The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-08

Iu glancing no the field which our Lord says
'i- the world. ~ one thing is clear now which
We. not $50 clear one hundred or even fifty
Years aro-namelv, the actual condition Of
the inhabitants of our world. The maps
and globes have changed. Vast tracts of
Asa, Africa, America, and the Islands OF the
sea that We're q terra incocnita, OF laid down
as unknown deserts. have been explored and
low are dellucated. and the names Of lakes
and rivers aud nations. and their populations
and resources and thclr political and religious
conditions are known. The missionaries
have usually been the pioneer explorers. In
crossing China. IN describing the tribes and
tauLis of the Himalayas and all western Asa:
iu first setting foot on the cannlbal islands Of
the sea. I'm penetrating the thousands OF miles
Ot interior Africa the cOnstrainlng motive has
been the same which led the great apostle 10
preach the gospel not where CHRIST was
named but carried HIM from Jerusalem to
Pu.hp and Athens. 90 Rome and 20 Spain.
Ilis exploring work has been done and rev
places upon the surface of our globe remain
u.reyealcd We know the actual state of the
ureyanyelized world in all its terrible de
prayty. suffering and need. This vast In
crease of knowledge is acting and reactlng on
fle Christian Church and Chris
ual nations The parable Of the
Good Samaritan is better understood
Tie question. Who is my neighbour is
answered from the seven hundred millions Of
ASIA and the two hundred millions Ot Africa,
WHO are our fellow men. fallen among thieves,
wounded by sin, and robbed OF their birth
night bv the vices and superstuOns and errors
o. their false religions. Certainly there Is
growing interest and sympathy HE dense
INST of passive neglect that hung over the
Protestant world has lifted. A great aud
happy change has taken place since Carey
the shoemaker, IN England. began 70 plead
iOl The heather a century ago and was told
by the wise old fathers. y Dung man mind
Your own business When God wishes 10
convert the heather be viii do II without
your help" or since the young men 10y the
iaystack al Williams College began 10 pray
tenty years ago, and only two or three OF
uem dared 10 offer themselves 10 the
Cause lest the Church should take alarm and
refuse " have any part IN 50 fanatical a move
melt. Now the volunteer missionary stu
u'nis IN this country number nearly 5000
since the Mortified meeting in 1886. aud some
4J OF these have already sailed for the foreign
Work. Tins increase Of knowledge also
e"akens a deeper sense Of responsibility for
NOSE with whom we are brought into relation
ana contact. The world is brought together
by commerce and easy and rapid travel. The
prophetic words are fulfilled, Many shall run
~ aud fro, and knowledge shall be increased"
Every day the telegraph wires flash the news
rom distant lands-so often the echo Of the
woes and miseries Of mankind without the
gospel. To the ear that is open what sounds
81 sorrow and cruelty and suffering come from
tne dark places Of the earth! Now
" ~ the horrors of Siberian prisons
next, famine, with several millions of
eiAlshed and dying men in China: then the
Suolora, starting up from the hOt-bed of Hin
au or Mohsmmedan shrines, and the sacred
"su'si and holy pilgrimage carrying the