Evening journal., 1909-03-24
CHRISTIAN
ENDEAVOR NEWS
Topic, March %: Great Missionary
Books, Home and Foreign. lisa. 62:6- 12
NOTES o NTHE TOPIC.
BY Charles F. Eastman.

For all of us. and especially for the
young, there is no greater help to-
wards self-improvement and inspir-
atlon TO do something. than reading
the Kind OF books in the right kind OF
way. And nothing dwarfs the mind
so much as to occupy it with frivolous
reading filling IL with sensational rub
bish until It loses all natural appetite
for the pure and elevating. II should
therefore interest every one of us to
learn of some books whose reading
VIII prove helpful 70 us.
Among the many good books which
We may read, probably none are so
uplifting and inspiring as the great
missionary books, both home and
foreign. No kind of reading will do
so much 10 broaden and enrich the
intellect, because OF their wide range
over the world. their thrilling scenes.
novel situations. deep experiences. the
noble characters TO which they intro
duce MS that their profound influence
In the world. As we become familiar
with them we are led into every land
and are introduced to the customs of
all peoples. Current history is so in
terwoven with the work OF missions
that TO understand missions IL 10 bet
ter understand the great events and
the remarkable changes which are TAX
ing place among the nations, such as
the awakening of China. the political
changes in Turkey and Persia and the
wonderful advance in the national life
OF Japan. Some of the home mission
books will help greatly to understand
many OF the problems which confront
our nation, such as that OF the inn
migrant, the perils of our overcrowded
cities. ana the perplexing questions in
regard to our races. the negro, the In
dian and the Filipino.
A good beginning in missionary
reading may be made with any of the
books OF the Forward Mission Study
Courses. written and published especl-
ally for our societies. These may be
obtained from the United Society Of
Christian Endeavor at Boston, for
thirty-fve cents each, and are brim
full OF most interesting and up-to-date
information in regard to the various
subjects with which they deal Take
for home missions such books as
ALIENS or Americans?' or 1.-THE Chal-
lcnge Of the City" and for foreign
missions such books as "The Awaken
ing Of China" or Sunrise in the Sum
/ rise Kingdom" The society Of which
the writer is a member has taken up
all four of these books in its mission
study classes. and can testify to the
delightful and helpful information re-
ceived from them.
Then there are the great missionary
/ biographies, many of which read like
the most facinating novel. and the
best part of IL is that they are all
/ true. Probably the most interesting
OF these is the autography Of John G.
/ Patton, the famous Scottish missionary
TO the New Hebrides. The story of
William Carey, 'the consecrated cob.
bier" as he is called. and one OF tie
most influential men the world has
ever seen, is full of stimulating inter
est for all Perhaps one Of the most
Influential missionary books ever writ
ten is the life and journals OF Henry
Martyr, the noble young missionary
20 india who was willing to ''burn out
for God" Then there is the history OF
John Williams, that jealous pioneer to
the islands OF the South Seas His
life reads like n missionary "swiss
Family Robinson" and his death al
the hands of the natives OF the New
Hebrides is one OF the saddest TRACED.
les of Christian history. And almost
II not quite equaling any of these In
interest Is the life of James Chalmers
missionary 10 New Guinea, Stevenscn's
"Greatheart OF the Pacific"
In fact. there is almost no end {,
the list of these books. once it is be-
gun. Enough has been mentioned
however, for a start in this kind of
reading. and if you once begin yoi
will want TO read more. The b b)okl
mentioned, and many others. may b'
obtained at our rublic library here, an,
II this meeting results in our members
who have not already done so determ
ming 10 read at least one of thesi