The Panama Congress on Religious Work by L. L. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

The Panama Congress on Religious Work

By L. L. C.

The Panama congress on religious work, held February 10-20, marks a new day for evangelical work in Latin America. Representatives of all denominations carrying on missionary work in these countries were present. Our own denomination was represented by eight persons, among whom were Brethren W. A. Spicer and J. J. Ireland. Of the 304 delegates and visitors from outside the Canal Zone, 145 were Latin Americans. The other 159 came from the United States, Canada, England, Spain, and Italy.

The general purpose of the congress was to bring together all the representative denominations for the consideration of the needs of Latin America, and the best methods of missionary work for the people of these countries. It was perhaps one of the most representative gatherings held since the Edinburgh conference. John R. Mott was chairman of the business committee of twenty-five, and Dr. Robert E. Speer acted as chairman of the business sessions.

In order that the time of the congress might be spent as advantageously as possible, eight commissions, composed of more than two hundred experts in missionary affairs in Latin America, made a thorough study of special points in the task of evangelizing these people. They brought the result of a year's investigation to the congress as subject matter for its consideration. The discussions, when these reports were taken up, were very interesting indeed. Of course very little of a decisive nature can be pointed out, as the purpose of the convention was largely to unify the evangelical forces in their approach to Latin America.

Protestants may be divided into three classes with reference to their views of methods of missionary work in Roman Catholic countries. Some are so concessive toward Rome that they view with apprehension any Protestant missionary work done in Roman Catholic countries. The High Church party of the Protestant Episcopal Church are of this class, and protested loudly against the holding of the congress, and refused to have any share in it. The other two classes of Protestants are the extreme anti-Catholics, and the class that might be called moderatists. In the congress the sentiment seemed to be that little is gained by conducting an anti-Catholic campaign, but that the proper method of evangelical work is to emphasize the truths of the gospel rather than the errors of Romanism.

The work of the congress also served to define clearly the religious need and opportunity in Latin America. The published reports of the eight commissions will furnish missionary information of the highest sort. The congress was worth all it cost, and more, in giving definite information concerning the missionary problems in Latin America.

One of the most definite actions of the congress was the appointment of a strong permanent committee authorized to carry out the work which the conference had started. This committee is known as the Committee on Cooperation.

A most important result of the congress has been the acquaintance which has sprung up between religious workers, many of whom met for the first time, or who came to know one another better at this Panama congress.

We recognize that the congress recently held will be in the providence of God a means of greatly stimulating evangelical work in the Roman Catholic countries to the south of us. Let us also resolve to make this present year, marked as it is by the organization of the new South American Division Conference, the beginning of a new epoch in our own work.

L. L. C.