Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-06
How Missions Are
Blessing Our Nation
Sermon bye
REV. FLOYD W. TOMF<INS.
Trxt, st. Luke XIX. 41-4S.

The economic value OF missions has
ong been recognized, even by those
vho are not very active in Christian
ervice. From more than one OF our
residents has come testimony prov
nI the way in which our own land has
,een developed and our intercourse
With foreign nations forwarded by
means Of the splendid work done by
Missionaries. One can readily under
Sdnd that where the Gospel is preached
md mon respond to 1t, there crime and
vickedness of every kind must diinin-
sh. Prosperity also follows the preach
nS of the Gospel. and the building OF
hospitals and schools has ever given
| new strength to governments. II all
'ho"s how wonderfully Gods declara-
ions In the Old Testament are fulfilled.
wen to-day. Where people obey Him
md serve Him. there blessings fall In
ernporal as we'll as spiritual matters.
Our own land. We must ever remem-
Der. Is distinctly n missionary land.
Z Was founded by those who believed
n God and who demanded liberty In
methods OF worship. The United
states has from the first been Onward
n foreign missionary work. and her
Missionaries to-day arc all over the
world. There has been n double bless
ng. Thos to whom the Gospel has
been preached have been helped. md
new life and strength have come To
The country sending the Gospel preach
.rs.
LIKE CHARITY. MISSIONARY
WORK rs TWICE BLESSED
Missionary work. like charity. is
twice blessed. or course. We must
recognize that we do not carry on
the work OF missions simply In order
that Uui own nation may profit. There
must be one single motive In our GER
vice. namely. the fulfilling OF our
M l.nFhfa will pnf ~ ia anita ,it,tt fnr
us TO consider the blessings which re-
suit from our service in order that
we may thank God for them and prove
our gratitude by yet greater devotion
70 His work. a very casual glance
over the pages of history viii show
how the neglect OF practical Chris
tianity has brought ruin. ignorance.
misery and vice. Where God has been
feared there children have been edu-
Gated, the poor have been cared for. the
sick and the weak nourished by the
strong and healthy and the Joy of life
everywhere forwarded.
Our Lords words in st. Luke XIX.
when He wept over Jerusalem show
how He longed for the peace OF the
Jewish Kingdom. and how that peace
might have come had they but accepted
Him as the Son OF God and followed
His teaching.
II Israel had been obedient 70 Gods
command the Romans would never
nave taken the ana the whole
course OF history would have been
changed. No wonder our Lord wep,
when lie foresaw the sorrow resulting
from the disobcdteuce and unbclief Of
the chosen nation. which was designed
to he the leader In the worlds con-
version.
SOME OF THE BLESSINGS
RESULTING FROM MISSIONS
itt us consider now. very simply,
same OF tho BLESSINGS raSnlfInu f,,,p
missions. AT first consider the glory
OF education, which is such an essen
tial part OF a real Christian land. We
have a pardonable pride when We look
at our schools and colleges all over the
land, and when We remember that all
children may receive such an education
as shall MT them for Il life OF service.
Moreover. the foreigners who come TO
our land are soon brought TO realize
tine privilege OF knowledge. and in a
generation or two they are healthy
American citizens. Education is an
essential part of missionary work. II
is sad. indeed. that religion is not
taught In our public schools, but a,
the same time We must remember that
through all the teaching there runs
an invisible current of truth and
Righteousness. which has an effect far
beyond any material measurement
Again. note the blessed philanthroplc
work which is associated with Chris
tidHltE. LOVING goa. We love our
nciGhbor also, and SO We strive TO help
him in every way possible. The mil
lions OF money spent every year and
given voluntarily for the support Of
hospitals and homes must prove to an
intelligent observer how the spirit of
Christianity brings men together in
mutual helpfulness. AS Christ. when
on Garth, ministercd to the sick and
suffering, so does the church to-day,
and as a result the land is lifted up
ard. in spite Of suffering. there Is a
glad note ndin from east 10 west
which proclaims the blessing Of God.
All this is true also concerning mis-
sions in foreign lands. America is
looked upon as a friend Of all ma
lions. and this is true i'm spite OF the
sad MISUNDERSTANDING resulting from
the present war. What we nave done
in our missionary zeal for China and
he Philippines and Porto Rico has
made the inhabitants of those coun-
tries look to the United States as a
friend and n wise helper.
LEADING FIGHT FOR PURITY
AND CIVIC RIGHTEOUSNESS
We must not forget also that the
Christian missions OF our land have al
ways been forward to press the adj
TantaSes OF moral reform. l wonder
II it occurs to many of us that America
is leading, and has long led. i" the
work OF temperance and purity. That
does not imply that we have. b, anv
manner of means. reached tho ideal
ourselves, but 1t does mean that we
have held up the banner and urged
other countries to work with us. and
inspired a new endeavor almost
throughout the world.
When we remember the 5000, 900
people Of the Christian Endeavor So
ciety. scattered throughout the world.
and know that they all stand actively
for temperance and purity, and civic
righteousness. as wclils~for Worship
and the love OF God. we cannot but
realize how our missionary service has
associated itself with the advancement
Of high moral ideals. Thank God, our
dear land was created, as many OF us
believe. TO take just this leadership.
j; brings a tremendous responsibility
and bids us strive after freedom from
J reproach ourselves. But 1t also helps
us to catch n vision Of the glorious
day when the whole world. loving and
serving Jesus Christ. shall be pure and
strong and righteousness.
If in preaching Christianity we
.;,,ni, urged men To belicva that THAR