The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 1, January, 1881Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 35, No. 1, January, 1881
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
There never before was a time when the openings for missionary
endeavors were so abundant. Barriers which formerly opposed, have
been broken down almost everywhere. In many places there is some
condition of things that invites the Gospel directly or indirectly.
This is notable on the Pacific coast, where the Chinese are so
eager to learn English that they are more than ready to use
the Bible as a textbook. Nor are the Chinese peculiar in this.
Knowledge of the English language is equal to a competency in other
lands, and the Bible can be freely used in teaching it.
Commerce has also removed many barriers; and what is of equal
importance, it has necessitated the building of ships, the
construction of railroads, the laying out of highways in the
desert, and a telegraph for every quarter of the globe. The press
has done its share of work as well. Through it, intelligence has
penetrated almost to the remotest bounds of heathendom. All these
things have made way for more missionaries. To this it must be
added that the increase of missionary organizations and the natural
development of their operations, all multiply the demand for more
men to run to and fro throughout the world, heralding the tidings
of joy unto all people.
Still another barrier has been virtually removed. Once _money_ was
lacking, but now the church of Christ has the means needful to
send forth all the men that the new condition of things demands.
Not that the wealth is yet consecrated, but it is in possession,
and by the simplest gift of grace from the Lord of the harvest, it
will be forthcoming when required. The men have also been raised
up. They have not enlisted, but they have been trained. The records
of our colleges show now, and have shown, an increased number of
students as the years go by. New colleges have been springing up
over the country, until the list can be reckoned by scores and
hundreds. From these classic halls armies of men march forth,
brave, sacrificing, full of life and hope, fitted for missionary
endeavors, and able—God helping them—to capture the world for
Christ.
There is neither lack of opportunity, money or men for the domain
of missions. The trouble is that the men and the means have not
as yet been transferred. There is some one thing lacking which no
human power can supply.
It is a question of _disposition_ on the part of those who hold the
wealth, and of the men fitted for the service. God only is able to
deal with this question of disposition successfully. He can do it,
and we can help.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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