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of the Kingdom of Christ, for Bible societies are but the expression of the energy of the denominations in providing the Book upon the supply of which all missionary work depends. The circulation of Scriptures in the year 1905 by all the Bible societies was probably not far from 10,000,000 volumes, including, of course, the portions that are bound separately. Since circulation of the Bible is a pioneer work which extends missions, and since the extension of missions, with the inevitable. accompaniment of new translations which the Bible societies are called upon to publish, steadily enlarges the field for Bible colporteurs, these great figures of the annual circulation show from another angle the steady onward progress of the evangelistic enterprise. The most telling proofs of the Divine power of the Holy Scriptures are now to be found in the actual experience of Bible societies and missionary societies. Intelligent acceptance of the Bible teachings is now changing character and conduct in men of every race.

The Outlook

The simple revelation made by Jesus Christ of fundamental principles of life is still confronted by the ponderous ceremonials of Mohammedanism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and is without great apparent influence upon either. Its peculiarity is, however, becoming more and more apparent. Christ alone offers man a new life. Philosophies or the mere exigency of practical affairs can make men morally attractive; Christ only can make them morally stable. Moreover, this revelation sets men a-stooping to lift the lowest classes. The other great

religions are aristocratic, disdaining the common people and leaving them in ignorance. There are many indications that it is the elevation of ideals, and the education in right and truth of the masses which is at last to undermine Buddhism, Brahmanism, and Mohammedanism. The process has

already begun. The choice of foolish things to confound the wise can only originate in Supreme Wisdom.

Rev. Dr. C. H. Patton, of the American Board, lately remarked that "never before in our ninety-five years has the hand of God been more manifest in preparing the nations for Christ." This preparation of the great multitudes of paganism is the characteristic feature of any survey of missions at the close of 1905. In its relation to the Church at home it reminds one of the day on the mountain side by the Sea of Tiberias, when the Master saw the multitudes flocking about Him. Their numbers made the disciples dread the consequence of accepting any responsibility for the surging crowd, who did not know what they wished to gain from the Master. But Jesus said: "Give ye them to eat." Obedience was as impossible then as now, when the increasing burden of the multitudes who must be fed with the spiritual food is becoming a terror to those of little faith. Christians today have to learn the lesson of the aphorism that "doing what can't be done is the glory of living." When this truth is more fully appreciated, every survey of the state of the Kingdom, such as we have tried to make to-day will call out the joyful, thankful cry: "It is the Lord's doing and marvelous in our eyes "; while those who see will hasten to be obedient to the heavenly vision.

HAS THE FOREIGN MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE BEEN

DECLINING?

A STUDY OF THE PROGRESS OF AMERICAN FOREIGN MISSIONS

BY ROBERT E. SPEER, M.A.
Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions

Five years ago, when the new century was welcomed with all sorts of prophetical forecasts, there were many who said that the foreign missionary movement had reached its greatest development and would be sure now to subside. The conditions which had produced it and nourished it had changed. The motives to which it had appealed were dead or would soon die. The opening up of the world and the growth of communication among the peoples would bring each nation. into contact with the ideals and institutions of other nations without the necessity of religious embassies, and the study of comparative religion and the growing tolerance of the times would destroy the fever of propagandism which had led to the missionary fanaticism. There were many more things said and thought, and it would be interesting to enumerate and examine them, but the short road through all such discussion is the appeal to facts. Has the missionary enterprise been declining?

Ten years ago the MISSIONARY REVIEW published a series of statistical tables showing the growth of the leading American missionary societies by decades up to the year 1892. It is proposed herewith to bring these facts up to date, and to see what has been the movement of the last thirteen years. Have the funds given to foreign missions and the number of missionaries and the various agencies of the movement diminished, or has there been at continued growth? The tables which

are published herewith speak for themselves. They represent the leading missionary organizations in the United States. They do not include all. But they show on the part of the American missionary movement which they do represent a growth in missionaries from 2,481 to 3.776, and in contributions to the work from $4,181,327 to $5,807,165. Something has gone wrong with the despondent forecasts. of diminution and decay.

In almost every particular the tables show a great advance. But before turning to study them it will be worth while to summarize some of the evidences of strength and growth on the home side of the foreign mission effort. There has been a great advance in the matter of cooperation and friendly association among the boards. In 1893 the first conference of the officers of members of the Canadian and American missionary organizations was held. It was attended by 68 representatives of 23 boards and societies. The conference has been held each year since, with the exception of 1900. The conference held in New York in 1905 was under the auspices. of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society (Disciples), an organization which now has 154 missionaries and 312 native helpers and an income of $255.922.51, while in 1892 it had 63 missionaries and 37 native helpers, and an income of $70,320.84. At the 1905 conference 33 organizations were represented by 90 delegates. These meetings are a time of conference anu co

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what the Native Church ga 078; in 1905 it was $30,184; the latter was, in 1892, $30,511; in 1905, $128,910. e. Thisnt. An item, "Literature," for $1,672, is a special fund entirely met by sales of boo

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ordination, and they have solidified the missionary activities of the land into a firm unity. The omission of the conference in 1900 was due to the Ecumenical Missionary Conference which was held that spring in New York City. It was recognized as the greatest Christian assembly of modern times, and the most representative Christian assembly of any time. It demonstrated that of all the living forces going up into the new century none were more living or powerful than the missionary movement.

Among Young People

Another significant development of the past decade has been the growth in the study of missions. The Student Volunteer Movement, from whose ranks 2,357 missionaries have gone out since 1892, early began to promote the study of missions by the bands of student volunteers in colleges. It was soon seen that people, old and young, not in college, needed and would appreciate such careful study of the questions connected with missions, the non-Christian religions and the nonChristian nations, and plans for mission study classes in churches and text-books for their use have been produced in abundance. The membership of Student Volunteer study classes has grown from none in 1892 to 12,629 in 373 institutions in 1905, and many of the boards have established mission study departments with special secretaries in charge. And an interdenominational movement has grown up to provide for united study of missions on the part of all young people of the Churches, to develop their interest and to provide helps. This Young People's Missionary Movement grew out of a conference held in New York City in

1901, and is conducted by an executive committee made up of representatives of the boards. It holds summer conferences, local institutes, issues text-books, and labors to increase interest and gifts to their own boards on the part of the young people. The women's missionary organizations have united in similar effort. A joint committee, appointed at the time of the Ecumenical Conference, has issued a series of text-books and conducted a summer school at Northfield. Last summer 1,164 delegates attended the summer conferences of the young people and the women. It is estimated that there are now in the Young People's Movement classes in the churches 2,500 classes with 22,500 pupils enrolled. The Student Volunteer Movement text-books have reached a total issue of about 200,000; the women's, 250,000; and the young people's, 180,000. A clearer perception of the importance of reaching the Sundayschools has come to the missionary leaders. A few organizations had already seen this, and they are reaping the reward of their foresight. In 1892 the Protestant Episcopal Society, which includes both home and foreign missions, received from the Sundayschools $68,399, and in 1905, $121,138. In 1892 the Methodist Episcopal Society, North, also covering both home and foreign missions, received $398,576, and in 1905, $484,322. Other societies and boards are beginning to see the possibilities of this field. Various boards have established, since 1892, Young People's Departments to care for these problems.

Another advance has been made in the more careful selection and instruction of new missionaries. Not only has the number of missionaries in

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