The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-10-21

activity Of Christians In America.
which illustrates the remarkable truth
tha, in these wonderful times it Is
possible for anybody anywhere to s
into all the world"
4 DISTINGUISHED New York educa-
tor remarked, a few davs ago. DO
you know what ailS h Christian
ministry in America today! II Is
that the best men are all being sent
abroad into foreign mission service.
Whether the main contention IS wor-
ranted or not, the left-handed cOmpli-
ment to the character OF the mission
force is merited. Not long since, the
sheer was common that m~lSS1onarl
were Second-rate men who could not
make a living in their homeland. Now
even h critics admit hat the cal
ibre of the church's foreign ambassa-
doris is beyond cavil. The objection
shifts to the ground that they are
too good.
The twentieth century has q long
arm, which reaches everywhere. By
using it even the least Of the stay-at-
homes may 60, in person or represent
atiyely to the ends Of the earth.
Not all Christians are wanted on
the mission field; but all are asked
to have the spirit which says. Here
am I; send me-"
One curious effect Of the rise of
second and third generation mission
aries has been the dissipation Of the
Did notion hat the chief character
istic of foreign missions is it's ply
| steal hardships. Now hat the sons
| and grandsons of pioneer mission
aries, by the scores n eve hun
dreds, are returning to the field to
| share the work Of their forbears, we
are coming to understand that, as a
career, missions must have something
worth while to offer. True, the argu-
ment proves the sturdy stuff Of which
missionaries children are made; but
it also induces thought on
corning the church's work abroad.
The primitive conditions which the
pioneers met have BEEN steadily i'm
proved, and the average foreign mis-
sionary lives in a comfortable home,
and has all the necessities Of life, some
~conveniences and a few luxurieS. His
hardships, or the whole. do not equa.
those Of the home missionary in this
land.
In n japanese community the
call Christianity the Fulton Religion
because Dr.. Samuel Fulton, Of tn,
Southern Presbyterian church, wa
long the sole representative Of tn,
gospel there. The incident reveals on,
OF the rich rewards Of the missionary
His privilege it is to embody Chris
tianity in himself, SO that in all hi
manner of life men and women VIII,
are totally Of the teaching
Iof Jesus may read the gospel To
peculiar extent he becomes a 'livin,
eplSt1e.' His life is read before hi
words are understood.
e The famine victims in Mid-Chin
e used to mutter "YoaIning. Yoaming!
e 1T wants our lives! It wants GU
r Ilves!" That is true Of all Affections
: they demand life. We often read tina
the saloon needs new life in order
s carry on its business; but SO also doe
the church in a gloriously differer
way. Unless parents give their son
and daughters to the ministry an
8 missions Of the church, the work {
It the kingdom will languish within
generation. Everything that count
y costs life.
" Some young folks are willing I
burn out on ndia's coral strand; b,
~ unwilling to work out in a cross-roa
Sunday School or a city mission. Y,
le one Is as truly a mission field as IT
/ other.
a The millionaire who gives gold
CHARITY IS less Of a missionary tha
20 the young mar who gives himself
=; - work for the needy.
is "
ny There are various ways OF reac]
ne ing the foreign mission field. heaid,
ry teamship route. One is via Il
es prayer-closet. Another is on the ro.
rs OF Intelligent interest and sympath
er Still another is through the chur,
lis onertory. The personal suhstit,,
y plan IS yet n more. If there is Il
VIII 70 minister to man FOR God
H. the mission field the way will MT
=, far to seek.