One of our most experienced and successful teachers writes to us: “Why not have a Query Column in the Missionary, which will bring us in contact oftener? Have questions practical, and answers concise, clear, and to the point.” To all which we say: Why not, indeed?
Answer: We will.
Here is, then, already the beginning—a query and an answer. The query practical, which is the only condition imposed by the writer. The answer, although our own, we are not afraid to measure by all the three conditions suggested. It is concise—not susceptible of any very great condensation; clear—no vagueness there; and to the point—indeed, a direct answer.
Our Query Column is, then, in its place. After the news and notes will be a place for the interrogation marks. Who will ask the questions? We suppose it will be he that wants to know. And who will answer them? We do not profess to know everything at the New York office; but we have a wise man in the East, at Boston, and one who may occidentally know a thing or two at Chicago, a royal correspondent in the South, who will be everywhere, and a whole corps of intelligent teachers and pastors on the field, who, best of all, can answer each other’s questions.
Seriously, then, we welcome the idea. We hereby open and inaugurate “Our Query Column,” for all our friends and co-workers. Let the questions be “practical,” germain to our distinctive work. Let them be the real questions on which you desire light for yourselves, and from some source we will try to secure you answers which shall be “concise, clear, and to the point.” Of course, we (for the editorial, like the kingly, “we” is a cover for much irresponsible authority) shall answer, or cause to be answered, only such queries as, in our judgment, will be helpful to the work we have in hand. Who asks first?