New Britain herald., 1918-03-22
ROLE OF MISSIONS
 IN THE WORLD WAR
Campaign Planned by Baptists to Strengthen Spiritual Forts Abroad

At the church-night service in the First Baptist church last evening in terest was centered upon the mission ary enterprises of the Baptist denom- lnaton and kindred denominations Rev Dr, F. E. Cross pointed out that during all the years in which Chris tian missions have been promoted throughout the world the princinIes of human brotherhood without dis tnctlon of race or language, 8 sense of responsibility for backward races and for weaker nations, a spirit of democracy and liberty, have been fundamental. These same princinles are at stake in the world war. Tn fact the fundamental principles of Christianity itself are at stake in the war, and quite naturally those mis- sionary activities which have aimed to promote these principles through out the world should be regarded as vital by all who are on the side which stands for them.
 Among the many causes for the preservation of the integrity of the British Empire under the strain of the war, it Is generally conceded that Christian missions are not least The colonies which far outnumber the mother country in population, which are composed of peoples of different race and language, have through the splendid service of Christian missions been educated into an appreciation of the fundamental teachings of Chris tianity. While other causes have also been at work to maintain the integ- rity of the Empire, not a small feat ure of this wonderful solidarity which has astounded the Central Powers, Is Christian missions Count Okuma, Japan's greatest statesman and leader, has publicly testified to the influence of Christian missions in placing Japan on the side of democ- racy in the world struggle Quite easily Japan could have allied herself with Germany and could have estab- lished herself as the dominant factor of an Oriental autocracy, while Ger many reduced the western peoples to her dominion. But the work of gen erations of Christians missionaries in Japan has produced a deep sympathy with devotion to the ideals for which the Allies are battling.
 It is therefore imperative that this long g-standing arm of the Christian
 
 should be maintained under this crisis, while generous and unstinted support must also be given to those special arms of Christian service, namely, the Y M. c. A., the Red Cross, etc, which must be zealously promoted under the unusual condi- tions of the present moment.
 Baptists contributed more generous ly during the fiscal year that is just closing than they have in years be- fore. Fluctuations of the exchange value of silver has, however, made a serious shortage in the budget of the missionary societies. In China, for instance, under conditions as they existed before the war, $100 sent from | America could be exchanged for $213 1 in the silver coinage of China. To- 1 day $1O0 sent from America can be I exchanged for only about $133 (Chi- 1 nese). There is no corresponding l decrease in the cost of supplies in l China, however, to offset this shrink 1 age in coinage value and the real amount of the budget for mission
 work has been reduced by from one- l fifth to two-t tfths.
 ] To hold the line for God and demoC- 1 racy the Baptists are called upon to l make dn extra 1nV0SIIIetlC oIli6 0e'l III l a sacrificial spirit corresponding with | the demands of the world crlsls The ' laymen of the Baptist denomlnatlon 1 are rising to meet this test. In l year of unusual demands when an ! unusually generous contribution to 1 the work of Missions has already been l made, they are organizing a drive in ] the last few days of March to bring 1 the contributions of the denomination l up to the point which shall prevent 1 any shortage and retrenchment of 1 the Mission work. It is because they [ see the close relations between mis- l sions and the world crisis, and be- 1 cause they feel the call to a greater part in the affairs of the denomina- | ton, and in contemplation of 8 more l active organization of the laymen in the denomination that they are so [ earnestly pushing this project
 During the evening a budget for [ benevolences for the ensuing year 1 was considered and approved by an 1 informal vote of those present at the l church night service, A committee
 under the charimanship of Horace w, Eddy volunteered for work, and im- l mediately set about the task of pre- l