The Portland daily press., 1896-02-10

df6 dpsuru, unab Unelr eHOfUS are unWlSe
that many things intervene that make
the work impossible.
In the first place critics suggest that
the theory is absurd, the people are all
we'll enough as they are, all are happy,
and 1t is grave question if we do them
good when are disturb and bring in
foreign faith and gospel. 1t is insidious
claim that all expense is needless gratiti-
cation of sentiment, aud not sacred
duty. Scripture itself meets this
criticism. For Christ's teaching is no
idle thing. Those who follow have but
one thing to do; to each and all nations,
preach the gospel, to every creature. If his
words prevail we cannot pause but labor
to advance to make his Kingdom triumph
over all. If be lifted up I will draw
all men unto me not simply American,
bus every nation of every cline. We
therefore meet this criticism by reference
TO the command of our Lord. And
Christian conscience for eighteen CEN
taries for all has been mistaken if this
was not meant. But continued adj
vance of the church is the history of the
past. 1t is therefore absurd. and unwise
If the theory is incorrect; but there is
only one thing to do; continue the
history AMI I'LL tho world with the
glorious light that puts new conception
into progress.
The next criticism is that missionaries
are inferior men, they say we need better
men and women. But surely, mission
aries are human, every one has limita-
tions; St Paul lacked absolute wisdom
and Judgment, the apostle were not per-
feot, but inspired. But to them was
committed the task of converting the
world and under Gods aid they achieved,
for they knew how to love the Lord unto
! the end even beyond the reach of the
sword and the fame in the old fortress in
Pagan Rome.
Shortsighted monks undertook their
work, and achieved in spite of their i'm
projections, SO we cannot claim perfection
among our missionaries, but we claim
that their work has been successful, even
from the earliest time for the missionary
work began with Paul and Peter and
runs down to this very day.
CELSIUS was most critical but what he
claimed has been refuted by fact, while
what he defended was left simply a name,
The next criticism is in reference to
methods. There has been much criticism,
but critics do not offer better method,
they say we ought to do different and
have better methods. We know that here
again methods are not perfect, but they
are changing for the better, for we learn
by experience and our history shows an
advance. But these answers are upon the
whole incidental. The supreme test ID
the result of the work, and can they say
we have accomplished nothing? Once
Christianity numbered five hundred souls
in Palestine, today Christianity is the
leading religion of the world, is more
universal than any other, and is still adj
vancing. If this Re failure what
would success bef But we will not tops
here. Let us look at the plain facts of
today, and we will not go the Isle of the
Pacific, but to the least promising
country, China. 1t Is said there are no
Christians in China. We have there COM
petent witnesses who are unbiased who do
say that Christians in China are devoted
and real, they have been tested and died
as martyrs. From the 400 600, 900, there
are now 100000 Christians and this must
be success. Let us apply longer and be
patient until the whole AGO, 600, coo are
brought in.
60 to Uganda, Africa, and see there the
black Christian men following their
black bishop to the sword rather than
give up their Christianity, surely then
we have no occasion to shrink from
cities.
The second great proposition is thnt
late troubles make the missionary work
less promising. But thu claims of the
missions are unchanged unless intensified
in spite of the troubles. We must admit
the outlook is dark. Throughout Asiatic
Turkey it appears that Christianity is be-
ing wiped out. But 1853 regular and trust
worthy correspondents throughout
Hrlrl you nrn hail
slainain Trebizond and tens Of thousands
in other places, Harpoot, etc. They say
that this work Of destruction is solely
among Armenians and not among
Moslem, six million dollars expended In
reforming Armenians for the task was
greater than Luther undertook. The old
Armenian church had no faith, no work,
no life, which the missionaries have
brou ght to them. One hundred and fifty
m en- are in the field, while $3.50, 600 is ex-
pended every year for schools and books
and missionary work; henue any attempt
to wipe out this work touches us keenly.
There is no need to make the matter
moro vivid. Everyone is shocked that
such butchery is allowed to go On in the
face of all the nations at Constantinople.
The Armenians are claimed to be rebel
lious, that conversions are forced, and
that they were becoming dangerous. In
fact at the beginning everything was
quiet in Trebizond, the Armenians about
their work, when the Turks gather in the
house of prayer and rush out at a given
singal, the victims were all Armenians
and this is as truo in every case at every
place at at Trebizond.
Have the missionaries had good effect:
Good government is not weakened by
education. The Sultan had no better
friends than the missionaries. If this work
is weakening the government, 1T shows
trouble with the government. Notwitb-
standing all these accusations there is ne
sedition among the converted, not a
single revolutionary band. Where a boy
shows rebelilous ideas he is expelled from
the missionary schools.
Has our work gomez Our charels have
been burned, teachers killed and colleges
at Harpoot are suspended, while we have
these disasters, no missionaries have
asked to come home. They stay: "De
not order us out, give us men and re-
build, and let us go on.''
The only way is to rebuild and to
do SO ws must have more money. We
need money to replace the library, and
the theological works.
The argument, then, for more money
stands unchanged. When an object ought
to have more money IN oney comes. AS q
nation we are the wealthiest and increas-
ing, and Congregational churches share
in this prosperity, hence we shall feel no
\, apt in fho