A Difficult Question for a Business Man to Settle

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1914

A Difficult Question for a Business Man to Settle

An English manufacturer in the Midlands was showing a lady over his factory, of which he had reason to be proud. The building was substantial, the machinery was up-to-date, and the output of manufactured goods was growing greater year by year.

The lady had called to plead for his interest in foreign missions, but he had smilingly put aside her persuasive pleadings. A business man, he said, had no business with foreign missions. Besides, he had already subscribed annually to foreign missions—five shillings (!)—because it made it possible for him to refuse to discuss missions with people who thought he ought to give more.

The lady was intensely interested in the intricate processes of manufacture, and the manufacturer was exultant that he had something worth seeing to show.

"Where does your raw material come from?" asked the lady.

"All from China," answered the manufacturer.

"And to where do you export your products?"

"Mainly to West Africa. The Negroes are my best customers; they buy these cheap silk handkerchiefs by the thousand."

"And you, who buy in pagan China and sell in heathen Africa, think you have no business with foreign missions?"—Selected.