Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-03-29
THE BUSINESS OF
WINNING THE HEATHEN

a fanatic--a man or woman, who. as
soon as the field is reached. begins
work by throwing down the ages-old
idols OF the natives. Instead. the mis-
sionary must be able to single out the
best things in the heather religion.
parallel them With biblical truths and
use them as bases for bringing home
these biblical truths. 1t frequently
happens that the highest moral pre-
cepts OF a heather religion agree in the
main with biblical teachings. When a
missionary is able to point out this
a~greelnent-to bring home to his hear
crs a partial realization of the greater
benefits Z" be gained through Chris
tlanity. then he is in a fair way to win |
over many a heather mind that The
old style missionary could never have
driven to his way of thinking. The
wise missionary has taken the place of
the fanatical missionary.
No person who cannot pass Il stiff
medical examination need hope now
adays tn become a missionary working
In conjunction with any board. The
state OF health OF a missionary used to
be passed over lightly. With system
In the work came the realization that
1t As money thrown away to send out
any one whose physical condition from
the start is not such as to warrant the
belief that he will be able to with
stand successfully all the insidtous at
tacks of a strange climate.
The examination that the Presby-
terrain board. for example. requires
each applicant to undergo is consid-
erably more searching than that con-
Quoted by the average lie insurance
company before assuming q risk. Va
rious analytical tests are made to as
certain an applicants physical condi-
ton. The physical history of his fam
lily is minutely ooked into. II any pre-
dispositions To certain diseases which
are apt to he encountered In mission
nTy- la n1S ara diSCCvaroJ them Tho
chances of the applicant to become a
missionary are practically NIL.
This examination Is made by u ply
stefan located at or neat the applicants
place OF residence. That any natural
prejudice in the applicants favor may
be detected. those who pass this and
the clerical examination are assem-
bled in New York some time in June
OF each yea Then they are carefully
looked Yer. and not i~nfrequently some
are ~re-examined by a famous physi-
clan. who gives his services free to the
general board.
At this time. also. 1t not infrequent-
ly happens that the clerical examina-
ton is reopened. ~Thirty-four ques-
lions are asked in the preliminary ex-
are some of them:
Are you liable for debt: What is your
habit as to bible study? Have you
considered the trial OF separation from
YOUR reiatlNeS. are responsibilities
calmly and cheerful!y borne: or do
they produce disquietude, anxiety.
s~leepless nights and care? Would you
he willing to give up any personal
habit which might grleve your fellow
missionaries and lessen the influence
OF your example over the native Chris
tians? Arc you a total abstainer from
all forms of alcoholic beverages. and
from opium. cocaine. or other narcotic
drugs: Have you n knowledge OF
bookkeeping" Can you play the piano
or Ryan" Can you lead in singing? l.
your betrothed in sympathy with your
, missionary purpose Does your ex-
i perience justify the belief that you
. can chcerfully acquiesce in the deci-
sion Of the majority; or does this ne
ccssity. when met. produce mental per
, turhation and d~iScontent The fina
l. question calls for the names and adj
' dresses OF seven persons of whom in
' puiry can be made concerning the ap
l plicant.
AT the meetings of the new mission
u aries. which stretch over a period %
ten days. they arc instructed by lee
:, tu::s i'll active missionary duties. h
are told both what to do and no
u /" 10. Every effort is made to put thu
situation before them clearly. Aftel
a THIS has been done, amy one who may
desire 10 10 so Is nj liberty to with
! lraw. The aim Is to secure worker:
who are splendid risks in every re
= slec'. mentally. morally. physically.
e That a missionary board may be still
further pt elected in the personnel of 1t!
= field force. II is the custom to requir'
every new missionary to undergo TIVE
} examinations after reaching his station
!, The first examination Is held at tn
end of the first year. the second at tn
close OF the second year. These exami
nations are held in order to show II
the missionary has done to grasp tn
IL native language. and otherwise to euuil
himself fully to carry on the work Z
n the best possible advantage. These ex
aminationi are conducted either by
union committee as in South India o
b by n committee of the workers attache'
y to the mission where the new mission
l. AIRY is stationed. Let a missionar,
N hunk in these examinations. and h
= is booked for recall home.
= The Generals Of the Mission Army.
!, One of the most important duties q
~ a missionary boards various s%ecretai
fes Is the selection of new missionaries
OF course. the board appoints all mis-
sionaries. bur II makes appointment
~ usually Oh the recommendations of tn
~ secretaries. who arrive at their decis
u. i. ions through conferences. discussin
~ each applicants case separately. an
~ frequently n1t deciding for or asains
:, him until a personal interview is ha
-, with him.
~ The corresponding secretaries ma
*. bc called the generals In direct con
ne mand OF the active missionary force
iii the field. since they are In constar
re- communication with all the mission
ia aries. All reports from the field al
ga made to the secretaries. All instru,
IN lions to the field are sent out by then
sd The reports that the secretaries max
ne to the board from time to time eau
ia missionaries to be transferred. fu
by loughed. recalled: prospecting parti,
nd to be sent out. new stations. out-st;
tons. various schools and hospitals
lie be established. The secretaries are II
men who have their fingers on II
pulse OF the field body. Therefore.
or is natural hat they should be the b
es men of the foreign mission work. ar
h. that the board should be govern.
largely in its decisions by their recor
e. mendations.
Tn. duties OF the secretaries are n
~ confined to those of a purely busine
~ character. To the average missionar
the man at the home Office with who
On he carries on official correspondence.
-or tho one person. par excellence. at hon
Is. to be called on for advice in every co
,rt ceivahIe personal circumstance. Ev,
matrimonial questions are brought
II, his attention. AS Il preacher. conve
on SAINT with the work. has expressed
the secretary must be able to "rejoi
he with Them that do rejoice. and we
f