The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-28

deavor, Baptist Young Peoples
Union. Epworth League, etc.-for
Progress in the Philippines -
Matt. 1S: 1913.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
No aspect of Christian missions is
more interesting than the plainly
progress of the missionary enterprise.
Doors that have been Unexpectedly
opened have led into undreamed of
successes. Nobody was planning a
missionary propaganda in the Philip
pines when the conflict between Spain
and the United States over Cuba
produced a sensational development
in this remote eastern colony of
Spain. By the strange providence of
God, America was thus compelled to
take her station at the gateway of the
Orient There she has assumed re-
sponsibility for the maintenance of
the great ideals Of Christian civiliza-
ton. Like Great Britain, she has be-
come a world power and a mission
ery agency.
All the Christian people, whatever
their nationality, and irrespective of
whether or not their own denomina-
ton maintains missionary work in
the Philippines, must be interested in
the extraordinary growth Of missions
in the island since the American
occupation. This is so general that
today the Philippines, along with
Korea, are considered by missionary
experts as one of the very few places
where the missionary is eagerly well
coined and actively sought The
Filipinos, thanks, doubtless, to their
training by the friars, show an eager
desire for fuller knowledge of the
Gospel. and an extraordinary capacity
for self-support. All the missions at
work IN the archipelago report more
work than they have the force to
handle.
Political problems are at base re-
Iigious. The question of who shall
dominate the Far East is primarily a
question of what kind of principles
shall rule there. If equity, tolerance
and brotherliness prevail, it matters
little, in the long run, whose flag flies.
When we begin to consider the phase
Of international relations we at once
perceive the Importance of a Chris |
tian spirit on the part of the peoples
who dwell in pivotal places, such as
the Philippines. Let an aggressive
Christianity characterize the Ftlfpinos. |
and their influence will be q. factor in |
the life of the entire eastern world. |
X X
There are not lacking signs that a |
new infusion of religious zeal may |
come TO Cn6 OlOeT nations
by way of their own converts The |
devotion of the Filipinos and Kor- |
cans, who practice their faith more !
than those of US who have |
possessed Christianity longer, is at |
once a rebuke and an inspiration to |
the lands that have sent them mis- |
On this side of the world |
many church members have been |
deeply stirred by the news from these |
mission fields, and an eagerness to |
partake of the same spiritual blessings |
is widespread
Wherever men have need there |
the church has obligation.
X
1t was the possession of the |
Philippines which prompted Kipling's |
great poem-which may be read with |
a missionary significance: "Take UP the |
white mans burden" |
Take I'D the White Mans burden /,
Send forth the best ye breed
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness.
On f1uttered folk and wild
Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half-devn and half-child.
Take up the white Mans burden
In patience to abide,
To veil the threat of terror
And check the show of pride:
by open EpSeCh and simple,
An hundred times made plain,
To seek another's profit
And work another's gain.
Take up the White Mans burden
The savage wars of peace
Eli full the mouth of Famine
And bid the sickness cease.
And when your goal is nearest
The end for others sought
Watch Sloth and heather Folly
Bring all your hope to naught.
Take UP the White Mans burden
No tawdry rule of kings,
But toll of serf and sweeper
The tale of common things.
The ports We shall not enter.
The roads We shall not tread,
Go make them with your living
And mark them with your dead
Take ur the White Mans burden
And reap his old reward:
The blame of those We better.
The hate of those We guard
The cry of hosts We humour
IAN, slowlyD toward the light:
why brought We us from bondage,
Our loved Egyptian night?"
Take up the White Mans burden
Ye dare not stoop to less
NOT call too loud on Freedom
To cloak your WEAKNESS;
BY all We cry or whisper,
By all We leave or do
The silent. sullen peoples
snail weigh your Gods and you.
Take uD the White Mans burden
have done with childish days
The lightly proffered laurel
The easy, ungrudged praise.
Come now to search your manhood
Through all the thankless years.
Cold, edged with dear-bought wisdom,
The Judgment of your peersr'
X X
The undeveloped resources of hu-
man nature in the Philippines are in
1nitely greater than the much lauded
undeveloped resources of mine and
field and forest.
X
Ordinary provision would seem to
indicate that in the not distant future
momentous events will be in progress
in China and Japan; and in these
events the islands which have lately
come under the control of the western
YR WRY ~