ay black men toward achievement dare to set their face? iour, and raising the right hand toward it in Is there a goal? Doth God behold their wicked plight? token of reconsecration, broke into singing: So sure as from the formless void of earth and sky When I survey the wondrous Cross Was born a world and time began, On which the Prince of Glory died, , Creation's spirit brooding still doth doubt defy, My richest gain I count but loss New worlds are born. Love shaU prevail. God dwells And pour contempt on all my pride. with man.
Turn ye not back, 0 dusky children of the land of sun, Be not dismayed, though tempests toss;
The crowds walked slowly up the hill, talking of striking scenes and bearing in large type as its enthusiastically of what they had seen and heard heading, in this dramatic review of the hundred years.' "Youth Saw a Vision and the Dream Durban's chief newspaper next day carried a full account of the Pageant illustrated by photographs Came True."
Memories of Forty Years in Africa By ROWLAND V. BINGHAM, Toronto, Canada General Director of the Sudan Interior Mission I T WAS true when we sailed for Africa in 1893 have hundreds of thousands of students ever that inside of a line one hundred miles from learning to read, with always one book, the Bible. the coast there, were not nearly one hundred The Bible Society's greatest triumph has been in mission stations, except in civilized South Africa. Africa. Today there are, we think, 1,900 mission stations manned by white workers, with thousands of sta- Once more, long years ago, we prayed that God tions held by native pastors and teachers, well would open up Africa. Missionaries and traders trained and well taught, inside that same line, settled on the coast and died in its malarial while the few hundred converts in that area have swamps and along the river courses. The interior multiplied into the hundreds of thousands. was inaccessible. Livingstone spent his life in fulfilling his vow, "I will open up Central Africa Inside that hundred mile line from the coast, to the Gospel or die in the attempt." He did both again with the exception of the South African magnificently. But it took Stanley two years to Colonies, hardly a square foot of territory was find Livingstone. Today rail and motor roads held or controlled by white powers. Sin and are being extended everywhere – and fleets of slavery held the millions of its peoples. Today boats navigate the great rivers. Air stations, too, that whole vast continent is governed by civilized are being prepared everywhere and planes cover powers bringing in law and order and banishing the continent in a few days. The Sahara itself is cruel customs and the desolating slave traffic. being crossed by great highways. It took the writer and his companions twelve months in 1893 Again forty years ago, apart from that coast to cover a distance of eight hundred miles from strip, illiteracy universally prevailed. A few the coast and his two companions both succumbed Moslem mallams or teachers could understand the at the end of the journey and found lonely graves. Arabic script in parts of the Sudan, but literature Six years ago, we covered the same trail in a was almost nil. Into the polyglot tongues of Africa couple of days, and crossed the whole continent the Scriptures had been rendered into but few, in six months; in the whole journey which inand there was no one to read. Including the col- volved ten thousand miles, we held conferences onies of South Africa there were then 21 lan- in quite a number of centres of from two to ten guages that had the whole Bible, and a beginning days each. Africa is opened up everywhere today. had been made in 54 more. Today the whole Bible has been rendered into six additional tongues and Then, too, we used to urge people to pray, as portions of Scripture have been translated into for a forlorn hope, that the day might come when 185 more languages. It can be said today that a chain of stations might be formed right across at least three-fourths of the people of Africa have the continent. Two or three such chains are well some portion of the Word of God in their own nigh complete. We think we could motor a party language. Moreover, the curse of Babel which right across Africa today at its widest part, and rested so heavily upon Africa is rapidly being re- arrange to-stop at a mission station almost every moved. The opening of great roads across the night and many a day secure our noon meals at continent is leading to the widespread use of the still other stations. There are a few bare spots, outstanding trade languages and the rising gen- but mis1sions are moving into these unoccupied eration will be reached by less than a dozen great areas, while extending the Gospel testimony tongues, with all the African literati speaking at around every occupied station. least one European language. Mission schools Let us come to our own special field, the Sudan.
MEMORIES OF FORTY YEARS IN AFRICA
In 1893, we could point to its vast areas and its the complaining prophet is a good answer to these 50 millions of people as the largest totally un- pessimists of our day. God's reply to him was: evangelized field of the world. Not a missionary occupied a territory much larger than India. "Behold ye among the heathen, (nations) and look, and wonder YfYUl,rvellously: for I am working Today in the three sections, Egyptian or a work in your days, which ye will not believe Eastern, Central now called Northern Nigeria, though it be told you." Hab. 1: 5, R. V. and the Western or French Sudan there are fifteen to twenty different societies at work. Our God is working that work in Africa today. No own Society, the Sudan Interior Mission, has one can heed that double exhortation, behold! nearly two hundred missionaries at work on forty look! with eyes toward the land known as the different stations with scores of outstations. We Dark Continent only 40 years ago, and not "wonhave in our own work there taken part in render- der marvellously." ing the Scriptures into fifteen languages, and on our Niger Press have printed portions of the CASTING OUT DEMONS IN SIAM* Word of God in forty different tongues for the By ALBERT SEIGLE various societies. Mr. and Mrs. Si T'o and their young child, after weeks Out from the lowest depths of savagery and sin of preparation for baptism, were received into the Chinese we have seen the power of the Gospel operative church in Bangkok. Several months passed, during which until thousands have been gathered into the fold time these "new born babes in Christ" were faithful in of Christ, and scores of little churches have been church attendance. The Christian workers and friends formed. While it is true that in this central have been faithful in their visitation and prayer with Sudan area there are millions yet who have not them in their home. heard the Gospel there are very few large tribes in which a beginning has not been made of Chris- A few weeks ago, after the regular Sunday morning tian testimony. The large Moslem provinces from service, it was told that Mrs. Si T'o was being troubled which missionaries were so long excluded are now by an evil spirit. After consulting with the worried husbeing entered. The six cooperating Societies in band it was decided to have a special prayer meeting at that sphere have only to keep up the active ad- their home. Armed with the Word of God, and going in vance of the past ten years for another ten to the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, a group ensure full occupancy of the whole of this terri- set out to see what could be done. tory. If three or four of the major societies of this Sudan area could be brought together, a Upon arrival four or five friends Lnd neighbors were comprehensive plan could be prepared for the present; two women sat with Mrs. Si T'o inside the one evangelization of the whole Sudan in another ten tiny room of the house. The husband and his friends sat years which would be both reasonable and prac- with the pastor and elders under a small lean-to just ticable with no greater faith than they have al- before the door. ready exercised, and no greater difficulties than have already been overcome. The service began with prayer followed by a hymn on the "Precious Name of Jesus." There were other prayers May we conclude with another great African and hymns and finally the Chinese pastor read a few field-Ethiopia. Our Sudan Interior Mission en- verses from the First Epistle of John, and gave a short tered this great mountain country only eight years exposition. Up until this time the meeting had gone along ago. The United Presbyterians and two Swedish smoothly, but as the pastor began to explain the Scripsocieties were there before us. But during the tures, Mrs. Si T'o–who was seated just inside the dooreight years of our occupancy we have seen more way-began to shake violently and mutter something to advance there than in twenty years of our earlier herself. The pastor was finally compelled to stop as the work. Even in the six years of depression our woman's voice grew louder and louder with every word work has gone steadily forward, our four stations of explanation. Two non-Christian friends took hold of increasing to fourteen, our missionary force there Mrs. Si T'o's arm, and in the language of the various from fourteen to seventy-four. Even since this Christian workers, she was urged to simply trust in Jesus terrible war began Gospel ministry has gone for- Christ and in His power. ward unceasingly. Had Italy left Haile Selassie alone in his sovereignty, we believe a very few During her raving this phrase was caught. "I can live years would see that great mountain Kingdom an here no longer. I want to go back to China." Some inevangelized field. terpreted this to mean that the evil spirit was saying, "Since Jesus came to live in this house I have been un- There are people at home who say that the days happy and wish to return to China." A close friend of of great revivals are past. But they remind us the family, an elder in the church, saw a tiny piece of of the old prophet who complained that God was red paper still clinging to the door facing, where once a not answering his prayers. And God's answer to spirit paper had been pasted. This he removed imme- diately. Two or three friends then prayed and during their prayers Mrs. Si T'o grew calmer. The meeting was closed with the old hymn, "I Am Trusting, Simply Trust- ing," and a prayer of benediction, asking God's blessing to rest upon the home. By this time Mrs. Si T'o was smiling and talking in a natural way, apparently uncon- scious of what had just happened, and began serving us tea.
• From The Siam Outlook, October, 1935.
REPUBLIC'S
Nlc,&UIU.a K o n. . Cost. RIc. 2. Shenal P"n,l,mil J. Sh","" BU115h CUlana 4. Hopei 9 Dutch GUlillU. 10 Fanch GUlaR. 5- 6. Honan I). YWlftan 19. II. ECUildof 7. Shantunl 14· K'IW1 Ch-ow 20 P •• ilCu&Y IJ U(Utu&y • 14 rl~rril dl'l FUflO THE PRINCIPAL GElOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS OF THE WORLD (This map will assist the reader in l<Jcating unoccupied mi'8wn fields) [348 J
Mission Fields and
Evangelization _o..utllol==B""Y""A""L""E""X""A""ND=""ER=M=CL""E""I""SH"",=LO""n""d""o""n,=En""g""la""n""d==!.!II~- I N THIS article we will consider only the un- conditions, nomadic habits of the people, or in the evangelized populations of the mission field. sparcity of population. It can safely be said that Almost every week the World Dominion offices this complexity of geographical, political, linguisreceive enquiries regarding unoccupied mission tic and religious obstacles is greater than anyfields, and many new enterprises have had their thing that has been hitherto encountered. This, origin in the information provided. indeed, is largely why such areas are still un- It is significant also to note that one of the occupied. study groups at the fiftieth anniversary of the A brief consideration of the unoccupied areas Student Volunteer Movement at Indianapolis was devoted to this question alone. This marks a new will show the nature of these difficulties. Outer appreciation of the realities of the situation con- 111ongolia, Russian Turkestan and other Asiatic fronting the Church in the world today. Soviet Republics were always difficult of access and, owing to religious fanaticism and the no- In any study of the unfinished task of Chris- madic habits of the people, have never been occutian missions, it must be realized at the outset pied. These difficulties have been increased since that the problem is not merely one of entering the domination of the Soviet Government. unoccupied territory or reaching with the Gospel millions of individuals. The situation is much Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan, all more complicated than that. On the one hand, strongholds of Buddhism or Islam, are unoccunon-Christian systems of religion, often closely pied owing to internal political and religious obassociated with nationalism, have laid stronger stacles which, so far as organized missions are hold on masses of people so that the individual is concerned, are greater today than they have ever not free to consider the claims of Christianity, been. The native territory of Baluchistan and owing to the psychological and spiritual inhibi- most of the Native States of the Himalayas have tions which must first be overcome. On the other been unoccupied owing to their inaccessibility, hand, the task of evangelization is intimately conservatism, sparsity of populations and linguisbound up with the spiritual vitality and evan- tic difficulties. Out of the 562 States in the Ingelistic outreach of indigenous churches in neigh- dian Empire, at least five hundred have not been boring fields. In addition to the foreign mission- entered by Christian missions, and many of their ary, the groups of Christians associated with him Rajahs will not allow missionaries to live in their have become of vital significance. In many cases territories. little further can be achieved in reaching the untouched hinterlands without the effective coopera- In the Netherlands Indies, half of the 48,000,000 tion of the indigenous Christian groups. people among whom missionary work is permitted have not yet been brought into touch with any There is no easy solution to the problem; it evangelizing agency, while there are 12,000,000 will not do to simply call for more missionaries more in areas where the Government will not aland new societies, and imagine that by so doing low mission work owing to fear of political comthe call is being adequately answered. In almost plications. In view of the general missionary every case the method of approach requires very situation, the evangelization of these 36,000,000 careful study. Mere enthusiasm will not solve people devolves upon the Dutch missionary societhese unfinished tasks. The missionary strategist ties and such others as they may call to their help must be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. and who are prepared to cooperate with them. The unoccupied fields of the world today have It would be inadvisable for outside missions to generally remained so for some very definite rea- enter this field, except by invitation. son. These reasons are variously found in the opposition of governments and ancient religious Most of Africa during the last fifty years has systems, in the geographical difficulties, climatic been open to missions, but recently difficulties created by Roman Catholic Governments are rais- ing new barriers. It is clear that Italian control [349 ]
makes work by Protestant missions well-nigh im- 1,200,000 in China and 3,000,000 in India. While possible in their territory; and at the instance of China has been subject to many upheavals, India the Roman Catholic Church new restrictions are has benefited by a hundred years of peace and being placed upon Protestant missions in Spanish, order under a Christian government. In addi- Portuguese and Belgian colonies. Two-thirds of tion, while the vast majority in India are drawn Africa is under the control of Roman Catholic from the depressed classes, there has been no corpowers and the Roman Church makes full use of responding class in China, with the exception of political action, through which its opposition is 'the aboriginal peoples. The difference on closer becoming stronger every day. In the north the examination, therefore, is not quite so great as at barrier of Islam has prevented the foundation of first appears. Nevertheless, whichever way the even one strong indigenous Church. situation is viewed, the number of unevangelized peoples is very great. A liberal estimate gives the In South America the example of Mexico in pro- still unoccupied fields in China as 45 per cent of hibiting most of the activities of the foreign mis- its area. Of the 1,608 counties in the 18 provsionary, owing to the fact that the Roman Church, inces, 293 are quite unoccupied and 206 prac-· as always happens in the long run, has antago- tically so. nized the political authorities, is being followed in many republics, such as Peru, Ecuador and Vene- More than half the counties of Manchukuo are zuela. The maj or part of the interior is without also unoccupied and the population is being rapevangelical witness, and the position of foreign idly increased by Koreans and Chinese, as well missionaries is likely to become increasingly diffi- as by refugees from Soviet Russia. cult. New methods of work must be devised. While Korea records two per cent of its pop- Neglected Rural Areas ulation as connected with the Christian Church, it is obvious that the extent of the unoccupied field In addition to these regions, missionary occu- is still very great. This is specially true of the pation is very weak in the rural areas of Japan, northern areas. Yet, owing to the exceptional China and British India. In Japan nearly all the cooperation of the Korean Christians, Korea is missionaries live in 110 towns. In China there by far the most evangelized region of the Far are only 1,130 mission centres in its 400,000 towns East. and villages, and about 1,000 stations among the 672,000 towns and villages of India. In addi- Interest has usually been so centered on the action there are in the latter between 50,000 and tivities of the various missions that it is easy to 60,000 villages in which Christians are to be forget that beyond these areas are vast unreached found. On any consideration of the situation, populations. It is true, as the case of Korea however, there are large unevangelized areas in shows, that the cooperation of the native Christhese lands. A concerted effort by the missions tians has been an essential factor, yet the task is already there is called for to reach the villages of so great that all the encouragement and coopera- Japan. The Chinese, as a whole, have proved tion of foreign missionaries is essential to its difficult to reach with the Gospel. There are only completion. Further, it must be realized that in 488,539 Protestant Church members, an exces- many of the so-called occupied areas the appeal sively large proportion of whom are drawn from is being made to only one section of the popUlathe aboriginal peoples. In India the depressed tion. In some cases this is a social class, or a classes and the aboriginal peoples have provided racial or religious group. There are, therefore, over ninety per cent of the Protestant community many unoccupied fields even in occupied areas. of over three million. The challenge of the next decade is how to reach the fifty million of the de- Another complication lies in the fact that in the pressed classes, whose leader has now declared his days of greater prosperity, missions demarcated purpose to withdraw from Hinduism; and there spheres of work which in many cases they have is also the problem of the eight million aboriginals never been able to evangelize properly, and these who are rapidly being absorbed by Hinduism and extensive hinterlands are to be found in nearly Islam. every mission field today.
It may be urged that it is not fair to compare A limiting factor exists also in the presence of the difference in membership of the Church in Roman Catholic missions, which wholly monopo- China and India. The 500,000 members in China lize certain regions into which Protestant misindeed ought to be compared not with the total sions have not penetrated. Christian community as is often done, but with the actual membership of the Church in India of The problem of unoccupied regions is, however, 1,500,000. The respective Christian communities, by no means that of mere numbers of people still including adherentg and children, are probably unreached, for if the areas are examined which fall under this description, it will be seen that they are strongholds of the great historical reli- gions – BuddhiRID, Hinduism, Islam, Confucian-
UNOCCUPIED MISSION FIELDS AND THEIR EVANGELIZATION
ism and Shintoism – and that the challenge is has an adequate missionary force, averaging 400 that of hard places where these religions are most to the million people, which, when compared with stronglly entrenched. Very often geographical the 17 of India, and the 18 of China, shows the difficulties are associated with these strongholds relative extent of missionary occupation. One of conservatism, and it must be recognized that factor accounting for this large ratio is the very the easier tasks have been attempted and the scattered nature of the islands and the small pop- more approachable peoples have been reached, and ulations amounting in all to only 2,000,000 people.
that it is the difficult regions and the harder prob- This, to some extent, justifies a greater occupa- lems which still remain to be faced. tion than in the compact densely populated areas Where Missionaries Are Working of Asia. In Africa, where among a very much smaller Much light is thrown upon the problem of the population than in the other great mission fields unfinished task, and how to overtake it, by con- (being in fact less than half that of either China sidering the extent of missionary occupation in or India), there is a larger number of mission- aries (7,552), giving a proportion of 50 missionthe various fields. Relatively Korea is the best occupied country aries to the million people. This is about three in the Far East where, including missionaries' times that of India. Here again this is partly· wives and single women workers there are 28 justified by the huge area of the country and its missionaries to two million people. Next comes sparse population, and by the great confusion of the Philippines with 26 to the million, then China political and linguistic groups. The easier task of proper with 18, Manchukuo with 9, the Nether- winning the pagan peoples has also attracted lands Indies with 76, and Indo-China with only 2. many missions. For example, in a few years in These ratios give a good idea of the order of need the Belgian Congo the number of missions has in regard to missionary occupation in these coun- increased from ten to forty-two. When it is noted tries, and also indicate relatively the extent of further than half of these 7,552 missionaries are in South Africa, and only 800 in the whole of the unoccupied field and the unfinished task. The occupation of India, Siam, Malaya and North Africa including Egypt, a good idea of the Burma is in each case about seventeen mission- unequal nature of the missionary occupation is aries to the million. These fields are nearly alto- obtained. gether occupied by the larger missionary societies To appreciate the nature and extent of missionof the churches of the United Kingdom and the ary occupation, each country must be studied in United States of America, and in addition, in the detail, but in general it can be said that some of case of India, of Europe and the Dominions. In the larger Boards ought long ere this to have en- India this occupation is very unequal, half the tered the Moslem areas of central and western total missionary force being found in the Madras North Africa, and an effort at least equal to that Presidency. With regard to the other three: in in Egypt should have been made in these French Siam, the maj or part of the work is in the hands and Spanish colonial territories. Many missions of the American Presbyterian Mission; in Ma- in Equatorial Africa stand in need of strengthenlaya, of the American Methodist Episcopal ing, more particularly in the French territories of Church; in Burma, of the American Baptist Mis- the West African hilnterland and French Equasion. In these countries also missionary occupa- torial Africa. For the moment it may be said tion is confined to certain areas and classes. In that the occupation of Angola, the Congo, Uganda. Siam the Buddhists in the south, and especially and Kenya is adequate. Other colonies in this round Bangkok, have proved a hard field, while region may need some reinforcement. South success has been greater in the northern regions Africa can no longer be reckoned as a mission both on the plains and in the hills. In Malaya, field. Its force of Christian workers and Church where half the population is composed of Malays members should be adequate to meet the situation. who are Moslems, practically nothing has been This remark also includes the Protectorates of done for them by missions, all the work being Swaziland, Basutoland and Bechuanaland, the carried on among the Chinese and among the Mandated Territory of Southwest Africa, and Tamil immigrants from India. In Burma much also the Rhodesias. A study of the latter area remains to be done amongst the Shans and other shows that further occupation depends upon the hill tribes, but the great problem here is the Bud- extension of the work of the present societies.
dhist Burmese, upon whom comparatively little With regard to the occupation of nominally impression has yet been made by missions. Roman Catholic countries, there is undoubtedly a The Pacific Islands are adequately occupied by great and growing demand for evangelical work- missionaries. The eastern half of these islands ers. The peculiar difficulties of work under Cath- is already fully evangelized; and the other half olic Governments are well known, and restrictions
are likely to become greater wherever, on the one This the most obvious common sense, and yet hand, the Roman Catholic Church can command it is ignored by many missions with the result political support, or on the other, governments in that dearly bought experience has to be won over revolt against Catholic influence impose antireli- again under the most unfavorable conditions, and gious laws which affect Roman Catholics and men and resources are thus being continually Protestants alike. wasted. These fields, as has been seen, are almost exclusively the last strongholds of conservatism In South America every kind of Protestant and religious bigotry, and deserve the best that work needs reinforcing, and even where mission- can be provided for their evangelization. aries, owing to anti-religious legislation, can no longer discharge the functions of pastors or edu- It is vital, therefore, that the student world cators, there are, nevertheless, other types of should hear the call to reinforce the larger miswork of a more personal and less organized na- sions. It is important to remember that the smallture open to foreigners, which may be in the long er missions, while they have made a notable run even more fruitful. Organized activities in contribution, have never been able to do work on these republics will ere long be confined exclusive- the same scale and with the same thoroughness as ly to nationals. The sooner, therefore, foreigners that of the missions of the great churches. A realize the new situation, the better it will be for comparison of results in several fields has shown the eventual evangelization of these countries. clearly how much more far-reaching have been The same is true in large measure of the Latin investments in men and resources in the larger countries of Europe. mission undertakings. Latterly, many of the mis- sion boards have found it difficult to get the best The Need for Reinforcement type of student. In Great Britain over 200 va- cancies exist for qualified people, which cannot This review shows that all the larger missions be filled. The temptation has been great to send need reinforcing in order to overtake the great out less qualified people, with the usual trail of task of building up the indigenous church within difficulties attending this policy. A very definite the area for which it can be reasonably considered challenge lies upon the student world to face the responsible, and the work of evangelizing the still call of today, and of the boards to so relate their untouched areas beyond. The multiplication of call to them that the hope of eventually entering societies, as far as possible, should cease, and unoccupied fields can once again form part of the every effort be made to strengthen the existing appeal. societies which have garnered so much valuable experience and have associated with them a con- The call, however, to reach unevangelized peosiderable indigenous Christian Church. The ob- ples is not one that concerns only the missionary ject of such reinforcements should be that more candidate. That is an extremely narrow way of and more rapidly the indigenous Christian forces looking at the problem. It depends upon the whole shall be fitted to take up the whole task of evan- impact of Christian nations upon non-Christian gelism and carry it forward to completion. While communities and upon every Christian who is in the work of the foreign missionary, more than in contact with them bearing an adequate witness, the past, must be viewed as of a temporary char- whether the connection be trade, commerce, govacter, yet under the most favorable conditions the ernment or travel. In some cases these will be maximum contribution of both mission and the only contacts possible, and this constitutes a church is vital to the success of the enterprise. demand that Christian students today should con- sider their relationship to the missionary call not This review shows further that for the most simply as that of presenting themselves to a mispart only experienced missionaries should be sion board, but as to how they themselves as asked to undertake these more difficult remaining Christians should respond to Christ's command tasks which have been described. Men of from to be witnesses to Him wherever they may be. ten to fifteen years' experience who have become acclimatized and have acquired the requisite Should the missionary appeal be presented to knowledge of customs and languages should be the Christian student from this point of view, I singled out by the mission boards and assigned to am sure it would meet with a very real and wide this work, while the new missionary should be response. From amongst the larger numbers of employed in the more settled conditions of the those who would respond to such an appeal'suffioccupied fields where he in turn may acquire the cient numbers would be found prepared to accept necessary experience to occupy later the first line specific calls by mission boards to undertake the posts. definite tasks which the foreign mission fields present.
OF THE EARLY CLASSES IN ST. CHRISTOPHER'S TRAINING
In the centre are Miss Chandler, Miss Brockway (Principal) and Miss Devasahayam (Vice-Principal). Two students are Hindus while the others are Indian .Christians. This is one of the earliest classes trained. At least eight of the above young women are now heads of gIrls' schools. Two are Inspectresses under the Department of Public Instruction. All are in educational work in places as widely separated as Travancore and Poona.
How Education Helps Indian Girls The Story of St. Christopher's 'Training College and the South Indian School Teachers –e&f By CHARLOTTE C. WYCKOFF, Chittoor, South India A Missionary of the Reformed Church in America H OW is it pQssible for an Indian woman to ing the double burden of home and school duties. teach school, bound as she is by the custom Hindu women now are eager to send their daugh- of early marriage and by close confinement ters to school. Girls of every caste throng the behind the purdah? The pioneers in India have high schools, the colleges, and the normal schools.
been Christian women who first had the oppor- Many take positions as teachers. An especially tunity to study and to train for professional interesting change is the movement to educate as service. teachers young widows who formerly would have For over fifty years Christian missions have been condemned to a life of hopeless drudgery, been sending out trained Christian women teach- with shaven heads and coarse white clothes.
ers of elementary grade to teach in Hindu and Many of these are now to be found in increasing Mohammedan as well as in Christian schools. numbers attending school and fitting themselves The progress in education for women is very for a life of service to their country as teachers, largely due to their efforts. These Christian doctors or nurses. Some even finish college and young women postponed marriage and even after become inspectresses of schools.
marriage some of them continued to teach, carry- Mohammedan women are even more backward [353 ]
than Hindus, but they too are going to school in and frequent reshaping of their theories. Teach- curtained carts to study behind closed doors, and ers must specialize as carefully as physicians, for even seek to train themselves as primary teachers. they are dealing with the mind and soul as well The masses of Hindu and Mohammedan women, as with the body of the child. They have no especially in the country, are as yet untouched by "waste paper" on which to practice. Their mis- this movement, but it is slowly spreading as mar- takes are costly, for they involve persons. We riage is postponed. cannot expect that a teacher, who is himself a Like all pioneers these teachers, whether Hindu, product of the rote-memorizing examination mill, Mohammedan or Christian, have great opportuni- and is exhausted by the daily grind of the class- ties and great difficulties. Their opportunities lie r-oom, can think out the needed changes in the along the line of working out a type of education whole system of education for a nation, without which will both attract and truly educate the the help of teachers' colleges.
masses of India's women, 98% of whom are still St. Christopher is the saint who found the illiterate. This means something far better than Christ through helping a child, and St. Christo- merely imitating the weaknesses of the boys' pher's College, which bears his name and his serv- schools which have, for the most part, stressed ice, has this as its aim. "Though there are as the passing of examinations as a means of getting many as 500 Christian secondary schools in In- Government "white-collar" jobs. It involves true dia," says the Lindsay Commission's Report, education of the most progressive sort, based on "there is in ,all India only one Christian training the culture of India, designed to develop women college of higher grade," and that one is St. Chris- who can build a new social order in this testing- topher's Training College, in Madras.
time of change. This college, like the saint whose name it bears, Some of the Difficulties has, been obliged from the beginning to wade , through torrents of difficulty. Its very existence The difficulties which these women teachers' has been threatened by one calamity after an- must undergo are due in part to the deep-rooted other. This baby-college was born in 1923, just conservatism of their own people whose reaction a year too late to profit by the great Three Mil- to the idea of higher education for girls is ex- lion Dollar Fund raised for seven women's col- pressed in the Tamil proverb: "How will educa- ,leges in the Orient. St. Christopher's had no fairy tion teach a girl to blow the fire.?" godmother at its christening. The twelve mis- If the masses of people look upon girls' schools sions that support the other two colleges for as merely convenient repositories for their too- women in South India promised to give a small wrigglesome small daughters at such hours as annual contribution.
they are not wanted at home, how then can one The Early Days expect that they will look with favor upon the idea of postponing that daughter's marriage until Miss Alice Van Doren and Miss Nora Brockshe is through high school? Indian women can- way set up housekeeping in a rented house in not conceive of the possibility of a respectable Madras in July, 1923, to provide for a small class woman's living an independent life apart from of college graduates as students. The next year her family, as a teacher must generally do. If Miss Brockway became principal, assisted by she must travel, or even walk through the streets Miss Lily Devasahayam, an experienced Indian to school, or take up her residence in a new place, graduate trained in England. Miss Van Doren she must have careful chaperonage unless she is was replaced by Miss Gertrude Chandler. Each strong enough in character and personality to re- year trained graduate teachers have been sent sist scandal and exploitation. into high schools and normal schools and super- It will not be an easy task for Indians to re- visory positions all over South India, and even make the educational system, as they alone can as far north as Lahore. The growing number of and must. Where are they to gain the breadth of students soon necessitated more bedrooms and vision and experience, the high ideals and liberal the college moved to another rented house. A conceptions of education which will fit them to whole village of palm-leaf huts was constructed accomplish this reformation? In America new upon the.. fiat, terraced roof of the old bungalow movements in education have sprung up from the that housed the college. Part of the roof was teachers' colleges where teachers receive not only screened off to serve as the chapel, which must be the techniques but the visions which lift school- the heart of a Christian college. In these huts on teaching out of its traditional ruts and make it a the roof abide the budding educationists to this force in the building of the nation. The profes- very day, although their "village" has twice been sors of these teachers' colleges have leisure and blown away by severe cyclones that swept in from means for constructive thinking, experimentation the sea.
HOW EDUCATION HELPS INDIAN GIRLS
Not only did it seem that the "stars in their St. Christopher's refused to commit suicide and, courses fought against" St. Christopher's, but on the contrary, has grown year by year in numthe Indian Department of Public Instruction as bers, prestige and influence. Its strong corp of well. In the second year of the college, grant-in- teachers has opened a new department for girls aid was nearly refused because the Government who have only completed the high school course had decided to open a women's training college of and, after two years of college life in the company its own. "We have money for land and buildings, of graduate students and staff, these younger girls a fine site by the seashore," they reported to the go out to fill important positions as teachers in twelve missions which were cooperating in the junior high schools (called Middle Schools in Insupport of St. Christopher's, and added: "Build dia) or even as heads of elementary schools. With a Christian hostel near us for your Christian stu- the graduates they tramp long distances on foot, dents, and let them attend our college." or ride by bus and tram to schools all over the city for observation and practice-teaching. These The logic of this seems at first irrefutable. makeshift arrangements involve a great deal of Why not provide Bible-teaching and other reli- waste of time and effort. This. college, like all gious education in connection with the Christian other teachers' colleges, should have its own prachostel, and avoid the expense of developing a tice school. Only lack of a few thousands of whole new institution? St. Christopher's staff dollars hinders the carrying out of a plan which and Council decided that, even without Govern- would put the college on a firm, permanent basis. ment aid, they must maintain their separate college, since students cannot get Christian educa- The faculty of St. Christopher's College contion in its best sense by adding an extraneous sists of English, Scotch, American and Indian Bible class to a purely secular course. The golden women of the highest qualifications for their. imthread of Christian faith and life must be woven portant task. Beside the five resident members, through the whole fabric of education, not put on two or three part-time lecturers come in from as an ornamental border. Unless teachers go other Madras institutions to supply the needs of forth aflame with a spirit of sacrificial service, Physical Training, Art and Indian Music. These how can they avoid the mercenary spirit which three departments should some day be developed blights the public education of so many of India's in such a way that teachers may specialize in schools? Hindus and Mohammedans themselves these fields which are neglected in Indian schools realize the disastrous effects of education divorced at present. The college also needs sufficient staff from religion, as is shown by the discussion which to meet the need of experienced teachers for "retook place at an All-India Women's Conference fresher courses," similar to the summer school held in Madras. The Christian teacher needs courses given by teachers' colleges in America. special training in the methods of Bible teaching St. Christopher's is one agency through which as well as character development. She must also this need can best be met in South India. be fitted to work in close cooperation with missionaries and must be trained gradually to take Gay young girls of St. Christopher's College, the place of foreign missionaries, by assuming laughing joyously at their games, experimenting administrative and supervisory positions. with the methods of various educationalists, seek- ing moments of quiet meditation to learn the Opportunities for Graduates secrets of Christ, the Great Teacher, too soon leave this home of loving fellowship, coil up their The young woman who goes into Government long braids and bend their backs to the burden service, as so many Christian teachers have done, of training their country's youth. If their edumay not be permitted to teach Christ directly, but cation has taught them anything, it has taught she may be, in her own personality, "the only them to "blow the fire"-to breathe upon the di- Bible that the non-Christians will read." If she vine flame that smoulders even in the heart of an comes to her work aflame with the spirit of Christ outcaste child, to cherish and nourish the flame in as her Master, with sterling character and quali- the hearts of every child who turns to them for ties of leadership, she may rise high in her pro- help, to replenish their own flame from the Difession and attain an influence impossible to the vine Source of light and power that they may teacher in a private Christian school. While some have wherewith to give. Their patient, skilful may have failed to live up to the opportunities of blowing of this fire will start a conflagration that these positions, many have won respect for them- will sweep all India! selves and their faith by the uprightness of their characters. [Further information about St. Christopher's Training College may be obtained from Mrs. F. G. Cook, 44 Garden St., Cambridge, Mass.]
of Modernism in Islam*
By JAMES E. KINNEAR, Cairo, Egypt Recently Secretary of the Nile Mission Press O WING to the impact of Western civilization, sorry to say many have dropped the custom alto- especially since the Great War, upon Mo- gether. May God forgive them, if they call them- hammedanism, a feeling has sprung up selves Moslems!" among the educated classes that the old religion The effendi was rather intrigued by the sheikh's of Islam is out of place in present world condi- outspokenness. He replied: tions. Some have discarded their religion alto- "Well, you see, I am one of those who believe gether, while others maintain that Islam should in reforming Islam. The movement for modern- be thoroughly modernized. Some idea of this "neo- izing our religion is very strong in Turkey, and Islam," against the ba'ckground of the older tra- as I can see by the newspapers here, there is a dition, may be'gained from an imaginary conver- growing feeling that certain things ought to be sation between representatives of the old and the changed to make Islam up-to-date."
new schools of thought. The sheikh looked horrified, and raised his On a journey from Suez to Cairo, across burn- hands in protest. The other went on: ing and glaring desert sands, the only other occu- "Just the other day I noticed a letter in the pant of the railway compartment was a sheikh, newspaper suggesting that the fast of Ramadan who had just returned from the pilgrimage to should be greatly modified to suit modern condi- Mecca. A third person joined us before the train tions of living. It is the sort of thing that was moved off, and the dialogue which started up be- common in the Turkish press about ten years ago.
tween this newcomer and the sheikh proved to be The gist of the argument was – and he's quite most interesting. right, of course – that the practice of fasting all The new arrival was of the effendi class and day for a month on end was not a great hardship proved to be a Turk who had spent five or six on the Arabs, who lived an easy kind of life, and years in Egypt in business, which accounted for who could afford to take the fast month more or his fluency in Egyptian colloquial Arabic. The less as a holiday. True, Mohammed (upon him sheikh, a man between thirty and forty years, be peace), made exception in the case of the sick wore the customary flowing robes of his class. and those traveling and so forth, but he made no The sheikh, who more or less continuously kept provision for those who have to go on earning up a low muttering of prayers and fingered his their living by hard labor. Think of the condi- rosary unceasingly, declined to take a cigarette tions prevailing in large cities, where many thou- when offered it by the effendi. After a time the sands get no respite from their work in Ramadan.
latter unwrapped a paper parcel containing his Think, too, of the fellah in Egypt. He has to go lunch, a small chicken, some black olives, a piece on toiling. I tell you the big fast is an intolerable of white cheese and a round flat loaf of bread. In burden to multitudes. You can't blame them for accordance with Eastern custom he pressed the throwing it up altogether."
sheikh to help himself. As he politely refused, "Surely one's obedience to Allah and His he added, "I am fasting, my good fellow. Are you Prophet comes before one's physical comfort,"
not keeping Ramadan also?" exclaimed the sheikh. "Would you dare change "Sorry," said the other. "No, I'm not keeping the decrees of the Holy Prophet which descended the fast." Then after a pause he turned to the upon Him directly from Allah?"
other smiling and said, "I'm a Turk, you know; "Another thing is this," went on the Turk, tak- and the fast of Ramadan is not nearly so strictly ing little- notice of the interruption. "The fast observed there as it used to be. I notice in Egypt was introduced at a time when the solar calendar the great majority of the people observe it." was followed, so that the fast fell at the same "Yes, I believe that is true," returned the season every year. Later the lunar year was sheikh, "but there are very many who only pre- adopted, and it seems that the Prophet overlooked tend to keep it, eating food on the sly. And, I'm the fact that the fast would then frequently fall in the hot summer months when long days are an * From Blessed Be Egypt, April, 1936. undue hardship to all the Believers."
[356 ] The sheikh's astonishment and horror knew no Moslems would have to spend the whole day in bounds. "What," he cried, "you would charge the saying fifty prayers!" Holy Prophet, who was none other than the mouthpiece of God, with falling into error, as At this both laughed; even the sheikh saw the though he were like any common man? Why, point. the very pillars of religion are being undermined! What next will you modernists be doing? It's "Yes," he said, "there is a danger if we get nothing short of heresy, rank heresy, this sort of away from the simplicity of the Koran. As long thing. . . . " as we stick to the Blessed Book we shall keep to the straight path. But I must say I don't like The effendi tried to calm him, saying: what you've done in Turkey, translating the glo- rious Arabic of the angel Gabriel into another "Surely you know that there is a strong school language in which Allah never spoke to men." of thought amongst Moslems these days which does not accept the traditional view of the "That's just where we modernists differ. What Prophet. It is one thing to believe the Holy we say is, if you want Islam to propagate itself Koran, but, believe me, it is another thing to ac- among the unbelievers you must remove every encept all the traditions of the early followers, even cumbrance from it. .If we insist that the Koran though they are classed as genuine. Take that be kept in Arabic the knowledge of it will never absurd story found in Sahib Bukhari's works, for spread to any degree. True, the eloquence of the instance, a masterpiece of untruth and stupidity. Arabic can never be reproduced in another lan- The Koran tells of Mohammed being taken to the guage, but surely the contents of the book are more Holy City only at night, and later adds that it was important than its eloquence." in a dream. So there was no possibility of a miracle, you see? But these zealous traditionists "That may be so, but if I can believe what I take Mohammed to the Seventh Heaven, write hear, you don't stop at that. You even find fault down a voluminous account of his voyage, and with the text of the Koran itself. What on earth claim that Mohammed himself related all these are we coming to?" things. In short, they make the Prophet a liar, and introduce a lot of unnecessary miraculous "Well, you know," the effendi tried to assure stuff that only makes our religion a laughing him, adopting a quiet and deliberate manner, "the stock in the eyes of Westerners." Koran of course contains the very essence of re- ligion, the religion, but the great message which' "But what is to prevent God having taken the the Prophet came to deliver can be expressed in Prophet to heaven?" asked the sheikh rather a few lines-the true principles of religion. Mohotly. "Did he not condescend to work many and hammed considered these basic principles enough divers miracles at the hand of Mohammed? So for Islam and did not deem it necessary to teach why should it be thought incredible. . . ." all the other verses of the Koran. Some verses have nothing to do with religion; they simply "Miracles?" interrupted the effendi. "Who at- echo the trouble that arose over certain matters. tributes miracles to Mohammed? That is more There was no reason why the whole Moslem comof the traditional overloading of the simple truth. munity should know these – husband-and-wife Do you still hold to that sOlt of thing? Why quarrels, jealousies, improprieties and so forth. don't you read an up-to-date life of Mohammed It seems that Mohammed himself did not give to like that recently published by Haekal Bey? Any the whole of the Koran the importance accorded mention of miracles in that? Of course not. And to it later on." Into the sheikh's scandalized ears further, what about the origin of the obligatory he poured the doctrine that "We must learn to prayer five times a day? You know what these differentiate between the important and the unold traditionists say about that, don't you? How important verses." Mohammed, after receiving commandments directly from God, at his ascent into heaven, met As the sheikh, with upraised hands, could only Moses on the way back. Moses, like one of the utter a deprecatory "Allah!" the effendi continued present-day reporters, interviews the Prophet and to propound his doctrine. "We need to revise the when he hears that Moslems 'have consented to old revelation, you see. Nothing short of it. If burden his people with fifty prayers a day, tells Islam is going to survive, we must cease to be him that they will refuse to bear such a burden, sticklers for many of its external forms. They and that he should go back and get a discount. are relatively unimportant." Mohammed went and returned, but with insufficient discount, and Moses obliges him to go back "Yes," the sheikh cut in, "you're even proposing several times more, until the matter boils down to do away with Friday as the day of rest in Turto five prayers a day. So, had it not been for the key, I see. . . ." prudence and bargaining skill of Moses, today "Of "Course. And there are plenty in Egypt too who think the same way and act on it. Trade is so fully developed with Westerners living in Mos- lem lands these days. You can't lose two days in
the week, both Friday and Sunday. It won't be fare and killing, for men to marry five or six long before Sunday is officially adopted in Turkey wives. Men were relatively scarce then. But as the weekly holiday. The Government offices in such doctrine is out-of-date. I would go so far as Egypt are practically the only places that close to advocate the passing of a law forbidding plural down on Friday now." marriages. . . . No woman can be true to a man married to another wife if she knows that he is "There seems to be a mad rush to copy thesE' deceiving and betraying her. If she had the power Europeans. They've come here and disturbed she would condemn him to death. How can a man everything. . . . " and woman live together in insincerity? You can respect no woman as your wife unless you know While the sheikh was delivering himself in this her to be sincere. Otherwise it were better to strain, reiterating his sentiments somewhat mo- leave her at once. . . . The duty of the Egyptian notonously, I thought it time to offer my contri- woman is to work through Feminist Societies to bution to the discussion. The chance was too good pass a law which will forbid plurality of wives, to miss. except in times of war. Representations should be made to the king, to ministers and public "Excuse me," I said, "here's something worth bodies. She should not alienate the right to enjoy reading." I handed to the effendi my copy of her husband's love exclusively without sharing Al-Ahram, a Cairo Arabic daily, pointing out a him with other wives." letter which occupied the best of a column. "Read that to your friend." "The times are sadly out of joint indeed," cried the sheikh, and went on to develop the sad theme He took it and read: "I was much surprised at in no uncertain language. But his tirade was soon your paper for favoring plurality of wives, for I cut short by our arrival at the noisy railway stalittle thought you would defend such retrograde tion of the metropolis. custom, which, God knows, is not consistent with the times in which we live. It may have been natural in the old days when there was so much war- A Moslem Seeker Who Found God By REV. L. BEVAN JONES, Lahore, Punjab 1I )8- Principal of the Henry Martyn School of Islamics I HARD and unpromising though the soil of of this unique person, was met one day in dra- most Moslem hearts appears to be, we yet matic fashion. Happening to mention his wish have reason every now and then to thank in the house of a Moslem, formerly a missionary's God and take fresh courage because of evidence servant, the latter tossed a copy to him as though glad to be rid of it. Alim-ud-din received it as a that the Gospel of His grace works with saving very gift from God. He now began a diligent study of the Scriptures, and the more he read the power in these hearts also. ~ more convinced he became that in Christ, and not in Mohammed, is God's way of salvation for sin- One such seeker after God, who found Him, is ful men.
old man Alim-ud-din ("learned in the faith"), In his own community he was a well-to-do ta- lugdar (landowner), and yet withal singularly now passed to his reward. humble in spirit. But though his home was in a village on the outskirts of Dacea, it was long be- Always of a devout and inquiring turn of mind fore he made contact with the missionarie,s who lived there. One day he stopped in a street to this man had, while still quite young, read listen to the preaching" and something said by one of the missionaries was God's word that found through the Arabic Koran a number of times. In lodgment in his heart. Alim-ud-din was then over fifty years of age. this and certain devotional books of the Moslems Now, Bible in hand, he would debate the claims he had been arrested by significant remarks con- of Christ with local Moslem leaders. He used to cerning Christ. Incredible though it may sound, to Him are there given titles and tributes higher than anything accorded to Mohammed. Conclud- ing that Jesus is, in some special way, supremely worthy, Alim-ud-din formed the habit of reciting the'se tributes, in the Mosque itself, instead of the usual 'liturgical prayers.
His longing to secure a Bible, and so learn more
A MOSLEM SEEKER WHO FOUND GOD
speak of one occasion in particular, when to his concern to pass on to others the message of God's consternation he found assembled at the rendez- Salvation through Christ. He came for copies of vous a great concourse of people who were there the Gospel and Christian literature that he might to give support to their "doctors of the law." His give these away, or read them aloud to others. In courage quite failed him and, to his shame, he his own way he became an evangelist, witnessing crept away without saying a word on behalf of fearlessly for Christ among his own people. Christ. Frequently he would seize one's hand in both Years passed by and then, overcoming his shy- of his and, with a rare smile on his dear old face, ness, he accosted one of the mission evangelists would exclaim: "How can I thank you enough for and was brought by him to the present writer. the ratna (jewel; i. e., Jesus) you have brought By this time he had read the Gospels to such good to me!" God's Spirit had quickened the seed. purpose that he could repeat from memory many sayings of Jesus. While to us he seemed ready TWO MOSLEM CONVERTS AND DR. ZWEMER for baptism he himself, for some reason, held Alim-ud-din and Musharraf in India in 1927 back. And then one morning he came with grave face to tell of a dream in which he had seen the When God called him Home the evangelist, Christ. "And now," he said, "I dare not die with Peter Sircar, wrote saying: "I am not grieved my faith in Him unconfessed. I have no faith about his death, because he is now with Jesus on whatsoever in Mohammed. He himself was a whose account he had for so long borne reviling sinner. I am a sinner and I want peace, the peace abuse and neglect at the hands of his own people." that Christ gives, before I die." But in the end those very people were constrained to bear this testimony: "He was a most trust- At his baptism he was given for his encourage- worthy and God-fearing man; we shall never see ment the text: "If God be for us, who can be His like again in this village." It is fitting, thereagainst us?" Trouble quickly followed, and his fore, that the epitaph on his tombstone in the vilfoes proved to be those of his own household. His lage should take the form of a witness to others wife, his only son, and the neighbors rose up to of his great quest and still greater discovery: persecute him. Maulois ("doctors of the law") came, and with cunning assured him that he could ALIM-UD-DIN, a devout and humble seeker after truth, maintain his devotion to Christ within the fold of Who, guided by the witness of the Quran, Islam; so why not return and cease to be a cause Searched the Christian Scriptures and found Jesus, of grief to them all? As a result of their argu- The Way, the Truth, and the Life. ments Alim-ud-din recanted.
It was a distressing experience to go to the old man's home and show him what his apostasy must mean to God. We vowed that we would pray that God might cause him such pain at the thought of it that he would cry out for mercy. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as we left.
He was at length convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit and later returned to us, with a grievous burden on his soul. Had he not, he asked, committed the unpardonable offence? How, then, could God forgive him? Many were the talks we had, but he was not easily persuaded that great as was his sin, God's grace is greater still. Nevertheless, reassurance and relief came, and it was a happy day for us all! One after another of the deacons of the church pleaded for him in prayer to God that he might enter fully into the joy of forgiveness.
Once again persecution followed, and Alim-uddin prepared for the day when he might have to go forth as an exile from his own home. But in the mercy of God that necessity did not arise. He lived down the opposition and by his transparent goodness and meekness actually won the admiration and esteem of his Moslem neighbors.
In place of the old timidity he developed a new
Limko Christians of
By the REV. PAUL C. MELROSE, I Los Angeles, California 1'- ~==========================~ "FOREIGN Teacher, I have no money and only and made it a communistic center. In a few days these two hands to work with, but I wish to the tide turned, however; loyalists drove out the enter your school." Reds and the church was again occupied by the The principal of the mission school for boys at Christians. The next year they bought a new Nodoa, Hainan, looked at the Limko lad, Fu Vun piece of land and, after self-sacrificing effort, Khai, and said: built a fine new chapel.
"How can I receive you when the school is full Soon after the dedication, Pastor Fu stated that and I cannot provide work for another one?" a new building was needed at the main Limko center at Hou-Iang. Their present building had "Yes, Teacher," said the boy, "but I just must been in use not more than ten years but even for come to school." ordinary services was now inadequate. The mis- The principal capitulated. "Take off your sion decided to work for a new evangelistic center coat," he replied, "and help me with this black- on a fifty-fifty basis, the Limko church promising smithing." $2,000 and the missionaries agreeing to ask So began the training of Pastor Fu of the friends at home for the same amount.
Limkos of Hainan, who now preaches to one of If Pastor Fu had been able to foresee the future the largest congregations on the island. he might ;well have hesitated. The first great ob- Who are the Limkos? We Americans are apt ' stacIe was famine. For three seasons the rains to think of every other nation a!'l l}aving only one failed and the rice rose in price until the poor language. This is far from true in China. In Limkos could not afford to buy. They made sweet the Island of Hainan, the mass of Chinese speak potatoes (known in Hainan as the "bread of povthe Hainanese dialect with variations, but in the erty") the staple of diet. Then war came and interior we find aboriginal tribes which retain brought ruin in its train. The communists forti- their distinctive dress and customs, and their own fied a near-by village and made that their headlanguage. There are "tame" aborigines such as quarters until government troops dislodged them. the Kheng-toa, Limko and Damtsiu Lois. In the After the battle the village of one thousand homes mountain regions there are also "wild" aborigines was obliterated and the inhabitants were either such as the Mia,us and Lois. Colonies of Kakkas killed, captured or scattered. Nearly one hundred and Cantonese live near Nodoa. The Limkos are destitute Christians found refuge in the chapel.
found in a district fifty miles and more west of Pastor Fu fed them as long as he could and then Hainan's one treaty-port, Hoihow. In ancient appealed to the mission for help. But during all times this tribe probably drifted over from the this period the Limkos never lost sight of the goal. mainland of Asia, since their language has much The money was pledged and paid in. A beautiful in common with that of the Laos of Siam. Less new site was purchased, temporary quarters were than a generation ago the Limkos first heard the erected, a well dug, bricks purchased, and the Gospel and since then they have come into the walls went up. Meanwhile the American friends Christian Church in increasing numbers. Isaiah's had not been idle. The family of the late Wm. word may well be applied to them: "A little one J. Leverett provided $1,000 and the new chapel shall become a thousand and a small one a strong was named the Leverett Memorial Chapel. In nation." October, 1931, the new house of worship was dedi- cated, with a brief address by the Nodoa pastor, During the dark days of 1926-2'7 the Limko Rev. Li, and the prayer by Pastor Fu. Christians at Notia were subjected to bitter per- secution. Anti-Christian papers were pasted on Later word from the field tells of the organizathe chapel walls; efforts were made to prevent tion of another Limko church at the district city. meetings for worship; the townspeople said it This new group of about two hundred members was time to "take back" the chapel property, and is an offshoot of Pastor Fu's organization, and a leading communist openly used the chapel for a plans to call a pastor. The Limkos of Hainan are primary school. Finally the Reds seized the town coming into the Kingdom.
[360 ] By PAUL W. HARRISON, M.D., Muscat, Arabia Missionary of the Reformed Church in America THE Iraq Government is building a modern Christ and His teachings and principles. He plant for its medical school in Baghdad. The needs to know the philosophical principles and day for medical and educational missionary technique for embodying those principles in actual work in that country has passed, as. it is passing life. He needs to know how to live as a follower in the whole Near East. There will be a time of of Christ in this confused modern jungle, and he transition but eventually the New Iraq will not needs to know how outsiders can enter and begin need medical missionaries, just as Japan does not to live as Christians. now. How do men enter the Kingdom of God? By a Unfortunately there will probably not be as miracle which God works in their hearts, always.
many of these years of transition as would be for Lacking that miracle, any results that we may the country's good. Missionary schools and hos- think we see are futile and temporary things. pitals could make a genuine contribution for a We have been sent out to cooperate with God long time to come, but the tide of nationalism rises in that process. He has made us His indispensable higher and higher and apparently the government partners. Our commission is to "make disciples." is ready to dispense with all foreign contributions. If making disciples is fundamentally working in Recent legislation in Iran did not regulate pri- cooperation with God to accomplish a miracle, then mary mission education. rt was abolished, and on obviously the one matter of real importance is to all sides we hear the assurance that higher edu- discover how God wants this done, and then to cation is soon to walk the same plank. In that cooperate with Him as reverently and as diligently country, too, it is more and more difficult for any as we can. Our success will depend on how well outsider to secure permission to practice medicine. our efforts please Him, and not on anything else.
rt has been a matter of great surprise and pro- But can we discover how God wishes to work? found thankfulness that along with this deter- We can at least find out how He has worked bemined effort to eliminate missionary schools and fore. In Arabia we have now earnest Christians missionary hospitals has come an increased who have been called out of darkness into light, friendliness toward evangelistic work. In this and from the power of Satan unto God. How did new era Christ apparently finds His way into the they come to hear God's voice and follow Christ. human heart more easily when unincumbered by institutions. Iran reports scenes of genuine re- Some came because God prepared their hearts, vival power. Even in Arabia the Church of Christ prepared them so completely, that one might alis emerging, and blessing is attending our evan- most imagine an animated phonograph had delivgelistic work such as we have not seen before. ered a sufficient message. Dr. Dame made a trip to the Pirate coast, and Christ's message was These are significant changes. We have been given as widely and as well as the circumstances accustomed to think of missionaries as carrying of such a tour make possible. At the best such a Christ's message to men and women who are presentation is meager and unsatisfactory. But bound hand and foot by ignorance, and are vic- a man was there whose heart God had touched, tims of every disease. Medical and educational and this meager glimpse of the Gospel was enough work found their justification in the needs of the to lead him to respond with all his soul. He fol- infant church and in the needs of the surrounding lowed Dr. Dame to Bahrain where he was further community. But now the State cares for the sick instructed and eventually he went to Busrah for and teaches the ignorant, while we present Christ training in Christian school. His loyalty to Christ to men of intelligence and education, citizens of has never wavered. He is one of the deepest and the world of thought and ideas. most earnest of all Christ's men in Arabia today, That means many things. rt means that, where- a pillar in His Church. The occasional finding of such men is One of the fundamental reasons for as it was important once for the missionary to be tours throughout our field. Such men God prea profound student of the religion of the people to whom he was sent, it is important now that he pares. All the missionary does is to discover be intimately and profoundly acquainted with them.
[361 ]
Another such man, prepared by God's own the regular Sunday services and attending the Spirit, came to Christ with all his heart when the daily morning prayers for the hospital staff. How only message that he could receive was what he many hundred times he listened to the presenta- saw in the missionary's life. The missionary in tion of the Gospel before his own heart began to this case is a very considerable linguist, one of our open its windows toward Jerusalem, it would be best. He commands with ease three European interesting to know. From the first he was faith- languages, besides being an authority in Arabic, ful in his work, and an interested listener, but but he knew no Beluchi at all, and Sheero knew comprehension came slowly, and words falling on nothing else. He was merely one of a construction a puzzled and uncomprehending heart fall "by the gang, which the missionary employed in building wayside, and the birds come and devour them."
a new hospital. That would seem a hopeless sit- But eventually Noobie's eyes lighted up with a uation, but nothing can defeat the Spirit of God new light, and there was joy in the presence of when He moves men, and for depth of surrender the angels ()f God when he was baptized a few to Christ and joy in His service, we have not seen weeks ago.
Sheero's experience surpassed. Sheero eventually Feddag came in the same way, except that he learned some Arabic and the missionary some was in a mission school where a lesson in Christ's Beluchi, so that now he has had the message teaching and example and work is part of every through the ear as well as through the eye. With- day's assignment. It was not an understanding in the past few weeks he has been baptized. of the mind for which he waited. Doubtless he Such an experience, with God's hand unmis- had that from the first day. Far more difficult takably evident, is a great reinforcement to the is the understanding which makes loyalty to missionary's faith, but it is not a common experi- Christ harmonize with our love for our mother, ence. Most men need to have the message pre- for our companions, and for our country, which sented a hundred times before they enter the makes Christ's loveliness the crown of every other Kingdom. That does not mean that they are lovely thing that the soul has ever seen. That given a different message. Our message comes understanding is a much deeper thing, and some- from God and it is the one thing that we cannot times it is slow to come. That is perhaps the rea- change. It does not even mean that a different son why the educated man must travel a much aspect of the message is presented first, or that longer road before he arrives at Christ's feet than emphasis is shifted from one point to another. his ignorant neighbor, and why the intense pa- It does not mean that these more ordinary ex- triot often has the longest and hardest road of all.
periences of conversion come after the missionary In the West many have opened their unwilling has persuaded the listener to accept the message. souls in surrender to Christ only when failure and Persuading men to accept Christ has been very sin have broken their self-confidence and pride.
prominently in the minds and the methods of In the shame of a broken self-esteem men find evangelists at home. Finney, for instance, has a their way to God. That is true in Arabia too.
good deal to say about it. But in a country such Zaharah was born to lead, and she has done so.
as Arabia, I doubt if any missionary has ever With her help, her husband has been acknowl- persuaded a man to accept Christ. The neces- edged chief of a notable clan of brothers. But sary thing is to get them to understand the Gos- wrapped in the same bundle with leadership was pel. The message is the same and doubtless no a furious temper. Her outbursts made her feared man is going to leave his past life to accept and by the whole community. The insult of a partner follow Christ except as God prepares His heart wife made her worse and she became a community for that decision. But the number of men who spectacle.
are ready to accept Christ is perhaps not so small One day a particularly vicious outburst left her as we think. With rare exceptions, men do not sitting broken and weeping in the path that led to readily understand the message, and even if we the missionary's house. All that he could offer speak with the tongues of men and of angels, the her was Christ's hand to lead her out of her dis- situation is not greatly helped. An infinite amount grace and sin and make her free. That was all; of repetition will do much to make the message and no more was needed for she was ready, and intelligible and I know of nothing else that will. Christ always is. Perhaps no other of all those Once understood, it will of itself persuade. chosen to be Christ's pioneers in Arabia has the Noobie was stolen from Beluchistan as a mere endowment and the potentiality of this woman.
baby, brought to Arabia and sold as a slave. As God is working in power through the groups a slave he grew up, and as an adult he suc- of Christians who have made their contribution ceeded in running away and securing his freedom. to our own lives. But it has not been easy to Ire came to do the cleaner's work in the mission transfer the lesson of these groups to the mission hospital, and was with us two years, listening to field. In Arabia the necessary background seems
CHRISTIAN MISSIONS AND PEACE IN THE PACIFIC
lacking, and doubtless also imagination and flexi- dream or a sign to confirm it. She did not follow bility on our part. Recently the Oxford Group till she had the dream. Nor was it much of a came to Muscat, with both its message and its dream as we might estlmate such things. She saw method. Our best hospital helper had steadily the missionary and his wife in a garden. The held aloof from Christ. He had been associated most irrepressible psychiatrist would have diffiwith the hospital for thirteen years, and was de- culty in making much of that, nor would the misvoted to his work, and loyal to us personally, but sionary claim much for it either. But it constistill a Mohammedan. Like most Mohammedans tuted the evidence that she needed, and she swung his matrimonial course had been marred by un- her heart wide open to Chrst; the glory of God happiness and divorce, though in it were also in the face of Jesus Christ has shone in her life areas of real love and companionship. One night ever since. we were led to share with him some of our own experiences of loneliness and trouble. Christ's We have seen children come, led by their parhand had been there in the darkness for one of us, ents, and wives led by their husbands. Men and and that night the other put his hand out too, for women come to God as a result of very different Christ to grasp that he might be led and ruled human contributions but always because, by some and saved. Through persecution and hardship, human agent, the message of the Gospel is preweariness and temptation, his loyalty has never sented, and is made understandable; then by the wavered since. There is no reason for being sur- Divine Spirit they are brought to surrender themprised that witnessing to God's power is so val- selves to Christ whom that message reveals. Nor uable a means for reaching men's hearts. The is that the whole story. It is only the beginning Gospel had been presented to Mobarrek literally and the missionary's responsibility for the first thousands of times, but that night for the first feeble steps of these infants, and for their sound time he understood what it was that Christ and genuine growth in Christ, is very great. wanted to give him. There are mistakes and stumbling and backsliding and repentance, and so there will be until Christ's Urn Miriam, she of the shining face, how did Church, under His guidance, comes to be a glorishe come? A dream brought her. The message ous church "without spot or wrinkle or any such she had heard, and without doubt had understood thing." But the reign of Christ in Arabia has it as far as superficial understanding goes, but she begun, and He shall reign until He has put every was not sure that it was true and she asked for a enemy under His feet, forever and ever.
Christian Missions and Peace in the Pacific By KENNETH SCOTT LATOURETTE, Ph.D., New Haven, Connecticut Professor of Missions and Oriental History at Yale University W HAT can the forces of Protestant mis- to the teeming peoples of the Far East. Some are sions do to insure peace in the Pacific? derived from the political weakness of China. By themselves they cannot hope to main- Others stem from the destruction of the former tain it. They may, however, by throwing their balance of power which once somewhat shakily weight on that side, help to determine whether supported the peace of the East of Asia. Whatthe future is to be one of peace or war. ever the reasons, they are not such as to permit us to center the responsibility upon anyone power. Not since the Russo-:Japanese War have we had Yet they are making for a rising threat of hosformal belligerency which has centered in the tilities. The growing resentment of the Chinese Far East. For the past few years, however, we and the clear purpose of the Japanese may at any have been watching an expanding Japan whose moment break out into open and declared war. activities are disturbing the uneasy equilibrium. The danger of another Russo-Japanese conflict The reasons for that expansion are multiform. varies in acuteness, but seems to be increasing. Some of them lie in the rapid growth of the pop- The traditional Open Door policy, if adhered to ulation of the Island Empire. Some of them are and insisted upon, may at any time embroil the to be found in the rapid industrialization of the United States past the possibility of peaceable country. Others are to be sought in the lack of extrication. Japan does not wish to fight the outlet and the preemption by the white races of United States, but if the United States, in support most of the sparsely occupied lands and the of the Open Door policy, appears to Japan to be markets and raw materials of the world, and in seriously interfering with her Continental prothe unwillingness of the possessors to open these
gram, she may resort to arms. Any of these wars ligible. In Korea and the Philippines the memwould involve great loss of treasure and of life, bership of the Protestant churches constitute at with untold suffering for millions. They would most less than one per cent of the population. In but further upset the equilibrium and sow the China it is only about one-tenth of one per cent, and in Japan perhaps a third of one per cent. To seeds of future wars. . be sure, these groups exert an influence out of all To this menace the missionary forces cannot be proportion to their size. One of the most remark- able features of the Protestant movement in the. indifferent. Any of these conflicts would breed Far East is the large numbers of those who have more hate and add to the toll of the world's suffer- been touched by it who have had an outstanding ing. Any of them could not fail seriously to place in shaping the policy and the life of their jeopardize the cause of Christ on both sides of respective countries. We are living in a day in the Pacific. Especially would the churches of which we have seen demonstrated again and again Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines, numer- the power of a small but determined minority ically small as they are, be placed in the gravest which knows what it wishes and sets out to attain peril. it. Could not the Protestant minorities in the Far East unite and succeed in inducing their gov- Must the missionary forces stand helplessly by? ernments to maintain the peace? On the Amer- Is there nothing which they can do to stem the ican side of the Pacific, moreover, the Protestant tide? forces are numerically much stronger and are in a position to bring pressure on their government As a result of missions, organized Protestant and to shape public opinion. Yet we need to re- Christianity has at hand assets which should be member that even in the United States those who of help in averting war. As the fruit of missions, have more than a nominal connection with the home and foreign, of the past century and more, Church are decidedly in the minority. churches have arisen on the American shores of the Pacific and in Japan, China, and the Philip- The Lack of an International Outlook pines-all of the bordering lands most vitally concerned except Russia. The great majority of In the second place, we must recall the lack of Protestant missionaries in the Far East are from international outlook in the great majority of the United States. Ties between these Protestant church members, whether west or east of the Christian bodies have been maintained by the con- Pacific. Theoretically they should have it. In stant flow of missionaries westward and by mem- practice most of them do not. More than most bers of Far Eastern churches who have studied nonchurch members, they are somewhat predisin the United States or have come on errands on posed to view other peoples with sympathetic behalf of these groups. In the course of the past understanding. As we shall remind ourselves in forty years organizational machinery has been a moment, many encouraging movements for developed which is knitting together in conscious peace have originated among Protestant Chrisfellowship the Protestant Christians around the tians. Yet the fact remains that at present the North Pacific. In Japan, China, Korea, and the large maj ority of Protestants on either side of Philippines are National Christian Councils, and the ocean are ignorant of all but the vaguest noon the American side the F,oreign Missions Con- tions of other peoples around the North Pacific ference of North America. These, in turn, are and tend to share the nationalist sentiments of members of the International Missionary Coun- their non-Christian neighbors. cil, an agency more nearly inclusive of all Protestantism than that fissiparous movement has We must recognize, in the third place, that known in the over four centuries of its history. Protestants cannot possibly speak as a unit on In the main, this cooperative machinery is grow- anyone issue, whether international or otherwise. ing in experience and strength. In its essence, Anyone person or any group or organization Christianity recognizes nations but rises above which presumes to voice the opinion of all of them them. In the Church, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, is either deceiving or self-deceived. None of the Filipino, and American are ideally one in Christ. National Christian Councils embraces all the Prot- All are brethren, bound by ties of a common faith estant communions within its area. Nor does the and by love for one another and for God. So far Foreign-Missions Conference of North America as they remember one another in prayer, as many include in its membership all mission boards. of them do, they are knit together by that tie that Certainly the Federal Council of Churches does transcends space and national boundaries. This not represent all the Protestant bodies of the fellowship, then, should make for peace. United States. Probably no official body can voice authoritatively on international questions the con- However, any honest and intelligent facing of victions of all the members of even one denomthe situation at once discloses limitations. To ination-partly because it does not have such a ignore these is to insure frustration. First of all, we must recognize the fact that in the Far East the Protestant groups are numerically almost neg-
mandate, and partly because those convictions not quickly conclude that Christianity has failed.
vary, when, indeed, they exist at all. Protestants The ministry of mercy and the message of spir- are not agreed as to whether ecclesiastical ma- itual and moral salvation to the individual are not chinery should be used for action on international to be despised. They are primary features of the questions. If they were, they would not be function of the Church. But in a day of growing unanimous on what the action should be on any international tension is this all which the Prot- specific problem. Certainly on anyone issue no estant forces on the two sides of the Pacific can international body, whether the International hope to accomplish?
Missionary Council or any other, can do more We do well to remind ourselves that even now than mobilize for action a portion of the Prot- the Protestant forces have been far from ineffecestant constituency. tive. Already out of Protestant missions and the In the fourth place, it is probably fair to say so-called younger churches have come movements that Protestants cannot alter very greatly the fac- which have made for the lessening of friction.
tors making for war. These latter are of many They may point the way to what, given the nature kinds. Some are economic. Some are associated of Protestantism and of the problems it faces, we with the closely related rate of increase of popula- can hope to achieve. They may indicate that in tion. Some have to do wicth rampant nationalism. Protestantism, as it now exists on both sides of Protestantism cannot hope at any early date to the Pacific, agencies are already to hand which, if effect any great change in the birth rate in Japan intelligently and resolutely employed, can make a or China. In China, by its widespread medical vast difference in the trans-Pacific international public health and famine relief activWes it has outlook.
probably accentuated rather than lessened the The Influence of Protestant Missions pressure of population. Through a few experi- mental cooperatives Protestants may point the First of all, the Protestant missionary enter- way to an alleviation of ,the desperate plight of prise has carried on a process of education which the farmers which has had so much to do with has contributed to a more sympathetic under- Japan's recent territorial expansion. By efforts standing among the peoples of the Pacific. Mis- at devising better agricultural methods and sionaries have sometimes aroused antipathy, but through rural life reconstruction they may, sim- among those who have known them at all well ilarly, pioneer in achieving a better life for the they have made for a warm admiration for the farmers of China. Yet, taken as a whole, they best in the lands from which they have come. In cannot hope to do more than modify some of the the United States missionary education has done basic economic factors which lie at the roots of much to spread information about the Far East much of the international friction in Japan, and to create a hearty appreciation of its peoples China, Korea, and the Philippines. Protestants and cultures. Often missionaries are accused of cannot expect to make much headway against the playing up the weaknesses of the lands to which rising tide of nationalism of the rulers and the they have gone in order to arouse compassion and masses. They are too few in numbers for that. through it an increased support for their work.
In the United States, Protestant leaders, if peace- That back of this charge some truth lies cannot minded, can, because of their much larger con- be denied. In the main, however, and especially stituency, hope for more success in offsetting the of late years, the widely used mission study texts bellicose nationalism of those who have appointed and a very large proportion, perhaps a majority, themselves the nation's professional patriots. of the addresses by missionaries have sought to They may do something, for instance, to curb the present the peoples of the Far East in a favorable swelling flood of armaments. Even in the United light. Mission study texts have many more read- States, however, organizations depending upon ers than have any other books on the Far East.
Protestantism for support can be only one of Probably addresses by missionaries have a total many conflicting forces and cannot basically alter number of hearers larger than that for all other some of the outs·tanding causes of international lectures on the F'ar East. The majority of Amer- friction. ican scholars who specialize on the Far East and What does this mean? In the face of the lower- its interpretation either are from the missionary ing clouds in the North Pacific must the Prot- body or are the children of missionaries. Here estant forces stand by supinely and helplessly, has been and is a vast educational process which contenting themselves with assisting minorities is helping to create an atmosphere in which intel- administer palliatives to the misery brought by an ligent and fair-minded, even generous, discussion inevitable war and bringing to a few the news of the problems of the North Pacific can take of a suffering and triumphant God in whose place.
strength they can rise radiant, undespairing, We need to recall, in the second place, that out above the general disaster? If that is so, we need of the missionary movement have emerged some
of the most distinguished leaders and helpful viduals will emerge who through nonecclesiastical agencies which have labored for peace across the private organizations and through governmental Pacific. Recall the work of Dr. Sidney Gulick, channels will work for peace. All this may not once a missionary in Japan, for many years on the be enough to insure peace and prevent war, but staff of the Federal Council of Churches, and with it can be made to work mightily in that direction. an enviable record of promotion of sympathetic understanding between the United States and May I go one step further and suggest some Japan. Remember that the Institute of Pacific concrete measures? First, would it not be pos- Relations was carried through its initial stages sible to enlarge the functions and perhaps the by a missionary, Mr. J. Merle Davis, and now has personnel of the existing Committee on Missions as its general secretary a former missionary, Mr. and Governments of the Committee of Reference E. C. Carter. Remember, too, the experiment of and Counsel to take into its purview and as its the Omi Brotherhood in bringing into its inner responsibility this promotion of peace across the circle Japanese, Americans, Chinese, and Koreans. Pacific? Second, might not the Foreign Missions It is heartening, too, to recall the delegations of Conference place this topic of peace upon its Christians which have gone back and forth be- agenda for unhurried consideration at one of its tween China and Japan to try to keep unbroken annual meetings? Third, could not the mission and even to strengthen the ties between the Jap- study texts of the Missionary Education Moveanese and Chinese churches. ment and of other mission study programs con- centrate in some one year in the not distant future These successes, it will be noted, are primarily on the problem of peace across the Pacific? This in the realm of education, in the creation of atti- would involve the popularizing of existing infortudes, and in the removal of barriers of suspicion, mation on the causes of friction and a discussion fear, dislike, and hate. of possible ways of allaying that friction-with- out, however, advocating concrete action by When it has come to attempts to obtain action churches and denominations as such. Fourth, on concrete issues the organized Christian forces could not at least some of the missionaries on furhave not been so fortunate. In the United States lough from the Far East who are to go on depuecclesiastical organizations, including mission tations through the churches be brought together boards, have not been able to have Far Easterners in the autumn for an unhurried conference of sevplaced on the immigration quotas and thus to re- eral days to help one another in their thinking on move one of the least defensible sources of irrita- the issues in the Far East, and so improve the tion. It is debatable whether their effort to pre- quality-often already high-of their addresses? vent the naval maneuvers of 1935 did more good Fifth, might it not be possible, in connection with than harm, or whether, indeed, it had any effect. the 1938 meeting of the International Missionary The difficulty amounting to an impossibility of Council, to hold a special conference on these obtaining agreement among Protestants on con- issues? This conference should be smaller than crete issues and of mobilizing by church bodies a the main gathering and made up only of the delebacking of numbers and conviction sufficient to gates from those countries most immediately conmake much impression on governments raises cerned. doubts as to the wisdom and efficacy of such campaigns. Sixth. Is it not feasible to increase the fellow- ship of prayer? Every additional Christian in What, then, can we expect from the organized lands about the Pacific who remembers in love Christian forces in promoting peace around the before God his fellow Christians across the water, North Pacific? We cannot hope that often, if at either in the mass or in the persons of specific all, they will move unitedly to induce governments individuals whom he knows, must thereby make to take action on specific issues. We cannot ex- it possible for God to work more mightily for that pect them, single-handed, to insure peace. We peace and goodwill which we believe He desires. can, however, hope that they will carryon educational processes which will create an atmos- What is the conclusion of the whole matter? phere in which there will be more of forbearance, It is that those interested in Christian missions of intelligent and sympathetic understanding, and must not claim that they alone are to settle the of fair play. We can hope that by prayer for one issue of war and peace. However, much that is another and through fellowship made possible by good may already be charged up to the credit of church bodies, the World's Student Christian Fed- the Christian forces. If they act wisely and resoeration, and the International Missionary Council, lutely, they may be able, even better than in the they will create and strengthen ties which will past to undergird by an intelligent public opinion help other forces making for peace and, if hos- those forces which are working for peace. They tilities break out, assist in healing the wounds may even succeed-not alone, but as one of sevand bridging the chasms brought by war. We eral agencies-in stemming the tide toward war can hope that from churches and missions indi- and in turning it into the direction of peace. Effective Ways of Working crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO I ~r.=~=~=============-==~——-==I'4ii) MISSIONARY CATERING year for mISSIOn hospitals and work- Road to the Abundant Life," etc. The devotional services were entieed ers, and as she read her report, an as- "Which Road?" "The Royal Road to Romance," "A Traveler of Jungle Continuing the effort last sistant spread the display over sur- Paths," "His Road," etc. "Laying month to supply "Fresh Grist rounding furniture. The reading Roadbed Foundations" and "Awardfor Program Builders" we ask chairman fastened up a picture of a ing of Trophies" covered the tasks of long flight of stairs on ea"h step of the Engineer and the Timekeeper in you to keep in mind four objec- which some group or guEd of the the girls' organization. A panel dis- church supposedly stood, w.th the fig- cussion on "Improving Our Alphatives to which attention is called· ures representing the number of betical Roads" (W. W. G., C. W. C. in a leaflet by the United Chris- and S. C.-youth organizations) was tian Missionary Society entitled points accumulated by reading mis- conducted by a Commissioner and a sionary books and mag-azines, includ- Consulting Engineer (counselors) . "To the One Who Is Responsible ing THE REVIEW (which counts for There was "A Visit to Exhibits, Pos- five points). The treasurer showed on ters, Guidebooks, Road Maps" in Good for Programs": "To inform; to a long chart a series of red money Fellowship Class Room, in the Sunday bags graduated in size to indicate the school department. widen horizons of fellowship; to sums given for the several objects of show possibilities of Christian benevolence. The house chairman At the closing Centenary Banquet service and to inspire to a desire in honor of the Baptist fields now cele- went forward followed by two assist- brating their one-hundredth anniverto share in that service." De- ants bearing on a new broom a basket sary, four "Guests from Centenary vices presented primarily for carried like the famous "grapes of Roadways" spoke on "The Juggernaut entertainment, variety, attrac- Eschol," the 'oasket containing samples Road" (Bengal-Orissa), "Roadways and Waterways" (Houth China), "The tiveness and not subordinated to of the items purchased by her as sup- Brahmaputra Highway" (Assam) and the above purposes will prove plies or for replacements all through "The Trail to Prayer Meeting Hill" the year. As the meeting proceeded (South India), with the climactic insterile. But with educational thus, the reports were far from "dry" spirational address on "I Am a and service motives dominant, Builder." and mude an ineradicable impression much depends upon the attrac- on eye and ear. Installing New Officers is no mere formality but should be so tive form into which the subject At a meeting of the Baptist East planned as to make it a means Central District of Women's Work, of grace both to the official group matter is cast. Some fresh sug- he:d at Huntington, W. Va., last May, and the audience. From Womgestions for, catering follow: the annual business meeting was en's H.ome Missions comes this simple ceremony (adapted for The annual meeting: This is often based on the theme of "Roads" with brevity) fraught with spiritual a burden because of length and dry- scriptural keynote of Isaiah 49: 11- values: ness of reports. The program secre- "I will make all the hilltops a hightary in the women's society of the way and lofty roads shall be built" The officers step forward as their First Baptist church in Granville, (Kent translation). The theme song names are called. TheI the leader was "Where Cross the Crowded Ways says: Ohio, tells that at the close of a year's of Life." The presiding officer was study under the travel motif, officers called the General Superintendent of You have been chosen by this loyal, and the membership met '.') "unpack Roads and she appointed committees interested group of women to be the the baggage." Reports had previously as Highway Patrols; the recording officers for (name of organizational been enclosed in a variety of baggage secretary became the C:erk and Time- group) during the coming year. You containers – brief cases, suit cases, keeper; the "Paymaster" (treasurer) hold in your hands a great trust….. . overnight bags, etc., and each official gave a "leaf from the payroll," etc. Do you accept your office willingly and produced her report and visualizing "Construction and Maintenance" was with a deep desire to be divinely didevice (if any) from such a container. handled by the Supervisor of High- rected for your special task? Thus the program leader took out of ways and Commissioner of State her brief case a large map of the Roads (the state official). The Com- Officers make affirmative reply. world, had it fastened to a blackboard missioner for International Trails inand developed while she read her re- troduced foreign missionary speakers. Leader: Will you endeavor to learn port. A red star sticker marked the "National Trails and Strategic Out- the meaning and purpose of your parhome starting point, then an attached posts" was the theme handled by one ticular office, then perform its duties ribbon led to the next star placed in of the Road Commissioners; "The De- faithfully? ….. . the West where a Home Mission camp- partment of Public Safety" by anfire was supposed to have been held, other, with "Highway Publicity," "The Will you cooperate in fullest measthence the device proceeded to South Information Bureau," "Friendships of· ure with your president as she directs America where "Women Under the the Road" and "Light and Power" dis- Southern Cross" had been the subject cussed by sU'Jofficials. Addresses were matter, and so on stars and ribbon given at intervals on "Working the traced the way over foreign fields and Formula," "The Road to Adventure," back home for the current meeting. "The Road to Friendship," "Congo The White Cross leader proceeded to Crosses," "The Road of the Loving take from her suitcase a sample of Heart," "Younl" Travelers on the each of the articles made during the [ 367] the plans, and work loyally with each the "port of sailing" (church, street, ing the never-to-be-forgotten other? ….. . aim. Often the parents are shy number), the "tourists" are greeted Will you pray earnestly for the de- by young men dressed as sailors and in cooperating at first, suspectvelopment of your own personality, ing some ulterior motive; but if for that of your fellow officers and escorted into the ship's cabin, where for every person whom you may a devotional service is conducted. The serve? •….. songs usually include "Sail on" and they can be induced to let their Will all the members of the congre- "Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me." After an children try a session or two, gation stand? Will you support with even these older folk become so your earnest prayers these officers introductory talk by the ship's "cap- interested that they ask to be who have accepted responsibility for the direction of the work? ….. . tain" regarding the countries to oe visited, adjournment is made to an- Dearly beloved, there can be no defeat in the business of our great or- other room which has been decorated allowed to come to some sort of ganization if we keep these purposes with a setting typical of the country. a:ways in our thoughts. Jesus said, Natives in costume and American mis- an evening session. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," that is, with your sionaries are impersonated by mem- The World Call, in writing on emotions; "with all thy mind," that bers of the church, and talks are is, your highest intelligence; "and given on the geography, history, peo- the subject says: with all thy strength," that is, with all your powers of being; "and thy ple, religions and missions of the fi-eld. Your vacation school may have in neighbor as thyself"; that is your Sometimes songs and instrumental it some suggestions for mission study. service. Let us pray. (Prayer of selections characteristic of the coun- . . . Send for the pamphlet on misconsecration on the part of audience try are given. When the program is sionary education in vacation schools, and officers, and singing of "Blest Be concluded the tourists are invited to which goes to you free upon request, the Tie that Binds.") a third room where a typical luncheon from our office, and with it the catalog is served by those who presented the giving the list of materials and books Church Projects: These are program in native costumes. . avai.able. (Doubtless inquirers outmany and varied, one of the side the constituency of The World most educational being that of Arrangements are being- made for Call should offer some cost-price paya Missionary Exposition, for the publication of these and other pro- ment.) . . . Plan early to have a which a number of plans have grams. been sent in lately. The one from the First Presbyterian Further details will be given by browsing table where JOys and girls church of Berkeley, Calif., is typical. Mr. Githens, if return postage is en- will find stories, books and pictures, Twenty-seven booths representing closed. His address is 318 S. Fourth maps and suggestions for things to do each of the 16 foreign lands and 11 St., Quincy, Ill. home mission fields where Presby- in relation to their study of other chilterian missionaries are working were arranged throughout the church dren. Search in your public library building. Each booth exhibited the life, customs and scenes of the par- The Vacation ChurCfi:""School for books which you can use to create ticular missionary station. A continual program of still and moving pic- is a church or community proj- an interest in the countries you are tures, music and addresses by mis- studying. Some children's books are sionaries and nationals, plays and ect par excellence. The unde- very good. Some travel books will be pageants was given each afternoon and evening. On the closing night 60 veloped potentialities of the useful. Various magazines can be missionaries and nationals in costume, led by the vested choir of the church, Church in taking children off the used to furnish material. . . . Write participated in a processional. Such or have the children write to the varian unusal educational project, which street and exposing them for at ous steamship companies for folders. required weeks of study p.nd prepara- least a few hours daily to uption, might be carried out on a smaller Start a collection of around-the-world scale by any mission study group lifting influences instead of the pictures. Investigate the possibilities which wishes to exhibit the work, of curios which are in your own town. needs and olJportunities of the fields. sort which for much longer pe- . . . Many people buy as gifts or re- riods are contaminating them is ceive as gifts, from the modern de- "Foreign Tours" is the name of another missionary project so well recognized that often partment store or gift shop, articles presented under the auspices of which have been directly imported the Christian Endeavor Society public school authorities, the of the Presbyterian church in juvenile courts and probation from other countries. Keep your ears Quincy, Ill., using one of the open for people who have traveled in plans prepared by Harry W. departments offer to cooperate the Orient and who may be able to Githens of the Adams Co. Council of Religious Education. The in an effort to develop good lend artic:es or to come and tell the account says: citizenship. Such an alliance of children about them.
Posters and folders usually are se- Church and State as this is quite Service activities are another source cured from steamship companies, giv- legitimate. While local plan- of helpful and character-building projing information regarding the coun- ects. Many vacation schools provide try to be visualized. Upon arrival at ning and direction are adequate nothing but busy work or craft activi- ties which are taken home by the chil- in fairly good communities, dren for themselves. Along with mak- rural or underprivileged ones ing things for themselves, there are are being reached under the many things children can do to share supervision of the Joint Com- with others. This should be an out- growth of the missionary education, mittee of the Home Missions but may become a project in itself if Council and the International desired. Council of Religious Education.
A variety of denominational Staking Claims is another boards gladly cooperate in an project coming into rather gen- extension program now being eral use for young people who developed. For this work many have, as yet, small financial re- Christian students and – other sources. Such claims may be in young people are needed, trans- India, China, Alaska-wherever portation and maintenance only the denominational board has to be given. The work of the missions. Each definite amount school usually includes worship, settled upon as the price of a Bible study, story-telling, handi- claim – $5.00 or $10.00 – gives craft of various sorts, recrea- its donor a claim; and the claim, tion, etc., character building be- in turn, does its own beneficent
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
work in accentuating interest Program Pointers be ordered well in advance of and a feeling of ownership which detailed program – making on is likely to lead to larger invest- Miss Elizabeth 1. Fensom, a Bap- Africa. The prices are but ments-maybe of life itself-in tist program secretary, writes that slightly above cost and every the work thus capitalized. Not the W. Atlee Burpee Seed Co. adver- dollar of possible profit is turned only individuals but Sun day tised African flower seeds and its rep- back into African mission work. school classes or departments resentative checked a catalog for her The editor has had the privilege (like the beginners), a young with the assurance that "all the seeds of examining the various "novelpeople's society or a women's would grow in an ordinary garden." ties" and unhesitatingly declares group may cooperate in claim Miss Fensom thought, "Why not mis- them very superior, the stories ownership. As a means of be- sionary flower gardens this year? with a real literary quality and nevolence and missionary educa- The blooms might be used to further the devices calculated to help our tion, claim-staking is rapidly interest in the new African studies, people visualize African life and approving itself. to send to shut-ins along with current conditions much more effec- leaflets and pamohlets, etc. Among tively. That African parrot is Books and Leaflets are the the flowers checked in the catalog simply "stunning" and would program rna k e r' s mainstay. were many varieties of white and yel- form an exquisite decoration in Have you seen Lucy W. Pea- low lilies (like callas), cacti, gladiolus, the best of homes. body's "A Wider World for daisies, arctotis (Transvaal daisy), Women"? (Price, $1.25.) It Heliophila – Monarch of the Veldt, Picture of Mrs. Kellersberger, asks: Tripteris Ursinia, Ornithogalum (new author of "Congo Crosses," and outstanding), African violets and with typed story of her life "Do women want a wider world? double marigolds, also Vinidiurn. If and other material …….. $0.10 How are they using the world they al- you are a gardener, do not miss this ready have?" And from the intro- in African year, when a great seed Colored parrr t on black mount- company has made it a leader." duction of the book we cull this: "The ing board 13×20 in. …… .35 first law after creation was a prohibi- "Coworkers with the Divine Artist" tion law; but Eve, beguiled by the was the unusual topic used last year SamJ! unmounted ………. .10 by the Women's Society of the First serpent, ate the forbidden fruit and Baptist church in Marlboro, Mass. Cards: persuaded Adam. Thus started the The subtitles of the monthly programs make free use of such words as "Is this the way to Bethlefirst Anti-Prohibition Society, with "color" and "scenes." The cover of hem?" Folder of two Africharter members a serpent, a woman the year book-which is handmade- can children carrying lanand a man-a partnership which con- is in the .form of a palette with daubs tern. Envelopes to match. of the primary colors ready to hand. For Christmas card, invitinues to this day with painful conse- Five of these programs are fitted to a tations, messages, etc. …. .10 quences." From first to last all corresponding number of races, each through the volume one finds insight, being written on paper of the appro- White correspondence card knowledge, humor, tributes to women priate tint- that on the Negro on with envelopes-boy under black paper with white ink, etc. Mal. palm tree. Very artistic. .05 who have been pioneers in the effort 2: 10 is the scripture keynote as cofor International Friendship (is not ordinated with the Great Commission. White p:ace card tied with that Foreign Missions?) and sketches Titles are delightfully suggestive: Belgian colors, for Ibanof outstanding women of all ages. Splashes of War Paint, for Indians; quets, messages, etc. ..3 for .05 Sepia Prints, for the Burmese; The The world's only hope, the book avers, Divine Artist's Birthday in Many Elephant place card (very is in "The Treaty of Bethlehem." At Lands, for Christmas; Massed Colors, striking) – g ray stock, the close is the command for Christian for an international tea and deibate; printed elephant with di- Life Scenes from the Studio Window, rections for cutting and internationalism covered by the great for an address by a missionary folding. White name card commission, which entreats us to fol- speaker; In the Work Shop, for the for trunk …………… .05 annual meeting, etc. In each case the low in the footsteps of the early devotional service was closely cor- Picture and poem, "Life of Apostles and other believers united in related. This unique series was sug- Mwaluki, "mentioned on p. a common loyalty to the Leader. "To- gested by the picture, "The Hope of 201 of "Congo Crosses" …. .05 day if we take our inheritance as a the WorId," by Harold Copping, and trust, the world will be reborn." a story, "Color Blind," by Margaret Flags of Belgium and the Congo Would not this book make a good basis Applegarth. See to what pains some (narrow ribbon, 14xP4 in.) .01 for a year's devotional services in a women will go in the Lord's work! woman's missionary society? Order Raffia cloth from A'frica made through any of your denominational "The Black and White Number of into small mat s, 6×6, bookstores or supply houses. the Artist's Magazine" featured Ne- fringed, lined with oil gro work. Miss Fensom says: "The cloth, used as protectors "And the King Shall Come In" is magazine was assembled as the pro- under vases or tumblers .. .10 the name of a new worship service gram proceeded. At the close the com- (10 cents) obtainaole at the American plete volume bound in black was on Larger size …………… .20 Baptist Publication Society, 1701 display. A hand-drawn map of the Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. It Southern States showing the location Congo Hammock Song (never gives a series of six complete pro- of Negro schools was used as a fron- before printed in America) grams inclusive of hymns, scripture, tispiece. The devotions were based on …………. 1 for .05,3 for .10 leader's talk and prayer. "The Gates Ps. 18: 28; 119: 105, 130." of Paradise" was written bv Mrs. W. "Southland Spirituals" – book S. Abernathy; "Two Gates," by Mrs. "Novelties for Africa" of 64 spirituals published by Orrin R. Judd; "The Gate Beautiful," Rodeheaver Co. ……….. .25 by Mrs. Jessie Burrall Eubank; "The Under this heading, Miss M. Locked Gate," by Mrs. W. P. Topping; H. Leavis, 186 Massachusetts Typewritten S tor i e s from "Inside the Gate – our Outside," by Ave., Boston, Mass., lists supple- Everyland: Mrs. James Kingsland Romeyn; mentary materials for the for- "Three Gates on a Side," by Margaret eign study theme which should "Arrow John's Return," by T. Applegarth. These fine devotional J. Mervin Hull……… .05 services are adapted for local or associational and convention use. "The Gift," by Anita Ferris .05 "The Black Madonna," by Margaret T. Applegarth. .05 Cask must accompany orders and eack order is final. BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK _ ~I u __ . _ _ _ ..n. _ _ ~I~'
The Continual Feast "Christian Unity in Servie.e" the Solomon Islands pursues his All the days of the afflicted are The notable thing about this career with a certain sense of evil; But he that is of cheerful May Luncheon of the Council of religious mission. So did the heart, hath a continual feast. Women for Home Missions is thugs who used to roam through Thus in Proverbs 15: 15, the that it is possible to have such a the central and northern provwise man wrote. In March, luncheon. Here are representa- inces of India, usually in the dis- 1933, when banks were closed guise of pilgrims, gaining the tives of twenty-three mission and fear stalked the land, the confidence of other travelers, Administrative Committee of boards in the United States and whom they strangled in honor the Council of Women for Home Canada met for the purpose of of the goddess Kali, and whose Missions planned a festival day interdenominational fellowship. bodies they hid in graves dug "to prove the life that is in tis." A generation ago that would with a consecrated pickax. So Christian women came from do certain American countermany churches in the metropoli- scarcely have been possible. parts of the extinct Indian tan area. On May 11, 1936, the People representing mission thugs, masked and hooded figfourth May luncheon was held. ures who ride at night, and kid- Over 300 church women and boards of different denomina- nap persons suspected of radical men, and a goodly number of tions beamed good' will upon the tendencies and carry them off the clergy celebrated together heathen and the unconverted but for whipping, tarring and feath- "Christian Unity in Service." speaking generally they eyed each other askance. In an is- ering, and other forms of tor- Mrs. Millard Robinson, the sue of Puck there was a full ture. President of the Council pre- page cartoon which portrayed sided. Various phases of united two boats loaded with frock- In one of his quaintest ser- Christian service as demon- coated mISSIOnaries drawing mons Jeremy Taylor asked, strated in the growing work of near to a South Sea Island. The "Who is the busiest minister in the Council were presented. missionaries were engaged in England? I will tell you. The Mrs. Kenneth D. Miller spoke on hurling Bibles and hymn books "The Present Situation Among at those who occupied the boat devil is the busiest minister in Migratory Laborers," Dr. Wil- in which they were not passen- England, because the devil is liam R. King told briefly of the gers. The heathen were reprework among Indian American sented as smoking pipes in peace always at work and never youth, Miss Marion Cuthbert, and viewing the scene with plac- sleeps." So according to Jeremy author of "We Sing America" id equanimity. Underneath the Taylor, even the devil has a conand other books, told of the new cartoon was this caption: "Why sciousness of mission, and in this Home Mission study books and do the heathen rage. They don't, war-torn, fear-ridden, hate-obcourses. Miss Seesholtz pre- dear reader. It's the missionsented the work of missionary aries who do the raging." . . . sessed, class-conscious world he minded women for bettering in- appears to be having things ternational relations for secur- There is reason to believe, pretty much his own way. ing world peace, and for observ- however, that the peace and seing the annual World Day of renity and interdominational The Gospel of Jesus is the Prayer on the first F.riday in fellowship which characterize Gospel of the Light of the world, Lent. this luncheon of the twenty-three and when that true Light shines home mission boards is due not in darkness such as this, the The Reverend Howard Chand- to lack of zeal and not to ignor- darkness does not overcome it. ler Robbins, D.D. of the General ance of the Bible but to a bet- Rather it seems to shine more Theological Seminary, New ter knowledge of what missions, radiantly, just because of the York City, was guest speaker foreign and domestic, really terrific contrast with the dark- mean. Mission is an ambiguous ness, .and those who love the word. It may stand for some- light come to the light and live thing very good, or for some- as children of light. There is a grand couplet from a forgotten poem of an unknown poet which expresses their motivation: on the subject, "Christian Unity thing very bad. It may even "Death worketh; let me work in Service." His add res s stand for things that are utterly (abridged) was as follows: too; detestable. The head hunter in Death undoeth; let me do."
[370 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
That couplet expresses, it The worship that we offer is sent, are doing a work in the seems to me, the present motive, worship of the God of love, and importance of which it would be the present purpose and the the divine power that comes up- difficult to exaggerate. You are present inspiration of the mis- on us in true worship is the not directly concerned with orsion boards which you who are power of love. This must ex- ganic church union. You accept here present represent. Because press itself toward others, and the fact that the religious life of death is at work in the world to- so the church, when it is true to America is organized in denomday, you are working on the side itself, becomes the agency inations. But you believe that of Him who came that men through which the love of God Christian unity in service is atmight have life. Because death is active in works of mercy and tainable in spite of that fact, and is undoing men's best work and service. In this sense it is the the increasing number of interbringing precious things to de- Body of Christ, the organ of his denominational agencies and struction, you are moved to do, love working in the world "to joint projects and their widento save, to conserve, to con- draw the whole of mankind into ing range of interests shows that struct. There are greater pic- the fellowship of love which the you are right. The united entertures, but to me one of the most church itself exists to be." But prises conducted for the Governmoving pictures in the world is how can it ever hope to draw ment Indian Schools, for mi- Albrecht Durer's picture en- the whole of mankind into fel- grant workers, and for such titled, "The Knight, Death, and lowship unless fellowship is first communities as Boulder City, the Devil." established among its own mem- Nevada, are striking instances. bers? How can it teach the Gos- And it is undoubtedly true that "Death shakes the hour glass of pel of love unless it first prac- there is "a growing tendency to the running sand, tices it within the Christian view the problem of each area brotherhood? or population group as a whole And leering Satan waits at his and to develop a positive coop- right hand; We come here to the very eration of all religious forces in- But steadfast and unmov'd, the deepest evil of competitive de- knight rides on, volved." nominationalism. The economic The cross his strength, its vic- evil of competitive denomina- This in turn has led to a stead- tory to be won." tionalism is plain enough. Any ily enlarging conception of the Something as knightly as that, business man can see it. There task of the Christian Church. something as chivalrous, some- is the loss in men and money of thing as militant and challeng- Up to about forty years ago the ing, something such as Albrecht having half a dozen churches in home missionary program cen- Durer saw in the Christian life a town which can barely support and as St. Joan of Arc exempli- tered about the establishment of fied, must adhere in our concep- two. There is the waste in over- churches and Sunday schools tion of missions if the missions head expenses by reason of the about which we are thinking are and personal evangelism. TomISSIOns of the Church of duplication and maintenance of day, while not slighting this part Christ. . . . half utilized plants. of its program, there has been Weare getting beyond that increasing social emphasis, and community centers, hospitals sort of thing. We no longer take pride in our unhappy divisions. and public health centers and many practical service minis- Weare beginning to be rather tries are included in the mission- ashamed of them, and more than ary enterprise of churches which a little embarrassed by them. The tide of sectarianism has can accomplish by cooperative turned, and what is going on effort what they could never now is reintegration rather than hope to do by individual exer- further disintegration. Churches tion. Archbishop Temple said which are nearly related to each recently that in England if you other in faith and polity are ask who are those who are doing making overtures looking to- the day-to-day drudgery of so- ward organic union: the Lu- therans have largely effected it, cial and philanthropic work, you the Methodist and the Presby- will find that nine-tenths of terians are on the way to it. Others which are less nearly re- them are Christians, acting in lated are eliminating competi- the inspiration of their Chris- tion, establishing measures for cooperation, especially upon the tian faith. Undoubtedly that is mission field, and taking united t rue also in this country. action in many matters which concern the common good. Church-going Christians consti- tute less than half of the popu- It is here that the Home Mis- lation of this country, but if sions Councils, which you repre- their gifts for social and philan- thropic work were to be with- drawn and their personal serv- ice to cease, I venture to say that
there would scarcely be more Christians in the field of Chris- The editor likes to ponder the than a memory of private phi- tian education, there lie others, roll call quoted from the Findlanthropy left in the land. larger, more complex, more ex- ings (pp. 67-70): "Twenty acting, which concern us as years have elapsed since the first But while we are thankful, Christian citizens. We ought to and only previous occasion when and deeply thankful, for what measure the responsibilities the representatives of Proteshas already been accomplished here by the question, What must tantism united in holding a Nain evangelistic, educational and be done in the whole vast under- tional Conference on the Rural philanthropic services by the co- taking of social reconstruction Church. That earlier Conferoperation of religious forces in before modern civilization can ence was held in Columbus, this country, we should not rest presume to call itself Christian? Ohio, in December, 1915, under Well, what can be done if once the auspices of the Commission content with it. We should real- we take our religion seriously? on the Church and Country Life ize that if the church is really What would be done if the fifty of the Federal Council of the the Body of Christ, it exists to million Americans who are Churches of Christ in America. do Christ's will, and that of this, church members were them- The President of the United in respect of the country in selves to live without avarice, States was in attendance and which we live, we have only themselves to subordinate the made an address. In those days made a beginning. In the mat- profit motive to that of service, the country life movement was and themselves, where Christian new, and was, in fact, more a ter of religious education, for principles are concerned in our hope and an enthusiasm than a example, what tremendous op- social, industrial, economic life, movement . . . " portunities and responsibilities and in our international reladevolve upon the churches, to tions, to speak with one voice? "It is fitting that we should -Howard Chandler Robbins. pay our tribute of respect to the see that the children of the coun- great number of workers, in try receive somewhere the edu- For Summer Reading high places and in low, who in cation in religion which they are the intervening years have ennot receiving in the public In a day when politics, budget listed in the service of rural schools. In the matter of public and taxes, the farmer and in- progress . . ." morals, how much can be done dustrialist seem to be in the along lines so effectively taken same boat in the same storm "From this whole great group by the Roman Catholic Church heading somewhere, in this through its Legion of Decency month when the Festival of In- six names stand out, four in this dependence is celebrated, intelliin purifying the motion pictures gent Christians s h 0 u I d be country and two abroad, of men exhibitions-no, "purifying" is "alive" to the situation. to whom we would especially too ambitious a word; let us be The Home Missions Councils, recognize our common indebtedmore modest and describe our whereby is meant the Council of endeavor as that of making the Women for Home Missions and ness. These are-Liberty Hyde more offensive of them less fla- the Home Missions Council have grantly indecent. And if twaddle a Board membership including Bailey, the scientist who has and sentimentality are as offen- twenty – seven denominations. preached the doctrine of a holy During the Annual Meetings sive to the Christian conscience held in Washington, D. C., Janu- earth; Kenyon L. Butterfield, as they are to our canons of ary, 1936, there was a well taste, we might pay some atten- planned conference on "The the educator who has viewed the Rural Church Today and Totion to this aspect of public mor- morrow." And because similar movement of rural life around als, in the movies, in radio conferences are to be held durbroadcasts, in comic sections of ing this year and next, and be- the world and has preached the the newspapers, and alas! some- cause the new Home Mission doctrine of a holy society; times in the musical offerings of study texts for 1937-38 will be some churches! on the Rural Church, you are Charles Josiah Galpin, the so- urged to send for "The Rural Then there is this matter of Church Today and Tomorrow- ciologist, who has analyzed and preparation of young people for A Report of The National Conthe duties and responsibilities of ference on the Rural Church." chartered the anatomy of rural marriage: this too has become There are eighty pages of ada cooperative project of the dresses and findings with a se- life and has enabled us to underchurches under the leadership lected bibliography. It is avail- stand the process of rural social able for fifty cents, and worth progress; Warren Hugh Wilson, of the Federal Council of much more to the intelligent Churches. A schoolboy asked to church leader. the minister who has made sogive the plural of a certain noun ciology the servant of religion said that the plural of spouse is and has led the movement to spice. We must prove that he was wrong by preparing young make religion a vital force in people to find a deeper enjoy- rural reconstruction; Sir Hor- ment in monogamous marriage. ace Plumket, the prophet of eco- nomic and social cooperation; And beyond all these direct George Russell, the philosopher responsibilities which face us as and poet of an abundant· rural life."
Another National Conference on the Rural Church will be held in Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa, November 17-19, 1936.
World~wide Outlook i'~
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~II=======–=======I~ ..;11' EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO EUROPE audience grew as the meetings In East Poland proceeded. There are places Oentenary of Muller where students will listen, but Evangelical Christians i n Orphanage not many where the listeners eastern Poland are organized in- wish the address to be followed to the Union of Churches of One of the most notable Chris- by discussion. In these meet- Christ-300 small churches with tian achievements of the century ings students of all types, Prot- 25,000 people in full memberis the work of faith and love, or- estants, Catholics and freethink- ship and many mission stations. ganized by George Muller for ers were represented. The government favors them, homeless orphans 100 years ago looking on them as a breakwater last April. Within twelve years "The relation between the against Russian Communism. the work outgrew its quarters. deity and humanity of Christ The movement extends from the One of his earliest ministries and the unworthiness of those Baltic to the Black Sea. was to gather together at eight who call themselves by His o'clock in the morning a com- Name were the two points Most of the' 300 preachers pany of the poorest children, which came back again and earn their living at farm, shop provide them with a piece of again: and behind it all the or factory, and preach in the bread for breakfast, and then eternal and most real question: evenings and on Sundays. Peofor about an hour or more give How can I believe? At the end ple often wait overnight to hear them instruction, and read to of the three days students asked the message promised next day them the Scriptures. The work if it would not be possible to ar- and listen in relays. The moveexpanded until there is now a range for another session on ment is stirring the whole nagreat block of buildings, with this last question." tion. Almost as soon as a Bible accommodations for over 2,000 teaching course by correspondchildren. Ohanges in Spain ence was launched a thousand young men enrolled and then The orphan work grew out of Constant shifting of Spanish proceeded to agitate for a Bible the "Scripture Knowledge Insti- politics make it difficult to ap- institute where they could be tution," organized two years praise the general situation. trained for Gospel work. The earlier. ,Children in day and Laicism, the basis for religious leader, Mr. Jaroszewicz, says in Sunday schools in Great Britain freedom, has disappeared and World Dominion: and other lands either wholly or the government is again paying partly supported by the S. K. 1. the priests salaries in the form It is difficult to convey in words the at one time far outnumbered of pensions. Military men ren- hunger which pervades all classes for those in the orphan homes. An- der honor to images in public religious reading after centuries of other of the principal objects of processions. Governors and deprivation. This hunger gives the the S. K. 1. was to assist mis- mayors attend religious services Russian atheists an opportunity and sionaries and evangelists who and officially welcome digni- they are flooding the country with went forth in faith, especially taries of the Roman Church. anti-God literature. On some occathose unconnected with any so- Protestants are greatly handi- sions I have divided my own New ciety. capped and in many regions can- Testament to give a single Gospel not have public meetings. In from it to several people and even Mr. Muller superintended the some places they are openly per- divided it into leaves for crowds who orphanage work until his 93d secuted. begged for some part of the Word of year, and died in 1898. God. But a new Spain is emerging. -The Life of Faith. The Catholic Church is display- Jews' Demands in Poland ing better organization, publish- Student Mission in Paris ing better periodicals and has The Jews of Poland have re- organized all classes,-poor and cently made ten demands of the Dr. W. A. Visser 't Hooft rich, young and old, ignorant Government. Among these dewrites in The Student World of and educated, for social work; mands are: (1) That the name a series of meetings in Paris to for this purpose, thousands of "Christian" shall not be used in help truth-seeking students to lectures are given in all parts of any inscription where Jews and find their way to personal ac- Spain, in large cities, towns and Gentiles live side by side; (2) quaintance with Christ. There villages. that the Jewish Sabbath shall be was but one theme in the three officially recognized and that the meetings – Jesus Christ. The [ 373] Jews shall have the right to con-
duct their businesses on Sunday interest. Young people were be- sweater, 2' cloths (women), and as if it were a work-day; (3) ing neglected. One missionary (5) give a small grant for inithat school books objectionable put a plan into operation with tial huts.
to the Jews shall be prohibited the help of Egyptian Christians. -Congo Mission News.
from the schools; (4) that the For the past 18 months or more title "Christian" as applied to an active Sunday school has de- Blind Students land, nationality or church shall veloped, almost entirely with An important branch of C. M. be totally prohibited. Egyptian leadership. S eve n S. work in Egypt is that among classes are taught by faithful the blind. Egypt has been called -Svensk Kyrkotidning. ones who care enough for their own and their neighbors' chil- "the land of the blind" and fig- League of the Fighting Godless ures justify this. The number dren to give their time to this of totally blind is said to be 148,- Antireligiosnik – League of work. The officers of the school 000, and the partially blind is a the Fighting Godless in Russia are all Egyptians. The enrol- much higher figure. This work -devoted an entire number of is conducted by an Egyptian its periodical to its ten year "ju- ment is now as large as the bilee." In the various articles membership of the church. evangelist who is himself blind. the following results are said to The largest of three centers is have been attained on the god- This congregation enjoys the near EI Azhar, the great Mosless front: services of a wide awake young lem University; nearly 300 of Today at least half of the entire minister who welcomes mission- its students come to the center. population has wholly or partly bro- ary cooperation and offers his Nearly 3,000 ex-students of the ken with religion. This is a pheno- university, scattered through menon of world significance. Never own time in mission projects in 118 villages, are studying the before and nowhere else has atheism the community. At a recent produced such results as in Russia, community 20 young people, Bible in Braille. No other due to the victory of the Socialist mostly students united with this Arabic literature is available in revolution. church. Their decisions came Braille. -C. M. S. Gleamer. through the work of the church The Stachanow Movement, which members personally, by the exrepresents a movement for the or- ample of Christians whom they Civilizing Ethiopia ganization ?f piece work, must p:ay see living their faith, and work- Ethiopians are still primitive an outstandmg part in the final over- ing at it.
throw of religion in our country. It people-generally without mod- signifies a mighty 'increase in the Lepers in Belgian Congo ern education and scientific impower of man, who is conquering na- provements. The Emperor, ture and breaking down all previously Belgium is well to the front in imposed standards. If the scholars of setting up machinery which will Haile Selassie I, worked unceasthe bourgeois world maintain that ultimately deal effectively with ingly to give his people schools there are limits beyond which man's five of the more destructive malperceptions and man's strength can- adies in Africa – venereal dis- and hospitals, to abolish slavery, not pass, it is evident under the so- ease, yaws, tuberculosis, sleep- to promote justice and provide cialism of the proletarian ideal of de- ing sickness and leprosy. Facts good government. Some proliverance from religion that conscious gathered by the Belgian Red workers in the class·ess society can Cross and by many mission doc- gressive provincial rulers symproceed to tasks which a man who tors establish the fact that the pathized with the emperor and was fettered by religion would never incidence of leprosy in the Bel- united in the effort to establish have dared to face; man can learn schools in the interior. The miseverything, and can conquer every- gian Congo is at least 1 %, or a sionaries have done much to thing. total of at least 100,000 lepers raise general educational stand- -The Indian Witness. in a total population of approxi- ards as well as to teach Chris- mately 10,000,000. tian truth. Most of the medical AFRICA work is conducted by Protestant A special fund has been cre- missionary doctors. (What will Egyptian Christians at Work ated for complete medical as- sistance to the natives of rural be the result of Italian occupa- The United Presbyterian says tion it is impossible to say.) that the Egyptian Church is be- areas. This was solicited by the The Seventh-Day Adventists ginning to carry its own load, late King Albert, and supple- are located in eight stations and and to develop leadership. Mis- mented by Queen Elizabeth and conduct four hospitals, estab- lished with the help of the emsionary participation in the vari- the Minister of Colonies. ous congregations becomes more Missions on the field have peror. In these hospitals Ethiocooperative and less directive. been assured that the Govern- pian nurses are trained for ef- One congregation is taken as ment will (1) Grant concessions fective service. Eight other typical. It numbered about 125; of ground for leper villages and Protestant missions are at work had been organized 30 years gardens, (2) supply all drugs, in the country. Ethiopia will ago, and continued under the (3) pay for one infirmier for not be civilized by Italian maleadership of one pastor. But each colony, (4) provide food chine guns and bombing planes he reached old age, and was un- and clothing: 0.50 cms. per day but by messengers of Christ who able longer to initiate new proj- for food (or according to local go about doing good.
ects or to cultivate community conditions) and 1 blanket, 1 -M. J. Sorensen.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Advance in Rhodesia beths have become Leahs or Na- medicines the evangelist reads a A new sphere of work has omis. There is a good sprinkling portion of Scripture, gives a been opened among the Mawiko short talk and prayer. Hidd has in northwest Rhodesia. The of Shlomos, (Solomon) Ivrivas, been noted for its fanaticism, "League of Pioneers," a British but never has anyone made a (Irving) Baruchs and Morde- disturbance or shown any disyouth movement to ext end cais in the Palestine Gazette. respect to the preacher or his Christ's Kingdom in southern message. A tour into central Africa, is making progress. The New Theory About Turks Arabia revealed the tremendous change that has come over Riadh League's 890 members under- A new school of history, geog- and Nejd which is best illustake to pray systematically for trated by comparing the treatthe work, to try to interest their raphy and literature has been ment accorded the first doctors friends in it, and to raise funds and the first preacher. The docby taking a collection. Every opened in Angora, Turkey, to be tors visited there in 1917, 1919, branch of the mission's activi- 1921 and 1923. Though welties is spiritual. Many young the nucleus of a university. The comed for their medicines they people have been led to Christ were cursed and reviled and as the result of coming into con- object is to expound new the- sometimes spat upon. On this tact with missionary work, or trip the preacher had the freeby joining the summer camps ories on Turkish history and dom of the city. No stones were arranged for boys and girls. thrown at him, neither was he language. It is claimed that in- -The Christian. vestigation shows that the Turk- ish race has been grossly ma- ligned by older historians biased by racial or religious prej udices.
The Turks are far from being a predatory race of braerabcahreiadns~ but in remote ages high state of culture which they spread during migrations into cursed. That does not mean that WESTERN ASIA China, India, Mesopotamia and his message was accepted, but it New Names for Jews Asia Minor, among the less en- means that bigotry is less bitter.
An interesting development of lightened peoples. They should INDIA Zionism is the desire of many therefore really be considered Jews in Palestine to identify the fathers of civilization it is A Serious Situation themselves as fully as possible said, and possessors of one of with the Jewish homeland by a the greatest and most glorious Since large numbers of Chrischange of name. This is all the histories in the world. tian students are reported ateasier since many of the so- tending non-Christian colleges, -Alliance Weekly. the Bombay Provincial Chriscalled "Jewish" names are not tian Council has adopted the fol- Jewish at all. It is well known Iran Confiscates Periodicals lowing resolutions: that at one time in Germany Jews were assigned German Rev. J. Christy Wilson, writer (1) To record that this Board names, often in the most arbi- for The Presbyterian, reports trary fashion and without any that all American magazines are views with deep concern the presence regard to the wishes of those now confiscated by the authoriwho were compelled to bear ties of Iran as a result of stories of an increasing number of Christian published in some papers which them. Jews in other lands often offended. The circulation of the students inthnaotn-Cthheristpiraonviisnisotnitutoifons~ found it convenient to change papers of one nation among believing their names from one that was those of another nation who do "foreign-sounding" to one more not know the language is ex- Christian environment and the influakin to those prevailing in their ceedingly limited, and it is hoped new surroundings. So, in Amer- that this attitude will be speed- ence of teachers inspired with Chrisica, Weinberg becomes Winfield, ily relaxed, permitting Ameriand in Scotland Markowitz be- can papers to circulate again. tian ideals is of utmost importance comes Macgregor. Then and Now in Arabia for the up'iJuilding of Christian char- Many of the new names acter, and the leadership and nurture of the church in India. (2) To ask the principal of Wilson College, Bom- bay, to prepare a statement of the amount spent annually by the college in aiding poor Christian students and of the grants or scho:arships avail- able for such students, with the con- ditions of tenure. (3) To circulate that statement to the churches and adopted are Biblical. Abraham Writing in Neglected Arabia missions working in the area repre- sented by the Board, and suggest that Obarzanski has become Avram of the work at Bahrein, Dr. they cooperate with the authorities Ben-Barzel, '.~Son of Iron," and Thoms says that the medical Jacob Messongnik, Yaakov Kes- work has continued to expand ?f the Christian colleges, by supply- mg information regarding mission ler. The three families of Black, until one wonders whether build- grants to Christian students in at- tendance there, and by obtaining re- Brown and White are now ings or staff will break first. por~s of. the studen~s' progress. (4) known by their Hebrew equiva- There has been marked increase To mqUlre further mto the economic lent. In the adoption of "given" in the number of in-patients, and other reasons for the presence of names the immigrants have be- out-calls, operations and clinic Christians in non-Christian instItu- tions, and find out what, if any, accome qui t e Biblical-minded. cases. commodation or care is· provided for Amos is quite common as a first In Hidd, a combined evangel- such students by local churches or name. Fanny has become Zi- istic and medical project is car- missions, and how far students avail pora, "Bird"; Sophie, Shifra, ried on in an empty store room. themselves of such facilities.
"Beautiful" ; while the Eliza- While the doctor gets out his -Dnyanodaya.
A Christian Mela inces and many of the States. of the discussion centered about By active propaganda the people Some five to six hundred men of India have been aroused to policy and organization, docand women gathered from 95 help in stamping out the disease. villages of the districts of Main- trinal standards and the practipuri and Etawah to attend a -Alliance Weekly. cal unification of the ministry. Christian mela, February 29 to March 2. The mela was entirely Hindu Strongholds Shaken Two main difficulties were devoted to the discussion of spir- presented by the Methodist itual and social topics. Time had At a meeting of the Poona and Episcopal Church in joining the to be found for holding exami- Indian Village Mission, held in nations to test their knowledge London, evidences of progress contemplated union. One is the of Scripture. Contests were held were related. Nateputa, once hesitation of the India section of in singing and it was interesting fast closed against the mission- this church to break away from to watch groups of young and aries, is now open to the Gospel. its world-wide organization in old competing for the flag which Even in the temple itself, the order to unite with other church boys singing to the god have bodies in India. The other conwas the prize for this contest. been heard singing the songs of cerns the claim of the Methodist Both Christians and non- Zion. Only fear of man seems Episcopal Church that it is a to prevent the head man of the unified organization embracing Christians attended; the latter village from open baptism. He outnumbered the former in the said to the missionary: "Sahib, both missionary and ecclesiastiratio of 5 to 1; but the non- before you came I used to go cal activities. Behind all the ne- Christians were also truth seek- twice daily and fall at the feet gotiations is the question whethers. Their members indicated er independent Indian Christian opinion will support the union.
-The Living Church.
the movement of the depressed of the god, but now I fall at the Caste People Enter Anglican feet of Jesus Christ, and He Church classes toward Christianity. alone is my Saviour." From all enquirers at the mela who sought admission into the A striking story was told of The Living Church reports Christian fold was demanded the the conversion and baptism of a that a large number of low caste condition that they should have Hindu "holy man," who came to Hindus of Travancore are plantheir chutiyas (tuft of hair on the Gospel meeting in the Pand- ning to enter the Anglican their heads) removed. The chu- harpur bazaar with the intention Church. They are said to have tiya links them with the old re- of causing a disturbance. But chosen this church over the Syligion and this link must be bro- instead he was led to Christ, and rian and Roman Churches, the ken. Then they were examined was baptized at his own urgent two other important Christian in Christian essentials: (1) request, to be known henceforth bodies in Travancore, because it John 3: 16. (2) The Ten Com- as William Paul. On returning is the "Church of the King-Emmandments. (3) Their sum- to his home 500 miles away he peror." They count upon the ming up in the words of our suffered bitter persecution, but protection of the British gov- Lord. (4) The Lord's Prayer led his brother and a friend to ernment, through British misand (5) The Apostles' Creed. the Saviour. Now he has come sionaries, against any repressive Each one had to commit these back to the missionaries, and is measures that the state authorito memory and recite t1).em be- staying at Akluj, having regular ties might launch, under the fore the examiners. Out of some Bible instruction with the young guise of quelling a movement of 100 as many as 48 were declared men stationed there, and going disloyalty to the throne of the successful. For their growth in forth with them into the villages Maharajah. knowledge groups of 5 or 6 and to preach the Gospel to his own sometimes 8 or 10 villages have people. He makes no claim on New Preaching Methods been formed according to size the mission, but trusts God for A new way of preaching the and number, and Christian wor- his needs. -The Life of Faith. Gospel is through morality ship and classes of instruction plays. Recently, two of Canon are held. Union Plan Progresses Gairdner's plays, "The Good Sa- maritan" and "Joseph and His Two Million Lepers The Joint Council, which has Brethren" were produced, and Great Britain's Leprosy As- been formed to promote the un- students threw themselves into sociation has made an investiga- ion of the United Church of them most effectively. The audition of leprosy in its Empire, Northern India, the Methodist ence was largely made up of edwhich reveals an increase of Episcopal and the B apt i s t ucated Hindus. The Indian has 700,000 during the past twelve Churches held its third meeting a natural genius for, and appreyears. The disease is far more in Lucknow recently. The Con- ciation of the drama. widespread than was formerly gregationalists of Bengal, affili- Another new way of approach thought. The greatest progress, ated with the London Mission- is through the medium of music. the report states, has been made ary Society, h a v e definitely Both Christians and Hindus in India where an Indian Coun- joined the movement. Thus the gather in an open space in the cil has been organized, with joint council now represents cool of the evening, and the branches in all the Indian Prov- four distinct communions. Most evangelist, accompanying him-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
self on a violin, sings the gospel "It is our aim to lead men to know, literature is composed of quarstory in verse, every now and love and serve God as revealed in terlies and charts on the lessons, then stopping to explain and Jesus Christ, and to know, love and prepared and illustrated by misteach. Thus he sings his way serve their fellowmen." The policy sionaries and Chinese workers. into the hearts of a large audi- adopted contained the following Also a paper is being published ence while they listen by the points:-(l) The establishment of and sent, not only to every provhour. -C. M. S. Gleaner. vital Christian churches which shall ince in China, but to other parts be free to develop according to their of the world where the Chinese OHINA own interpretation of the New Tes- have gone. This paper will even- tament, and from which will issue tually be The Sunday School After a Hundred Years recreative forces transforming the re- Times of China. -Tidings. ligious, social, moral, intellectual and Robert Morrison died feeling social life of the people. (2) The Mr. Bosshardt Released sure that if there were 100 maintenance of a system of education Christians in China after 100 as essential to making contacts be- A cable received at C. 1. M. years of missionary effort it tween church and community, and headquarters April 14 brought would be a miracle. After for the training of Christian leader- the news that Mr. R. A. Boss- 100 years how many Chris- ship in both church and society. (3) hardt had been released uncontians were there? There are the To train physicians, dentists and ditionally, and was as well as graves of 1,800 Christian mar- nurses in order that the practice of could be expected. tyrs, killed in 1900 for their the ministry of healing and public faith. There are 10,000 Chris- health, in a Christian spirit and in It will be recalled that Mr. tian communities. T h i r tee n accordance with modern scientific Bosshardt was captured near g rea t Christian universities standards, may be an effective means Kiuchow, Kweichow, on October train leaders for China's future. in carrying out our aim. (4) To give 1, 1934. From that date to East- The Bible is a best seller. such strength and attention as is pos- er Sunday, 1936, is a period of sible to the promotion of social service 560 days, more than eighteen -Missionary Herald. programs, young men's associations, months. For three-fourths of reading rooms, mass education, rural that time he had the companion- New Life Movement Re-Oast services and anti-vice programs. (5) ship of Mr. Hayman, but for 147 To prepare and circulate Christian days, since Mr. Hayman's re- Gen. Chiang Kai-Shek has literature. lease, he has been alone, or acpublicly criticised the dilatory companied by a German Roman mood now marking his "New -The Chinese Recorder. Catholic priest, who, as far as Life Movement." Meetings of known is still in captivity. those charged with the move- Ohanges in Eight Years ment's activities had become It appears that the Commuperfunctory. In all too many Rev. Thomas P. Worsnip of nist forces had to move quickly centers attention had been di- the South China Alliance Mis- on account of attacks from the rected to imposing blue law reg- sion lis t s several striking air, and the near approach of ulations–questions of cut of changes, observed after an eight the Yunnan troops. On the night hair and dress, etc., and the ne- year absence in the United of April 11, Mr. Bosshardt was cessity of coupling the move- States. After noting the wid- given $10 and a certificate of ment with vital issues had been ened streets, taller buildings, release, and at midnight the Red overlooked. The general now water and sewage systems, elec- Army retired, leaving him free proposes to reorganize it with a trically lighted s t r e e t sand to make his way to Fumin, about view to linking it to social re- changed dress, he speaks of the thirty miles north of Yunnanfu. construction. In Nanking plans spiritual changes. More chil- It is reported that on the 14th have already been started to get dren attend Sunday school and he was moved to the hospital the New Life Movement behind a shamefacedness, which once (doubtless the C. M. S. Hospia reform of the riksha business. seemed to characterize those en- tal) for treatment for slight Other such social issues will take tering and leaving chapel, is pleurisy, and a touch of heart the place of the former emphasis gone. In evangelistic meetings trouble. -China's Millions. on morals, manners and hygiene. invitations are given by the The movement suffers from lack preacher for those interested to "Mud Oollege" of competent leaders, who know raise the hand, to stand, or to how to tie it up to vital issues. come forward for prayer. Years Sam Dean, Presbyterian mis- ago this was never done. The sionary in Peiping, is proudly -The Christian Century. Chinese did not know the mean- developing what he calls a "mud ing of such procedure. college," in which young techni- Baptists Look Forward cal students are trained in archi- Evangelistic bands are being tecture and engineering, earning The West China Baptist Mis- trained in three months' Bible not only their own way, but paysion has issued a new definition Schools, where they acquire a ing many of the expenses of the of aim and policy, based on the working knowledge of Christi- "college" by the work they are determination to advance in es- anity, and go on the "firing line" doing. sentials, and retreat in nones- for the other nine months of the sentials. The aim is stated thus: year. Traveling libraries represent another type of rural work being Another remarkable change is that the Chinese are publishing Christian Sunday school litera- ture, subscribed for and sent to every province in China. This
developed. The "librarian" car- nomination of Shinto, Buddhism All the evangelistic efforts of ries books from village to vil- and Christianity is called upon the various denominations and lage, making a point of visiting to secure official registration as Christian 0 r g ani z a t ion s government schools. In one sta- a "juridical person," but there throughout the country are betion, the 1,000 books (chiefly re- is no particular reason to expect, ing unified and inter-related. ligious biography, hygiene and at present, that there will be in- Among the types of gatherings health, and other useful sub- terference with the tenets of any contemplated are public mass j ects) are distributed in 50 vil- ordinary religions. meetings; training conferences lages, in schools, churches, po- for religious leaders; special lice stations, shops and private The bill looks forward to a round tables for educators and houses. Another project is the measure of state control over public-spirited village, town and "Lord's Acre" plan, by which religions, and would place in the city leaders; meetings in eduthe products of a given plot of hands of the authorities the cational institutions; conferground are devoted to the use of right to judge whether a person ences on rural uplift, and on furthe church in helping to build up was fit to hold a responsible po- thering evangelism in industrial self-support. sition as pastor or evangelist. and commercial areas. Should it pass it will undoubted- -Monday Morning. ly affect the carrying on of re- After Forty-Five Years ligious propaganda throughout JAPAN -CHOSEN the empire. It may also affect Recently on the street of the status of schools, and the Pyengyang a loud-speaking vic- A Forward Movement opinion has been expressed from trola sent forth the hymn, Korea that it might lead to re- "Jesus Shall Reign," and Dr. A Commission on Nation-wide striction of educational work on Moffett stopped on the street to Evangelism has completed its the part of the Christian forces give thanks to God for what had organization, and is asking there. occurred in the 45 years since Christians throughout the em- he first came to Pyengyang. At pire to remember this movement Christians and Militarism that time there was not one in their morning devotions, and Christian in the then-known also to organize groups which Japanese Christians we r e most wicked city of the nation, will undergird this evangelistic deeply humiliated by the milita- nor in the whole of north Korea. effort with a volume of united rist outbreak in Tokyo. They Still, multitudes have not yet prayer. A budget of 5,000 yen seek a better way of strengthenhas been adopted for the present ing the Japanese people than by heard the Gospel and 98 % of the year. It is hoped that during militarism, they believe that the the first year of the movement way of Christ is more powerful people do not know of Christ. special campaigns may be con- in achieving national solidarity ducted in the empire's six major than any other method. On -The Presbyterian Banner. cities-Tokyo, Yokohama, Na- April 28th the Christians held a goya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe-and great mass meeting in Tokyo at Church Discipline in Chosen in six near-by cities. which Dr. George W. Truett of Dallas, T e x a s, world-famed Revelation tell s how one Literature evangelism will be evangelist, was present. They church in Chosen put into pracmade a special feature of the released a statement of which tice their belief that "a deacon movement. This will take ad- the following is a part: shall be filled with the Holy Spirvantage of the present awaken- it." A deacon of this church ing among educators and na- "Recognizing that Christians owned a rice field which had a tional leaders regarding the in the past have fallen far short very good crop in the drought need of religious education in of fulfilling their great mission, year. Everyone in the church the training of the youth. Spe- in deep repentance they affirm knew the approximate income cial meetings for educators will in this crisis their relief that of this deacon; annually he rebe held in which religious edu- only the Gospel of Christ can be ceived about two hundred yen in cation will be the central theme. the safe guiding star for the cash. His pledge to the church At an early date a "Religious people's thinking and can bring was fifteen yen each year. This Education" number of the King- eternal welfare to the father- particular season his income was dom of God Weekly will be pub- land. Zealously, therefore, we almost doubled because of the lished for distribution among bestir ourselves, and emphasiz- high price of rice. When the teachers of Primary and Middle ing the love of God and the grace deacon subscribed fifteen yen he Schools. of Christ we proclaim this Gos- was brought before the elders pel to our fellow nationals. We, of the church, was told that ,his Religious Bill's Implications the Christians of the empire, failure to increase his gifts in united and with an unbroken proportion to his income was a Comments on the Religious front, propose to launch a great sin against the Lord and against Bill are being made by a num- union evangelistic movement the church, and he was forced to ber of Japanese papers. One of and carry forward a nation-wide resign his office of deacon and the features of the new bill dynamic program of aggressive was put on probation for severseems to be that each sect or de- evangelism." al months.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The Christian Life Speaks department. There are eight na- NORTH AMERICA tive workers in this southern Mrs. Harry J. Hill tells an Celebes field. Four of the 12 The National Assembly of incident of the past year which fields are in Borneo. the Oxford Group proves that by-products of missionary service may have far Two high spots of the work Audiences variously estimated reaching results. are, first the ingathering of at from 3,000 to 10,000 people 8,000 Dyaks in Borneo, and, sec- gathered at Stockbridge, Massa- A Bible school girl, worker in ond, the large number of men chusetts, May 29 to June 8, to rural areas, said to the mission- attending the Bible school. Al- listen to Oxford Group leaders ary, "Did you go out to such and ready over 50 students of the from many lands bear testimony such a village one hot day last Bible school are out in the work, to the change God has wrought fall, walking ten li or so just to gaining practical experience in in their own lives and to the talk with one little backsliding the art of soul-winning. A need of everyone for new spirsaxi and her young husband?" Women's Bible School has been itual life in order that the world organized. may be transformed through "Yes, what about the two, did men and women in harmony you meet them ?" The students come from all with God. Lenox, Great Bar- points of the compass, natives rington and Stockbridge were "Well, the girl is weak, and from many unreached islands, captured and the leaders moved her husband evidently not a true and speaking between 20 and 30 on to New York, on June 8, to believer yet, but the whole vil- island dialects. hold a great mass meeting in lage heard that a missionary the Metropolitan Opera House. from Pyengyang had gone clear Chinese workers of the Chi- Among the speakers at these out there and out into the fields nese Foreign Missionary Union meetings were members of the just to 'preach to' that girl and have done splendid work. In nobility, professors, preachers everywhere I went people said, Borneo, their reward has been and public men from Great 'There must be something in this nearly 3,000 converts. It is safe Britain and Europe, as well as Jesus doctrine, if the foreigner to say that over 10,000 have ac- converted Socialists, pickpockis willing to go to all that trou- cepted Christ in these few years, ets and drunkards from the ble. Come in, and we'll listen to and there are probably as many lower strata of society. Others what you have to say.' " more awaiting baptism, as soon came from many walks of life as workers can be sent to teach in United States and Canada. ISLANDS OF THE SEA them. The leaders express their convic- tion that the secret of a changed A Mission Ship Indispensable Methodists in the Philippines -Godly-world is changed indi- The Bishop of Melanesia re- viduals that make up the world, Two new Methodist Confer- and that the secret of this ports that the Mission Ship, ences have come into being-the change is complete surrender to "Southern Cross No.7," has Philippine and the Philippine the will of God. Whatever difproved a thoroughly seaworthy North. Eight Filipino district ference of conviction there may craft. Last year she carried the superintendents, under Bishop be as to method, there is no bishop nineteen thousand miles, Edwin F. Lee, are doing a fine room for difference of opinion besides bringing Christian boys piece of work in meeting new as to the desirability of attainand girls from remote islands to local and national needs with a ing the objective. Testimonies school, sick people to hospitals, well-rounded Christian p r 0- from many parts of the world teachers to centers for "refresh- gram. Two hundred and twen- give evidence that the Gospel as er" courses, and stores to outly- ty-nine ministers are under reg- presented by the Oxford Group ing stations. This little ship ular appointment. Leaders are is effecting transformations in plays a very important part in cooperating in the development all lands and in all classes of the work of the church in Mela- of a church organization that the society. nesia. She is the link which Filipinos will be able to mainbinds together the church in the tain. Church membership is 87,- Bible Reading in Schools many islands, a constant remind- 572, making this the largest er to the native Christians of Methodist group in the Far East. New York's Supreme Court the love of the people in the Pastors are on a basis of self- Justice William T. Collins has home church. support, which, though inade- rendered a decision upholding quate, enables local churches to hymn singing and Bible reading Netherlands East Indies accept entire responsibility for in public schools, and the occa- the promotion of their. activities. sional use of school buildings by Mr. R. A. Jaffray summarizes religious and racial organizathe achievements in the Nether- The division into two confer- tions. Free thinkers of Amerlands East Indies Mission. At ences was along language and ica had objected to the practice, least a start has been made in race lines-the Ilocanos forming in effect for many years, and twelve distinct fields, widely a distinct group from the Taga- had brought the case to court. scattered and embracing an area logs, though both are Christian equal to half the distance across and Filipino in their loyalty. North America. Makassar is the headquarters, and located there -The Christian Advocate. are Bible school and publication
Answering their charge, Justice The National Bible Institute Board Cancels Debt Collins declared: The purpose of the National For the third consecutive year Bible Institute during its 29 the Presbyterian Board of Na- "To read the Bible in schools years' history has been to take tional Missions closed its fiscal the Gospel message to New year with a surplus. Receipts for these and like purposes, or York's unevangelized millions, from all sources amounted to and through its schools to afford $2,492,111.15 and expenditures to require it to be read without Christian young men and women to $2,489,441.91, leaving a sur- opportunities for acquiring a plus of $2,669.24. Of the resectarian explanations, is no in- thorough knowledge of the ceipts, $1,570,037.64 came from Scriptures, and for securing gifts from churches, Sunday terference with religious liberty. Spirit-guided training for Chris- schools, youth budget, mission- tian service as pastors, mission- ary organizations, individuals; It is not urged that any particu- aries, evangelists and Bib I e and $927,599.37 from unre- teachers. In the last school stricted legacies and invested lar sect or religion or biblical year, 402 young men and women funds. It is said that only 400/0 were enrolled. of the church members are conversion is being taught or insin- tributing to the mission cause. During the twenty-nine years, uated. It is not maintained that the Institute has conducted more Through depletion of legacy than 50,000 outdoor evangelistic funds, the accumulated debt of dogmatic reI i g ion is being meetings, with an aggregate at- $1,055,252.58, as of March 31, tendance of more than seven mil- 1936, has been cancelled. This foisted upon any pupil. No spe- lion persons. More than 1,750,- leaves the Board of National 000 Gospels and Gospel messages Missions today without a debt cial sect or creed or tenet is fav- have been distributed. In these for the first time in its history. meetings there were more than It is pointed out that this action ored. The use of the Bible in 70,000 professed conversions. has reduced the Board's annual Also during this period at the income by the amount of interno way affects the belief of free Institute's mission halls in New est that so large a sum safely in- York there was an aggregate at- vested would yield. thinkers. Authentic free think- tendance of more than one mil- lion persons. Methodist Laymen's Movement ing involves the indubitable Crime Problem in U. S. Formal organization of the right to believe in God as well as Layman's Religious Movement, J. Edgar Hoover, head of an unofficial, liberal group in the the unfettered license not to be- crime investigation, in address- Methodist Episcopal Church, -Missions. ing the D. A. R., stated that files was announced April 23. Outlieve." of his bureau revealed 3,000,- lining the purposes of the move- 000 convicted criminals in this ment an official statement as- Missions Handicapped by country and that "one out of serts that "in every age religion every 25 persons in the United has been quickened and revived Intoxicants States is inclined toward crim- by active participation in the inality." Declaring that he had great group social movements, The apparent inability of the no wish to cause alarm, Mr. which have arisen from the ever government to prevent the sale Hoover said he was compelled to changing conditions of human of intoxicating liquor to Indians admit that there are "150,000 living." It continues by saying adds to the difficulties against murderers roaming at large in that the sponsors and endorsers which Christian missionaries the country, and that statistics of the Statement of Principles are continually obliged to con- show that within the lifetime of find it impossible "to be silent tend. Before repeal, the boot- everyone alive today 200,000 regarding the 'un-Christian, unlegger was more easily discov- persons will commit murder be- ethical and anti-social' aspects ered by Indians who were op- fore they die and more than of present-day civilization which posed to the liquor traffic, and 300,000 persons will be mur- everyone recognizes. apprehended by government dered." Mr. Hoover said that the police. Now the supply of liquor average citizen pays a tax-of "With millions unemployed is abundant and it is offered at a $120 a year "for the privilege and many more millions underprice within the reach of the In- of living in a country which each paid; with countless families dians, especially those receiving year sees 12,000 murders, 46,981 living below subsistence levels; cash for their labor under the cases of felonious assault, 283,- and members of the younger government work – relief pro- 685 burglaries, 779,956 larcenies generation denied to a large exgram. and 247,346 automobile thefts." tent the right to establish a ca- reer with any hope of opportu- Numerous tribal councils have -United Presbyterian. nity and security, it would be appealed to the government to unthinkable t hat Methodists seize and punish those who en- should not prayerfully seek congage in debauching the Indians, by enticing them into vicious resorts, and the Navajo Council some months ago assumed the responsibility of appointing a force of special policemen to ferret them out and bring them to justice. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs is aware of these distressing conditions and is making earnest efforts to apply corrective measures. Large appropriations of money not now available would be required to clean up these plague spots, such as are found in centers like Gallup, N. M.
-The Presbyterian Tribune.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
structive methods of correcting ministry in their behalf; to en- The objects of the association these conditions," the statement list various church agencies in are threefold: (1) to unite all continues. a program of service, and to Japanese, especially Christian devise effective methods of ap- students, and to cultivate organ- Inner Missions Surveyed proach. ized effort; (2) to promote growth of Christian character Three hundred and eighty- Converts in the Jewish field and fellowship among its memtwo agencies, societies and insti- compare favorably in number bers and to spread the Christian tutions of the Lutheran Church and character with those in any way of life among Japanese stuin the United States minister, in other field of the church. Peniel, dents in America; (3) to stim- Christ's name, to orphans, de- Chicago, reports two hundred ulate capacity for service and to ficient, sick, handicapped and fifty converts from a community render needed services for the friendless. The activities show a of socialist Jews in fifteen years general welfare of Japanese stuvariety of types-orphanages, resulting in the formation of a dents in America. Local chap- 66; homes for the aged, 81; church. ters endeavor to emphasize perdeaconess mother-houses, 12 ; sonal evangelism, to conduct hospitals, 76; hospices, 33; In- -National Missions. religious forums or discussion ner Mission Societies, 73; sea- groups; to foster prayer circles men's homes, 19; home-finding One Indian to Anothe:r and prayer life, to encourage atsocieties, 15; settlement houses tendance at student Christian and day nurseries, 9. The total The way the Gospel makes its conferences, to organize sectionproperty valuation is almost influence felt is seen in an In- al conferences, and to encourage $50,000,000, of which the hospi- dian's letter to another Indian, contact with Christian homes. tals absorb almost half. whose respective tribes were bitter enemies in former years. -Japanese Students Directory. There were 1,022,182 persons served by the organizations re- WHITE ARM, New Church in Alaska porting; Inner Mission societies ministered to 713,146 and hos- LODGE GRASS, MONTANA. The Eskimo village of Wainpitals to 200,117, all without re- wright, Alaska, is to have its gard to creed or race. Dear Brother, own church building. Wain- wright is located on the far -Lutheran News. r writing short letter to you so you north Alaskan coast some 110 miles southwest of Barrow. The Jewish Situation know my little baby girl died. Your There are more than two hun- friend Bird Bear came home from dred active members of the There are more Jews in Amer- Crow reservation after my baby died. Presbyterian church in this isoica than in all Asia, Africa, Bird Bear told me your daughter lated village, under the care of South America, Australasia and Dr. Henry Greist, who recently most of the countries of Western died some time ago too. r sorry to resigned as doctor and pastor of Europe combined. The vast ma- Barrow. Because of the presjority have come since 1880, the hear that but at same time we can sure of work at Barrow, and the greatest number from Russia thank God she gone to better land fact that it takes from two to and Poland. They are scattered where no sin, nQ heavy heart, where three days to make the trip by over every state of the Union, tears are wiped from her face. dog team between Barrow and in 9,712 different places. Two- Wainwright, such trips are necthirds of the total number live r very glad to hear you helping essarily infrequent. Services in the Eastern states, about one have been conducted regularly million in the Western and Pa- missionary at Lodge Grass. Be true by two Eskimo workers who liscific states, and one-half million to Jesus, White Arm, and show with tened to the sermons broadcast in the Southern states. Though daily life that you are new man and by the late Rev. E. L. Winterso widely scattered, 3,000,000 that way everything will come out to berger, missionary pastor at live in eleven cities, of which your best. It will not always be like Anchorage, took notes, made New York has 2,000,000, Chi- yQU think but if you walk straight aU translations into Eskimo, and cago, 325,000 and Philadelphia will be good. You might have to wait gave a digest of the sermons at 270,000. but everything turn out all right. the services the following Sun- day in the little government Phenomenal changes are tak- Remember me to Crows and be good school house. ing place in Jewish life and thought. Today, they are more to yourself. r now enclose my letter Since last fall Wainwright has open-minded, more willing to had a resident minister, Rev. consider the claims of Christ. with prayer and best regards. Thats Percy Ipalook, product of the Some of the objectives of the all. Good by. Barrow Mission and the first Es- Presbyterian Board are to edu- kimo to be trained for the mincate the church concerning the -Missions. istry. Jewish situation in America, and the need and opportunity of a Japanese Students in U. S. A. -Presbyterian Board News.
The Japanese Students' Chris- tian Association in North Amer- ica, the dream of many a Japa- nese student in the past, was proposed at a meeting of J apa- nese delegates to the Student Volunteer Convention at Indian- apolis in January, 1924. In the following June the national or- ganization became a reality, and since then has made a record growth. Three national conven- tions have been held; at Evans- ville in 1927, at Detroit in 1928 and at Buffalo in 1931.
LATIN AMERICA work in northern Brazil. A Bi- found the Lord in a regimental ble Training Institute has been meeting. What happened to him New Day in Venezuela started in the state of Maranhao. also occurred to two other sturdy One sees hope for a new day The Baptist Church has ex- soldiers and their families in the in Venezuela. One of the first tended its work among the In- same regiment. moves of President Lopez Con- dians in the state of Amazonas, treras was to order the building and some Indians have been bap- Pioneering in the Argentine of over 500 rural schoolhouses tized. The Presbyterian Church in the state capital, Manaos, has No Indians in the Chaco need and the establishment of trades been enlarged to accommodate a mission more than the Pilaga. schools in all the state capitals. increased numbers. A new pa- Unscrupulous settlers and sol- A large program of public works per in Portuguese to arouse inhas given employment to thou- terest in the evangelization of diers have caused all Spanishsands of men at a fair wage. the Indians of the Amazon area speaking people to be enemies in has been published and has met Freedom of speech and of the with an unexpected welcome. A the eyes of these simple yet repress were also established to new church has been inaugu- vengeful people. Because of some extent, with full freedom rated in the state capital of Para, and among Gaviao and their rigid rule in vendetta, the for the country when it has re- Cherente Indians evangelical Pilaga have been hunted each turned to normal conditions. work has been opened. year, many being slain, in order With the return of many of the to pay for the slaughter of nuintelligentsia from exile, with Sunday School Convention in merous whites-who have been the nation free from public debt, Peru killed by the Pilaga in order to with an assured income from oil At the first national, interde- pay for the slaughter of their production, and a desire on the nominational Sunday School tribesmen, and so the vicious Convention in Lima, Peru, in circle went. Yet these people part of the people for a retu:r:n 1935, there were present at the begged for a missionary, and to the normal type of economIC opening session 53 delegates replife there is every reason for resenting 30 Sunday schools. finally two were sent. The Inoptimism. A president who, in Denominational lines were elim- dians built substantial huts, inated, and the meetings were made gardens, a well, cut roads. a country where no building was open to the general public. From A school is now being built by ever erected for educational pur- SIxty to a hundred people were the Indians themselves, as they poses, starts out with th~ aim of usually present. Two delegates immediately inc rea SIn g the walked half the distance down are most anxious to learn to read school population, is evidently a the Andes mountains because and write. Twenty-eight Indi- they had only enough train fare departure from the usual run of for half the way. ans meet each week for Chris- Latin American rulers. tian instruction. So interested A committee was appointed to are they that they get all the In- Brazil's Evangelical Congress dians together in the village of one chief or another, and there An Evangelical Congress was they sing hymns, pray simply, held in Brazil in the latter part and the chief of that village tells what he learns in the inquirer's foefdeJruantei~norgoaf niEzevdabnygtehel Con- class. i cal Churches. Evangelization was stimulate the production of orig- the first of the subjects to come inal hymns in Spanish, to select under review, and an important and make available simple songs, place was given to questions re- having in mind especially the A Superior Education lating to work among youth, and children under eight years of the production and use of litera- age; and to study the matter of Offered by Calvert Courses FOR CHILDREN ture. The Confederation is pri- making victrola records for use marily a Brazilian movement, in teaching hymns in the outly- drawing its inspiration from the ing p I ace s. Demonstration More than 50,000 children have ac- desire of Brazilian Christians to classes in teaching were held quired a superior elementary education … in their own homes … in this take every step necessary to for- during the week. interesting and simple way.
ward the evangelization of their Chilean Soldiers Recommended by Mission Boards, Educountry. Some 250,000 Evangel- cators State Department, and Army and N'avy Officials. ical Christians are in touch with Mr. William M. Strong ~ays the cooperating churches. Article 1 of the Constitution states he saw "a bit of heaven III a Dspaeicliyallemssaotnes:iaslesleacntdedpbeorosokns,asl tagtuiio~naenrcye, its objectives: "To express and humble Chilean home." It was stimulate evangelical unity, pro- … by mail … from our promment in the shining face of a sergeant and successful private day school in' mote organized act ion, and of infantry, sitting propped up Baltimore. maintain relationships with the in bed reading his Bible. "He Write today for illustrated catalog.
had been at home sick with the Church of Christ in all the grippe for several days, and was CALVERT SCHOOL , world." not expecting company when we Mrs. O. S. Rhoads. Director of Home Instruction There are signs here and there dropped in on him, so the Bible 188 Tuscany Road. Baltimore, Md. of development in evangelical was not just for show. This man
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Our'Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,===============-;=,~ Taking Hold of God. By Samuel M. IX, X, XI and XII, should im- est, is the Power of Prayer, both Zwemer. 188 pp. $1.00. Zondervan subjective and objective, as con- Publishing House. Grand Rapids, mediately follow Chapter I on stantly asserted in the Bible and Michigan. 1936. The Antiquity and Universality proved in the experience of saints ancient and modern. The A new book by this great mis- of Prayer, rather than the sev- well-known H i n d ran c e s to sionary, life-long student of Is- eral chapters on the Nature, Prayer, external and internal, lam, founder and editor of The Power and Indispensability of are discussed, with appropriate Moslem World, and, since 1930, Prayer, ideally the most natural remedies. Professor of the History of Religion and Christian Missions in and impressive conclusion of the Non-Christian Prayers and the Princeton Theological Seminary, book, which, however, is made specially vital relation of Prayer is a not infrequent and always forceful by the presentation of and Missions form two chapters. welcome event. the example of Our Lord. Old Testament Prayers, the Prayers of Paul, an analysis of In these "Studies on the Na- The author maintains not only The Lord's Prayer, and the ture, Need and Power of that there has been no religion unique Prayers of Our Lord Prayer," Dr. Zwemer has left without prayer, but that there Himself, complete the main text his special field of research and of the volume, which, however, devoted service to make a valu- can be none. It is the only chan- is supplemented by "A Devoable contribution to the Chris- nel between the seen and the un- tional Service and Meditation on tian Church's realization of "the seen, the only bridge across the The Trinity, arranged from vaheart of its religion,"-of all re- abyss of eternity. While most rious sources," and by a selected ligion,-and the indispensable pagan prayers are for temporal Bibliography. source of its power to fulfill its mission. Dedicated "To my col- good, many of them have been -COURTENAY H. FENN. leagues on the mission field, who addressed to a Supreme Being have been an inspiration in the in recognition of a spiritual re- At the Point of a Lancet. William goodly fellowship of prayer," lationship and filial dependence. Warder, 304 pp. Kelly & Walsh, the book is manifestly not mere- Ltd. Shanghai. 1935. ly a series of Biblical and his- Prayer is not easy to define: torical studies but also a record it includes more than petition, The practice of medicine 100 of mature experience of "the life yet petition is at its heart. years ago was something dishid with Christ in God." James Montgomery's familiar tinctly different from what it is hymn defines it in fourteen pic- today. The modern up-to-the- Believing that Jesus alone can tures. The sixty-fourth chapter minute practicioner has such an teach His disciples how to pray, armamentarium of instruments and that prayer is a great real- of Isaiah is its most perfect ex- and technical aids in the realm ity, Dr. Zwemer seeks to bring pression. The recognition and of electricity, light, heat, masevery thought concerning his thankful adoration of God; the sage and water therapy, that he theme "into captivity to the obe- pouring out of the heart before well-nigh requires a special condience of Christ." He has no Him in conviction, confession, sultant to enumerate them all. sympathy with the modern the- contrition and consecration; pe- From this glorification of gadgory that the value of prayer is tition for the accomplishment of ets and marvelously clever and solely subjective, but believes His holy and loving will, and in- efficient machinery, it is a long that "Prayer changes things," step back to the day when Peter as proved by "its universality, tercession for all men in relation Parker, in the autumn of 1835, its antiquity, its nature, its mys- to the Kingdom of God, consti- opened his hospital' at Canton tery and its history," and heart- tute true prayer. and began to treat Chinese afily echoes the words of Glad- flicted with eye diseases. He was stone, "Prayer is the highest ex- The comparative unimpor- a skillful doctor, and he was also pression of the human intellect." tance yet positive importance of a devoted missionary. Direct Place, Posture and Time in missionary activity as well as all Logically, the his tor y of prayer are fully treated and the other forms of foreign penetra- Prayer, as recorded in Chapters lack of devotion of time noted as one of the average Christian's chief impotences. The Horology of Bishop Andrewes is set forth in full.
The center of the studies, and that which is of most vital inter- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent hy the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[383 ]
tion was vigorously opposed by abroad. He discusses the sub- ticular." They were restless, the Chinese Government, but ject under three heads-Getting, roving adventurers of the sixwithin a year Parker's ministry, Spending and Giving. Each is because of its skill and sym- presented with clarity of state- teenth and ninteenth centuries pathy, was eagerly sought by ment, cogency of reasoning and respectively; but they were picrich and poor, by official and aptness of illustration. The senpeasant. In 1837 on some days tences are short and crisp. turesque characters who had his patients numbered two or There is an occasional one that, strange and sometimes thrilling three hundred. Thus Peter taken by itself, might be misin- experiences, and the reader is Parker, an American missionary terpreted; but as a rule the grateful to Dr. Gowen for bringphysician, broke down the prej- statements win instant assent. ing them out of the oblivion udices that sealed the doors of The book has special interest for where they were known to only China. missionaries and their support- ers, for most of the discussion of a few research scholars like him- It is an enchanting story, and giving is on the relation or giV- self. So his volume is both in- Dr. William W. Cadbury and ing to foreign missions. Crit- structive and interesting. Mary H. Jones, in "At the Point icisms are refuted and the scope of a Lancet," tell it with all the and worth of missions are ef- ARTHUR J. BROWN. vividness that such a story pos- fectively presented. Of the book sesses. They carry it on-this as a whole, that good judge, We Beheld His Glory. The Primistory of the Canton Hospital- Prof. Halford E. Luccock of tive Christian Message and Presthrough the 100 years that have Yale Divinity School, writes: ent-Day Religious Trends. By stretched on from those early be- "It is a masterpiece of lucid Nicholas Arseniev, D.D. Translated ginnings of Parker working in s tat e men t and penetrating from the German by Mary Anita his warehouse hospital without thought, a profound and persua- Ewer, Ph.D. 220 pp. $3.00. Morenurse or dispenser or assistant sive Christian philosophy of life. house Publishing Co. New York. down to the newly planned mod- Its wide use throughout the 1936. ern hospital shortly to replace Church will make notable histhe old buildings, making this tory." ARTHUR J. BROWN. The subtitle defines the charfamous old institution a vital part of a great University-Medi- Five Foreigners in Japan. By Her- acter of this book. The author cal School-Hospital enterprise. bert H. Gowen, D.D. 283 pp. $2.00. Fleming H. Revell Company. New is a professor of the Orthodox The power and fruitfulness of York. 1936. these 100 years of testimony Greek Church at the University through the compassionate heal- The author of this attractive ing ministry is beyond human volume is professor of Oriental of Warsaw. In his epilogue he comprehension. This faithful Studies in the University of and sacrificial witness, through Washington, and the "Five For- gives the reason for writing the the lips and the hands of such eigners" are Fernando Mendez servants of God as Parker, Kerr, Pinto, Francis Xavier, Will book. Thomson, Swan, Niles, Kirk, Adams, Ronald MacDonald and Cadbury, and many skillful Chi- Townsend Harris. So much has "In our day the power of nese associates, has made "At been written about Xavier and the Point of a Lancet" a story Harris that their careers are Christ is functioning perhaps of which the Christian Church well known; but Dr. Gowen has may well be proud. graphically retold their life with especial strength, even in stories with full appreciation of J. D. VAUGHAN. who these historic men were the midst of human injustices, and what they did. Christian Materialism. By Francis among atrocities, and suffering. John McConnell. 167 pp. $1.25 Pinto, Adams and MacDonald, cloth; 60 cents paper. Friendship are less known. Adams, the first And we know that even in suf- Press. New York. 1936. Englishman to visit Japan, be- came a protege of the great Sho- fering, even beneath the Cross, This book is small in size but gun, Iyeyasu, in the early declarge in importance. It was ades of the seventeenth century there is the power of the Risen written at the request of the and rendered a service as pilot United Stewardship Council, and shipbuilder which is com- One: a piece of another, higher representing twenty-six Protes- memorated by a monument still tant communions, which felt standing in Tokyo. We doubt reality, and yet existent within that a new study of the Chris- whether Pinto and McDonald this reality, inwardly enriching tian's relation to material pos- can properly be classified, as we sessions was urgently needed. are told in the Foreword, among it, illuminating and permeating Bishop McConnell was eminent- the men who had "influence uply fitted for the task by his long on the history of the Far East it." experience as a Christian leader in general and of Japan in parand his wide knowledge of the After a general explanation religious situation at home and of the realism of early Chris- tianity we have an account of the religious situation in the world today through the eyes of a Greek Catholic. The phenom- ena of modern Protestant the- ology and their belief in the church and the sacrament are contrasted with the J ohannine vision of glory which belongs to the Eastern Church. John's the- ology is that of the Incarnation.
A concluding chapter gives some tendencies in modern Roman Catholic thought. .
The divine victory and the manifestation of redemption at the incarnation was "the inrush of God into the world." Today, says the author, this Christian message is being rediscovered in its full force. S. M. Z.
Books Personal Items Eternal
China Christian Year Book, 1934-5. (Concluded from page 337.) T IME is an impartial yet severe test of value. Edited by Frank Rawlinson. 458 Money comes and goes) stocks nse and fall. pp. $2.00. Arthur H. Clark Co. Dr. and Mrs. F. C. Stephenson, of Glendale, Calif. Toronto, for over forty years have blliJdings are used and decay. Returns from been leaders in the work of mission- Hlvestments in this world are at best uncertain. The Church That Is To Be.-C. M. ary education in Canada. Dr. Ste- ;;'hat a contrast then is a work which "gather- S. Report for 1935. 52 pp. 6d. C. phenson is retiring from the active ttil fruit unto life eternal" (John 4: 36) ! M. S. London. work of his office as Secretary of Mis- sionary Education in the United Invest in the Lord's Work Interpreters: A Study in Contempor- Church of Canada. ary Evangelism. Max Warren. 142 X-'-h~o you use your m.oney to further men's work, pp. 2s. 6d. C. M. S. London. *** passmg good or growmg evil m~y result. When An Introduction to Mexico. Anna Dr. Howard Guinness, of the In- you put your money in trust WIth us t? furth~r Dill Gamble, R. A. McGowan, 48 pp. tervarsity Fe:lowship of Evangelical the Lord's work. only lasting good can come of It. 10 cents. Catholic Assn. for Inter- Unions, has undertaken a five months' national Peace. Washington, D. C. visit to the universities of South Af- THE BIBLE h;;1TTUTE COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION rica where he will hold conferences OF C.H.ICAGO is an undenominational (.interdenomi~ Korean Young Folks. Frederick S. in four universities and six univer- national). thoroughly evangelical sG,;;iety. founded Miller. 190 pp. $2.00. Revell. New sity colleges of the Union. There are by D. L. Moody 10 1894. Its object accordlOg to York. nearly '7,000 white students in South Its charter is: Africa. Literature for the South African "To circulate, distribute. make. publish. buy. Bantu. R. H. W. Shepherd. 1s. 82 The Rev. Francis Car Stifier, D.D. sell and give away books, pamphlets, tracts, pp. Carnegie Corp. Pretoria, So. has been elected Editorial Secretary singing b,?oks, Bibles, Testaments, and evan~ Africa. of the American Bible Society. He gellcal rdlgious publications, and to use any will be responsible for the Society's Long Live the King! George V, King monthly publication, The Bible Society surplus funds of the Association in and about and Emperor. Prince and Sover- Record, and the preparation of pro- Bible and evangelical work," eign, Edward VIII. Eric Acland. motional literature. 372 pp. $1.50. Winston. Philadel- The years have tested and proven the soundness of phia. *** Dwight L. Moody's vision, The Gospel in ,its simplicity and power has been available to nch Many Members-One Body in Christ. The Rev. A. Thakur Das, M.A., S. P. G. Report for 1935. 1s. 236 has been elected Moderator of the and poor that men mi&ht understand the plan of pp. S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. Lon- General Assembly of the United sal vatlOo, grow 10 Chnstian living, and more ef~ don. Church of Northern India. fectively work for the Lord. True behevers. who desire to attach themselves to a lIVIng, VItal, pro~ The Nez Perces Since Spalding. *** grcssive Gospel agency such as this, are invited to Mary M. Crawford. 66 pp. Pres- byterian Book Store. San Fran- Dr. T. Demura was recently elected tellowship in the support and enlargement of our cisco. President of North Japan College, ministry. This may be done in varIOuS ways: under the Reformed Church in the Omwa! Are You Awake? P. H. J. United States to succeed Pres. D. B. 1. D,rect gifts–checks or currency. Lerrigo. 175 pp. $1.25. Revell. Schneder, retired. Dr. DemUl'a takes New York. up his work with a thorough knowl- 2. Donation of bonds or stocks. (If the in· edge of the principles, spirit and One Hundred Thrilling Tales. Hy objectives of his alma mater. come is needed during life, the security Pickering. 216 pp. 1s. Pickering & Inglis. London. Obituary Notes may be placed with us in trust.) Puritans in the South Seas. Louis (Concluded from second cover.) 3. Provide tor a legacy or bequest by last B. Wright and Mary Isabel Fry. wlll and testament. 350 pp. $2.00. Holt & Co. New Mrs. A. R. Stadin, a missionary of 4. Assign to the Colportage Association any York. the Seventh Day Adventists in Ethi- rights to unsettled estates, or rents and lfl~ opia, was ki:Jed on May 2d by a stray The Shrine of a People's Soul. Ed- bullet from an Italian gun. come from any property. , win W. Smith. 208 pp. 2s. and 2s. 3d. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- *** S. Name the AssoClatlOn as a benefiCIary don. Mrs. Grace Bekins Stauffacher, under a life insurance policy. Henry Harmon Spalding, Pioneer of wife of Charles J. Stauffacher, M.D., 6. Loan funds to be used without interest; Old Oregon. Illus. Clifford Merrill died at Gikuki, Portuguese East Af- Drury. 438 pp. $3.00. Caxton rica, March 25. Born in Hickman, Or give an estate note. Printers, Ltd. Caldwell, Idaho. Neb., and educated in Minneapolis. After completing her training as a Legal Form of Bequest Students and the Christian W orId nurse, she married and went to Afri- Mission: Report of the Student ca, where she was of great assistance "I hereby gIve, devise and bequeath unto. The Volunteer Convention. Edited by in medical work and in the training Blble Institute Colportage ASSOCIatIOn of Ch,cago. Jesse R. Wilson. 333 pp. $2.00. of African girls in nurse service. a corporation organized and existmg under the Student Volunteer Movement. New York. *** laws of the State of Winois. the sum of , …. , ..
St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. J. The Rev. Robert Shields, an Amer- . , , , , , …. , ., dollars. to be paid out of any real Ernest Shufelt. 32 pp. 10 cents. ican Methodist Episcopal missionary or personal estate "wned by me at my Jecease," St. Luke's Lutheran Mission. High of Loanda, Angola, West Africa, died Point, N. C. there on April 19, following an op- W'rite today for free copy of booklet "These eration. He retired last year at the Forty Years." Please mention THE MISSIONARY Taking Hold of God. Samuel M. age of sixty-nine. In February, 1887, REVIEW OF THE WORLD, and indicate how you Zwemer. 188 pp. $1.00. Zonder- he arrived in Malanje, and his life would prefer to help this work. van. Grand Rapids, Mich. has since heen devoted to evangelistic and educational work. He was ably "These Forty Years" will ins,ire you with the Youth Movements Here and Abroad. assisted by his wife, Louise Raven. "eternal 'alue" that CUf Gospe efforts can create (Bibliography.) 8 pp. 20 cents. with your aid. Write today. Russel Sage Foundation. New York. The Bible Institute Colportage Assoc.
A Wider World for Women. Lucy 849M North Wells Street. Chicago. Illinois W. Peabody. 128 pp. $1.25. Re- vell. New York. Planned along ad· vanced pedatl'ogical lines to provide both Home and Class lor the pupil. VaTied ' such as Quizzes, Reading Tests, True False Tests. and Completion Tests. pupil to work out each lesson from for himself.
Inleresling .:. Inspiraliona! .:. Iftd,ruo-.i" ..
Send 8e i" sbmp' for currllt"t inu.
Samples o! our Sund4Y School publu:ahon. and BIble Course. lor Young People', Soculhn .ent lree on .equest.
EST. 1886 CHRISTIAN PUBUCiTIONS.lN<: 1502 N. Third St., Harrisburg, Pa.
and Reality I•n
Viewed by Africans and Missionaries ILLUSTRATED WITH MAPS, CHARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS UNOCCUPIED FIELDS IN AFRICA By ALEXANDER McLEISH THE AFRICAN'S VIEW Of' AFRICA r By VARIOUS AUTHORS-PREPARED BY D. TAYLOR AFRICAN LIFE AND THOUGHT By DIEDRICH WESTERMANN GREAT HINDRANCES TO CHRISTIAN PROGRESS By C. S. JENKINS VICTORIES OF THE GOSPEL AMONG AFRICANS By THOMAS MOODY AND OTHERS AFRICAN VIEWS OF JESUS CHRIST By THE BISHOP OF UGANDA POLITICS AND MISSIONS IN AFRICA By CHARLES T. LORAM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AFRICA By KENNETH G. GRUBB THE CROSS AND THE CRESCENT IN AFRICA By J. J. COOKSEY = = = = = SEND YOUR ORDER NOW = = = = = 25 Cents a Copy $20.00 a hundred $2.50 a year Special Price in Quantities if ordered before September 10 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
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