The Duty of Supporting Missions
The answer to those who find fault with expansion in missions is that Jesus Christ was perfectly aware, when he gave the command to teach all nations, how quickly obedience to it would strain and test the loyalty of his followers. When General Grant ordered the first general assault upon the fortifications of Vicksburg, he knew perfectly what the effect of the order would be upon individual soldiers in his army. An old story of that bloody day illustrates the true spirit of the soldier, and has its application to the relation of individual church-members to the question of duty toward missions. The assaulting columns at Vicksburg drew near to the enemy’s works, but broke under the fierce opposing fire, and found shelter from the storm of bullets by lying flat on the ground. One burly farmer’s boy, a new recruit, who knew no better, pressed on, climbed the parapet, and only discovered that his comrades were not with him when the enemy rushed to take him prisoner. The young giant seized the first man who attacked him, and turned back to rejoin his regiment, dragging his struggling enemy with him. As he reached his comrades, lying helpless on the ground, he cried: “Boys, why didn’t you come on? You might each have got one!”