The Washington herald., 1914-08-23
Religion and Social Service
Current Comment Concerning
Church, Men and Measures

War is the handmade Of the devil and
this angels" declares the CONGREGATIONAL
list 1T means to missions what sin in
its most revolving form, what passion
and lust unrestrained mean The effect
Of war in Europe upon Christian mis-
sions in general and the work OF the
American board in particular is but a
specific phase of the main question.
Only one mission OF the board is en-
quilted in the war at the present time,
and that is the one that centers in
Prague, Austria There is no anxiety re-
garding the safety OF the American mis-
sionaries but many of the preachers,
colporteurs and members of the church.
rs will necessarily be called to serve in
the army.
What can be said for the influences of
war upon the lives and characters of
the peoples? Through II the fruits OF
the Iabors of a generation are obIlter-
ated, the basest passions of men are
made to appear the most exalted virtues,
and those who prove themselves the
greatest criminals become the nations
heroes. The heaps upon the Christian
missionaries and the coworkers, who
already are laboring against terrific odds,
an awful burden, a thousand times hard
er than the ordinary work.
Surely. the heather will laugh and the
they witness the great exalted nations
OF Europe, nations whose name and fame
have gone to the ends OF the earth for
their education, their progress in sci
ence, in the arts. in civilization, and
in Christianity, now slashing at each
others Threats. No wonder that Count
Okuma. prime minister OF Japan. de-
clares that the end OF European civiliz-
alton is at hand! What answer can the
NJ erirr to fha
inquiry Of the non-Christian world? How
will the missionaries reply to the man
OF the East who seeks further evidence
that belief in the Christ is more human
izing, more civilizing than Islam; or
Hinduism or Buddhism? By what argu-
ments can they prove that the so-called
Christian nation is more certain to keep
a sacred impact, soIemnly entered into.
than so-called pagan nation?
This war is putting a burden upon
the Christian missionaries throughout
the world harder to bear than all the
fanatical opposition ard persecution, ali
the conflict withriotous disease, all the
hatred engendered OF mate sin. 1t
strikes a blow at the heart Of missions
and adds a financial and moral burden
that can be carried by the Christian
church only through agonizing interces-
sion. protracted fasting, and unprece-
OtnleQ SdCTIlCe.
The Federal Council Commission on
the Church and Social Service has, &C
cording to the usual custom, designated
Sunday, September g. as Labor Sunday
with the additional recommendation that
congregations which have not returned
from their vacations on that Sunday give
recognition to the day on the nearest
possible following Sunday. A pamphlet
Of suggestions for the observance has
been prepared and may be obtained upon
application to the social service secre-
taries OF the various denominations.
Abundant International material may be
obtained from the year book of the
church and Social Service, which is sup
piled by the federal council commission.
The advisory board for the Church and
School Social Service Bureau. which is
led by the Duke OF Manchester and DR..
William Carter. has just been announced.
The duke is much pleased with the way
in which men prominent in the educa-
tionel and religious fields are helping 10
push the movement toward success.
7 have no doubt that it will he a
sacrifice for DR.. Hibben. president of
Princeton. to supervise the educational
department of our work. and yet he has
willingly entered on such a sacrifice" he
said. Bishop z. R. Hendrix is a busy
man and he was just as willing TO act
as supervisor of the Biblical department.
DR. Edward Judson will be supervisor OF
the missionary department. and Dr. JO-
siah Strong will have charge of the
sociological department. The department
Of Oriental manners and customs will
be in charge of DR. Francis Brown.
The last-named department is going
to be q very important one. although it
may not seem so at first glance. We are
going to flIm Bible stories in Palestine
and Egypt as well as in other places in
the Far East. and a department to pass
on our costuming and other things will
be necessary. There probably Is no place
in motion pictures where so many mis-
takes are made in the details of presen-
tatiOn as in the pictures which purport to
show the manners and customs of the
Orient. We want to eliminate such mis-
takes. especially in our Bible stories"
For the Biblical department of the ad-
visory board thirty-one of the best
known ministers and leaders in church
work in America are named. The work
Of the missionary. educational and socio-
logical departments Is to be equally well
directed. The last named department |
which has at its head DR.. Josiah Strong /
president OF the American Institute Of
Social Service and has enlisted Ernest
H. Coulter. founder of the big Broth ,
eT movement, and George II. Sandison, |
editor of the Christian Herald. has as
one Of its active members a former !
Washington man. James E West, who |
is now chief scout executive Of the Boy |
Scouts OF America.
At this time of year. when prepara-
tions are in progress to send thousands
of sons and daughters away to school. |
a matter of foremost Importance in I.
the selection of the institution is pre- |
scented by the Advance.
Choose schools that afford good in /
struction in such things as are print !
ed in books. That is worth doing. /
Choose schools with well-known in |
structors' and a good curriculum. That
is something worth thinking of. Choose !
schools in good climate and with |
surroundings. That is !
worth considering. Choose schools /
with men and women of character |
and Christian worth to guide and train |
the boys and girls. That is more i'm |
portant than all else besides. Choose |
schools that create character. That is
the supremely important considera- |
ton"