schools and Christian teaching are
necessary in their place, but they are second, not first. Our lack at
home of the right interpretation of Scripture, and our fading knowledge
in experience of the presence and power of Christ, have gone from us
round the world. Some boards are sending out as missionaries young men
who lack definite views of doctrine. These young men, having nothing
positive to preach, choose rather to teach in the English language, in
schools where English is spoken, rather than preach in the native
language which requires a lifetime of study. When they teach, they
cannot help revealing their mental poverty, and disturbing the simple
faith of their pupils. Having no certainty themselves, they can inspire
no certainty in others, for "if the trumpet gives no certain sound, who
will arm himself for the battle?" These unprepared and inefficient
teachers may become themselves converted through their very sense of
weakness in presence of the towering systems of idolatry and
superstition around them. But if they are not so converted, they will
handicap the mission and paralyze its influence. Some of our best
missionaries have said to me, "The Lord deliver us from such helpers!"
No man has a right to go, and no board has a right to send, as a
missionary, one who has not had such a personal experience of Christ as
will enable him to stand against this unscientific and unchristian
method of Scripture interpretation.

This so-called "historical method" has effects on the missionary cause
at home, as well as in the lands far away. "How shall they preach,
except they be sent?" The sending of missionaries is dependent upon the
zeal and liberality of the churches in our land. But how can one who is
not sure that Jesus ever uttered the words of the Great Commission urge
the churches to fulfil that command of Christ? How can one who has never
felt his own need of an atonement adjure his brethren, by Christ's death
for their sins, not to let the heathen perish? How can one who has had
no experience of Christ as a present and divine Saviour, have power to
stand against the rationalism and apathy of the church? This method of
Scripture interpretation makes evangelism an enterprise of fanatics not
sufficiently educated to know that Buddha and Confucius were teachers of
truth long before the time of Christ. Can we more surely dry up the
sources of missionary contributions, than by yielding to the pernicious
influence of thi