USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Westerville > Three quarters of a century of triumph : seventy-fifth anniversary report and board meeting, Westerville, Ohio, November 11-13, 1930 > Part 2
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15
PAST TRIUMPHS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
we adopted the policy of basing our appropriations on our receipts for the previous year. For two years this proved quite satisfactory, because our receipts were sufficiently large to enable us to carry out our program. The industrial depression of the past year, however, has affected our general benevolence receipts and is seriously threatening our present plan of work.
Our receipts for current work for the past six years have been as follows:
Benevolences
W.M.A.
Specials
1925
$74,845.67
$74,476.13 75,800.89
$11,714.4I
1926
69,516.99
10,504.77
1927
70,549.69
77,789.44
14,279.12
1928
70,036.08
78,607.09
12,046.36
1929-
66,351.20
77,848.1I
17,221.48
1930 (9 months)
42,002.37
56,433.35.
12,869.50
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It will be seen from this that we have been operating under a falling benevolence budget. Our specials show an increase the past few years but not enough to offset our losses from other sources.
We, therefore, face this unhappy dilemma of either readjusting our program of work and our appropriations, in keeping with our receipts, or of incurring another burdensome debt. I believe the Board ought to follow its policy of basing its appropriations for the new year on the receipts of the past year.
We closed our books last year with a small over-draft of $5,661.41 in our cur- rent work. Our budget and appropriations for this year were arranged with the hope of avoiding a repetition, but the last two months have shown a sharp decline and threaten to involve us again.
FUNDS
The Permanent Fund of the Society amounts to $59,275. The income from this source is used for our foreign. appropriation and current work, except where the fund itself specifies the project for which the income shall be used.
Our Annuity agreements (bonds) total $26,774.80. These are invested in mortgages or Building and Loan Associations where the income approximately equals the interest guaranteed the annuitant. In this way the interest of the annuitant is protected as long as he or she may live.
There is a balance of $61,514.34 in the Special Building Fund. The bequests received during the year will be credited to the General Building Fund.
Through the splendid services of Mr. Donald McCreery, our attorney in Col- orado, and Dr. W. R: Funk, agent for the Society in the Clark Estate, the Society realized another $5,000. They are sure the estate will more than reimburse the Society for the money it advanced during the litigation.
Each year our receipts include bequests or legacies from those who are deeply interested in the work and want part of their estate to go toward promoting the spread of the Gospel in non-Christian lands. Our pastors and the attorneys in our churches, can assist the various causes and institutions of the Church by suggesting to those who have estates to dispose of, to make bequests in their wills to said causes and institutions. More and better literature on this way of helping these worthy interests must be prepared and circulated among our people.
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THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY OF TRIUMPH
PUBLICATIONS
During the year various books, periodicals, circulars, and leaflets, were pre- pared or purchased and sent out to pastors, conventions, institutes, and con- ference groups. "The Story of The Missionary Dollar," has had a circulation of many thousands. A leaflet entitled "Lands, Buildings, and Equipment List," was circulated among pastors and special donors. There were two issues of "Mis- sionary Catechism for United Brethren." The first edition numbered 10,000 and is entirely sold out. The second edition numbered 5,000. Many of these have already been disposed of also. Other mission study books and periodicals were introduced and sold in our efforts to create a mission-minded Church.
We wish to express our appreciation again to the editors and publisher of our church periodicals for the splendid way they presented the news and needs of the work through their columns. They often took special pains to arrange the matter in the most attractive and appealing way. It is difficult to conceive how the Church would be kept adequately informed if these columns were not open to the Departments.
HOME CULTIVATION
The rapidly expanding world in which we live is making such demands upon the time and energy of the Church that many in it are confused and bewildered with the maze of things. The temporal and ephemeral have usurped the eternal and spiritual. Again there are so many varied and attractive interests bidding for one's time that the ordinary method of presentation no longer makes the appeal it did in years gone by. New methods of approach must be added to the best in use today if we are going to reach and inform the rank and file of our church folk.
A careful study of promotional methods used by other Boards reveals the fact that the best and most successful have been conferences and institutes, with small groups of pastors and laymen which reached down in some cases to the local church. Some of the British societies have had unusual success with this method. It has not been tried out in America with the same thoroughness, partly because of the wide expanse of territory which churches must cover here. If certain sections of the Church could be cultivated in such fashion this year and other sections in like fashion in other years, I am convinced that it would produce a marked change in the attitude of the Church toward missions.
The immediate plans for the promotion of our Seventy-fifth Anniversary period next quarter includes the publication of our annual reports with such other data and information as should be included in a Seventy-fifth Anniversary issue. This will be for study during the month of February and the first week in March. The pageant also will be given wide circulation and congregations are urged to put on the various episodes on succeeding Sundays. A program and order of service will be prepared for use in local churches on Anniversary Sunday, March 8, when the Anniversary Offering will be lifted. In addition to this the Executive Committee recommends that arrangements be made to have the pageant pre- sented in various United Brethren centers during our promotional period next quarter under the direction .of someone from the office who can give time and attention to local participants. I am sure that it has a mission and message which the whole church should have.
We have been assured space in our various church periodicals and have already planned for articles and contributions of one kind or another for that period. Many thousands will be reached through the pages of this literature.
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PAST TRIUMPHS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
THE OFFERING
According to former action the Anniversary Offering will be set aside as a fund to pension retiring missionaries, especially those who are ineligible to the benefits of our present Ministerial Pension. We have one worker on the field who has served there for thirty-eight years; another for thirty-six years. There are others who have been in the service for twenty-five years or more. The date for the offering is Sunday, March 8. During our promotional period it will be stressed with a view of reaching a goal of at least $1,000 for each year of service abroad. If such a sum can be secured the income therefrom will provide for our pension needs for some time to come. A special committee ought to be appointed or the Executive Committee authorized to prepare a Missionary Pension Plan and sub- mit it to the next annual meeting of the Board.
THE FUTURE
Africa. Today its entire expanse, except Liberia on the west and Abyssinia on the east is under the control of European powers. These powers have deliber- ately undertaken the occupation and partition of its vast area in spite of the fact that it was occupied by millions of human beings. This invasion has produced losses which seem almost ruthless in their results. A racial consciousness is de- veloping throughout the continent which is making it more difficult to carry out their original schemes. Can these processes of conquest go on and civilization maintain its soul? Can we preserve the principles of Christ which ought to govern in all relations between black and white if we do not insist upon their practice now while the changes are taking place? We must evangelize Africa, but in evangelizing her we must insist that any oppressive or demoralizing methods or measures used by foreign powers shall be modified and made to conform with the practices and principles of the Christian order.
China. Although China is rent by civil war, plundered by bandits, and har" rowed by Communism, yet the nation survives and the work of modernizing the republic of the Far East goes on. Now and again radical elements dominate certain portions of the government or country and threaten everything foreign, especially Christian Missions, but the work does not stop. Interrupted? Of course, but not stopped. Now is the time to help China because China is chang- ing. We must not allow the forces of evil to be more zealous and sacrificial than the forces of righteousness. This is Christianity's opportunity in China. We must improve it.
Japan. The hour is striking in Japan. Never has there been a more auspicious time to support missions in the Island Empire than now. With one of the most intensive, thoughtful, and deeply devout evangelistic campaigns that a new mis- sion church ever put on permeating the whole Christian order in Japan, it is our divine obligation to support it by prayer and means in every possible way. When God moves in such an unusual way upon the hearts of men it is our prerogative and duty to move too.
The Philippines. This is our youngest mission project yet it has more than doubled the membership of any other one of our mission fields. The work here is rapidly becoming our first self-propagating, self-directing, and self-supporting mission project. The Filipinos deserve our fullest cooperation and support in their ambition to become the first truly Christian people in the Orient.
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THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY OF TRIUMPH
Porto Rico. This small island with its severe economic problem, is destined together with its sister islands to play an important part in the future of North and South America. The group connects the two great continents by its mixture of both. The people are Latin American in origin and temperament. In govern- ment and institutions they are modeled after Protestant North America. If this mingling, guided by the Spirit of Christ, can be carried on successfully here it can be on the two continents also. Christian missions in the Islands are having a prominent part in this work. Future possibilities make it an important mission field.
Beyond the immediate mission stations we are now serving, are hundreds of other towns and villages which need to be reached. In Kono alone there are 80,000 people. In the Ifugao and Kalinga divisions of Mountain Province, Philip- pines, there are more than 100,000. In China the unreached in the communities beyond our present mission stations number more than a million. Chiba District in Japan, for which we are responsible, has 200,000. But there are other sections just as neglected and unreached. Porto Rico, too, has its unevangelized mountain barrios. There seems to be no limit to the people beyond. The next twenty-five years will provide opportunities sufficient to challenge and stir our faith.
THE LAST QUARTER
Our leaders scored well in the first three quarters. They played a good game. They fought valiantly. This meeting announces the beginning of the last quarter. Before it is over we shall all come to realize that one of our big responsibilities is to make the past a success. Our forefathers have pushed the line far out in the enemy's territory. But no matter how far advanced it may be, no score is made until it is carried across. What will we, the men, women, and youth of this gen- eration, do to carry the cause still farther across the field of the enemy until hu- manity at last reaches the goal and crowns Him King of kings and Lord of lords?
The distance ahead seems immeasurable. The opposition is trained by an experience of conflict with men and women equal to its craftiness. No mediocre endeavor will win. It is a life and death struggle. But it is not more than our Lord gave. It is not more than our forefathers sacrificed. The ground we occupy today, we occupy because somebody's life blood went into the struggle. I refuse, my very soul rebels at the thought of resting secure in what was done without adding my quota of life and blood to the struggle. I never want a succeeding generation to point back and say of this generation, they were small souled men, they lacked .courage, they feared their hide. No! rather let it be said they died for the cause, but they made progress. They embodied more of Him than the world could withstand. Their faces were as the face of an angel. And their hearts were hot with a passion of love like the heart of the Galilean.
Today we face the beginning of the last quarter of this great century of missions. The signal has been given. "Go ye." We must carry the cross. We must herald the story. We must help to win Africa and China, Japan and the islands of the sea for Him.
He has given us also this word of honor, "Lo, I am with you always," and "Behold, I go before you." He is already in Africa, hungry and unfed. With bleeding feet He walks the war-strewn villages and fields of China waiting for someone to come. By the crowded streets of a jostling Japan He waits. Among the lonely forests in Ifugao and Kalinga He drags His weary way in the hope that someone will come. With the poverty stricken Porto Ricans He sits, looking for
19
PAST TRIUMPHS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
men and women to bear witness of Him. If we would realize the joy of His abiding presence then we must be there too, not perhaps in body, but in spirit. Assured of His fellowship in this forward march of the Church, we plight ourselves anew to Him, and to the task our forefathers handed us, knowing that He who called us "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," even Jesus Christ our Lord.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL G. ZIEGLER.
The Benguet Trail leading into Mountain Province, Philippine Islands
1
THE NATIVE CHURCH LOOKING FORWARD
To the Members of the Foreign Mission Board, United Brethren in Christ, Greetings:
In the winter of 1855, the Church of the United Brethren in Christ sent forth its first ambassadors to foreign lands. The Church was small in numbers, but the faith of a few of the leaders of the Church was great. The report returned was of such a nature that it gripped the hearts of many, and Foreign Missions became a fact in our church.
Much could be said about those early years when the workers were few in number and when they were invalided home because of an unfriendly climate. There were many interruptions-years when there were no missionaries on the field to look after the interests of the church. Years when the indifference Rev. J. F. Musselman of the people they had come to help was a barrier to the progress or onward march of the Church. But there dawned a day when, by God's help, conditions were changed and the work took on signs of permanency.
The raid of 1898 cut everything down and many redeemed sons and daughters of Africa joined the ranks of the noble army of martyrs. The Gospel that saved them held them true to its lofty ideals and sustained them as they marched to their death with the Christian assurance that He who had begun a good work in them was able to bring it to completion.
Many who escaped with their lives found their way to different parts of the country and never returned. Thus the early church in Sierra Leone was scattered, and the church at home made sad. Grave doubts took possession of many as to whether the work should be continued. Thank God the bitter sorrow could not turn God's people aside and, in less than a year, plans were on foot to return to Sierra Leone and again take up the struggle against sin and darkness.
For thirty years since then there has been an earnestness manifested that has scarcely a parallel in the missionary annals of the Church. During this latter period the church has sent ninety-two of its best young people in answer to the challenge from the field. Many suffered from the effects of the climate and acting upon expert medical advice, returned to the homeland; others returned home for family reasons. But all contributed their quota to the work of the church in Sierra Leone.
In presenting a report of the work, our first note must be one of praise and thanksgiving to our Father for the many evidences of His continued guidance in our work in spite of the chequered experiences which have marked the period under review.
Definite plans were laid at the last annual meeting to forge ahead and, in spite of depressing financial conditions, the conference accepted a program to advance on all lines. Just how well we are measuring up to our possibilities and what gains we are making, will be evident at the end of the year.
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THE NATIVE CHURCH LOOKING FORWARD
ECONOMIC SITUATION
The present economic situation is most depressing and retrenchment is the order of the day in various governmental departments, trading firms, and some missions. Many men are out of employment, and produce which formed the major part of our export has little or no sale in Europe. The result is that there is a limited amount of currency in circulation and a host of people are eking out a bare existence.
In the midst of this chaotic condition, we are trying to steady our people and to encourage them to undertake great things for God, to hold on to His faithfulness, and to rediscover those few and simple things by which alone Christian souls and Christian churches live. God is not unwilling to bless us, but He will not permit us any unworthy form of success. The doors of opportunity are open to the Sierra Leone church and we are anxious she should not fail in this day of grace. That noble effort has been made can be seen by the contribution of $11,240.50 by the native church, towards its support; and in addition, $6,521.25 was contributed for education and an additional $4,056.00 toward the maintenance of the medical work. The Academy workshops reported an income of $6,693.59. The total amount contributed for all purposes during 1929 was $28,511.34. We wish it might be more, and look forward to the time when the native church will meet the obligations in full. There is a fine spirit of cooperation and the ministers recognize how they can attain to full self-support and are trying by helpful teach- ing and preaching to bring their people into full realization of what it will mean to their community and to Sierra Leone if the native church honors the Lord by combining courage and consecration. We have the promise that the windows of heaven will be opened in blessing when the tithes are brought into the Lord's storehouse, and know that church fidelity will soon be followed by spiritual blessing.
Following our seventy-fifth anniversary, we feel that we are opening a new chapter in our Sierra Leone mission. We feel that the courage and zeal of United Brethren in Africa should be more equal to the desire of our churches in America, for the progress of the work. We are sure we shall not be disappointed, and it will be pleasing to our Lord and Master to see African and American souls striving together for the salvation of the unevangelized in the hinterland of Sierra Leone.
We also have plans on foot whereby the native District Leaders will have larger responsibility in the administration of the churches and schools on their circuits. Our desire is not to ruthlessly thrust hardship upon the native pastors before they grasp the true situation, but, by careful guidance, to bring them to a realization of the exalted privilege that awaits them of leading their people into larger and fuller fellowship with the Lord.
Our most difficult work seems to be to get people to realize spiritual values and individual obligations and responsibilities. It is not unusual to get people to accept a program of advance while enthusiasm runs high, at an Annual Conference or at a District meeting; but the follow-up work of putting the theory one has learned into actual practice in every day life, is the big job that confronts the native leadership of the conference.
THE NATIVE CHURCH LOOKING FORWARD
The call to service comes to the individual who is in direct and proper relation- ship with Christ. We are in a world where the Master's work needs to be done, and it cannot be done satisfactorily by a few small groups. The command is not
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THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY OF TRIUMPH
to a few, but to the Church of Christ. It is said of Christ that "When he saw the multitude scattered as sheep having no shepherd, he was moved with compassion." Our aim is to have the native church so enthused with the evangelistic note to the end that both ministers and laymen may learn to do the work of evangelists.
We are now operating at 57 stations, have 34 organized churches, 25 native ministers, 52 in training for the ministry, 112 teachers who assist in conducting service at 2,147 different centers within the bounds of our conference. During the year 1929, III, 119 souls heard the preaching of the Word through United Brethren Mission agencies. We are not satisfied, and are striving for that form of
The African Conference-1930
voluntary service that will enlist the entire church and so enthuse its members that, as they go forth in glad, willing service, there will be a hearty contagion and people will know that the form of service which brings the greatest happiness consists in doing good to others. Our aim is to so keep the evangelistic note before the people that our membership will be doubled every two years. The Spirit of God is moving upon the hearts of men all over the Sierra Leone field and we want our people to stand where they can do effective work in gathering the fruit.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our program of education has been revised from time to time to cooperate with other societies and with the government. We have always stood ready to cooperate in any movement that would tend to unify and simplify our school work and at the same time remain Christian. Frequent changes in the Education Department of the government have meant frequent changes of plans and pro- grams.
Two years ago the Director of Education brought forward a plan that was thought by some to be adequate to meet the needs and that it would solve many
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THE NATIVE CHURCH LOOKING FORWARD
problems for years to come. This plan included a central training school where all teachers for the Protectorate schools were to be trained, as well as clerks and artisans. The school was declared open in September, 1929, and was closed in April, 1930, the plan and program being set aside indefinitely.
At a meeting of the Education Committee in August, the 1924 Education Code was revised and passed to the Legislative Council for adoption, with the under- standing that the Code and its rules would be considered temporary until such time when the Director of Education would present a new Code and a new pro- gram. We are now carrying on under former rules and regulations similar to those in force for the past five years.
The whole educational work is on a broad basis and our one aim in every department is to prepare the boys and girls for service such as will be effective among their people. In our Boarding Schools every child is supposed to assist in the work. The boys are taught best methods of farming and gardening. Some in the higher standard are taught carpentry. The girls are taught home crafts and how to manage a home, their instruction including cooking, sewing, laundry work, etc. Every subject included in the curriculum is there to help prepare the pupil to be first a Christian and next a good citizen.
I fear I will consume too much space if I begin to write of the standing of Harford School. Our missionaries are rather too modest in their statements of this institution. There are at present 135 girls enrolled and the staff consists of seven native teachers besides the three missionaries. The girls consume three hundred bushels of rice in a year besides quantities of fish and beef. They do all their work in the kitchen, dining room, laundry, dormitories, make all their cloth- ing, attend school five hours a day for five days a week, and have time to play. This institution pays all its running expenses, salaries of the native teachers, and insurance on the building. It is self-supporting in that it pays everything except the missionaries' salaries.
A splendid spirit prevails in all the departments at Albert Academy. We prize the Academy because of the facilities for development in the workshops as well as for the spiritual atmosphere of the class rooms. The record of the institution for the past year is most commendable.
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