Evening star., 1915-01-31

I'd fly the earth around
And wherever man 10 his Idols bowed
I'd publish in not - both strong and loud
The gospels joyful sound
I'd fly on the wings of day.
Proclaimins peace my world wide way,
Bidding the saddened earth rejoice
If were a voice, an immortal voice.
Woodward
These words from Woodward's great
song eloquently portray the Christian
spirit of help and ministry to men,
While we may not "fly on the wings OF
day." or ION the beams OF the morning
light" the earth around, we have oppor-
tunities today as never before to publish
in all lands the gospels joyful sound.
Doors long closed are now open to the
Christian missionary. He has world
wide way open. He is no longer
forbidden entrance to ron-Christian
lands. The physical barriers have
been removed. 1t Is now possible to
go anywhere preaching the gospel to
every creature. There is no lack OF
opportunity-the only lack Is the num-
ber of heralds engaged in the work.
He who commanded, Go ye into all ma
tions and preach my gospel to every
creature" has in these days made it
possible literally to obey the command.
A few years ago teacher of Chris
tianity was not allowed to enter China,
Japan, Korea, and many other lands.
What a marvellous change has taken
place. All doors of opportunity are
now open to the Christian Church.
Barriers Removed.
1t is interesting to note some in
stances of the great change in China
in it's attitude toward the Christian
missionary.
DR.. Morrison, the first. Protestant mis-
sionary to that country, was not per-
mitted for some time to labor in China
in making a translation of the Bible
into the Chinese language. He had to
perform his work on the Island of Ma
Gao. An imperial edict had been issued
forbidding any Chinese. under penalty
of death. from giving instruction 10
missionary, OF having anything to do
with the Christian religion. At that
time there were no helps for the acqui-
sition of the language. and not even
teacher could be obtained without the
greatest difficulty and under the seal
Of the greatest secrecy. s; nr
What a wonderful change since Dr
Morrfson's day. The report of the
British and Foreign Bible Society shows
a circulation in China of over 2,Ooo,ooo
copies of the Scripture or portions
thereof during the past year. and 1t is
probable that the work of the Ameri-
can and the Scotch Bible societies more
than doubled these figures.
Invited and Welcomed.
1t does not require SO great a sacri-
flee to become foreign missionary in
this day as it did in the past. The ele-
ment of persecution, danger and great
hardship is almost entirely eliminated.
Not only in China. as we have stated.
but in Africa, India, Japan. Korea,
South America, Turkey and the South
Sea Islands the missionary Is invited
and welcomed. He usually has many
comforts of the ordinary home life and
is free from prosecutions. Many have
the modern appliances. such as motor
boats, automobiles, moving picture ma
chimes, scientific hospital equipment,
that make their work not only easier,
but much more successful.
With the exception of Tibet and At
ghanistan all the foreign mission herds
are friendly and in most instances cor
dial to the man with the Bible. About
the only hardships of the missionary,
above those of the minister at home.
are those Of separation from home