Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-12-06
'sWorld Missions and World Peace


Textbook for foreign mission So
cieties for 1916-17.)
This book has big message for
the church, one that the church must
take to heart if she is not to fail the
hopes of humanity In the present
world crisis. This coming year is
one in which particular emphasis
needs to be put on mission study and
the very book that the situation de-
mands is actually placed in our hands,
our book for this year, "World Mis-
sions and World Peace" the story of
Christ's conquest. Mrs. Mason brings
before us as the moral equivalent of
war, the great enterprise of conquer
ing the world for Christ. Mrs. Ma
son is we'll qualified to write the book.
Born in the Society of Friends, prin-
ciples of peace are part of her re-
ligious faith. She has also been a
lifelong student of foreign missions.
This year, as many times before, the
central committee feel they have had
Divine guidance in the selection of
the topic for study, and they ask not
only that the women but the men
read or study this book.
Why study "Wor1d Missions and
World Peace"-
Because, never in the history of the
world, was the need so great for such
a study, as in this world crisis.
Because, the church of Christ has
never yet faced squarely the question
of militarism and it's relation to the
spirit and teachings of Jesus.
Because, our country is liable to be
led at this very hour into a new pol
has wrecked Europe.
Because, foreign missions, in which
we have invested so much, cannot
fail to be affected directly and indi-
rectly by this outbreak of war and
cruelty.
AS never before Christians must
work for peace for the sake of mis-
sions; as never before they must work
for missions for the sake of peace.
Why is Christianity the religion of
the Prince of Peace, the religion of
the most military nations?
Where and when did Christianity
become militaristic?
Is there any moral equivalent for
war?
What message has the church for
man?
These and other questions equally
searching are studied and answered
in this book of singular lucidity and
power.
In her introduction Mrs Mason set
forth the argument Of the book, name
ly, that foreign missions and Chris
tianity were originally one and the
same divinely authorized purpose to
tell abroad the good news of peace
and pardon and joy in the unsearch-
able riches of Christ. The early Chris
tians refused military life or honor
and died for their pure principles.
Those principles suffered eclipse and
defeat when Christianity became the
religion of the state and learned to
depend on force; Thus war came to
be accepted by the so-called Christian
nations as necessary and natural.
This idea is incompatible with the
teachings of Christ and results in the
moral confusion of today when Chris
tian men condemn in individual prac-
tice what they justify in national life.
One fundamental is made clear
this war among Christian nations is
on today because, far back down the
ages, the church of Christ gave up it's
obedience to His command against vi
olence. For this reason the so-called
Christian governments are without
exception based on force. Much of
the futures history as regards the
conquest of the world for Christ will
be made by women and made now.
The question confronts us: Are we
great enough for the part assigned
US?
Mrs. J. F. Kendrick,
Cor. Sec. Mission Study Class, West
Charleston, vt.