New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
READY FOR THEIR BATTLE.
SINAL INSTRUCTION AND EXAMINATION
OF PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONARIES
SEVERE TESTS TO WHICH MEN AND WOMEN
ARE PUT BEFORE STARTING oUT-RE-
sTRICTIONs ON MARRIAGE.


with newly appointed missionaries and fur-
Laughed missionaries was held In the assembly
rooms. No l5G Fifh-ave.. last week There
were about fifty newly appointed missionaries
and twenty-four furloughed missionaries pres
ent at the various sessions, and all matters per
tanning To the work were discussed and consld-
cred Men and women who had been IN the
service in the various countries gave the noVlceS
the benefit of their experience, and gave them
poiuts also as to how to live, what to wear ana
how to make the best use Of their Zine. Darwin
r. James ectured to them, and other laymen
gave them valuable advice, and assured them OF
their appreciation. There were seven couples
missionaries and their wves-and number Oh
missionaries who were single, but had arranged
to get married before their departure FOR ther
new homes Some had made matrimonial CON
tract. and were going to distant lands, where
they hoped to find life companions.
''Some years ago" said one of the officers OF
the Board the missionaries who went ABROAD
from here were nearly all married. but the TN
married class is growing larger.
THE QUESTION OF MARRIAGE.
on the blank which every candidate for the
position Of missionary must ill out there is a
paragraph on the subject Of marriage "on the
field" which reads follows:
In view Of the serious embarrassment to the
work on the field and disappointment to the
workers at home, which is frequently caused
by the marriage Of single women missionaries
soon after their arrival at their MISSION, IL IL
earnestly recommended:
First-That they will not marry within the
circle of our own missions in less than three
years from the date OF their arrival on the held,
and that they will not marry outside our own
mission circle in less than five years from said
date.
no midi
dates for appointment as medical missionaries
will not marry either within or outside our own
mission circle. in less than five years from the
date Of their arrival on the field
on this blank the applicant must also answer
uany questions by which the Board determines
the moral mental and physical fitness Of the
person who wishes to be appointed in the service
In ADDITION to the many questions which pertain
to the physical condition and tendencies, the
candidate is requested to answer these.
Are your parents or were they il deceased
members in good standing Of a Christian church?
l. so. Of what denomination?
When and where did YOU unite with the
Church.
OF what Church are YOU "A member?
Were you regular attendant upon Church
and Sunday school services before you united
with the Church?
10 you believe the Scriptures Of the Old and
Now Testament to be tn. Word Of God. the only
afallih.c rule Of faith ard practice?
Do you sincerely receive and adopt tho Con
lcsSIou of Faith of this Church containing the
g. stem of doctrine taught n the Holy Script
urtS?
Do YOU approve Of the government and dis
Ciplinc Of the PrcSlY tcIian Church in the United
States ol America?
rIav, you any views at variance with these
doctrines OF any views Of Church government
which would prevent yodr cordial cooperation
with the missionaries of the Presbyterian
CHURCH in the United States Of America?
What is your habit as to Bible study?
Have YOU had any experience in personal effort
'or bringing others To Christ If So in what
form of work and with what success?
How long have YOU entertained the desire
become a foreign missionary?
DO YOU now enter the foreign missionary work
for life, If God VIII?
Have you considered the difficulties and hard
ships of the work and you ready 10 meet
them with persistent courage for Christs sake?
How many hours were you accustomed to
voend in study each day when pursuing your ed
ucation. and how many hours are you able to
spend in study each day now?
Does your experience lead to the conclusion
that you can checrfuy acquicscc in the decision
Of majority or docs this necessity. when met
produce mental perturbation and discomfort?
Is your temperament such as To lead To the be
lief that YOU can easily adapt yourself to the new
and strange conditions of life III a foreign heId?
SUMMONED TO NEW-YoRK.
When all questions have been answered to the
p~tisfaction Of the Board and the medical ex-
alLlncr mas mace id'ordpIt r'Port anu the
persons to whom the applicant has referred have
given satisfactory Information to the habits,
qualifications and adaptability of the applicant.
snd the Board Is satisfied that the recruit will
work carefully and tremendously in the new
Seld "A letter is sent to the applicant inviting
3 i'm to Ncw-York where he may receive final in
structions. The wife or the woman who ex-
poets to become the wife Of the missionary must
also pass the same rigid examination and I'M
Jess she passes cannot be accepted.