The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-29
Tur FonrIGN MISSIONARY.

1t is the time when many in the theo-
logical seminaries of the country art
earnestly considering the question as to
what department of ministerial work
they shall undertake. Three lines are
before them-the home pastOTate, home
missionary work, and the foreign field.
If the conservation TO the Lord S service
be true. so far as personal willingness
is concerned, there will be no choice
between the three. Each offers its De-
cuiar hardships, also its peculiar com
pensatiOns. To be successful in any
one requires the same conservation as
in any other. 1t is a grievous error to
suppose that the missionary, whether
home or foreign. needs any more sin
cere devotion to the cause of Christ than
the pastor of a church in village, town
or city.
This question Of conservation ought
to be considered as settled by the very
fact of entrance upon the ministry. 1t
should be taken for granted that every
minister Of the Gospel is ready and
willing TO take up any one of these
three departments. In the choice that
he must make, he should be guided by
the wisest knowledge, the best judg-
ment available.
In general. it may be said that every
graduate of a theological seminary is
prepared for pastOrate; a less number
are fitted for home missionary work;
still fewer can enter the foreign field to
advantage.
1t is our object to cali attention to
some of the considerations that must
have weight with those who are con-
scIentiously bordering their duty IN re-
gard to this last Sphere of Christian
service.
First comes the question of health
The strain Of acclimatiOn, of adapta-
ton 10 new habits of life. Of endeavOr-
ing to understand and be understood in
a new language, is a heavy one, and
such as only well person can hope to
bear successfully. 1t is mistake, how
ever. to suppose that one must neces-
saTily be robust. 1t is not always the
very strong that endure the longest, or
accomplish the most.
Next to health comes the taste for
language. The ability to express ideas
clearly and forcibly. especially IN a
foreign language. is matter of idiom
rather than Of grammar or vocabulary.
and facility of idiOm comes rarely. if
ever. to those who have real dislike for
the study of language. a few mission
aries, indeed, whose linguistic attain
ments were very weak, have done sue
cessful work; bat they have done so in
spite of great disadvantages.
A foreign missionary should be prac-
tical. able to turn his hand to anything
that for the moment may require at
tention, wether it be to pack box,
plane a board, saddle horse, keep ac-
counts, plan house, or teach. preach,
or superintend native assistants. In
the wide scope of foreign work, place
might be found for an impractical man,
but such places are rare. The word
cannot, y as applied to anything that
must be done. ought to have no exist
ence in a missionary 5 vocabulary,
Coordinate with cannot is will
not. Every man has some one thing
which he can do best. 1t is the constant
effort of the Mission Boards and of the
Missions, TO put every man where he
can do what he can do best. But some
times that is impossible. Any one of a
score of exigencies may arise at any
moment,- which will throw upon him
duties for which. in his own taste and
Judgment. he is least fitted. He must
simply be willing 10 90 ahead and do
the best he can, even tho he seems TO be
wasting energy and time.
Another most important element is
the ability 10 work with others. There
is no position that 50 develops a mau s
individuality, provided he has any, as
the foreign field. The great importance
and far-reachiDg results of decisions
give 70 the views of each an intensity
seldom felt IN the discussions in the
home land. To be able not only TO ac-
cept cordially the opposing verdict of
ASSOCIATES, but % cooperate heartily IN
work on lines that seem mistaken, re-
quires character OF the highest order.
There is necessary, also, certain
versatility OF mind, an ability TO recog-
nize changes, profit by them, utilize
them. and adapt ones self TO them.
The problems Of foreign missionary
work are constantly shifting. New
phases appear that render old methods
useless or worse than useless. Plans
must be altered. Even principles that
seemed fundamental drop out OF sight,
not because they have become false,
but because they have no logger any