New-York tribune., 1907-06-16

American and Canadian laymen. speaking with
businesslike dIrectness and broad minded toler-
ance. have shown how much can be accom-
pished by layTnen in supervising mission work
with practical intelligence and IN increasing the
interest OF all religious denominations in 1t.
The contributions to mission work abroad. out
side the Roman Catholic communion. amount to
S21. 100000. of which SIS per cent is drawn from
England. America and Canada This may be
insignificant in comparison with the
magnitude OF the field. but IT is an investment
sufficiently large to require prudent supervision
by business men, II laymen can have the guar
antee OF energetic. experienced men that the
money is not wasted. that missionaries are not
idlers supported in luxury. and that the work
is efficiently managed. there will be immedi-
ate increase Of the receipts. That is the practi-
cal method in which the American laymen have
presented the case. and they have explained
how easy It has been 10 obtain thirty-eight vol
unteers experts for the investigation OF for
eign mission work especially IN the Far East
at their own expense, and how important It IS
issue a call for the services of another hun
dred. so long the work is conducted by mis-
sionary societies on denominattonal lines, there
will be well grounded suspicious that q large
share OF the capital invested is expended In
emphasizing differences OF theological views
and ecclesiastical organization. The laymen's
movement begins with concerted action on
common lines and must end with concentration
Of effort the introduction CT systematic organ
ization and the prevention OF unnecessary waste
The American investigators will visit this
year Japan. China. Corea, India, the Philippines.
Africa Arabia and Turkey. travelling in groups
and studying in detail the missionary work now
In progress throughout the non-Christian world.
Their reports will be published early next year
.F,,y d, int sHr7or Tar-
men of all religious denominations in the evan
reIization of the world. II is a preliminary
campaign OF education conducted by business
men AT their own expense, and when IL is closed
II may be possible to devise comprehensive
plan OF operations for future work 1t does not
involve the creation of a new missionary board.
nor any interference with administrative or
ganizations already IN existence. II implies
svnpathettc cooperation among all Protestant
communions for common end. and denotes a
close approach to church unity.
This American movement has appealed at
once to two classes in England-the clergy of
the Established Church. who are always talking
about setting Iaymen to work and not knowing
how, to do II; and the evangelical section OF that
communion and the various free churches. who
advocate the union OF Protestant bodies without
being able 10 find common ground for combined
effort The Archbishop of Canterbury. who has
a statesmanlike way OF regarding the broad is
sues Of Christianity has welcomed the visitors
and commended their cause in a sympathetic
letter which has been read their meetings.
The Bishop of London has had n prolonged con-
ference with Mr.. McBee this week at Fulham
and has been brought into touch with the move
ment. The Bishop OF Liverpool has committed
himself 10 work on similar lines in England; the
Bishop OF Birmingham has advocated concerted
action by laymen of all communions: the bishops
OF Southwark and Stepney have expressed their
approval OF the cause. and Bishop Montgomery
who is the most active organizer of missionary
efforts in the Anglican communion. has heartily
concurred in the new methods OF work These
prelates may he High. Broad or EvangelIcal in
their sympathies. but they perceive the neces-
sity for creating a missionary spirit among zeal
Gus laymen and the advantage OF combined ac-
ton of the regularly established agencies of all
the churches. Outside the Established Church
there has been immediate recognition Of an on
operation among Protestants In practical service
throughout Christendom. DenominationaI limos
have been temporarily forgotten at these break
fasts and mass meetings; something resemhIjD-
Christian entente has been temporarily estab
lished and representative men have come q,
realize that tho world Is Il big parish Xvbero
laymen labor together systeniatIcoII, and
harmOniously for unselfish ends without altering
the cut of their ecclesiastical uniforms or sacrl
fcing either dogma, creed or polity The Amer