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Editorial
March 19, 1896
Baptist Courier
Greenville, Columbia, Greenville County, Richland County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
The editorial addresses the severe financial pressures on the Foreign Mission Board of a Christian denomination, questioning causes like declining piety, leadership neglect, or flawed methods, and urges members to meet obligations, seek divine guidance from March 29th to April 5th, and implement timely reforms to avoid collapse. Signed by Chas. Manly.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
OUR FOREIGN MISSIONS.
It is evident that our Foreign Mission Board, as is true of the missionary society of every other Christian body, is confronted with the probability of most serious financial embarrassment at the close of our missionary year. It is certainly much more than the usual stress that we expect to hear of each successive spring.
Is it right for this state of pressure and anxiety to continue, and even to grow steadily greater, as it has done year after year? To many of our best and most thoughtful people, this does not seem right. More and more the conviction grows that it ought not to be so, and must not continue. Some practicable remedy must be found; or in a few years our mission enterprises will be a wreck, and the denomination will be involved in humiliating embarrassment.
Can any one tell us the cause or causes of this serious condition of our affairs? If so, let us all be willing to hear him. Let the truth be spoken, frankly and in brotherly spirit.
Is it that the piety of the body of our people has materially declined? Do we really love our Saviour and his cause less than heretofore?
Have those to whom the people look for leadership, really neglected to keep this great interest earnestly before them? What is true of you—brother pastor, particularly?
Is there indeed some radical or even important change, in our methods of work, on the mission fields or at home, that is now in order? If so, let us have it candidly, strongly presented to us.
What are we to do, now?
1. Let each of us earnestly strive to provide means to meet all existing obligations.
2. Let us all sincerely seek divine guidance, especially from March 29th to April 5th for those who will direct our mission methods, in adopting what is wise and right for the existing state of facts.
If changes are to be made, let them be anticipated and provided for, before we are driven to them by the stern logic of events.
Where are the "men of Issachar," who have "understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do?"
CHAS. MANLY.
It is evident that our Foreign Mission Board, as is true of the missionary society of every other Christian body, is confronted with the probability of most serious financial embarrassment at the close of our missionary year. It is certainly much more than the usual stress that we expect to hear of each successive spring.
Is it right for this state of pressure and anxiety to continue, and even to grow steadily greater, as it has done year after year? To many of our best and most thoughtful people, this does not seem right. More and more the conviction grows that it ought not to be so, and must not continue. Some practicable remedy must be found; or in a few years our mission enterprises will be a wreck, and the denomination will be involved in humiliating embarrassment.
Can any one tell us the cause or causes of this serious condition of our affairs? If so, let us all be willing to hear him. Let the truth be spoken, frankly and in brotherly spirit.
Is it that the piety of the body of our people has materially declined? Do we really love our Saviour and his cause less than heretofore?
Have those to whom the people look for leadership, really neglected to keep this great interest earnestly before them? What is true of you—brother pastor, particularly?
Is there indeed some radical or even important change, in our methods of work, on the mission fields or at home, that is now in order? If so, let us have it candidly, strongly presented to us.
What are we to do, now?
1. Let each of us earnestly strive to provide means to meet all existing obligations.
2. Let us all sincerely seek divine guidance, especially from March 29th to April 5th for those who will direct our mission methods, in adopting what is wise and right for the existing state of facts.
If changes are to be made, let them be anticipated and provided for, before we are driven to them by the stern logic of events.
Where are the "men of Issachar," who have "understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do?"
CHAS. MANLY.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Foreign Missions
Financial Embarrassment
Christian Piety
Missionary Reform
Leadership Neglect
Divine Guidance
What entities or persons were involved?
Foreign Mission Board
Chas. Manly
Men Of Issachar
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Financial Crisis And Reform In Foreign Missions
Stance / Tone
Urgent Call For Reflection And Action
Key Figures
Foreign Mission Board
Chas. Manly
Men Of Issachar
Key Arguments
Financial Embarrassment In Missionary Societies Is Worsening Beyond Usual Seasonal Stress.
Pressure And Anxiety Must Not Continue; A Remedy Is Needed To Prevent Wreck Of Missions.
Possible Causes: Declining Piety, Less Love For Saviour, Leadership Neglect By Pastors.
Need For Changes In Mission Methods At Home Or Abroad.
Actions: Provide Means For Obligations, Seek Divine Guidance March 29th April 5th.
Anticipate Changes Before Forced By Events.