Q. Are missions to the Chinese in this country, Foreign Missions?
A. They are not, though the Chinese are refused the privileges accorded other foreigners. The missions of the A.M.A. on the Pacific Coast are most fruitful and hopeful, and, since these foreigners return to China, there is an interblending of Home and Foreign Missions here, that is full of promise.
Q. Are the missions of the A.M.A. in the South, Foreign Missions?
A. They are not, though they have been successful in exciting interest for Africa among the students of their schools. Some of these are now foreign missionaries; others are preparing to go; but the missions of the A.M.A. in the broadest sense are Home Missions, for they minister to white and black as to citizens of a common country, who alike need the Gospel. The A.M.A. is planting white churches (so called) every year, and has added several this year, though none of them would refuse membership to a man because he is black, and is planting colored churches (so called), none of which should be excluded from State Associations merely because of color.
Q. Should the missions of the A.M.A. be called Foreign Missions because its schools and churches cannot win the co-operation of the Christians among whom they live?
A. They did not at once win the co-operation of Christians among whom they went, but confidence has been growing with the years until the cases are exceptional where they do not have the co-operation of enlightened and broad-minded Christians. In most cases, the schools and churches of the A.M.A. have won both confidence and gratitude throughout the South. Southern men are among the trustees of its institutions, and everywhere its Field Superintendents and Secretaries are greeted with cordiality. A prominent editor of a Southern political paper—white and democratic—testifies this month: "Yours is the most practical missionary work ever undertaken by a Christian body, and should have the hearty and unstinted support of all Christians." The cases are few where good will does not exist between its teachers and ministers and the white people among whom they live.
Q. Does not social ostracism show that the white teacher is engaged in a Foreign Mission?
A. Social ostracism is gradually giving way among the more intelligent Christian people. Nothing, however, dies so hard as prejudice, and nothing is so cruel; but missions do not cease to be Home Missions, because they may be where there is sinful prejudice and dense ignorance.
Q. What would be Foreign Missions in the South?
A. Missions in the South which would treat an entire race as foreigners and aliens because in God's wisdom he has seen fit to make them black, would be foreign to the spirit of the Gospel: "For He is our peace who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Through Him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the general household of God, and built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord." Missions in the South which exclude pastors and delegates from Associations and Conferences, would be foreign to the Gospel. Missions in the South founded upon an aristocracy of skin, would be foreign to the spirit of the Gospel. Missions which would preach against caste in India, and perpetuate it in America, would be foreign to the methods of Christ, and to Christian methods in foreign lands.