The Significance of the Great Foreign Missionary Movement of To-Day by Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 3, 1910

The Significance of the Great Foreign Missionary Movement of To-Day

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

The greatest missionary movement ever known in the history of the church is now being carried forward; and its objective is the greatest work ever undertaken by the followers of the Master,—“the evangelization of the world in this generation.” This movement began a little more than a century ago, and has steadily grown and spread out until it now covers the face of the whole earth. The Missionary Review of the World for January, 1910, gives the following information regarding this “century of foreign missionary achievement:”

1810

“Nearly every country in Asia and Africa was closed to the gospel.

“The church did not believe in foreign missions.

“There were practically no Protestant Christians in heathen lands.

“Only one hundred foreign missionaries had been sent out.

“The Bible was translated into only sixty-five languages.

“Only a few thousands of dollars were given yearly for foreign missions.

“There were no medical missionaries.

“There were no mission hospitals nor orphanages.

“There was no native Christian ministry.

“There were no mission presses nor agencies for preparing and distributing Christian literature in non-Christian lands.”

1910

“Practically every nation in the world is open to missionaries.

“All evangelical churches are interested in missions.

“More than two million Protestant Christians have been gathered in heathen lands, besides all who have died in the faith.

“The Bible has been translated into about five hundred languages and dialects.

“Total foreign missionary contributions amount to $25,000,000 annually.

“Thousands of medical missionaries in heathen lands treat three million patients a year.

“There are four hundred mission hospitals and over five hundred orphanages and asylums in foreign lands, operated by missionaries.

“There are over six thousand unmarried women missionaries to heathen women and children.

“There are about ninety-three thousand native pastors, evangelists, etc., working among their own people.

“There are nearly thirty thousand schools and colleges conducted by Protestant missionaries in foreign lands.

“There are over one hundred sixty publishing houses and mission presses, and four hundred Christian periodicals are published in the mission fields.

“Thousands of college students are in the mission field, and thousands are preparing to go.”

From this it is seen that this century of foreign missionary endeavor has wrought marvelous changes, and the results would have undoubtedly been increased in proportion to an increase of effort. But what has been accomplished is a summons, a trumpet call, to the whole Christian church to make a supreme effort in behalf of all the non-Christian peoples of the world.

“The evangelization of the world in this generation” is now the appropriate and universal watchword of missionary leaders. The time has come for this work to be done, and the providences of God have so shaped the affairs of the world, and provided the resources in the church, as to make this glorious achievement altogether possible.

To accomplish this more workers, larger contributions, and a larger measure of the Holy Spirit’s power for efficient service, are needed. The church has the money to give and the workers to send. The Holy Spirit has already been given to the church, and awaits its demand and reception.

The remarkable condition we are now facing is the fulfilment of both prophecy and promise made by our Lord to his church. The hour has come when all the world must hear the gospel of a crucified and risen Christ.

To participate in such a work is the greatest privilege that comes to any one on earth. All who are faithful in doing their part will share in the glorious triumph that will follow.

A. G. DANIELLS.