Thus there are various means to be used in the interest of missionary work. What is needed is the flavor of missions in the life of the churches, the vision of Christ’s kingdom kept continually before the imagination and faith of the people, the proportions of the local, not magnified into excessive size, but brought into true harmony with the greatness of our Redeemer’s work for the race. Not all people can be aroused into interest for missionary work by any methods; whatever the zeal of the pastor, some indifference will remain. But if he has the missionary spirit, he will not be contented with an occasional preaching. He will determine the tone of worship and the direction of all endeavors by his enlarged view of God’s plan for the redemption of men. New suggestions, allusions, illustrations and prayers will swell the current of sympathy for missions, and increase contributions under any method of giving.
But, at all events, if the pastor thinks it wise to preach on the subject, or introduce a Secretary when collections are to be taken, there is no reason why he may not pursue the same course when pledges of money are made only once a year.
A FEW WORDS TO THE CHURCHES.
It is customary for our District Secretaries at this season to send to the churches letters and circulars containing statements of receipts and appeals for future co-operation. We give below extracts from circulars issued from our offices at Boston and Chicago, commending them as pertinent, timely, and fitted to provoke unto love and good works.
The following comes from Secretary Woodworth:
The battle for the Republic and her institutions will be fought in the South; and for the simple reason that the battle will be fought where the causes of the battle exist, and the principles which underlie our free institutions encounter most of opposition and danger.
And this battle for the foundations of the Republic, and for the administration of every public right and interest, is now upon us. The war itself involved no graver questions, and called for no higher style of patriotic sacrifice and zeal. Every appliance of Christian education and of moral power must be enlisted to uplift the people and unify the nation; and for this work the time favors. For four years, at least, we have an open course; the political signs are more auspicious; and we may hope to push far ahead the forces of intellectual and moral regeneration.
The colored people are intensely loyal to the rule of majorities; they believe, heart and soul, in those who broke their chains; they accept their principles, and receive joyfully the lessons of their teachers and their preachers. With them we can build up free schools, Christian churches and homes, and plant and develop the seeds and forces which have their type and prophecy in Plymouth Rock. Now is our time.