WORLD MISSIONARY CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 883, 1 August 1910, Page 5

WORLD MISSIONARY CONFERENCE.

v. '"'' t — '—— '■' SERMON BY THE REV! \V.- SHIRER. Preaching at St'.. James's Presbyterian Church yesterday, the Rev. \\'. Shirer referred to the World Missionary Conference, held in Edinburgh in June. King George V had sent a message of interest and sympathetic appreciation, and Edinburgh University had bestowed honorary degree's on several delegates. The Archbishop of Canterbury attended the conference, and delivered an impressive address. Twelve hundred delegates attended. Some had contrasted the; lirst council of Jerusalem and this conference; the relative elaims of the local and limited with.the 'universal. : There .were discouragers in «vcry ; good work, pleading home claims .or. that the wide field was too great to be occupied. There were encouragers also who even more clearly saw. difficulties, but decided to go forward. The "Scotsman," by leading articles '■ and full reports,' had aided the conference, and ably met adverso criticism of missions. "The day is past," wrote that newspaper, "when men deemed it ■ right thing to sneer" at missions." Conference arrangements were effectively practical, and the limit of. seven minutes for speakers led to "masterpieces of concentrated thoughtfulncss," says one paper. ' , It would he well, said the preacher, for those opposed to Christian Missions to read such records as are provided by this conference, aud tho volumes presently to he issued. Tnir! is great, the. Gospel wdl yet prevail, and Christianity will be final and universal. The total rovenuo for ono year for work among non-Christian peoples was £5.071,225. The tabulated'details concerning tho number of workers and membership are full of deepest interest.