A Hundred Years of Miraculous Development—Barbaric Cruelties and Superstitions Yield to the Light
By IRWIN H. EVANS
President North American Division Conference
THE past century has been one of great activity in commerce, in the wide diffusion of knowledge, in inventions, and in the heaping together of great riches. However, there has been a line of activity which has far outstripped any of these in importance, and that is the world-wide missionary movement carried on by the churches of Europe and America.
Open Doors in the Dark Lands
Only a century ago, nearly all heathen lands were closed to the preaching of the gospel. To-day every important nation can have the word of God in its own vernacular, and not a few in heathen lands are receiving instruction from Christian teachers. Almost every door in Asia and Africa has been thrown back to the missionary; and the Macedonian cry, “Come over and help us,” is heard on every hand.
The influence of Christianity has wrought mightily in behalf of many. It has transformed the characters of those who have embraced it, and for multitudes it has greatly ameliorated the galling conditions which previously existed. Among the believers, the family life is changed. Woman is restored to the place given her by God, schools are established, hospitals are erected and manned with Christian doctors and nurses, and the value of life is more fully appreciated. In fact, without seeing, one cannot realize what a mighty transformation is wrought in the lives of many by the word of God and the Holy Spirit.
Translations for Our Island Papers in the Maori, Fijian, Samoan, Rarotongan, Tahitian, and Tongan Languages
Reformation Permanent
These redeemed heathen seldom return to their previous condition, although they may lose their Christian experience. Having once tasted of the waters of salvation, and broken with their gods, comparatively few relapse into heathen idolatry.
Concerning the work of the missionary in these heathen lands, James B. Angell, president of the university of Michigan, and formerly United States minister to China and Turkey, says: “I want to say, once for all, that after perhaps somewhat exceptional opportunities for observing the mission, . . . I come fully prepared to say, as my own conviction, that the work of foreign missions is now planted upon so solid a foundation, and gives so much promise in that hardest of all fields that we till, China, that there is nothing left for us but to push on to the glorious end which every believer in this word of God must feel assured awaits us at the last.”
Sir W. Muir says: “Thousands have been brought over, and in an ever increasing ratio converts are being brought over, to Christianity. And they are not shams, not paper converts, as some would have us believe, but good and honest Christians, and many of them of a high standard.”
Rear Admiral George E. Belknap, United States navy, in speaking of the influence of Christianity, says: “I assert it to be a fact beyond contradiction that there is not a ruler, official, merchant, or any other person, from emperors, viceroys, judges, governors, counselors, generals, ministers, admirals, merchants, and others down to the lowest coolies in China and Japan, Siam and Korea, who, in their associations or dealings with their fellow men in that quarter of the globe, are not indebted every day of their lives to the work and achievements of the American missions.”
Ministers at Calcutta S. D. A. Conference, December, 1914
Mr. Charles Darwin, the naturalist, said: “The lesson of the missionary is the enchanter’s wand. The house has been built, the windows framed, the fields plowed, and even the trees grafted, by the New Zealander. When I looked at the whole scene, I thought it admirable. . . . I took leave of the missionaries with feelings of high respect for their useful, upright characters. I think it would be difficult to find a body of men better adapted for the high office which they fill. . . . The march of improvement consequent on the introduction of Christianity throughout the South Sea, probably stands by itself in the records of history. It appears to me that the morality and religion of the inhabitants are highly creditable.”
Speaking of the advancement of civilization in foreign lands, Alexander McArthur, M.P., says: “I believe the advancement of civilization, the extension of commerce, the increase of knowledge in art, science, and literature, the promotion of civil and religious liberty, the development of countries rich in undiscovered mineral and vegetable wealth, are all intimately identified with, and to a much larger extent than most people are aware of, dependent upon, the work of the missionary.”
Many Other Workers Needed
It is impossible for us to comprehend what God has wrought in behalf of poor downtrodden heathen through the ministry of His word and the missionaries who have gone to work for their Master in these needy lands, during the last century.
Yet the work is not finished. There must be many teachers sent to supplement the work already opened, and new fields must be entered. God’s people must enlarge the work they have commenced. The harvest is white for the reapers.
Every advancement calls for more funds with which to do the work. The heathen nations are waiting for the gospel. God has brought the church of to-day face to face with the duty of giving His word and the message of love to the unreached millions of heathenism.
