The Washington times., 1916-04-28
President Poteat, Of Furman
University, StartIes Dele
gates to Congress Here.
ExcEPTs ACTUAL NEEDS
Ideas Held by Majority Are De-
scended From Pre- Christian
~
Times, He Declares.

IN defining the property right Of Chris
tians. before the National Missionary
Congress at Continental Memorial Hall
today. President e. NJ Poteat OF Fur
man University, South Carolina. startled
the delegates by advancing tho idea
that the true Christian had a right to no
property whatever. except what he
actually needed to maintain him in
full efficiency.
The doctrine OF property right among
Christians was the topic OF DR.. Fur
mans address, which was the principal
feature Of the fifth session Of the con-
gress this morning.
The ideas Of property held by a ma
1ority OF Christians arc descended from
pre-christian times. he said. They have
been governed by tradition. which Is lit
tie influenced by Christianity.
Substitutes Vital Forces.
Christianity. now viewing the matter
In different light. substitutes for the
distractions OF political economy--land,
labor and cnpital-the vital forces. God,
society and the individual. declared DR..
Furman.
On the question of the distribution OF
the joint product of the several forces.
the speaker said Gods kingdom should
produced. and society should be supplied
only with the opportunity TO get more
wealth for Gods work. The individual
should receive nothing as n reward. but
should be permitted to have as much as
necessary to maintain him efficiently.
other speakers at the morning ses-
sion on the question of practical ways
IN which lay'nen can use their property
for the extension OF Christianity. were
George Innes. r. A. poan. and DR..
John T. Gouchcr Of baltimore.
Call For American Workers.
The call for American workers In tho
foreign field was the feature of ses-
sions OF the congress last night and
late yesterday afternoon. Bishop Will
liam p. Oldham, OF the Methodist
Asia and more recently in charge OF
the educational Institutions of Ma
laysia. made stirring Plea for more
workers among the masses.
Real Christianity. he said. has always
risen ard spread from the masses In
India. society is constructed In the form
OF perfect pyramid. with the masses
at the bssc and ,cemerted by n religion
that has kept the common people in al
most abtect servitude through centuries.
Christianity brings democracy and
liberation. Almost half a million people
have been baptized In Christian faiths
eartng s'!nng the last ,a forr years in india
OF Christian acknowledgements Is bear
ing fruit. In spite of caste opposition,
bitter persecution, and all manner of
subtle cruelties. the progress OF Chris
tionity is steadily onward.
Sight Moves proud Literati."
In China. Bishop Oldham declared,
the proud literati, refusing the for
eign gospel themselves, have never
theless been greatly moved by the sight
OF their humber countrymen who,
throush Christianity. have been raised
to higher levels.
George Sherwood Eddy. general Sec
retary OF the Y. NJ. c. A. for Asia,
spoke for the educated classes OF the
Christian world.
Mr.. Eddy has Just returned from an
extensive tour of the territory under
his Jurisdiction. He spoke particularly
OF the attentions paid him by republi-
can officials of China.
Mr.. Eddy declared that he believes af-
ter the war In Europe the countries of
the Near East" and the Mohamme-
dan section of Europe would be opened
up to Christian missionaries. and that
absolute freedom would be enjoyed by
the Christian natives.
Bishop Francis j. Mcdonald late yes
terday afternoon made a plea for Chris
tian preparedness. He said society isn't
anywhere near Christianized, although
the work has been going on almost 1000
years. The people of today are making
TOO many compromises In their Chris
tianity, he said.