Signs of Opening Lands
By Editor
WE are bound to study the meaning of signs. The word of Jesus still stands, which rebuked men for not reading the signs of the kingdom, although they quickly read the signs of the seasons and of the weather. The opening of long-closed lands is a sign of these early years of the twentieth century. Signs of this sort crowded into the last five years deserve careful attention: Tibet has received within the past year the first shock it ever received strong enough to dislodge the bars of its gates. No door is yet open, but the bars are shattered beyond restoration. Arabia is now undergoing a similar experience. Rebels have defeated the Turkish troops, and surround the great fortress of Sana, capital of Yemen. This rebellion against the sultan, who has steadily stirred fanaticism against Christian visitors to Arabia, is the beginning of the end of exclusiveness there. The bars of the gates are dislodged. Abyssinia has been as obstinate as Tibet and Arabia in barring out influences from outside that might disturb the self-sufficiency of its lazy and ignorant priests. Within a year the archbishop of Abyssinia has allowed preachers connected with the Swedish national mission to enter the country with the Bible and with schools. The door is ajar. China is open, for the moment at least, and longs for instruction from educated foreigners. Japan is opened by the war as never before, and in some way Christian ministers reach the soldiers in hospital and in camp. Manchuria a year ago was in the iron grip of Russia. All these great occurrences of one trend toward the opening of doors of intercourse, give us a right to believe that God himself is shaping the future of the nations. Let us understand the signs of his will, and say, “Here am I; send me.”