The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-04-29
THE MISSION FIELD.

Open DooRs.-There are two places
at which our Church seems imperatively called
now to enter In and do work for the Saviour
of men. The first is the great valley of the
Amazon. We have published recently some of
the accounts given by Mr.. Boyle of his evange
lstlc tour on the upper watershed of that mighty
river. All who read the extracts from his letter
will remember that at different points he was
met by persons who were thirsting for the Cos
pei of Christ; by persons who were waiting TO
be admitted to the Church of Christ by persons
who entreated him to live among them as
minister of Christ And then hear those solemn
words OF his: " In the whole immense Amazon
valley there IS not single missionary at work
Not one gospel sermon has ever been preached
In that vast territory. What magnificent
heid invites US to enter" Mr.. Boyle wishes to
be the pioneer IN establishing mission on the
plateau at the headwaters of the Amazon We
expect him in this country on furough. after
his twelve years OF service in Brazil He desires
then to lay his plans before the Executive Com
mlttee, and we trust that the Church will he
ready to move in the noble enterprise which he
has proposed.
The other open door is one which. under
Gods blessing, our Church might enter without
delay. We refer to Japan. The Ladies Society
u.
to the treasury FIVE hundred dollars to be used
IN founding new mission The Society wishes
the mission TO bear the honored name of Rev
b. McPheeters, and to be known az the Nc
Pheeters Mission. The Executive Committee
after carefully considering the matter, are unan-
imously of opinion that japan is the field
which our Church should enter next. Some Of
the reasons for this opinion have been given in
Ihe Missionary Briefly stated rhev are
tct batt q
In Japan, already sharp, If sure to be very in
tense. Many inhdel and ratonai5tc books
from Europe and America have been introduced
The universities and schools Of higher grade are
largely under Infdel control 1t Ia recognized
generally that the old superstitions of the land
are passing away. The question il. shall Chris.
tanity or infdelity take their place The
Christian Church is bound to push forward her
work and do her utmost that she nav uossess
the land 2. Progress ia 80 rapid In J3psn that
1t 10 probable that the harvest time will he
reached there sooner than In most heather
lands. When the harvest cones, it will be
found that the laborers are few. 3. japan ia
naturally a sanltarium for our Chinese NJssion
On several occasions when members of the Nfis
sion IN China have been depressed in health
they have been reInvigorsted by a short visit to
Japan IL might be expected that the China
Mission and the Japan Mission would exert
mutually happy influence. The openings
Tor missl0n work IN Japan are now more mum
erous than the churches on the ground can take
advantage of. ., The three Presbyterian Mis-
sions IN Japan, -representing the United Pres
byteran Church Of Scotland, the Reformed
Church Of this country, and the Northern Pres
Oyterlan Church,-are united IN building M
one native Presbyterian Church We have re-
ceived assurance Of a cordial welcome from them
If we join in the good work Of cooperation.
Are there not persons now who will offer rich
gifts for the establishment Of our mission in
japan ?-Missionary.