The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-27

Topic.-Hon,e missions; present day pio-
neers.-Eccl., xi, IA.
Present day pioneer missionaries are
in nowise different from those of the
past. They are those who stand alone
in their work. 1t may be on the from
tier of our country or among the for
eign immigrants in various parts of
Our country or in our cities. the islands
under our control or among the excep-
tional populations of our land. The
pioneers are the first missionaries.
They SOW the seed, but do not always
gather it when they might expect to in
more settled and permanent fields
when the sowing has been of long
standing. The injunctions to them, as
set forth In this passage from Ecclesi-
astes, are most striking ones and apply
to all interested in missions as well as
they.
/. The command to preach the Cos
pei regardless Of no assurance Of imme-
date returns. Cast thy bread upon
the waters, for thou shalt find 1t after
many days" Palestine had irregular
droughts and downpours Of rain. When
the signs Of rain appeared animals
tired the dried. baked banks Of the
streams, and then as the rain subsidized
seeds We're cast upon the waters, sank
into the now softened soil and brought
forth fruit. Some seeds might be
washed away and yet at some future
time grow and ripen. This Is the figure
referred to here. Christ IS the bread
He is to be proclaimed. The prospects
in the pioneers preaching may not be
great, and yet he is to keep on preach
ing, for "after many days the results
will be manifest" Results are with
God, and In His time they will come,
and In heaven, IL not before. we may
be surprised at the largeness OF these
results. This is true Of all Christian
and missionary work. SIN due season
we shall reap il we faint not" hence,
| regardless of prospects. we are mot to
be weary in well doing"
| . The gospel is to be preached to all.
| Christ Is the universal Saviour. Il, il !
| be lifted up, will draw all men unto
| me-" Give a portion to seven and
| also to eight" The number is inded-
| mite, symbolizing that all are to be fed
| upon Christ. the Bread Of Life-the rich.
| the poor the high. the low. the crowds
| in the city. the few on the frontier.
every nation. people, kindred and
tongue, the outcast as well as the
| cherished child of the elegant house.
| those who remain at home and those
! who travel to sparsely settled portions
| of our country. And a reason is here
| put forth for 80 doing. '.for thou know
| est not what evil may be upon the
earth or what evil may befall you.
| The wheel Of fortune turns rapidly in
this life. The rich may become poor
| and the poor rich. Even those who
are spiritual should lift up the fallen
considering themselves lest they also
| be tempted and fall and Feed the help
Of Others to lift them up And what
| better claim to it can we have than
| that In the day Of our power we have
administered to others? Therefore
| whatsoever ye would have men
should do to you do ye even 80 unto
them"
/ 8. The conditions Of the times are
| rot to be considered The man who
| watches the seasons too closely VIII
| net SOW and therefore cannot reap. 4
soul NAV be saved at any moment
God Is always ready ard able to bless
our laboEs. We are not to wait q