The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-04-23
MISSION RECIPROCITY.

Most people are interested in missions
Of one kind or another, because in its
larger sense every enterprise pushed out
side Of its present limits is q mission.
However, missions have not been salts
factory in foreign fields and should not
be expected to be 80, as mission boards
have been slow to adopt modern meth
DDS.
1t is interesting to note the idea Of
reciprocity that seems to be springing
up between the great historic religions.
This is not the result Of an agreement,
but one OF those providential movements
that overreach the limitations Of men.
Within the last two years Mohammed
Webb has opened Moslem mission in
New York and has received consider
able attention. The worlds congress Of
religions was a demonstration of the
new method. Since then Buddhist
mission has been opened in New York
under the leadership Of Fl. Dharmepala.
He represents the Naha- Bohdi society Of
Calcutta. These movements will be re-
ceived gladly by all fair minded men as
giving us an opportunity to study these
religions at first hand, as much Of our
secondhand information is untrust-
worthy.
Another curious illustration of the
action and reaction in missions is found
in one Of our largest western cities. Re-
Gently number of orthodox clergymen
organized Jewish mission and are
anxious to convert the children of Abra-
ham to Christianity. While this move
ment was being put ON foot the leading
rabbi of the same city was approached
by number of Christians and asked if
they could take membership in his
church and on what conditions. He
called a meeting Of his church board,
and after due deliberation they decided
to accept all applicants who would ex-
press belief in God.
At the present time there are more
Christians belonging to and joining
Jewish churches than Jews joining
Christian churches. This state of affairs
is a very interesting study for the stu
dent and gives another factor in the
vexed problem Of comparative religions.
IMPARTIAL SUFFRAGE In New ZEALAND.
Mrs Henry Hirst, an Australian au-
thor. in a recent discussion ON the effect
of woman's franchise in New Zealand,
said:
"Men of all shades Of political opin-
ion and at daggers drawn ON other points
agree that the granting of the vote to
women has been beneficial to the colony.
Mr.. Seldom, the premier, has said, 'Wo-
men 8 influence ut the elections and since
has been productive Of much good. They
are looking we'll after the interests Of
the children, the mitigation of the liquor
traffic, the alteration of the Jail regula-
tions with regard to having female in
spectors for women and other vital af-
fairs The leader Of the opposition be-
lieved that the women had done much
to purify the house. and that their inHu-
ence would yet be more beneficial in the
same direction. The consensus of colo
nial opinion appears to be that the ex-
press tendency of the female vote Is in
favor OF promoting the solid happiness
of the individuals who compose the COM
munity. Domestic life has not been dis
turbed or even ruffled by the female por-
tion OF the household possessing votes.
and the women in the exercise Of their
new privileges have shown sound judg-
ment, great discretion and no small
amount Of independent thought"