FROM
OUR EXCHANGES.
THE TRIUMPHS
OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The
greatest triumphs of the Gospel in modern times have been won in
foreign fields. The results of mission enterprise in the actual number
of converts added to the Christian Church have been immense and
startling. One million three hundred thousand confessors of Christ
have come out of the darkness of heathendom within the past century;
and they are coming now at the rate of one hundred thousand a year-two
hundred and seventy-five every day. Just think for a moment what that
means. Enough men and women are turning from the worship of idols to
the true God to fill the largest church in New York every Sunday in
the year.
But
greater even than these numerical results are the triumphs which
cannot be tabulated in figures or reduced to statistics. Triumphs of
patience and hope in China, where the preaching of the Gospel in a
city for twenty years without a single convert has been followed by a thousandfold
harvest. Triumphs over prejudice in India, where the government, which
was once arrayed against the missionary enterprise in bitter scorn and
contempt has now become its friend and eulogist and protector.
Triumphs of charity in every land smitten by famine or pestilence,
where the suffering people have learned to turn instinctively to
Christian missionaries as their first and best helpers. Triumphs of
transformation in the islands of the sea, where whole races have been
changed from bloodthirsty cannibals into peaceful and order-loving
folk.
Achievements
like these are, in fact, the greatest glory of foreign missions. They
manifest, as nothing else could do, the intense hopefulness, the
splendid, serious optimism, the invincible courage, and the uplifting
power of the religion of Jesus Christ for all mankind.—Henry
Van Dyke, D. D., in The Outlook.
WHY
MISSIONS?
We
ought to evangelize the world. Christ told us to do it. A gentleman
said to me one day he did not believe in missions because he had lived
in many parts of the world and had found that it did not make very
much difference what religion a man professed, and he assured me he
had seen good Buddhists, good Mohammedans, even good
devil-worshippers, and also good Christians. "Yes," I said,
"but you forget one thing. Either the Son of God came down to the
earth to save men from sin, or he did not. It is a question of fact.
If he did not, then one of the religions you mentioned is a delusion
and a fraud, and that is Christianity. But if he did come, then ought
not men to know it, and ought not those who know it to tell those who
don't? That's missions."—Eugene
Stock.
He
who knows nothing of the needs of an individual or of a community
finds it an easy matter to maintain a tight hold Upon the purse
strings; but he who sees the suffering about him, or hears of distress
in other localities, has his sympathies aroused, and his benevolence
takes definite shape in timely and generous relief. So he who studies
the missionary question fully and ascertains the results of the church
investment in foreign missions feels within him a strong impulse to
give more or less liberally toward helping them on. He who thinks them
a failure will not contribute to their support, but he who realizes
what they are doing does his best toward making them more and more
aggressive and successful. As a matter of fact, they have a record
which is both indisputable and inspiring. |
The century
of missionary enterprise now coming to a close is most marvelous.
There has never been anything like it since the first centuries of the
Christian era. The Gospel has been carried into every land. The open
doors have been entered, and converts have been made by the thousand.
Woman has been elevated by an advancing Christianity. Savagery is
rapidly giving place to civilization. The seed of truth carefully sown
is taking root and bearing fruit. Hope was never brighter for the
redemption of China. Japan shows the quickening touch of Christian
civilization. Africa is coming under the influence of Gospel agencies
in an increasing suppression of a horrid and inhuman slave trade,
while the habitations of cruelty are gradually disappearing. The
outlook on every side is most promising. What is needed is larger
giving. If the church rigidly estimates the value of the work which
God is doing, and which he purposes to accomplish, through the forces
already upon the field, his call upon her for a more consecrated purse
will be heeded, and she will lay, as increasing opportunities for help
are brought to her attention, adequate gifts at her Master's feet for
the fullest extension of his kingdom in all lands.—The
Presbyterian.
FROM THE
FIELD.
The
revival at Oakdale, Cal., had been going on for five weeks when last
heard from with good interest.
Our
people have about completed a church at Los Angeles, California, which
will be dedicated by Bishop Dillon in the Spring.
Rev.
Kenoyer, of Elberton, has just closed a meeting there with fifty
conversions, and above twenty-five accessions to the church.
Dr.
Flickinger speaks highly of the Monthly.
He is anxious that it go out among our people to arouse them to
greater activity in the cause of missions both at home and abroad.
Rev.
A. P. Black, of Rhonerville, Cal., writes that everything is in fine
shape there. He is hopeful of building up a strong society having
several substantial members who will encourage the work.
Rev.
J. H McNew, P. E., of the Kansas Valley conference sends in his
quarterly report in which he says, "The fields, spiritually, are
in good condition. The ministers are each engaged in revival work with
good interest."
C.
W. Clark, of St. Marys, Ohio, takes a great interest in the
advancement of the cause of Christ. He looks upon the missionary
interests of the church as one having the matter at heart and as being
desirous of making more rapid progress.
Prof.
Barnaby, president of Hartsville College, offers young men desiring to
enter the ministry a good opportunity to prepare themselves by special
training at the college. He having attended the Moody Training School
at Chicago, is ready to teach the best systems of soul winning taught
in that school, and will pay direct attention to the study of those
who desire to avail themselves of his experience.
Rev.
Wm. Beers, of Petosky, Mich., writes of the good work in that city. He
says, "We are much encouraged here. A number have united with us
and others will next Sunday. All are substantial members. By the help
of God if we are trustful and keep humble we will continue to grow and
do much good." Speaking of the Monthly
he says, "It is a magazine of no ordinary ability. It has
brought home my duty-my relation to the extension of Christ's kingdom.
O, that more of us were ready like that man of God, John Carey, who
said, 'I will go down into the pit if you will hold the rope.' Pastors
should seek to put the Monthly
into every home of the church."
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