The Washington times., 1913-01-25
Cbrfstfaf, Enoeapor

I him. Suppose now tried to send that
81 myself, direct to DR.. Wilson? j
| should be forced to pay twice the sum
deducted above for postage and, ex-
| change. The boards handle large
amounts of money and do missionary
work on a great scale, carefully and
honestly; hence the low cost of mission
airy administration.
What are some of the hopeful signs
of the times looking toward the real
world, as expressed in the slogan Of
the Laymen's Missionary Movement,
namely, THE World for Christ in this
Generation?" Or, to keep to our simile,
Is the outlook. based on. present con-
ditio1s, and likelihood Of future busi-
ness? What are the factors that will
justify continuance or increase of
magazine suggests as among the hope
ful signs OF the times: Progress of
the gospel In Kamertin,, West Africa;
growth. Of the Christian Church in
British Central Africa; progress toward
church union IN South Africa; leader
ship of Christians in the Chinese re-
public; growth of union missionary work
in China; congress OF all religions in
India: conference of religions Of Japan;
fortitude of Korean Christians under
Japanese accusations; conference of
missionary societies in Great Britain;
the Men and Religion Campaign in Amer
lea: the Federal Council of Protestant
churches in Chicago: religious tolera-
ton in Spain: the cooperation and unity
OF the various denominations with re-
gard especially TO missionary work: the
recognition by our missionary boards
of the strategic centers for attack; and
many others.
Has the work shown a substantial
growth? Has 1t paid? Let us see: In
the year 1890 there were but 1000
Protestant communicates In the foreign
neld, whereas today there are two and
one-quarter millions. The average
annual gain OF these foreign communi-
cants during the first fifty years of
the last century was $500. whereas the
average yearly increase during the last
ten years has been $500! In our own
country we find that 100 years ago there
were 34.s72 communicant members of
the Protestant churches out of popu-
lation of 5.305, ,92S. or one Of every four
teen persons. Today the proportion Is
one identified with the Protestant
church out of every four in our popu-
lation. Whereas In America 100 years
ago only one college student out of ten
church, today practically every other
college student Is member OF some
church. ]. Campbell White has put It |
this way, according to Doughty:
1T took about 100 years to gain the |
first million converts. The second mil |
lion were added In twelve years. They |
are now being added at the rate OF a /
million in six years. We are con- i
strained to exclaim with the old prophet |
Isaiah, "Of the increage OF His gov
ernment there shall be no end" AT |
the beginning OF the nineteenth century |
missionary societies altogether In the !,
whole world" we are told. At the Edin-
burgh missionary conference 9s4 mis-
sionary organizations were reported for |
the year 1910. Other evidences that
the work Of missions has ''paid" are:
The increase in the number of mis-
sionaries-an army of 4,092 mission
aries. including wives, and Ill So native
workers In almost every nook and cor
ner OF the world. the total force In the
field In 1912 being 1S5.954: the tremendous
gifts TO missionary work. the total
home gifts in 1912 amounting to the
staggering total of S30.i0i.40f. while the
total income from the field itself was
y .so2, 80. The number of mission sta
tions In 1872 was 12.123: organized
1886: communicates. 1884,
10: total number of other baptized
Christians. 1.6o5. i53 while the other ad- |.
herents numbered 1.so5.s02: Sund,v
schools. 3O.6o5: pupils in same. f.4SS.0l9:
schools and seminaries. 34;7a5: hospitals
and free dispensaries. 73S
And now my space is exhausted. AMI
J. have not been able even to touch upon
the thrilling advances of the kingdom In /
India, where there are 3,514.O0O native
about one out of every 50
Of the population. in addition to the
Christians. and where in ten
Years the Protestant Christians have
been increased In numbers bv nearly
half million souls; nor the tremendous
I'm China, that long-slum-
bering giant who Is now bestirrlng him
self into permanent and powerful I
nor of the wonderful
achievements of the past few years IN 1
Korea. where at one meeting 1000 people
gathered in the hot sun In the early af-
-ernoon. many of them having walked
'or miles. to hear the gospel and to sing
n their native tongue ''All Hail the
Power of Jesus Name;" nor OF the well
,ome church union movement in
,anada and the United States; nor of
he great problems presented to the
church OF Christ In Turkey. and IN. the
hree capitals of the Moslem world I
Mecca, and Gairo-por I
If the great results of the laymen's {
missionary movement; nor OF the prob
ems presented by our large Immigrant !
population; and how they are being at l
acked and solved. u