The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1910-05-05

could have an open discussion of mis-
sions. Until Tom Watson came on
the field we heard only one side, and
he is misrepresented. Watson is not
opposed to Foreign Missions. He OBJ
jects to modern methods of missions,
but contends that missions should
be limited to preaching to the ma
lions; that it is a neglect of home
missions to assume the education and
medical treatment of the multitudin-
Gus populations of other countries.
The thing which 7 fear is, that many
having read Tom Watson's objections
to methods of missions will throw
overheard missions in their entirety.
1t is fact that our methods of
missions are in many respects pa
thetic indeed. We should remedy
these defects and not stand in the
way of the purpose of the Lord in
seeking to comprehend the nations
Of the world in the all-inclusive King
dom of God.
It is great mistake that the words
Foreign Missions" were ever invent
ed. There is nothing that is human
that can be foreign to any Christian.
Any one is false to the Kingdom of
God who does not begin at Jerusa-
lem and from thence seek to carry
the Gospel to the uttermost parts of
the earth.
But it is a lamentable truth that
the masses Of professed Christians
have taken but little interest in mis-
sions. I believe that the spirit of
missions has declined in Polk county
Take 1900 members of the Polk
County Baptist Association. 1t is fair
to assume that 500 of these are men;
that they use tobacco at the rate of
$40 the head. That gives $4,000 in
one year for tobacco. What these
1900 members give to missions is a
pitiable sum beside $4,000 for to-
bacco. What would the sum be if
other wastes shall be continued?
Shades of the mighty dead, turn in
your, shrouds and condemn us for our
selfishnessi
We say that "every time the clock
ticks heather drops into hope
less hell" But I say no greater lie
was ever told, and that it is BIAS
phemy against the goodness of God.
But if you believe that the mil
lions Of the heather, as you call
them-a1ld they could teach you some
things you ought to now,-are damn
ed eternally if you do not go to them
with the Gospel, what are we to think
of your faith and practice when you
stay at home with your money and
snore while they burn? IF you do
not show your faith by your works,
you are either without sense, or the
most heart1ess hypocrite that ever
went to meeting. But, apart from
this, I believe that it is false to say
that the heather are damned because
we do not give our dollars to send
the Gospel. No man is damned be-
cause I failed to do my duty to him.
Every tub must stand on it's own bot
tom.
No, we must carry the Gospel to
others because they need it, Christ
commands it, and the propulsive pow
er of a new affection demands it.
A redeemed man can't help interest
ing himself for the redemption of
others. I should rather say that it
is not so much the salvation of in
dividuals that should be our cry, but
the bringing in the Kingdom of God.
The people have dwelt so long on
their being saved-that is, insured
against fire-that they have become
selfish, and hell-scared religion I
have no use for. The people who
believe that the visible coming of
Toc,C Sc rnow hovn docroirod IF cooiuO