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TRUE MISSIONARY WORK

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Oct 18, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 42.

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TRUE MISSIONARY WORK.

By W. N. G.

WHATEVER of expediency there may be in this or that nation-seizing territory by physical force, the plea of advancing Christian missionary work by that means will not hold good. There is no such idea contained in the commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." Moreover, those who are actually engaged in missionary work have not advocated the doctrine of the expansion of any government's jurisdiction for the sake of its missionary influence. The Missionary Herald says that only fanatics would entertain the idea of seizing territory for the purpose of propagating any form of religion. In addition it says:—
No missionary board and no missionary that we have ever heard of has had any wish of this sort. Individuals identified with missions have differed in opinion as to the expediency or inexpediency of ratifying the treaty drafted at Paris, but whether favoring such ratification or not, they repudiate the suggestion that opinions on the subject have been formed in view of any supposed advantage in connection with missionary work. Well-informed persons recognize no such advantage as accruing from the political supremacy of the United States.
The Herald is the organ of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. And the apostle Paul says, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:4. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood," therefore we have no use for carnal weapons. Ours is a controversy with a spiritual enemy, so we need the "whole armor of God," which consists of spiritual weapons, the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), and the feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. See Eph. 6:10-20. W. N. G.