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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
June, 1933
{A r o u n d THE K ING ’S TABLE _____________ . . . B y the E ditor
The Way he sim plic ity o f the Christian life was borne in upon us recently while reading o f the experience of a missionary who engaged a guide to take him across a desert country. When the two men arrived at the edge o f the desert, the missionary, looking ahead, saw before him the trackless sands without a single footprint or road o f any kind. Turn ing to his guide, he asked in a tone o f surprise, “ Where is the road?” With a reproving glance, the guide replied, “ I am the road.” To those who can receive it, this is the sum and sub-, stance o f the Christian life. It immediately suggests the words of John 14:6: “ I am the way, the truth, and the life : no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” Christ is a path, If any be misled; 1 He is a robe, If any needy be; If any chance to hunger, He is bread; If any be a bondsman, He sets free; If any be but weak, How strong is He I To dead men, life He is. To sick men health; To blind men sight, And to the needy wealth— A pleasure without loss, A treasure without stealth. ple will be asking the question, “ What next?” From our high schools, academies, and colleges, there will come an army o f young men and young women, with all the eager ness and enthusiasm o f youth. Some of them are possessed o f high ideals and strong purpose; others will be caught in the current of things and will d rift; the future of the more fortunate may be mapped out by mature minds, while that o f others will be shaped by the compelling circumstances of life. It is a time o f crisis, a time when wise counsel is of inestimable value. Parents and friends, pastors and teach ers have their opportunity at this point. In raising this question, we have in mind particularly our Christian young people, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and who have committed themselves to Him, desiring that His purpose should be wrought out in their lives. T o all such, this question, “ What next?” is of vital importance. They must face world conditions, things as they really are from the spir itual point o f view. Two-thirds of all the people in the world have not yet heard of our Lord. The name o f Jesus, although exalted above all other names, has not once been spoken in the presence o f this vast multitude. They are in darkness and the shadow of death, knowing nought of Him who has “ brought life and incorruptibility to light through the gospel.” This o f itself constitutes á tremen dous challenge. Because of this existing condition, the voice o f God is still saying, “ Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” From those who seek for name or fame, for place or position, for gain or gratification, no answer can be expected. But from those whose hearts God has touched with His saving grace, the response must com e: What Next? t th is season o f the year, thousands o f young peo
“ Here am I ; send me.” Either in person, or prayer, or purse— “ all should go and go to all.” In other words, the Christian’s purpose o f life must be squared with the pur pose o f God expressed in the commission to evangelize the world. The best reply to the Appraisal Report of the self-ap pointed Foreign Missions Inquiry Commission will be .found not in verbal protests by individuals or organizations, but in raising up an army of young people from our evan gelical churches and sending them out properly equipped for the great warfare against the powers of darkness. This will necessitate adequate preparation, for it is quality— spiritual quality— that counts. Preparation o f heart and mind through the knowledge of God’s Word and the anointing o f His Spirit is the outstanding requirement. The knowledge o f history, languages, and literature has its proper place in the Christian worker’s equipment, but this without the evangelistic purpose and passion has no spiritual value. The Bible Institutes of America, raised up o f God dur ing the past forty years, afford splendid opportunity for a Bible education and training in Christian service. They are scattered all across the continent, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, in Los Angeles, M in n eap o lis , Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, Providence, and other cities. A course in any one o f these Bible schools does not necessarily imply Christian work as a vocation. Many o f the students in these Institutes enter some field o f Christian activity at home or abroad, while others return to their churches and communities equipped for greater usefulness as Sunday-school superintendents or teachers, and as leaders in community and parish activities, thereby strengthening the hands of their pastors. In view o f these things, the question is pertinent: “ What next?” The Missionary Conference uring the week o f April 16 to 23, the Church o f the Open Door, Los Angeles, held its annual missionary con ference under the direction o f Pastor Louis T. Talbot. This annual gathering is recognized as one o f the out standing features o f the Church and Institute life. Representatives o f faith missions were present from all parts o f the world who, through the presentation o f mis sionary facts, kindled anew the missionary fires. During the morning hours, two series o f addresses were given by Rev. J. E. Mallis, o f the Ceylon and India General Mission, and Rev. Albert Hughes, of the Sudan Interior Mission. Other messages were brought by Rev. and Mrs. C. H. Judd and Rev. and Mrs. T. D. Payne, representing the China Inland Mission, Rev. W . C. Townsend, o f the Central American Mission, Rev. H. P. Ogilvie, o f the Sudan In terior Mission, Mrs. Harvey King, o f the Africa Inland Mission, and Mrs. Van V . Eddings, of the Orinoco River Mission. On the last day o f the feast, an appeal was made for an amount sufficient to meet the needs for support of twenty- seven missionary workers for whom the Church of the Open Door assumes responsibility. The closing service, attended by approximately three thousand people, will not soon be forgotten. In response to the presentation o f missionary need and opportunity, more than three hundred young people went forward as
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