Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-22

1t Is evident Cnat the CnrlSlldH Chui SAAOS
of the English speaking nations are en-
tering upon an advance movement in the
work of foreign missions which Will be
greater in extent and more impressive IN
Significance than the campaigns of the
Crusaders. During the year 1909 more
converts were won among the pagan ma
lions than were ever made In any one
year since Jesus rose from the dead, not
excepting the first years OF apostolic
times when Paul and his fellow-laborers
achieved so much in Asia Minor ana
southern Europe. The year 1910 gives
promise of still larger results. The lay
mems missionary movement Will set Ior-
ward in an unprecedented degree the
cause of foreign missions. BY II tnous-
ands Of new churches will be erected IN
heather lands during the year and thous-
ands of new missionaries VIII De sent
forth from Christian lands.
These new forces will go to their posts
of Iabour far more quickly and expedi-
tiously than Paul and his associates
went on their slow sailing vessels of the
first century To all intents and pur-
poses New York is closer to Shanghai
in the twentieth century than Jerusalem
was to Rome in the first century. steam
and electricity affeEd means or speedy
TRANSFORMATION and communication which
virtually arinA distance, and which oeIy
time and space. Along with these u
tanic forces, operating for the advance
ment of Christianity, goes the ART Oh
printing, an agent, almost omnlpoIent,
that was unknown to the Apostles ana
the primitive Church.
II has been observed by writer's VINO
have treated the life and labours of st.
oil lu
his wide mission to tho Gentiles by the
fact that he was a Roman citizen, and
therefore, was protected by Roman law
wherever he went. This we know TO De
true. To the Roman law he Appeared
for protection when he introduced Chris
tianity into Europe at Philippi In Mace
donna. But strong as was Roman law
in the first century, and jealous as were
the Roman authorities for the rights ana
security of Roman citizens, Paul did not
escape jails and stripes and stonngs'
his life was in jeopardy every hour. But
under the protection of international
law, a vastly more potent code than the
statutes of imperial Rome, and beneath
the flags of Great Britain and the Unlteo
States, the modern missionaries from th@
English-speaking nations may go safely
TO the ends of the earth, few in any
afraid. Christianity has so filled the
strongest of the modern nations with Its
influence that through their pre-emi'
| nence and power, security for its preach
ers in all lands is provided in advance OF
the coming of the missionaries
The ends of the earth are brought to-
zether and no Christian worker can go
where the powers of Christendom are
not felt for his defense. All the nations
have become neighbors and all foreign
missions are becoming home missions
All these facts cheer the Christian army
| in its advance. But there is another side
of these same facts which must not be
| overlooked.
Heather lands are as accessible to the
| unchristian influences of Christendom as
| they are to the consecrated missionaries
and the pure gospel. The same ship may
! cary to China both Bibles and brandles
The goddess and immoral trader, in pur-
suit of gold sails often in the same YES
| sci which carries the Christian mission
airy who goes forth to preach of right
| eousness, temperance, and judgment
| Vile books and periodicals issue from
presses In Christian lands and find theil
| way to the hands and homes of the
heathen as truly as do the holy Scrip
| lures and Christian literature.
Moreover, many from pagan nations
are coming to our shores while our mis-
sionaries are proceeding to unchristiar
countries. Chinese gentlemen visit Amer
| lea, and are treated with indignity; not
| infrequently. Oriental students enter oul
| colleges and universities, and there they
| hear sapient instructors putting dis
| credit upon the Christian Scriptures and
| casting doubt upon the Christian evil
| dences. Wise men from the East travel
| ing among us, witness the iniquities OF
our trusts and the shame and squalloI
of our slums. Our commercial frauds
| and political corruptions are known to al
| mankind. The social sins of our -four
| hundred" are not hidden from heather
peoples. The frivolities and vices of our
society par excellence are the jest OF
the heather, the grief of the missionary,
| and the astonfshment of the native
| churches in pagan lands.
From all of these things it is manifest
| that Christendom must be more Chris
| tian speedily, if our holy religion is not
to be dishonored before the heather world
| and stayed in it's progress among men.
We must do a more intensive work at
| home while doing this great extensive
| work abroad
! 1t is to be hoped, therefore, that the
! Laymen's Missionary Movement marks
the beginning of a revival of religion in
| our own land
The wealth of Christendom must be-
| come more Christian, or the poverty of
Christendom will be paganized before