MISSION STUDY AT ST. LOUIS.
An observant religious press correspondent, writing of the great Exposition, says that what one sees there will depend much upon what he expects to see and plans to see; in other words, what he desires to see, and about which he is anxious to learn. Some visitors will come away with a comprehensive view of educational methods throughout the world. Others will be simply interested in the display of decoration and color, and others will know only The Pike. "We raise the question," he adds, "Why not make the Fair a study in missions? True, it was not planned with that end in view, but it affords rich opportunities for such a study. Compare, for instance, the manufactured products of the lands that are permeated with Christianity, and the lands that are only just beginning to feel its influence, and those lands also where its influence is perverted by half faiths. Where are the most striking revelations of human energy? Under what systems has the human spirit come to its best and highest." "There will also be a rare opportunity at this gathering-place of the nations to observe groups of the very peoples among whom our missionaries are laboring. The Filipinos, the Indians, the Chinese, Syrians, Japanese, and many others, high and low in the scale of civilization, are there, and are accessible for conversation and acquaintance. If one14would set about it, he could undoubtedly at this fair make friends in all the chief countries of the world. "Careful observation would give, in a week's study, an approximate estimate of the obstacles which confront those who go out to permeate India and China, for example, with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. "It would be worth while simply to study the art exhibits at this great Exposition, to see what are the spiritual ideals giving life to the art forms, and to ask one's self what task Christianity has before it to thoroughly possess the artistic genius of the world. "One could profitably make the entire visit a period of missionary study, and if he should do so he would come home with a renewed sense of the mighty work still ahead of the Christian church, and with new courage after the consideration of what God hath wrought."