Milford chronicle., 1918-11-22
AMRRICA'S CHRISTIAN
OPPORTUNITY IN RUSSIA
BY Rev. James NJ. Gray. D. D.,
Dean of the Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago


h evangelism in Russia would prove ;
l. factor of the greatest Importance II
the process of stabilizing Russian in
ternal and international affairs on {
e strong and righteous basis.)
/ believe the Christians of the Unit
= ed States should lead in the eyangel-
ism of Russia at the present crisis
because l believe we have an entree to
I the hearts of the Russian people such
! as is not granted to any other nation.
We are told on good authority that the
2 American Red Cross is the only insti-
tuition of the Allies that the present
ruling powers OF Russia really trust.
But back of the Red Cross stands
the official utterances Of our Govern
ment When Japan raised the ques-
tion as to whether in the event that
Russia signed a separate peace with
Germany, the Allies would consider
her neutral or an enemy, our Govern
ment replied that We would regard
her neither as a neutral or an enemy.
but as an ally Rusia's present lead
ers cannot have forgotten that; and if
they have, the still more recent words
OF President Wilson must be remem-
bered where, in his New York speech,
he said that the United States pro-
posed to fight for Russia as well as
Belgium. For these and other reasons
We may believe that Russia would look
with kindly eyes on such an altruistic
effort as suggested.
This is an oportune time for the
United States to take the lead, because
Russia is undoubtedly getting her eyes /
open to the real purposes of Germany. /
We are told that there is growing up (
in every village and every household 4
of Russia the strong conviction that
real peace at this time is not to be ex-
pected and that if Russia is to avoid a
return to autocracy, Germany must be
beaten. Every village orator blames
Germany for Russia's trials and tribu-
latiOns, and for this reason every evan
gelist from the United States will have
the sympathetic hearing that could not
have been promised a year ago.
Local conditions in Russia afford an
opening for the preach
ing of the gospel. We hear a good deal
about the soviet, an organization that
goes down deep into Russian life and
which literally means a village coun-
ell. To dweller in New England. as
have been, it sounds like the old
ashioned New England town meeting.
L savors Of the democratic idea OF
popular discussion and majority rule. :
The government of Russia at this =
ime IS spoken of memerly as a cen +
raj clearinghouse for the thousands =
Il these soviets all over the country. Il
-hey are atheistic in tendency if not in 1.
act, but that only emphasizes the need u
nd the opportunity. Their atheism is :,
Xplained by what they suffered at =
ne hands Of the Russian Church. THE ~
hurch belonged to the Car" they !.
aid, 1t was the Cars instrument. p
We do not trust the Car, and so we :,
o not trust the Cars church" D'
But the propaganda of the gospel "a l',
'hich we propose is far enough re- u
loved from any likeness of the Rus e'
ian church. Ii is democratic in its ~ ~
cry essence, democratic in its every VI
Npression. 1t meets the people in ~
leir homes and in their shops. on ~
leir farms and in their military en- - -
impments. By land and sea it trav- lis ns
s, by spoken word and printed page. VI
s insignia are not such things as an -
'ched cathedral and a priestly ritual ,' m
II an open Bible and the gospel song. 49,
seeks not theirs but them. 1t has 30 30
)thing to receive, but the greatest of ~ ~
/ things to give, and when it is free -''-
and earnestly predicted to a people ~
us prepared for its reception, what 80
ay we not expect in the way OF fruit? U
We speak of settled conditions in ~,
at great country, OF wise councils ~
at need to prevail, of a strong and -
shteOus government so sorely long
for, and of international relations A
tn Europe and America that shall "A
axe for permanent world peace and
prosperity to all concerned.
1t what can produce these material
assings, to say nothing of spiritual
assings, like a general knowledge
d acceptance of the gospel of Jesus
rist?
The men needed for Russia's evan
lism are in numbers but drop in
e bucket compared with the millions No
lt must go to war. Many could be
,ruited who because of physical dis Ge
ility could not go to war. Evangel-
tion in Russia is not the pastime of ing
ers. The government would recog- act
.e II as hard work. Furthermore, is inf
s political and international value as
the highest rate and the government sup
'ognlzes the right of exemption for scri
N who are actually engaged in such
ally important service We need not n
r TO ask for men. the
And so far as money is concerned, me-
are only just beginning to find out to
" to give. Liberty bonds and Thrift ple,
-mps and war taxes and Red Cross
War Work Council donations have
ght us this. When men and women w
giving is the time to ask them to
e more.
industrial, financial and
itary leaders of the United States
planning to assist Russia in many .
rs. Is it possible that politics and
and commerce and f.
zee have put to shame the interest
the effort of the church of Jesus
list TO send the gospel to these null NJ
des of the unevangelized? Do we Ave
LIE that there are 1S2,000,0OO peo- testi
in Russia and that there are not as
~ evangelical Christian workers - 9
e as in the city of Chicago alone? the
we aid Russia in carnal things my
fail to minister to her in spiritual conn
gs, then will this nation of the -.
ted States suffer for ii in that dav W.