^PORVAN Z itch is a sophisti- " cated family-pampered, uni versity-educated, social-conscious member of an old-line church. Torvan’s great grandfather was one of the founders. His Uncle Ransom was the first missionary sent out by the church. Dear Un cle Ransom makes a prized por trait in the old homestead occu pied by Grandfather Zitch. His eyes, painted a pale blue by a photographer who didn’t know they were green with a gray cast, haunts everybody who stands be neath the portrait, while Grand father Zitch recounts how Ran som went to Africa, planted a church somewhere. Then he went on to another village where they
lectually, however, he has become antagonistic to the missionary concept. Third Avenue Bibloni- ans are fanatics who are always sending somebody somewhere. This takes time, money, and ef fort, and diverts talented musi cians, trained teachers, skilled surgeons and Torvan’s capable contemporaries into pathetic, pre-defeated wet nurses to hea then with thick skulls, hideous diseases, and contemptible hate for those who come to help them. Torvan Zitch has become a cru sader. He insists that he is proud of his heritage in Third Avenue Biblonian. He is also proud of Uncle Ransom, although he con siders him a misguided zealot. ' i •' —
time, and now they' discover they disagree with the whole idea of missions. “What are we doing in these barren spots of the world?” asked Torvan in a scorching let ter to the Board of Foreign Mis sions. “We have not accomplished our purpose. We are not wanted there. We are intruders into a culture we do not understand. Our only authority is an old edict, ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.’ The world was much different then.” Torvan’s Crusaders made their first organized effort when they walked out on a missionary who was home on furlough and spoke
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planted him, sans flesh, for Ran som had wandered in among can nibals. Torvan always fidgets at the story. He reckons it all as unnec essary and probably exaggerated. He secretly believes that Uncle Ransom was bitten by a mosquito and died of malaria. He is con founded as to why Ransom went to Africa anyhow. Torvan had little choice as to church. He accepted that it was his parents’ right and responsi bility to select a church for him. He does not dislike Third Ave nue Biblonian Church. Pastor Timot is warm, genuine, and an interesting speaker. As Torvan has grown physically and intel
Torvan raised his hand to heaven and declared he believes every thing the church teaches, but he says he is not convinced the church, the missionary commit tee, and the Board of Foreign Missions has any right to send men, women, and families into stinking jungles, dreary villages, and diseased populations. Torvan, a persuasive leader, has gathered an army. Many of the new crusaders have uncles, aunts, and assorted relatives in missionary service. Many o f them nodded their heads when a mis sionary-relative asked them, “ You’ll want to be a missionary when you grow up, won’t you?” They were seven or eight at the
to the congregation. The next ef fort was more dramatic. Torvan Zitch and company sat down in the center aisle while the dea cons passed the plates for the missionary offering. Now Zitch is planning to stage a rally with a Liberalarian and two Commudarians joining in a “preach in.” Last Sunday morn ing Zitch burned his offering en velopes in front of the church. The Board of Home Missions is talking with Zitch about being chairman o f the Committee on New Procedures. He is also be ing considered by the Ecueman- arian Council as a special Am bassador to the Upper Gazanna to promote peace on earth.
SEPTEMBER, 1966
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