The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-24
Thoughts on the Tonic.

In the scripture lesson are the very
significant words. 4 would not have
you ignorant Interest in missions de-
ponds in a large measure on the
knowledge one has OF the need
and OF its attempted relief. He
who has not read of the marvellous
progress Of the Cross Of Christ through
the world. even IN our own generation.
has missed the most fascinating and the
most inspiring literature ever written.
and II Is not surprising that such a
one is lacking in interest IN this i'm
pOTtanJ subject. The work for ne and
the work for you" is to learn what has
been done, what is being done. what
more can be done, and what instru-
mentalities OF agencies are being used.
The command to Go and preach the
gospel to every creature" is to YOU and
NE, and the obligation must not be evad-
ed. It Is a high and holy privilege. and
only when our cOnsciences are satisfied
that we cannot personally do this work,
then may We Telagate that duty to
others. Thus IL is that the various
missionary boards are organized TO do
your work and mine; and. IN this con
nection. it IS fitting to say that thev
can only do it as we provide the means.
The Christian Endeavor World very
wisely says:
The danger in committing the mis-
sionary work Of the church 10 a mission
board is illustrated by the very word,
board the danger is that the mission
ary work OF the church may become
wooden. mechanical. lifeless The
board must be more than a board. OF it
can never do the work of the church
IN missions; and part Of the business Of
our Christian EndeavOr societies is 10
put the young people into human. vital
touch with these agencies Of the church ''
Since, therefore our missionary board
is our agent We should know all about
it, who are its officers. and what work
they are doing. We should look upon
these officers as persons with whom. We
have peculiarly close relations their
names. their welfare. and all that con-
Germs them, should be matters Of special
interest TO US When we consider The
great burdens and anxieties they bear
for US, we should not only sympathizs
with them deeply but also stand by them
Loyalty and faithfully
Space VIII not permit Us to consider
now the organization and work Of each
Of the thirty or more missionary socic-
ties IN the United States. but each En-
anime the records Of his own denomi-
national board.
Generally speaking. the body Of men
entrusted by each denomination with
this responsible wCrk has not cnIy the
duty Of promoting the missionary spirit
IN the church at home, but also of ar
ranging all the plans for successful
eyangeliZation. which includes the
charge and supervision Of the mission
airy work at home and abroad Many Of
these men freely give d good portion Of
their tine TO this work. while others.
engaged continuously and arduously. re-
ceive compensation business PRINCIPLES
prevail in all OF these orgaafza tions. ana
their administration Is worthy Of the
highest praise A work for you and me
10 do is 70 pray that these men en-
trusted by us with this great work may
be given divine guidance. especial wis
dom. and strength tEat they may have
the love. sympathy. and help Of all the
churches. and that they may be ade-
qustely supported
The objection has sometimes been
made that the expense OF administration
Is too great, that "it takes a dollar to
send a dollar 10 the heather" This is
said generally in ignorance. for the fact
IS that OF every dollar received aD-
proximateIy g cents 20 directly 20 the
missionary work and cents are used
20 cover the cost of collecting and dis /
triOutinE the money. correspondence. /
salaries. and the printing OF all publ /
cations This Is truly a remarkable !
showing. since the purely administrative /
expense OF most OF the insurance com
oanies in the United States is 10 cents
per S10G Furthermore. many persons 4
tnc-sing this objection have left iega- /
cies 70 be devoted especially TO this ez-
peuse, so that even this small sum IS !
lot diverted. It is interesting 10 note,
also, that II our offerings should be /
doubled the cost Of administration would /
le increased but slightly.
IL has been said that the great prob
en- which confTonts US is OF distribut-
az the missionary responsibility which
Ias become congested in official cen
ers. n order that there may be a keen