FORWARD!

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1598, 15 November 1912, Page 3

FORWARD!

[Bγ A.A.8.l When the Foreign Missions' report was presented at the Presbyterian _ As-tmbly there was a feeling of anticipation in the house. It was understood the convener of the committee, in charge of tho report had certain daring suggestions to maku. There he stood at the fable, his stalwart form looming, as it seomed, larger than ever; yet outwardly calm, placid, as if about to enter upon the most ordinary, mutter-of-fnet business, instead of leading,. as indeed he has done, the Church to tho shouldering of n responsibility so heavy as to savour of n fotlorn. hope. Yet, it is just in such ways thht Churches are made. Tho bearing <?f burdens brings strength. For this, and through it, tho Church' lives. The report contained full account of the many and various agencies in China, India, New Hebrides, and as the.treasurer of the Church remarked, when dc-aling with the recommendations of the report, there had been no time when money was more Urgently .wanted for the work through drain upon resources, in consequence ol the erection of buildings, for mission purposes. Tho convenor intimated, that threa women, with high nursing or medical qualification, were prepared to go out as missionaries. He further stated that the salaries of two of them had been guaranteed by two congregations. There remained the provision of their outfit and traveling expenses; yet in view of the need of those workers in different parts of tho field of the, Church's opera*' tions abroad, ho was prepared to recommend to the Assembly, provided any congregation would guarantee tho salary of the third worker over and above that congregation's ordinary giving for missions, that all three should'forthwith bo sent. At first sight there teemod no great venture of faith in this, until it was explained that the treasury was well-nigh empty. The treasurer, healthily to the fore in the matter, made it very plain that, in consequence of increased drain upon resources' through the annual advance of the church in. foreign mission activity, ■ the exchequer was nigh depletion. A treasurer may be eloquent, but it seems paradoxical to regard him as an orator. Yet the treasurer came very near the highest kind of oratory when stating simply, yet courageously, the facts of the case. Hβ declared in a voice which shook with emotion that, in view of the Church's high commission and its deep obligation, he could not do otherwise than sanction advance, One of tho most effective speeches was delivered by an honoured minister and father of the Church, who told of a farmer who took of his savings, won from a barren soil, to encourage a little church struggling with few members, to support its own foreign missionary. The help of the strong advocacy for a forward policy rendered by the convener of the Home Mission Committee, in an eloquent speech, was most chivalrous and kind. Also, the telling address of a medical missionary of the Church. Sis cheering hope-inspiring words, his siniplo faith, his very presence at the .table by.thoModerator's chair, all had their due effect in creating a wonderful enthusiasm, and when the Assembly rose, having pledged itself to the forward policy, it was as if the end in view were already accomplished. "