Possibly nothing is more to be feared among the latter than apathy. The belief that a work is well in hand, successful, hopeful, helpful, often gives a sense of rest that fosters unconcern, or little concern, for its entrenchment and enlargement. This condition weakens the intensity of prayer and relaxes effort. More than this, apathy among the friends of a work like ours is liable to give way for misconception or lack of comprehension of its place in the religious destinies of mankind.
We have a mission for the promotion of righteousness. Our success is not to be measured by the rule, or the balance, but by what it accomplishes in the establishment of right principles. It must be judged of by the tone it gives, and not by the zone it occupies. The business of this Association is not for one clime, but for all climes. It aims to suppress ignorance, oppression, misrule, poverty, sin and shame, and to plant and nourish those ennobling truths which yield peace, plenty and life everlasting. Our very fundamental principles debar us from doing anything less broad and catholic than that directed alike against caste, oppression and all injustice. We must be left free to apply our benefits where the evils we seek to destroy have their strongholds. We are bound to recognize moral conditions, but not color. Color is not guilt or essential misfortune.
Another hindrance to fear is the attention likely to be drawn to the political aspects of our work. These have their place and rightful claims. Good government is helpful to good learning and the interests of religion, but the object of a missionary society is primarily to promote pure Christianity. While it enters amid all shades of political opinions, it must contend with the unrighteousness of all alike. It must not be allured or guided by the possibilities of national events. Its kingdom is not of this world.
Akin to political aspects are denominational interests. These have their allurements also, which, if indulged excessively, only tend to part the garment of Christ. Forms and ceremonies well may serve the interest of missions, but woe be the day when missions are wrested to serve the interest of a form or polity.
Still another danger lies in the allurements of expedients. The constant fluctuations in human affairs serve to unsettle the faith and to relax the hold on the steady, enduring methods which alone can give success. It is never to be forgotten that while the surface may have the appearance of a refluent stream when contending with the elements, yet God’s cause is imbedded in the deep under-current and moves right on despite appearances. Great essentials, great faith, wisdom from above, and persistent action alone can overcome these hindrances, and advance our work as it should be advanced.
What is demanded most by the hour is a revival of missionary zeal. Let there be a fuller sense of our responsibility to Christ, and a greater realization of our duty to those without. Let there be more constant exercise of the power of prayer. Let the spirit come upon us that counts all things secondary to the grand triumph of the Redeemer’s kingdom. Let us be willing to lose all, to spend all, and to suffer all to hasten that, and God will not withhold His blessing, neither shall His coming be delayed.
Our readers will find in this number of the Missionary a copy of our present Constitution, and also one of that proposed by the Committee appointed for that purpose at our last Annual Meeting.
Supt. Salisbury has in press a pamphlet containing the new uniform course of study of the A. M. A. schools, with explanatory comment and general suggestions to teachers. It will be ready for distribution to the teachers some time in October, and will, it is believed, be of great utility to them in the partial reorganization of work proposed.