The Washington times., 1913-01-25
(By Rexford L Holmes, president of
the District of Columbia Christian

| (By Rexford L Holmes, president OF
the District of Columbia Christian
Endeavor Union)
Topic for Sunday, January S.-Mis-
sion Work, at Home and Abroad. 1.
Evangelism. Acts xiii:1i-A.
Daniel Webster defines evangelism
as "the preaching or PRONUNCIATION of
the Gospel Our topic this week.
therefore, leads into an important and
interesting discussion of the promul-
cation Of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ at
home and abroad.
Before purchasing shares of stock in
bank, or intrusting to it valuable
deposits men ask such pertinent Ones
tions as, Is it a safe institution? Who
are its officers, directors. and largest
stockholders? Is 1t economically man
aged? What are its assets? What
growth has it shown, and what impor-
present time? What are its liabilities?
And so with regard to the great IN
stitutiou of missions men today are
asking the same questions before they
give their moral and financial support
to the PRONUNCIATION of the Gospel III
will be the purpose of this article very
briefly to attempt to answer some of
these inquiries. Let us consider hrst
the matter of assets: -
among the most important missionary
assets suggested by w. E.. Doughty.
educational secretary of the Laymen's
Missionary Movement, are: Accessibility
of the most distant lands TO GosD IN
fluences, by reason of increased fiity
of transportation and improved means
of communication: a changed sentiment
in Christian countries which makes
for liberation in religious thought and
progress; mental attitude OF unrest
and a soul-longing. among non-Chris-
tian peoples which nothing but the love
of Christ can satisfy; the plasticity OF
the nations Of our day, offering wonuer-
full opportunities for lasting Christian
Impressions at the hands Of Christian
molders; the change in the non-Chris-
tian world, sort OF present "oIu-
awakening more epoch making tnan the
Renaissance, the Reformation, the
American revolution, or the rise OF
popular governments. and aHectlng
of the human race extend
ing into the social, political. commercial,
educational and religious life OF the ma
tions: increased populations In Chrls-
tian countries; the spread of the Eng
lisn language; the passing into Chrls,
tian hands of the geographical controi
of the world, an illustration being that
todcy. England, Germany and the unlt,
ed states rule o-er about six hundred
millions of the worlds population; the
passing of Mohammedan poiiucal con-
troll, three fourths Of the Mohammedans
of the world today living in lands winch
they do not rule politically; and TO these
may be added the eagerness with which
men and women of today are studying
problems, and the aylulty
with which they are furtnerins ths
spread of the Gospel at nome ana
abroad.
So much for the assets: now as 10 |
the personnel Of the directorate and the
officers of the great institution or mis-
sions: What can We say that mas iiot
been said over and over again as TO ihe
sterling worth. the undaunted courage:
the deep conaecration. of that army Gl
men and women who have given their
lives In service in mission helds-hor,
rison and Livingston and Casey ana
Moffatt, and Patton and Alexander
Dun, and Ziegenbalg- and flutschau,
and Schwartz. and all the rest; or what
can we add concerning the high purpose
and strict integrity and large abilities
OF those who constitute the mission !
boa rds, the home bases of the great |
work? All these are they
who constitute the directorate, the ooard
Of officers-the official agents OF the
head of the missionary spirit |
who Himself twenty centuries ago gave
10 his followers the great commission 10 |
go into all the world and preach the |
Gospel" They may be well described IN
the words of Edmund Burke, When ne.
ne hcNNI |
the eye that never blanchcs. the thought |
that never wanders. these are the mas
ters of destiny" The missionaries OF the |
ross have been the masters of des-
,iny" not only of men or measures. but |
Jf nations-aye. of the world itself!
A question has arisen In the minds OF |
many honest persons as to the probable |
cost Of maintaining the various mission |
toards, and as to what percentage OF |
4 GIFT to missions through the boards |
ictu3ily reaches its destination on the |
'oreign field. II may be said that the |
showing made by the mission boards or
he various evangelical denominations
llong the line of economy OF adminis-
ration Is truly markable-materially
ess. In fact, than the expense of ad-
of most large business en-
crprises. Whereas 10 per cent Is usual
y considered a fair. allowance in busi-
Iess circles for expense of administra-
ion. the average cost of admfnistra-
ion of the mission boards, Including
Ialaries. rental of offices, postage
in fact-is about s per cent.
n other words. if wish to send 81 to
ny old friend DIR. r. NJ. Wilson. now
medical missionary In Korea, j know
hat 90 cents Of that 81 actually reaches J.