The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-29
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

Lands" Ps. 2: Is.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
From Africa's teeming tribes, from
midas perishing multitudes, from Chi
mas mighty millions, from Japan's
throbbing life, from every soul among
the thousand millions that know not
God, the cry Of deSpair-itS inarticulate
cry for help goes up. This weary world
in all its continents, with all it's ma
tions, wants to know more of Christ's
message, and of that love that stoops
from heaven. China has no sorrow that
his message cannot cure; India has no
problem that it cannot solve; Japan no
question that it cannot answer, Africa
no darkness that it cannot dispel.-Jud-
son Smith.
Japan is beset by a problem of which
little or nothing is heard on this side
of the Pacific. This problem is the i'm
morality of her young people. With
the sudden influx of western civiliza-
ton, Japan gave herself wholehearted-
ly to the work of popular education.
She has a greater percentage of her
population of school age in attendance
upon educational institutions than has
any other nation. But she has learned
that education is not enough; the worst
immortality she has ever known exists
today among her students. The very
foundations of national character are
threatened. So grave is the situation
that the statesmen are taking 1t up and
publicly declaring that the ethical
teaching which is a part of the school
curriculum is inadequate without a re-
ligious basis The case of the most
modern and most ambitious of the
great world powers illustrates the old
Scriptural saying, righteousness ex-
alteth a nation, but sin is a reproach
to any people,"
No Christian work is large enough
that does not take thought of the
whole worlds needs.
When an adequate conception of the
tremendous Importance of this enter
prise called foreign missions grips the
intelligence of Christendom, it will no
longer suffer an inefficient missionary
to set out for the field, or to remain
there after his inefficiency has been dis
covered. This work demands the very
best talent, and none but the best. Lax
methods of administration, and grave
tactical blunderS, may be permitted to
the church in the homeland, but on
the foreign field they are inexcusable
If n-Chrfstian faiths were good
enough" then the intrusion of foreign
missions would be an impertinence. The
wayfaring man may see that these So
called "ethnic religions have missed
the mark, if judged by their obvious
fruits. AS mainsprings of the social
advancement of their people, they
have failed. The contrast is
simple and apparent. The
non Christian religions have produced
heathendom; Christianity has produced
Christendom.
The world is steadily growing small
er. The ends Of the earth are rapid
ly drawing together. World movements
are now neighborhood affairs. The in
correlation of all humanity is perceiv-
ed today by every thinking person. This
implies world-citizenship. And the
health, sanity and general welfare of
the whole world becomes part of the
responsibility of every citizen. This
! big question has moved outside the
confines of professedly and techni-
cally missionary operations, as mem
man owes the debt of neighborliness
| and helpfulness to every other man he
can by any means reach.
The example and commands of Jesus
make it compulsory for every Chris
| tan to become a missionary.
! Opportunities are reckoning hands
| The world has never seen SO many
| open doors for the gospel.
Not only must all send, but all Should
! go. IL we ceiHIlOL 80 TO ALTlCd OF III
dia or China We can be missionarie:
! to our next door neighbor. All unsavet
souls are included in Gods mission
| field.
Aside from one small and decaden'
| denomination in the southern state.
| there are, SO far as I am informed, nj
| nom missionary churches on this west
ern continent. Every great and grow
ing denomination has been swept int,
| world activity. Some churches are mor'
fourishing abroad than at home. Every
year the distinction between their HON,
and foreign work grows less and less
and all insensibly to some of their owl
| members, the very largeness of the de
| nominational bounds is compelling
close relations with other denomina
| lions.