El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-06-22

those on whom rests the solemn respon-
sibility ofsdeciding on the fitness Of the
applicant In the strictest sense no vO-
cation is complete until the moving of
the spirit from within is confirmed and
crowned from without, through the OPP
Grafton of the same spirit No one
would claim infalIibility for the decis-
ions of candidates committees, but def
mite functions are intrusted to them,
each within the limits of its own COM
munity.
Remedy Suggested.
In order therefore to lessen the dan
ger of eventual disappointment, the
commission would urge the necessity
for:
"(a) More careful statement on the
part of official Populations in their ap-
peals for offers of service.
"(b) A clearer apprehension on the
! part of both clergy and people of the
requirements of the modern situation on
the mission field.
"(c) More frank and confidential
| contact between local workers and the
candidates committees and central Of
ficials.
I'D sympathetic effort at the time
of rejection TO soften the blow and pre-
! vent the dissipation Of spiritual energy
consequent on the disappointment of
the congregation.
''The church as a whole has response
bility. not only in regard to missionary
vocation, but also at the various stages
of missionary preparation.
Preparing a Missionary.
las soon as the candidate declares his
intention of offering himself for work
abroad, and has been Professionally at
least, accepted, the period of strictly
missionary preparation begins, and the
direct responsibility of the church in
the matter devOlves upon the special de-
partment of church organization which
is concerned with missionary work.
The institutions engaged in provid-
ing the training have a claim on gen
erous financial support. The burden of
raising the necessary funds should
never be thrown on the authorities in
charge of them. They have a claim stin
more on the support of constant and
faithful intercessiOn.
Candidates in training can be eff
iently helped in their task of self prep
aration by their own immediate friends
even more than by the members of can
didates' committees, if these friends wild
keep before themselves a high standard
of missionary qualification, both In
character and attainment.
still more, on a closer analysis OF
the forces that vitality affect the de-
VelODm6nI IL
comes clear that in the work of prepara-
tion, no less than in quickenlng the
sense of vocation, the most effective,
though often least regarded influence,
is that which is expected on every one OF
its members by the Christian society
as a whole. There is a deep and init
mate dependence of individual on cor
porate faith and enthusiasm. What
would be the effect on the preparation
Of
wisdom and earnestness and zeal which
have marked the leading champions of
the missionary cause in each age in the
past should become characteristic. not
OF isolated individuals, but of the whole
church in our generation?
Higher Standard.
We have been pleading for a higher
standard even in the intellectual prepa-
ration Of every class of missionary. We
have tried to make it clear, as it has
become to us, that, considering the
whole situation, Inc modern world ev-
erywhere must Oe supplied with
teachers of the Truth as it is in Christ
whose training has been prolonged, |
thorough and deep. Those who speak
for the Christian religion 10 the mass
Of the moral intellectual condition OF !
tiers both of that which they teach, and !
of the moral in tellectual condition OF |
those whom they address. But what If |
this call, which we trust has come |
through US from the great head of the !
church. Should cause a deeper inquiry |
to arise regarding the Intelligence of the |
home church itself and the training of |
the home ministry? That, indeed. is |
become clear that no portion of the |
not our proper subject But il has |
churches does, perhaps none can, and /
certainly nine ought TO, give a prepare !
ton to its missionary force superior 1
TO that given to the various classes OF |
workers at home. Perhaps there is a |
call in this report which will reach even /
that matter, and result in wider ques
lions that We have discussed For if |
the growing intelligence of the home |
land is TO be held loyal TO the truth OF |
the gospel, it is evident that this can /
only be secured by keeping the inter- /
prefers of that truth. and even its teach |
ers TO little children, abreast of the |
best education and the severest disci- |
pBine which is given to any class OF /
scholars, and any profession which /
Christendom produces. If the mis- /
sionaries are to be more fully prepared |
it is not too much 10 say that this can |
only be done by raising the standard |
even of the home ministry