DIFFUSION is the plan upon which God works. We see this principle as a golden thread, permeating all His plans and purposes. Says the apostle James, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." In the world, and in the kingdom of darkness, we see a diverse principle in operation. While it is the work of the Lord to diffuse, to shed abroad, to give, it is as truly the work of Satan to concentrate and centralize.
God works upon the plan of advancement and progress. Onward, ever onward, is the watchword in every phase of His work in the world. Retrogression and stagnation characterize the work of Satan. Every plan and purpose of God, Satan has tried to thwart. When God has said, Go forward, Satan has sought to block the wheels of progress. But, regardless of all this opposition, the plans and purposes of God will meet a blessed, final fruition.
The history of God's dealing with the human family furnishes illustrations of the operations of these two opposing principles. In placing man upon the earth, one of the first commands was, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it." Failing of this purpose, the earth was destroyed by flood. To Noah, upon his emerging from the ark, the command was repeated, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." Again Satan sought to circumvent the purpose of God, and a marked illustration of the principle of concentration and self-centered interest, is witnessed in the building of the tower of Babel. "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." But God was not thus easily to permit His plan for the race to be turned aside. He confounded their language, that they might not understand one another's speech. "So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth."
The self-centered interest of Lot well-nigh proved his ruin, while the principle operating in the life of Abraham, of leaving his home and earthly possessions, dwelling in tents as a pilgrim and stranger, thus diffusing the light and knowledge of the truth of God among the nations, doubtless proved the salvation of himself and household. In after years, in God's great wisdom, He saw that the selection of a particular nation would prove the most efficient means of upholding the knowledge of His name in the earth. But in selecting a country, He chose one upon the great highway of nations, midway between the strong kingdoms of the Northeast and Southwest. Here especially, under the golden reigns of David and Solomon, the name of the God of Israel was exalted among all kingdoms. Failing, however, to meet the royal purpose, Israel was scattered; and thus again did God seek, by the agency of individual effort, the accomplishment of that which His people failed to perform in a national capacity.
This cut represents a view in Manila, Philippine Islands. Pastor Wilcox' article on this page should suggest to many that in the diffusion and spreading abroad of the Gospel, now is the most opportune time to enter upon the missionary work that needs to be done in those islands.
The amplification of this principle of diffusion is the more clearly emphasized in the Gospel dispensation. It is seen in the sacrifice of Christ. He gave His life a ransom for the fallen race. It is contained in the doctrines He taught His disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." The same truth is taught with respect to the dispensation of means: "Give, and it shall be given unto you." "Sell that ye have and give alms." "God loveth a cheerful giver."
The church at Jerusalem, losing sight of this Gospel truth, or failing to sense the fulness of its significance, became self-centered in their interests. Thus a large church was built up at this center of the work, while other parts of the Roman Empire, and indeed other parts of Judea and Samaria, were left without a witness for the cross. God in mercy permitted the flame of persecution to burst forth, and the disciples in Jerusalem were scattered abroad, and the record is that they "went everywhere preaching the Gospel."
It is needless to cite examples illustrating the operation of these two principles to-day; they are seen in the world everywhere. It is sad to contemplate, however, that the principle of self-interest and concentration operates more strongly and particularly in the affairs of men than does that of diffusion. The hoarding of the millions of the rich, the combination of great monopolies and trusts, the concentration of political power and influence, the formation of society castes, all are indicative of the extent to which the world is governed by selfish ends. But the saddest feature of all is the fact that the principle of concentration has taken such a strong hold in the professed church of Christ.
It is not unnatural to see the world worshiping before the altar of Baal, and spending wealth, and energy, and life for selfish pleasure and gratification. But, in view of all that Christ has done and is doing, there is presented the sad spectacle of the church turning from its solemn duty and blessed privilege, to follow the same course.
Upon the church of God to-day there rests the obligation of the world's evangelization. Especially is this true of the churches of the United States. Ever since our nation was planted, the nations of the world have expected more of it than of any other country. Its professions have been the highest. Its lights and privileges have been the greatest. And so to-day, to America as to no other country, do those in heathen lands reach forth their hands in mute appeal for light and knowledge and truth. True, there is need for Christian work in our own land; but the curse of Christianity in our own country—and this is true of every church, our own not excepted—is the concentration of wealth and membership, such concentration that the churches have become great social organizations where the worshipers meet more for display than for the worship of God. The remedy for these ills would be for the spirit of self-forgetfulness to take possession of the hearts of the believers, and the spirit to reach out and succor those who are in need and distress. The Spirit of Jesus Christ is needed among His people. Nay, if they have not the Spirit of Christ, they are none of His. Rom. 8:9.
At our very border on the south lies Mexico, a country of 12,000,000 people, to whom the true knowledge of Christ is nearly as foreign as it is to the worshipers of wood and stone. A little farther beyond, the States of Central America, of 3,000,000 population, and the great continent of South America, with its 30,000,000 people, present a field for missionary effort in Christian service unequaled in all the world. In fact, so far as Protestant missionary efforts are concerned, the South American field is the most destitute of any mission field on earth.
The following diagram, taken from Regions Beyond, shows the average parish of each missionary working in the countries named:—
In England and U. S., 1 missionary to 800.
“ Madagascar, 1 “ “ 30,700.
“ Burma, 1 “ “ 61,335.
“ Turkey, 1 “ “ 66,122.
“ Oceanica, 1 “ “ 88,334.
“ Japan, 1 “ “ 10,000.
“ Africa, 1 “ “ 140,000.
“ India, 1 “ “ 160,827.
“ Persia, 1 “ “ 187,500.
“ South America, 1 “ “ 227,000.
It will be observed from this that South America is the most needy field in the world so far as missionary effort is concerned.11But, turn where we will, the fields are white. India, with its population of 280,000,000, and China, with its vast population of 400,000,000, furnish unlimited fields for all whose hearts are touched with divine love and the spirit of labor. Some of those fields which in the past have been well-nigh closed to missionary efforts, by the march of time and the turning wheel of Providence, are now open to evangelization. Formerly the States of Central and South America were almost entirely closed to evangelistic efforts. For years Moravian missionaries could gain entrance only to the coast towns of Central America. To-day the entire isthmus is open to the herald of the cross. True, he must contend with a fanatical and bigoted populace, and oftentimes run the risk of losing his life. Africa, which a few years ago was regarded as the dark continent, pathless, unexplored, and unknown, to-day is open from east to west, and from north to south. While its partitioning among the nations of Europe furnished opportunity for the exercise of their avarice, by God’s overruling providence it has opened the way for the Gospel messenger to follow in the path of commerce, and Africa, to-day as never before, is hearing of the Lord Jesus. And now the same influences are at work in the empire of China. We can not approve of the spirit actuating the nations of Europe in the seizure of its ports and the occupancy of different portions of the country, yet God is overruling all of these for a purpose. The Gospel is to go to all the world, and God is overruling these means to provide avenues for its transmission. And, latterly, during the last few months, as the result of the contest between Spain and this country, Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines are open to missionary efforts as never before in their history.
These are some of the magnificent opportunities God is placing before His church to-day. Will His disciples rise in the might and power wherewith God is willing to clothe them, and enter upon the work which He opens before them? Will the principle of diffusion control their lives, or that of concentration? Will their interests be self-centered,—will they seek the life of ease,—or will they enter upon the work to which God calls them, and respond to the appeal His Spirit is now making? God to-day wants men, and He wants money. He wants men and women who are earnest, and willing, and true, and faithful, those who are moved by principle, who are constrained by the love of Christ, who will not falter nor be discouraged tho ten thousand obstacles rise in their pathway, but who, in the strength of Israel’s God, will surmount them by exercising that faith that will conquer the world. And God wants consecrated money to send these consecrated men and women.
The harvest is indeed great, the fields are white. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth reapers into His harvest, and as you pray, stand in that waiting attitude before Him so that if He calls you to a service of sacrifice you may be enabled to respond with alacrity, Here am I, Lord, for Thee to use as will best meet the glory of Thy cause and serve Thy eternal purpose. Diffusion or concentration, which is the principle operating in our lives and experiences?
