Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-12-05
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Topic for the Week Beginning Dec.
S-Comment by Rev. S. ii. Doyle.


S-Comment by Rev. S. ii. Doyle.
ToPIc.-Gods triumphs in the mission field
-Ps. Xvii, II.
Christian missions are at a critical
period in their history. The outrages
that have been omitted in foreign mis-
sion fields in the past year have brought
the subject prominently before the
world, and the comments by the secular
press have not been tlattering to say the
least Ridicule, false caricature and VIC
lent criticism have mostly prevailed
This perhaps is not to be wondered at.
It may be explained in many ways. Yet
the fact still remains that it may have
an injurious effect upon missions. The
public press yields powerful influence,
It is to be deplored that it is hot the
champion Of the cause of missions rather
than its seyerest critic.
Yc+ criticism : often very beneficial.
1t should be in this case. 1t should
arouse all who are interested in mis-
sions to Geener study Of the subject, SO
that they nay be able to shGW more
clearly and fsrcihly just what mission
WORK Is doing fer TIN world. The secular
world and lie secular press lock at this
as all other subjects from Il practical
standpoint. II We can prove that It pays
to risk life and even that which Is dearer
than life, that 1t pays to spend thousands
of dollars annually in this cause, then
we may expect to receive the approval
Of the secular world and press, and not
until then. The time has therefore ar
rived when we must dwell not SO much
upon the sacrifices that missionaries
make in leaving home and native lands
upon their work as upon what they are
dong.
Much, too is being done. God is tri-
umphing on mission fields. If the world
knew how much was being done, it
would sing the praises of missionaries
instead of criticising thier labors. Spe
cial lines Of study that might be en-
gagged in to show this to be true are:
]. Medical missions. In all heather
lands the practice Of medicine is marked
By the densest superstition and charac-
tGized by the most extreme cruelties.
Christianity is benehting the world BY
Giving its darkest places the advan-
taees of the most improved medical skill
and practice,
2. Educational missions Christianity
ia educating the world. Its schools and
colleges stand IN the darkest places in
heathendom as bright and shining
lights, leading the mind from the gross
est superstitons and deDsest ignorance
to a standard Of knowledge that is not
8. Scientific missions l mean by that
what missions have done for science in
giving the scientific world knowledge
of the geography, the flora and fauna,
the language, the animal kingdom, the
habits and customs Of the people of IN
known parts of the world that had never
been obtained III any other way. Many
of our greatest explorers have been mis-
sionarieS, and science owes d debt 10
Christian missions that can never be
paid.
4. Moral and spiritual missions. The
best work of all from the Christian 5
standpoint IS the moral and spiritual
elevation accomplished III mission fields
If that which gives the world the best
medical science, if that which raises
the standard Of the world education,
if that which brings to science an ac-
curate knowledge Of many parts Of the
world, before unknown, if that which
means the moral and spiritual elevation
of mankind does not pay, then what
does pay?
Bible Readings. -Ps ii, liz Isa. TX,
2; lii, TO; Dan. iv, 3; Zech. ii, 10,
IL; Math. xviii, 1920; Luke II, 25-32 ;
xiv, 46, A. Acts xvi, 8, 10; xiii, A -49 ;
xviii, 2S-31; Titus ii, 1914; Rev. V, 8,
10.