The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-20
WORLD LEADERS MESSAGE.
Christian Statesmen Call Attention of
Churches to Present Crisis.

Christian Statesmen Call Attention OF
Churches to Present Crisis.
The recent World Missionary confer
ence in Edinburgh, the most notable
gathering of Christian leaders from all
lands ever assembled, adopted the fol-
lowing message to the members Of the
church in Christian lands:
we, the members of the Worlds
Missionary conference assembled in
Edinburg, desire to send you a mes
sage which lies very near to our
hearts. During the past ten days we
have been engaged in a close and con-
tinuous study of the position of Chris
tianity in non-Christian lands. In this
study we have surveyed the field of
missionary operation and the forces
that are available for its occupation.
For two years we have been gathering
expert testimony about every depart
ment of Christian Missions, and this
testimony has brought home to our
entire conference certain conclusions
which we desire to set forth.
Our survey has impressed upon US
the momentous character of the pres
emit hour. We have heard from many
quarters Of the awakening of great ma
tions, of the opening of long-closed
doors, and of movements which are
placing all at once before the church
a new world to be won for Christ. The
next ten years will in all probability
history, and may be of more critical
Importance in determining the spirit
ual evolution of mankind than many
centuries of ordinary experience. If
those years are wasted havoc may DO
wrought that centuries will not be able
to repair. On the other hand, if they
are rightly used they may be among
the most glorious in Christian history.
We have therefore devoted much
time to close scrutiny of the ways in
which we may best utilize the existing
forces Of missionary enterprise by uni
agencies, by improving their admins
tration and the training of their
agents. We have done everything
within our power in the interest Of
economy and efficiency and in this
endeavor we have reached a greater
unity of common action than has been
attained in the Christian church for
centuries.
But it has become Increasingly clear
to US that we need something far great
er than can be reached by any econo-
my or rec rganization of the existing
forces. We need supremely a deeper
realization of responsibility to AL
mighty God for the great trust which
he has committed to us in the evange-
;ization of the world. That trust is not
committed in any peculiar way to our
missionaries, or to societies, or to us
as members of this conference. IT is
committed to all and each within the
Christian family; and it is as incum-
bent on every member of the church.
as are the elementary virtues of the
Christian life-faith, hope and love.
That which makes a man a Christian
makes him also a sharer in this trust
This principle is Admitted by us all,
but we need to be aroused to carry it
out in quite a new degree Just as a
great national danger demands a new
standard Of patriotism and service
from every citizen. SO the present con
dition Of the world, and the missionary
task demands. from every Christian.
and from every congregation, a change
in the existing scale of missionary zeal
and service, and the elevation Of our
spiritual ideal q Esq
The old scale and the old ideal were