The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-26
CHRISTIANITY AND MISSIONS.
THE EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH
BY THE EDITOR.

and characteristic expression of Chris
tianity in the organized movements
of the present age, we shall undoubt
eddy find it in that enterprise adopted
and carried forward by the churches
of Europe and America, and known
as Missions" and especially in that
work as organized for the foreign
field. In the diadem that grandly
crowns the brow of this age, there is
no more splendid and flashing jewel
than that which reflects the enthusi-
asm and enterprise of the church, as
displayed in the movement which
contemplates the conquest of the
world for Christ.
Our age clasps hands with the
earliest age of Christian history in the
application of the missionary idea.
Grandly as it goes forward under
favorable modern conditions, and
splendidly as it enters into the work
of the church, assimilating to itself
the best effort, and making tributary
to it's purpose the fresher forms of
modern civilization, the impulse I'M
tiatipg this work and directing its ac-
complishment, is as old as the Chris
tan religion. The authority for it
shines out in the commands and ex-
amples of Jesus and his apostles.
The missionary duty is as clearly re-
vealed in the New Testament as the
ne essity of repentance, the duty of
prayer or the command of righteous
ness. The constant call of the Cos
pei is to each the Kingdom of God;
its working policy is every where out
lined in sympathy with the broadcast
possible conception of the missionary
duty. Hence we discover that it is
not simply particular aspect or
phase of Christianity; it is Chris
tianity itself and it's divinely APP
pointed work-Christianity forging
ahead for the conquest of the world
to the one Lord and Master
The New Testament unfolds the
story of the early church in the APP
plication of this missionary religion.
1t kindled new energy in those who
accepted it which swept along in
great tides of power and with an ever
increasing influence. The great
cities of the elder world were early
occupied by the ambassadors of the
Gospel, and with every mention of
Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi,
Thessalonica and Rome, starts out an
image of missi onary establishment,
at once identifying Christianity with
the missionary achievement.
1t is also we'll to bear in mind that
this missionary religion was based
upon what was recognized as estab-
lished facts in the history of its
Foun1 der, and this new energy,the out
growth of personal allegiance to him
self. "The life and soul of the Chris
tian religion" remarks Prof. Geo. P.
Fisher, "and the secret of its power,
was the thought of Christ, the image
of Christ, the great object of love anu
hope and the source of inspiration"
"The victory of Christianity in the
Roman world" he continues, "was
the victory of Christ who was lifted
up that he might draw all men unto
him."
Armed in this love and loyalty to
Jesus Christ, and panoplied in the
intense and heartfelt conviction that
he was divine Redeemer, conscious
that in their union with him they were
in positive alliance with eternal forces
of truth and righteousness, the early
Christians found an inspiration which
was all sustaining. They accepted
the revilings of their fellows with an
equanimity which was in itself sur
prise; they endured persecution with
undaunted courage and the assaults
of imperial power with peaceful tran
guilty. They knew in whom they
believed; they had put their trust.
where the tragedies of the arena coull
not confound it, and the faith was
so firmly rooted in them that the stern
blasts of the Neronian persecution
could not dislodge it, even when
death faced them in its most terrible
forms. The missionary spirit involved
the martyr spirit, and both alike shed
their glories on the early ages of the
church.
1t is hence that we account for the
marvellous spread of Christianity in
the early days. 1t was borne forward
by the apostles and their associates
within few years after the day of
Pentecost to most of the countries that
border on the Mediterranean Sea.
Clement informs us that Paul in the
last years of his missionary service,