The Washington herald., 1909-06-26
The New Patrio tism.


10 PhiippL" Acts xv 80; xvia5.
The passing OF the spirit OF jlngOism is
an evidence Of the changing spirit OF our
times The first days of July IN the
United States are favored by memories
OF the Declaration OF Independence. and
IN Canada by the observance of Confed-
Grafton Day once it was common TO
hear at Fourth OF July celebrations in the
States the most blatant spread-eagleismi
but this belieose strutting and Growing
barnyard fashion has given way TO a
more serious and disnified mood. The
best patriots are feeling keenly their obli-
cations as world citizens. and they are
studying their relations 10 all other na-
lions The American spirit is expressing
itself by a new. frank facing Of the days
internationalism. Canada never held so
truly national a gathering as that which
met In Toronto a few months ago TO
consider Canada's missionary policy with
respect TO herself and the whole earth.
Americas Christian manhood is likewise
to come together next spring in a meet
ing that may easily take rank with the
great history making assemblies of the
nations formative period.
The springs OF patriotism go down 10
the depths of the spirit. It is easy 70
speak Of the country and Of God in the
one breath There Is a straight line con-
Meeting the patriotism Of the year 1893
IN this new western world with the Sun
6ay school lesson OF the day. For the
latter marks the advent of Christianity
into Europe The great historic step
was made which carried the Gospel out
OF Asia into the land which was for
nearly twenty centuries 10 remain its
strength and center.
Doubtless on the journey from Troas 10
Neapolis. nobody paid particular atten-
ton 10 an inconspicuOus little Jew end
his small band OF companions who. day
afteY day. were seen in most earnest con-
verse upon some serious themes. Yet
that was greater day for Europe than
when Xerxes. or Philip Of Maced0n. or
Augustus marched their legions over this
edge Of Europe. SO to-day il stirs ones
Imagination TO see. as he leans over the
visitors gallery at Ellis Island, and
watches the stream OF immigrants pass
ing before the inspectors. ard wonders
which OF these unkempt. big-eyed boys
carries in his cloth bundle a new epoch
for America.
a TRAVELLING PREACHER.
Philippi. whittier Paul was bound. Is
now heap Of ruins, scarcely needed by
the obscure Turkish village near its site.
Most Of the names OF places. and the
places and customs themselves. that be-
came familiar 10 PaUl's ears and eyes
have passed away. Still the air Is rent
with the echoes OF shots and shrieks OF
awful massacre OF men and women
throughout the region traversed by
Il -
Journey. all for the sake of the Name
which he preached Asia Minor and ad-
jacent Europe-what we may roughly call
the Pauline neighborhood-are IN a tu-
multi and uproar that attract the atten-
ton Of Christendom. The wise reader Of
the daily newspaper cons the cable dis
patches In the light OF these Illuminating
dispatches from the Holy Writ; and like
wise the student of the Apostolic Church
is not unmindful Of the later acts that
are transpiring in this region.
II had been half a dozen years since
Paul had made his first missionary tour
throughout Asia Minor. Now he was set
ting out again on the same long hard
journey that would consume two or three
years more. AS mere travel. would such
a Journey be worth while? Our restless
age is overemphasizing the pleasure and
profit of travel itself No lives are more
wasted than those which are spent in
wandering up and down the face OF the
earth. fitting from spot 10 spot in an
endeavOr TO stimulate faded interest.
Travel for a great purpose is supremely
worth while; but travel for travels sake
soon becomes a WEAKNESS 10 the flesh.
Paul was sustained In his journeys by
the consciousness that he was bent on a
great mission.
.Fy-.T
Barnabas. for the latter wanted 20 take
along his kinsman. John Mark Inas-
much as the young man had proved q
broken reed on the previous journey.
Paul would not take him again. The dis
pute which sent Paul and Barnabas on
separate tours is a comforting touch OF
human nature 20 those who are inclined
TO think that the Bible characters are all
free from human fraifties Paul chose in
stead Silas, and they went together
through Syria and Silesia and back to
Derbe and Lystra and Iconium strength
ening the faith Of the churches and de-
livering the decree OF the council at Jerusa-
lem It is as important missionary work
10 look after the existing churches as it
is to plant new churches in unreeched
regions At Lystra, Paul added to his
company young Timothy the son Of a
Jewish mother and a Greek father. who
later became dear to the apostles heart
and a power in the church
THE CoNoUER1NG COMPANY.
What varied armies have marched over
the same historic ground that was trav-
ersed by this little band OF bearers OF
good news. The imagination is stimu-
lated by contemplation OF the scenes
made most memorable by their associa-
al,
with a great message means more TO his.
tory than a great army equipped with all
the military paraphernalia Of its day.
It was to conquest that this band went
even as sensitive friends who go to the
steamer TO bid farewell 70 their mission
ary representatives. sometimes catch q
vision OF far-Off transformations 10 be
Effected by the labors OF these men and
women
Since this is designated for study as a
missionary lesson. n Is well to remember
as a practical missionary method, that Il
IS not good for man to go out alone as
a missionary. The consensus Of expert
missionary Judgment Is against the plac-
Ing Of one or two persons In lonely inte-
riOr stations. II is better to establish a
considerable force in the missionary
compound and 10 work out from this
base. I have seen an important hospital
in Pekin closed simply because the mis-
sion board of one of the great American
denominations had inadequately manned
H. and when one doctor fell I'll the work
stopped. The new interest In missions
VIII call the boards more rigidiy to ac-
count for their methods OF administra-
ton It is better not TO try to occupy
so many places than to occupy each
inadequately- Paul did his missionary
work in association with a variety Of
comrades, even as the present-day mis-