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The Commoner.
VOLUMB 10, NUMBER 33
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contalnod! They will 1)0 published In eight
volumes, togothor with a ninth volumo which will
contain the propared nddrcsses delivered at the
conforohco. Theso may bo secured for four
dollars, delivered, and the missionary boards
and church papers will doubtless advertise them.
Tho sot should bo In tho hands of ovory church
and missionary socloty, If not every church
member.
It 1b impossible In tho space at my disposal
to mention all tho results which aro likely to
follow from tho conference; In fact, It is doubt
ful if oven tho most enthusiastic could enumer
ate all tho results, but attention can bo called
to a fow of more Immediate importance.
Never boforo has tho reading public been
put in possession of so complete a report of the
work being dono in the various fields; never
before havo tho opportunities for advance and
, expansion been so clearly statod.
Koroa is in the midst of a remarkable revival;
whole communities are embracing Christianity,
and tho, native church is itself becoming a mis- ,
sionary organization. Some believe that Korea
will bo the pioneer Christian nation in that
part of tho world.
Tho situation in Japan also Is full of encour
ngoraont to missionaries. The old faiths are
crumbling, and Christianity is destined to take
tholr place. Already thero aro a multitudo of
earnest Christians in Japan and, with tho in
telligence which characterizes all they do, they
aro developing a strong native church. It is
not too much to say that tho future of Japan
dopends very largely upon tho growth of- Chris
tianity within her borders. A nation, like an
individual, must have a moral character, and
In both tho nation and the individual religion
is the only basis upon which, a moral standard
can bo built. Without a sense of responsibility
to God ono is adrift on life's sea, without fixed
purpose or definite destination.
In' China tho situation is similar; a great
awakening is going on. The sleeping giantess
of tho Orient Is rousing herself, and tho whole
world is interested in having her adopt tho
virtues rather than the vices of western nations
interested in having her now and rapidly de
veloping strength directed, toward righteous,
ends. If educated China becomes a . "yellow
peril," it will not be because of the color of her
people, but because, as lias sometimes occurred
in the case of other nations, her lust for the
yellow metal will not be sufficiently restrained
by religious principles.
India, Africa, and the islands of tho east also
appeal for an increase In the number of mis
sionary workers. A missionary from New
Guinea reported a case where the chief of a
tribe called at a' mission station and asked for
two teachers, and, during the more than two
years which elapsed before the request could
bo complied with, assembled his people each
Sunday and, all kneeling, addressed a mute ap
peal to tho Supreme Being.
Tho reports also point out the vast areas
which are entirely without missions, as well
as tho sections in which there is a special de
mand for more workers. A better understand
ing of the pressing needs in old fields and of
new fields ripe for the harvest is sure to bring
-an increase in, contributions and in the number
of volunteers.
Much benefit is to be derived, also, from the
suggestions made in regard to the training of
missionaries the issues are too great to permit
of waste through inefficiency. The necessity
for moral instruction along with' mental devel
opment was emphasized, and tho special re
quirements of each locality were discussed. At
tention was called to tho cheapness of educa
tion in tho Christian Bchools of tho Orient
only about $50 per year for board and tuition
an'd to the significance. of the Christian schools
and colleges. They prove the church's faith in
Us message; it is not afraid of tho light. They
prove, too, the good intent of tho Christian na
tions; these nations show a sincere desire to
aid the non-Christian nations when they con
tribute money to, educate their people.
The relation of governments to missions "was
very frankly discussed, and this subject called
out SQme candid criticism of the Christian na
tions. Tho report admits that in China "cer
tain missions have been in the past stalking
- horses for European powers bent on aggression,"
and that "Protestant missionaries generally re
gard the government (Chinese) as by no means
unnatural when it views with reluctance and
even suspicion tho acquisition by foreigners of
large and commanding sites and buildings."
The cruelties of tho Congo were denounced and
several of the speakers condemned the encour
agement given Mohammedanism in somo of tho
countries. , ,
Considering tho delicacy of the questions In
volved, tho commission, with an Englishman
for chairman, the Hon. Seth Low, of America,
for vice chairman, and representatives from
Germany, Norway, and Canada as members,
dealt in a very straightforward way with the
matter, and concluded with an appeal which
must bear fruit in a nearer approach to a Chris
tian standard in tho conduct of the Christian
nations. The report declares that the only pos
sible justification of annexation by Christian
nations is "a deliberate, steadfast, and thorough
policy for the education of tho people, in the
highest and fullest senso of the term." The
commission registers a protest against the pro
tection which Christian governments have, in
tho interest of commerce, given to tho opium -trade,
tho liquor traffic, and forced labor. It
is to be not only hoped but expected that the
conference will exert a great and practical in
fluence In impressing upon governments the im
portant part they should play in the advance
ment of reforms among tho non-Christian na
tions. Every act of injustice perpetrated or
permitted in Christian countries against people
of a non-Christian land is sure to be used as an
argument against Christianity; every act of in
justice perpetrated or tolerated by Christian
governments in non-Christian lands rises up to
condemn Christianity. Is it too much for
Christians to ask that their governments shall
avoid both these forms of injustice? It must be
admitted that tho influence of the Christian gov
ernments is to a largo extent thrown, some
times actively, on the side of the liquor traffic,
notwithstanding the confessed evils connected
with it. Is it too much for Christians to ask
that their governments throw the weight of their
example, at least, against the use of liquor by
excluding it on official occasions? .
A study of. the report of the commission and
a review of the discussions ought to stimulate .
good citizenship by impressing Christians with
their responsibility for the continued existence ,
of governmental evils which might be correct
ed. Reference was made during the conference
to the peace movement., and a largely attended
peace4. meeting, addressed by represntatiyes of
Great Britain, German, Japan, and the United
States, declared nnanimously in favor vof treaties
stipulating that the contracting parties will not
in any case declare war or commence hostilities
until the question in dispute, no matter what
its nature, has been submitted to an impartial
international tribunal for investigation and
report.
Surely the coming together of these repre
sentatives of Christendom must make power
fully for peace. Christian nations can hardly
become engaged in a dispute which can not
be settled by arbitration, and the gathering at
Edinburgh ought to make this still easier.
One of the strongest sentiments developed by
the conference was that in favor of co-operation
and the promotion of unity. Every reference
to the subject was applauded, .and it was the
burden of many speeches. The missionaries in
tho field, soon learn that. they must rely upon
the fundamental truths of Christianity for con
verting power, and they gladly welcome the
co-operation of those who are separated from
them only by differences-Jn creed or church or
ganization., The inevitable result is a gradual
subsidence of church distinctions and a" gradual
olevation of. the essentials. It will not be sur
prising if the foreign missionary cause proves
to bo the moBt potent of all the influences work
ing for the reconciling of denominational an
tagonisms. It was interesting to .see the in
creasing cordiality which marked the co-operation
of the representatives of the different
church organizations. "When the churches at
home" fully realize the breadth 6f the mission
ary opportunity and the depth of tho obligation
to jcarry the gospel to every creature, they will
feel that time and energy aTe too precious to
be wasted in quarrels among themselves. Thus
will work- abroad re-act upon the workers at
home.
In like manner, the consideration of the
church's message to non-Christian countries
tends to bring the churches into closer fellow
ship. The missionaries recognize the need of
a definition of Christianity which will servo
as a commen denominator f or all the church e"s
one that will convoy to the mind of the non
Christian the essence of our faith; and this
demand is arousing inquiry among those at home
who are most alive to the importance of mis
sionary work.
One of the commissions deals with the home
base of missions. In fact, every subject dis
cussed, 'when closely analyzed, Is found to havo
its tap root In the homo church. It reproduces
itself in the missionary field, and the strength
of the new church must ultimately be a measure
of the vitality of the old one. The preachers
the teachers, and the medical missionaries as
well as the money which supports all of them
como from the churches already established'
and those ""-who go forth to win. the world to
Christ must, of necessity, reflect the sentiments
entertained and the standard of morality set
up at home.
If the church is to prove equal to its growing
responsibilities and accomplish the splendid task
before it, it must bestir itself. Its members
haVe worldly goods in abundance; they can
spare the money needed to carry on the work
upon an enlarged scale. It is true that the
Protestant churches of Jthe United States con
tribute nearly ten millions & year through tho
various missionary societies more than one
third of the total not to speak of the amount
contributed through Catholic organizations; but
what is . that sum compared with the amount
spent annually for tlfat which satisfies not
even for that which is actually hurtful?
There is need to combat the doctrine that
life is to be measured by material prosperity
and that only a selfish ambition can urge ono
on to large achievements. The missionary cause
furnishes an answer Here Is a field in which
the highest ability, the greatest energy, and
the loftiest purpose can find full and satisfying
employment.
As, according to the nursery tale, the traveler
in the Alps saved his own life by the labor em
ployed in keeping his companion from freezing,
so the church at home will find new strength
and vigor in the effort it puts forth to carry
Christianity to the uttermost parts of the earth
it is the scattering which increaseth.
In recapitulation, it may be said that the two
great lessons taught by the conference are:
first, that the non-Christian world needs Christ
and his conception of life; and, second, that
the. .Christian world needs the stimulating en
thusiasm which flows back from the mission
field to strengthen faith, purify life, quicken
the spirit of brotherhood, and purge govern
ments of their inconsistencies.-r-W. J. ,Bryui in.
The Outlook. ,: " .....,''.
POOETtJNOJWE JOE :
So they are, casting Uncle Joe aside, are. they?
They used him as long as they could; they availed
themselves of his extraordinary qualities of
leadership until the rising storm warned them
that he was no longer an element of strength
to the predatory interests. Then they make him
a scapegoat; heap their sins upon him and send
him into the wilderness. In what respect is he
worse than those virtuous standpatters who
now spurn him? They stand for the "system"
as much as he does only they have not been
in the lime light. But so it ever was with those
who serve the special interests. They have no
gratitude; they show no mercy. They measure
men by what they can do for them not by
"what they have done. ' ' r.
Poor Uncle Joe, if he is a reader of Shake
speare he must often repeat Woolsey's anient,
"Had I but served my God with half the zeal I
served my king he would not in mine age have
left me naked to mine enemies."
THE RATLBOAD IN POLITICS
We are just now having a good opportunity
to see how little the railroad managers have
learned about the science of government.
President E. T. Ripley of the Santa Fe has re
cently Issued voting" instructions to his em
ployes in the form 6f a letter' published in the
Santa Fe- Employes Magazine of August.
If this is not attempting "in any way lb in
fluence the votes of its employes'" whaV. ehall
we have" when he really tries? It is merely
another way of saying that the Santa Fe does
not care how an employe votes, PROVIDED HE
VOTES FOR THE RAILROAD'S CANDIDATE.
You can always tell the "anti-rallroad'candidate
he is a "demagogue," while the railroad can
didate can be recognized by the statesman-like
dignity which he maintains while his constit-'
uents are being plucked.
If the distinction Is not clear, to the, employes
President Bipley may give names later and to
show that he is entirely non-partisan he" will
not hesitate to mark republicans as well as
democrats for slaughter if any of them have
the audacity to run without first taking a course
of his anti-demagogue treatment. If govern-,
ment ownership of railroads comes, such men as
President Ripley will be mainly responsible"for
its coming. The people will not always permit
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