And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
—Mark 13:10
3445 “Go Ye”
It was a Jew who brought the Gospel to Rome; a Roman who took it to France; a Frenchman who took it to Scandinavia; a Scotsman who evangelized Ireland; and an Irishman in turn made the missionary conquest of Scotland. No people have ever received the Gospel except at the hands of an alien.
—Dunkin
3446 “We Are Everywhere”
The growth of Christianity in the early centuries was phenomenal. By mid 2nd-century, an apologist said, “We are everywhere. We are in your towns and in your cities; we are in your army and navy; we are in your palaces; we are in the senate; we are more numerous than anyone.”
By AD 300, the church was spreading so fast that it appeared the entire civilized world could be evangelized by AD 500.
But Constantine decreed that every one in the empire was already Christian. And slowly the idea prevailed of a division between laity and clergy, for pagans could not evangelize nor did they know how. And Christianity’s movement was checked.
3447 Travel Scenes And Paul
The Apostle Paul was perhaps one of the greatest travelers of his day. He visited many lands, and saw many new scenes in different countries. When he returned he wrote a good deal; his Epistle were widely read by the early churches. And yet, in all the writings of the apostle, there is not one line that is descriptive of the scenery of the countries through which he passed; not a line telling of the wonders of the architecture of his day; not a line describing the customs of the people.
Is not this singular? There is a reason for it. The apostle was “blind.” As he traveled about he was blind to all else but one thing. On the way to Damascus, when he met the Lord Jesus, He was blinded by the vision of His great glory, and from that time he could see nothing but Him and tell of nothing but His Gospel.
—R. A. Jaffray
3448 Tribute To Missionaries
President Roosevelt said:
“Since becoming President, I have come to know that the finest of Americans we have abroad today are the missionaries of the Cross. I am humiliated that I am not finding out until this late day the worth of foreign missions and the nobility of the missionaries. Their testimony in China, for instance, during the war there, is beyond praise. Their courage is thrilling and their fortitude heroic.”
3449 Missions A Lunatic Project?
The British East India Company said at the beginning of the nineteenth century: “The sending of Christian missionaries into our Eastern possessions is the maddest, most expensive, most unwarranted project that was ever proposed by a lunatic enthusiast.”
The English Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal said at the close of the nineteenth century: “In my judgment Christian missionaries have done more lasting good to the people of India than all other agencies combined.
—Church of Christ Advocate
3450 Evangelization’s Financial Returns
The American Missions Board in fifty years spent $1,250,000 to evangelize Hawaii. But during that time, the States received about $4,000,000 a year in trade. England’s missions are said to have brought back $50 in trade for every $5 given to convert the natives.
—Armstrong
3451 Stevenson On Missions
When Robert Louis Stevenson first saw the terrible devastations of leprosy he was almost turned into an infidel. But when he saw the miracle of Christian pity and compassion in the leper hospital at Malokai, his faith emerged triumphant, and he wrote in the guest book there:
“To see the infinite pity of this place,
The mangled limb, the devastated face,
The innocent sufferer smiling at the rod—
A fool was tempted to deny his God.
He sees, he shrinks. But if he gazes again,
Lo, beauty springing from the breast of pain!
He marks the cisterns on the mournful shores;
And even a fool is silent and adores.”
THE MISSION FIELDS
3452 Go Ye, But How Far?
According to the latest available statistics the ratio of Protestant missionaries to population in strategic world areas shows:
1,448 Ministers per million people in the United States.
56 Missionaries per million people in Africa.
30 Missionaries per million people in South America.
20 Missionaries per million people in Korea.
15 Missionaries per million people in India.
3 Missionaries per million people in Indo-China.
Moreover, much of Europe with its 480 million people is largely unevangelized. And virtually all Communist-controlled countries are closed to missions work.
3453 The Fields Still Unreached
More than two billion of the earth’s inhabitants are either pagan, atheistic or non-Christian. There are 800,000,000 Communists, all militant atheists. There are 700,000,000 Moslems, all anti-Christians, and there are almost a billion Indians and Chinese and other kindred Asians.
—Lippincott
3454 Where Are Our Priorities?
Nine percent of the world’s population speak English.
Ninety percent of the world’s Christians come from the nine percent who speak English.
Ninety-four percent of the ordained ministers in the world serve the nine percent who speak English.
Ninety-six percent of the church’s income is spent among the nine percent who speak English.
3455 A Losing Battle
The missionaries are reaching about 2 million heathen every year. Compare the 2 million with the 65 million increase in world population. It looks frustrating. If it were possible to add 178,200 people to the church every 24 hours, there still would be as many unchurched people in the world as ever. The latest estimate from the United Nations tells us there is a net gain of 178,200 in the world population during every 24-hour period. What hope of converting the world in this dispensation is there?
—Christian Victory
3456 Two Biggest Obstacles
The cradle and the grave are two great obstacles to fulfillment of the Great Commission. Every day, a new multitude is born, and a vast prospect list vanished. In the United States alone, there are 11,227 births and 4,970 deaths daily.
—Carl F. H. Henry
3457 Nominal Protestants Disappearing
In 1960, eight percent of the people in the world were nominal Protestants; in 1970 this number dropped to less than seven percent, and by the year 2,000 A.D. only two percent of the people in the world will be nominal Protestants, if present trends continue.
—Homer Duncan
3458 A Survey In Reformation Country
At the great Erlangen University in Germany a religious survey was conducted among the thousands of students. Some very revealing facts came to light. Among the questions asked were the following:
1. Who is Christ? Only 16 percent could answer the question.
2. How does one become a Christian? 92 percent were ignorant. In the land of Martin Luther only 8 percent knew the way.
3. Would you like to know more about how to be a Christian? 70 percent revealed a hunger to know more about becoming Christians.
—Prairie Overcomer
THE MISSIONARIES
3459 What It Takes
A missionary needs
the wisdom of an owl,
the tenacity of a bulldog,
the daring of a lion,
the patience of a donkey,
the versatility of a chameleon,
the vision of an eagle,
the melody of the nightingale,
the meekness of a lamb,
the tack of a politician,
the hide of a rhinoceros,
the disposition of an angel,
the resignation of an incurable,
the faithfulness of a prophet,
the tenderness of a shepherd,
the fervency of an evangelist,
the devotion of a mother,
the sacrifice of a martyr,
and the loyalty of an apostle.
But, missionaries are not born.
They are made.
They are made out of the ordinary run of individuals.
The basic qualification
is not intellectualism, but
a yielded spirit,
a devotion to the will of God,
and a deep sense of call.
—Author Unknown
3460 “One Misfit Could Ruin Us”
Ann Judson, a pioneer missionary to Burma, wrote of the kind of missionaries needed: “In encouraging young men to come out as missionaries, do use the greatest caution. One wrong-minded, obstinate man would ruin us. Humble, quiet, persevering men of sound, sterling character, with good accomplishment and some natural aptitude to acquire a language; men of an amiable, yielding temper, willing to take the lowest place; men who live close to God, and who are willing to suffer all things for Christ’s sake without being proud of it—these are the kind of men we need.”
—Walter B. Knight
3461 To Test A Missionary Candidate
At 3:00 A.M. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8:00 A.M. when the examiner arrived.
The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.”
“B-a-k-e-r,” the young man spelled.
“Very good. Now, let’s see what you know about figures. How much is twice two?”
“Four,” replied the applicant.
“Very good,” the examiner said. “I’ll recommend to the board tomorrow that you be appointed. You have passed the test.”
At the board meeting the examiner spoke highly of the applicant and said, “He has all the qualifications of a missionary. Let me explain.
“First, I tested him on self-denial. I told him to be at my house at three in the morning. He left a warm bed and came out in the cold without a word of complaint.
“Second, I tried him out on punctuality. He appeared on time.
“Third, I examined him on patience. I made him wait five hours to see me, after telling him to come at three.
“Fourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show any sign of it; he didn’t even question my delay.
“Fifth, I tried his humility. I asked him questions that a small child could answer, and he showed no offense. He meets the requirements and will make the missionary we need.”
—Selected
3462 40 Areas Of Ministry
The Southern Baptist Convention once presented a call for some forty different areas of missionary vocation:
Agriculture, architecture, bookkeeping, bookstore management, business administration, camp direction, chaplaincy, conference direction, dormitory house parents, English-speaking pastors, field evangelism, good will centers, graphic arts (industrial), mass communications, medical ministries (anesthetist, dentist, doctor, hospital administrator, lab technician, nurse, public health specialist), music education and promotion, music and church drama, press service, printing, publications, radio and TV promotion, religious education and promotion, school administration, secretarial work, social work, student work, teaching (seminary, college, institute, secondary school, primary school, kindergarten), Training Union work, and women’s work.
3463 Famous Unwritten Letter To Paul
This is a letter that could have been written to the Apostle Paul had he applied for missionary service under some of today’s modern missionary boards:
Rev. Saul (Apostle) Paul
Independent Missionary
Corinth, Greece
Dear Mr. Paul:
We recently received an application from you for service under our Board. It is our policy to be as frank and open-minded as possible with all of our applicants. We have made an exhaustive survey of your case. To be plain, we are surprised that you have been able to “pass” as a bona fide missionary. We are told that you are afflicted with a severe eye trouble. This is certain to be an insuperable handicap to an effective ministry. We require 20–20 vision.
Do you think it seemly for a missionary to do part-time secular work? We heard that you are making tents on the side. In a letter to the Church at Philippi you admitted that they were the only church supporting you. We wonder why?
Is it true that you have a jail record? Certain brethren report that you did two years’ time at Caesarea, and were imprisoned at Rome.
You made so much trouble for the businessmen at Ephesus that they refer to you as “the man who turned the world upside down.” Sensationalism has no place in missions! We also deplore the lurid over-the-wall episode at Damascus. We are appalled at your obvious lack of conciliatory behavior. Diplomatic men are not stoned and dragged out of the city gate, or assaulted by furious mobs. Have you ever suspected that gentler words might gain you more friends? I enclose a copy of Dalius Carnagus’ book, “How to Win Jews and Influence Greeks.”
In one of your letters you refer to yourself as Paul the Aged. Our new mission policies do not anticipate a surplus of elderly recipients. We understand, too, that you are given to fantasies and dreams. At Troas, you saw, “A man of Macedonia” and at another time you were “caught up into the third heaven” and even claimed that “the Lord stood by” you. We reckon that more realistic and practical minds are needed in the task of world evangelism.
You have written many letters to churches where you have formerly been pastor. In one of these letters, you accused a church member of living with his father’s wife, and you caused the whole church to feel badly and the poor fellow was expelled.
Your ministry has been far too flightly to be sucessful. First Asia Minor, then Macedonia, then Greece, then Italy, and now you are talking about a wild-goose chase to Spain. Concentration is more important than dissipation of one’s powers. You cannot win the whole world by yourself! You are just one little Paul. In a recent sermon you said, “God forbid that I should glory in anything save the Cross of Christ.” It seems to us that you also ought to glory in our heritage, our denominational program, the unified budget.
Your sermons are much too long for the time. At one place you talked until after midnight and a young man was so sleepy that he fell out of the window and broke his neck. Nobody is saved after the first 20 minutes. “Stand up, speak up, and shut up,” is our advice.
Dr. Luke reports that you are a thin little man, bald, frequently sick, and always so agitated over your churches that you sleep very poorly. He reports that you pad around the house, praying half the night. A healthy mind in a robust body is our ideal for all applicants. A good night’s sleep will give you zest and zip so that you wake up full of zing!
You wrote recently to Timothy that you had “fought a good fight.” Fighting is hardly a recommendation for a missionary. No fight is a good fight. Jesus came not to bring a sword, but peace. You boast that “I fought with wild beasts of Ephesus.” What on earth do you mean?
It hurts me to tell you this, brother Paul, but in all of the 25 years of my experience, I have never met a man so opposite to the requirements of our Foreign Missions board. If we accepted you, we would break every rule of modern missionary practice.
Most Sincerely yours,
J. Flavius Fluffyhead, Sec.
Foreign Missions Board
JFF: hmh
—Dr. Hendon M. Harris
3464 Missionaries From North America
There are an estimated 37,000 Protestant missionaries from the United States and Canada, and all over the world. They come from 620 Protestant agencies working in 182 countries.
3465 U. S. Catholic Missionaries
U. S. Catholic missionaries serving abroad in 1976 numbered 7,010. Counted were U. S. citizens serving at least one year outside the 48 contiguous states. The figure for 1972 was a larger 7,656 missionaries.
3466 Mission’s Great 20th Century
The 20th century has been called the “Great Century” of Protestant missions. In 1815 there were only a few hundred Protestant missionaries throughout the world, and many of these belonged to “missionary societies” not directly related to the Church; but by 1914 the number had grown to an amazing 22,000.
The 42,250 Protestant foreign missionaries throughout the world reported by the Missionary Research Library in its 1960 survey constituted the largest total recorded in any year up to that time, and the number continues to increase.
—C. Darby Fulton
THE SUPPORT
3467 Missions Giving Up
Missions giving in the U. S. and Canada went up from $393 mission in 1972 to $656 million in 1975. This figure outstrips U. S. inflation by 29%, enabling missions work to advance around the world.
3468 Designating The Gifts
Of the almost $7 billion Americans gave to churches and religious institutions in the early 1970s, $1 billion went into buildings, and another billion went into maintenance of the buildings.
A third billion went into missions, $400 million to foreign missions. And the balance of $4 billion went into “personnel cost: salaries, pensions, living allowances and reimbursed expenses of clergymen and other employees of the church.”
3469 If Everyone Tithe
If the Protestant people of America alone were tithing their income we could easily evangelize the entire world and put a copy of the Bible into the hands of every heathen on earth inside of ten years. According to government statistics, we are spending annually in this country six hundred dollars for luxuries for every dollar we spend for missions. We spend in America more for tobacco in a single year than both the United States and Canada have spent for missions since white man discovered America.
—Oscar Lowery
3470 Rescuing Which Life?
Some time ago a boy fell into an old well. In a short while $40,000 was raised in the small community to bring in the necessary earth-moving equipment for his rescue. In 1937, Amelia Earhart, attempting a round-the-world flight, was reported lost. For the following ten days, our government and others spent over $250,000 daily searching for her. We place highest value on this life. We spend comparatively little on seeking lost souls!
—The Brethren Evangelist
3471 He Cooked Own Meals
Robert Arthington of Leeds, a Cambridge graduate, lived in a single room, cooking his own meals; and he gave foreign missions 500,000 pounds on the condition that it was all to be spent on pioneer work within twenty-five years. He wrote these words: “Gladly would I make the floor my bed, a box my chair, and another box my table, rather than that men should perish for want of the knowledge of Christ.”
—The Wesleyan Methodist
3472 Wearing Forty Organs
A missionary at home on furlough was invited to a dinner at a great summer resort where he met many women of prominence and position.
After dinner he went to his room and wrote a letter to his wife. He said:
“Dear Wife: I’ve had dinner at the hotel. The company was wonderful. I saw strange things today. Many women were present. There were some who, to my certain knowledge, wore one church, forty cottage organs, and twenty libraries.”
In his great longing for money to provide the gospel for hungering millions, he could not refrain from estimating the silks, satins, and the diamonds of the guests at the dinner in terms of his people’s need.
—Moody Monthly
3473 Pleasure Boat Diverted To Missions
From an old report:
A sleek pleasure boat which former President Eisenhower had planned to present to Soviet Premier Khrushchev will be used instead to take the Gospel to a remote part of Ethiopia.
The boat was returned to the manufacturer after cancellation of Eisenhower’s trip to Moscow in 1960, and it was subsequently purchased by the West Allis (Wisconsin) United Presbyterian Church to be given in turn to their denominational mission in Ethiopia. The craft’s destination is a region accessible only by river during the rainy season. Even then the river is only a few inches deep. The 19-foot boat, which operates on a jet principle (ejecting water to propel it), is particularly useful in very shallow water.
—Christianity Today
3474 What A Gift To Sunday School Union Did
A man in Chicago years ago died leaving $50,000 to the American Sunday School Union, stipulating that only the interest was to be used in its missionary work.
During eleven years, in which the Union had the income from this fund, it started 819 Sabbath-Schools, with 3,086 teachers and 29,784 scholars; 97,559 visits were paid to the homes of the people; 8,577 meetings were held; 6,149 Bibles and Testaments and $8,693 worth of religious literature distributed; 3,676 persons were converted, and 61 churches organized.
—J. H. Bomberger
3475 Proportionate Giving?
We spend 96¢ on ourselves out of every dollar and give only 4¢ to missions.
—Bob Pierce
3476 Epigram On Missions (Support)
• That land is henceforth my country which most needs the gospel.
—Count Zinzendorf
• David Livingstone, great explorer and Christian pioneer, wrote in one magnificent sentence, “I will go anywhere—provided it be forward.”
• Every church should support two pastors—one for the thousands at home, the other for the millions abroad.
—Jacob Chamberlain
• Your love has a broken wing if it cannot fly across the sea.
—Malthie D. Babcock
• The church which is not a missionary church will be a missing church when Jesus comes.
—F. B. Meyer
• The only one among the twelve apostles who did not become a missionary became a traitor.
• On one of the New Hebrides, in the South Pacific, is the lonely grave of a Presbyterian missionary, the Rev. John Geddie. A marble slab bears the following inscription:
“When he came here,
There were no Christians;
When he went away,
There were no heathen.”
—James E. Denton
• While the world has been multiplying, we have been making additions to the church. Thus, there is no hope of ever catching up.
See also: Literature, Christian ; Soul-Winning ; Witnessing ; Rev. 14:6.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
3477 10% For Jesus
If studies had been taken in the Roman Empire in 65 A.D. on religious preferences, they would have shown 51% for Jupiter, 30% for Zeus, about 9% for Mithra and about 10% for Jesus.
—Harry Golden
3478 Postman’s Confidence
A postman was telling me what a sense of security he felt in his work of delivering the mail. “Why,” he said, “all the resources of the Government are pledged to support me in carrying on my work. If I have only one small postcard in my bag, no man dares to molest me in its delivery. All the Federal police powers of the United States would be thrown into action if necessary to secure the safe delivery of that post card.”
And that led me to think how confidently you and I may set forth with our life, our personality, our equipment, such as it is, to deliver the flaming truth of the Gospel. The Word of our Lord is just as much for us today as it was for the disciples, when he said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go … and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end” (Matt. 28:18–20).
—Sunday School Times
3479 Under Orders
Dr. Wilder, a dynamic missionary leader in India, was dining with three naval officers. During the course of the conversation one of the officers remarked, “Why don’t these missionaries stay at home and mind their own business?”
Dr. Wilder replied, “Suppose you were ordered to take your battleship to Constantinople tomorrow, would you choose whether to obey or not?”
The officer retorted, “If we are ordered to go, we must go, even if every ship is sunk and every sailor killed.”
“Quite right,” said the missionary. “I have orders from the divine government: “Go and preach the gospel to every creature.””
—Selected
3480 Word Of A Gentleman
When David Livingstone sailed for Africa the first time, a group of his friends accompanied him to the pier to wish him Bon Voyage. Some of them, concerned for the safety of the missionary, reminded him of the dangers which would confront him in the dark land to which he was journeying. In fact, one man urged Livingstone to remain in England.
In response, David Livingstone opened his Bible and read aloud the portion of our Lord’s last recorded words in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 28: “Lo, I am with you always.” Turning to the one who would have prevented his going, the missionary said: “That, my friend, is the word of a Gentleman. So let us be going.”
—The Pilgrim
3481 If In Doubt, Go
While at the beach in Jacksonville, Florida, one summer, I saw a lifeguard suddenly jump to his feet in his tower. He took the Red Cross flag out of its standard and waved it frantically so they could see him at the main life guard station. He then threw it to the ground, jumped down, grabbed a life buoy and rushed out into the water. With strong strokes he swam toward a man waving for help.
In a few seconds, sirens wailed as an ambulance came up and three other guards swam out to help. They rescued the man and gave him artificial respiration. Scores gathered around. All were deeply moved as the man was revived. The same scene was repeated several times that day, for the undertow was unusually strong.
Late that afternoon I went to the main station to say thanks as a private citizen for the dedication of these men. When I walked into the station I was struck by a sign on the wall in large red letters which read, IF IN DOUBT, GO! It struck me that this ought to be on the wall of every church and on the table of every heart as we see the multitudes around us and read the command of God to “Go!”
—C. Summer Wemp
3482 Livingstone’s Supporting Verse
Speaking at the University of Glasgow in 1896 David Livingstone said: “Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”
3483 Why Livingstone Boldly Crossed Land
In 1856, David Livingstone faced a grave peril in Africa. He was passing through the wild country of the native chief Mburuma. The chief was hostile and had been seeking to rouse the countryside against the man’s expedition. Reports had been that he was seen creeping toward the camp!
Alone in his tent, Livingstone opened his Bible and read the promise on which he had staked his life so often. Then he wrote in his diary.
“January 14, 1856. Evening. Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all my plans for welfare of this great region knocked on the head by savages tomorrow. But Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations … and lo l am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
“This is the word of a Gentleman of the most strict and sacred honour, so that’s the end of fear. I will not cross furtively tonight as I intended. Nay, verily, I shall take observations for latitude and longtitude tonight, though they may be the last. I feel quiet and calm now, thank God!”
3484 Christ’s Blood And Order
Thorwaldsen, the great Danish sculptor, portrays this scene in marble. In a church in Copenhagen stands his statue of the risen Christ with outstretched hands bearing the print of the nails and sending His disciples on their errand of peace. On each side of the church are six figures, representing the Twelve Apostles, in which group Paul takes the place of Judas.
To see the group as here represented makes a deep impression on the mind. Here is Christ, not on a cross, but ready for the Throne and yet scarred. The twofold message from His lips, according to John’s Gospel, is caught by the artist’s skill: “Peace be unto you” and, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” We have peace through His blood and apostleship through His example.
—David L. Currens
3485 Mr. Lo’s Joy
A young Chinese convert whose given name was Lo became greatly excited when he first read Matthew 28:20. As a newborn babe in Christ, he took the word “lo” to apply to him personally. Aglow with the joy of his newly-discovered partnership with God, he exclaimed, “Look, missionary, it says, “Lo, I am with you always!””
3486 His Jerusalem Not Won
D. L. Moody once met a young fellow on a train. This young man was bubbling over with the prospect of going to Africa and winning the heathen for Christ. Mr. Moody asked him a very pertinent question, “How many souls have you brought to the Lord here at home?” After a brief pause, he answered truthfully, “I do not know of one soul that I have won.”
—Gospel Herald
3487 Illustration From Electricity
A minister was discussing electricity with an electrician. “Is it true,” asked the minister, “that electricity cannot get into you unless it can get out of you?” “That’s absolutely right,” answered the electrician.
3488 Epigram On Great Commission
• The monument I want after I am dead is a monument with two legs going around the world—a saved sinner telling about the salvation of Jesus Christ.
—D. L. Moody
• When a young minister asked the Duke of Wellington whether he did not consider it useless to attempt to evangelize India, the Iron Duke sternly replied: “What are your marching orders, sir?”
—Prairie Overcomer