Missions, Missionaries, And Critics
Each word in this caption represents an idea. I am strongly favorable to both missions and missionaries. They are inseparable. As for the critic, I am ready to defend his place in the field of religious thought also. There is a critic who does not appeal to me, nor comfort me, (he is the one who writes with sarcastic and ironic aspersions but even him, I consider to be a sort of necessary evil in the over all pattern of things. Criticism is needed to keep us on our p's and q's, and to whip us into the middle of the road. Complacency is a dangerous apathy; enthusiasm can be misapplied and be equally dangerous. The critic provides a healthy check; he has an essential part to play.
Reason For Writing
When I read articles in which the writer contends that foreign missions are being over-emphasized, and that, at the expense of home missionary work, I always have a remonstrance rise up within me. I think it is for that reason I am attempting to impose myself upon this publication (for I have never been asked to contribute anything to any paper). I did once present an article for publication, and the publisher declined on the ground that G. C. Brewer had recently put out a tract on the same theme. While I accepted the reason as adequate, I think it did cool my ardor a bit for breaking into the religious journals (for which the public might well be grateful).
"Home" Versus "Foreign"
I am most certainly pleased to see "home" work done, meaning by that having the gospel preached right here in our own country. I have spent many years in that kind of work. But inasmuch as Bibles are as cheap and plentiful as newsprint in our land, and inasmuch as the radio has for the past two decades thoroughly permeated the atmosphere with gospel preaching, I feel that to turn our efforts to climes where the Bible is utterly unknown is not to betray the cause of the Master in any sense at all That my point of view seems reasonable, can be abundantly shown by the ready responses to our missionary efforts in foreign fields. Since foreign peoples are hungry for the bread of life, and are seeking for that sort of adjustment which the gospel of Christ offers, it seems we have an impelling opportunity for reaching them.
Who can dwell upon that fact and not be moved to contrast with it the facts and conditions in our own homeland. Here it would almost seem the gospel must be imposed upon our fellows. Highly publicized campaigns in the mission fields of the East and North, find almost no response to our efforts. Weeks of personal work and intensified pulpit preaching have been so fruitless as to be abandoned time and again. Pick out your congregation in the North and East, and I will break down their membership into its constituents and show you that they are southern and western people who have moved into these regions. Aside from these people, the growth of the church in the North and East is slow, negligible, discouraging.
Apostolic Example
Consider the labors of the apostles and evangelists of the first century. These brethren did not remain at home after planting the cause there. They were traveling always into new and virgin fields. This plan placed congregations in widely scattered areas over all the Roman empire. This was the Lord's doings; the Holy Spirit was the pathfinder for these "missionaries." They went at his bidding, and preached where he led them. Not once did these men see fit to disparage "foreign" work, or even make a difference between it and "home" work. It was all one to them.
The Present Outlook
I have been deeply gratified with the missionary zeal among the churches of Christ in the past few years. It possibly has no counterpart since the first century. In my opinion it can be attributed to the Christian young men who by force of circumstances beyond their control found themselves in the far-flung corners of the globe during the recent war. While I certainly make no defense of war, I do believe that God has over-ruled in the affairs of men to bring glory and enlargement to his cause even through suffering and bloodshed. The hearts of many of these fine young men have been stirred to return to the scenes where they once fought, and this time to go with the gospel of Christ to the benighted peoples in whose lands they were.
"Sponsoring" Churches
In concluding, I register my protest against that oft-repeated criticism of "sponsoring" churches. In my conception of scriptural procedure in missionary work, the policy is sound. Of course some trends may develop which, unchecked, may lead to out-right digression. It is for that reason that we must defend the place and the usefulness of critics. They are needful. But a thing right within itself and fruitful of good should not be untried merely because of the possibility of danger ahead. I know of no good movement in all past history that has not had within it the potentialities of error and digression. Anything that can be used can be also misused. But the good thing itself should be prosecuted for all it is worth, and, at the same time, be guarded against going off into some digressive tangent.
I shall not just here attempt to give precept or principle to justify this cooperation in and through some worthy church, as sponsor, but I most certainly do think the whole tenor of New Testament teachings will support such practice. There surely is a right and scriptural way for congregations to work together in the furtherance of the gospel It is not necessary for them to organize into any "missionary society" in order to co-operate in a good work. I have worked with at least one congregation that was deeply concerned in the possibilities for doing good in foreign fields; and I was grateful for their interest and endeavors.
It is my opinion that any accurate survey of the results of "home" missions and "foreign" missions within the past five years will surely tip the balances in favor of the "foreign" work. Let me add, however, that this tipping of the scales in favor of the foreign fields and of our consequent obligation to make an all-out effort in that direction, could not be justified at all except for the undeniable fact that a fair and honest effort has already been put forth at home in ways already mentioned in this article.
I am simply writing my own convictions and impressions in this article. I read the papers and get the urge to say something. This is it.