The conquering Christ

Front matter

as:

The Bible Study Union Lessons

The

Foreword

The greatest concern of the people of the world to-day is religion. For this they make the largest sacrifices and to this they give, the largest proportion of their time and thought. We comprehend in this statement every form of religion be-

^lieved in and practised by the races of the world. The religions of the world constitute together the overmastering force directing and controlling men in their social, intellectual and national development. All races have been made what they are by the molding power of their beliefs.

As never before in the history of mankind we, as a nation, are studying great international problems. The commercial world is investigating the developing Oriental trade, the diplomatic world the national emergence of the Asiatics, and the Christian world is inquiring diligently regarding the religious faiths and practices of the non-Christian races.

The greatest and most timely subject for investigation and study is the subject of religion and the greatest conquests yet to be won on earth will be won in the realm of religion. This supreme conquest is now in process and constitutes in itself a new Acts of the Apostles covering the century and embracing the nations of the earth.

As absolute proof of the resistless power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as an assurance that this Gospel comprises in itself the essentials of all religions, but more than this, that it adequately reveals the mind and heart of God as shown in the Christ revealed for a world redemption, for inspiring the world vision demanded by our times, for creating a world sympathy demanded by our new international contacts, and for leading to world effort demanded by our imperial Christian faith, these lessons hold supreme place.

No conceivable topic or series of topics could be more pregnant with interest, information, inspiration and an abiding faith, than these lessons covering the great religions of the world and placing upon His throne of divine supremacy the " Conquering Christ."

Rev. James L. Barton, D.D.,

Secretary American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston.

Hi

Introduction

Pages Foreword ........... iii

Table of Contents .......... iv-vi

Character and Method of the Course ....... vii

Directions for Study ......... viii

Part I. LESSON TITLES AND SUBJECTS

NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY COMPARED.

S

A presentation of their principal tenets, their ethical value, their power for good or evil, the character of their adherents, the ground they afford for a Christian approach, and the points at which they prove inferior to Christianity.

f Lesson 12.

Religion in General.

Its Universality and Purpose The Religion of the Hindus.

The Bondage of India ....

Reform Movements in Hinduism.

A Struggle for Freedom ....

The Teaching of Buddha.

A Religion of Pessimism ....

A Chinese Philosopher and his Work.

Lao Tzu and Taoism .....

Confucius and his Followers.

A Religion of Ethics .....

Shintoism, the Native Religion of Japan.

Its Influence in the Sunrise Kingdom The Monotheism of Israel.

A Study of Modern Judaism The Prophet of Allah.

Beliefs and Fruits of Mohammedanism .

A Degenerate Christianity.

Catholicism in Latin America Minor Religions of Mission Lands.

Forces which Cannot be Neglected The Gospel of a New Era.

Present World Status of Christianity Religious Values and Forces.

Review of the Comparative Study of Religions

iv

Table of Contents v

Part II. MODERN PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY

A sketch of its extension among the nations of the world; of the geographical, social and religious characteristics of the several fields; of the various problems that arise and of the manner in which the missionaries meet them; and -finally of the present opportunities and outlook — the whole introducing at appropriate points concise biographies of notable missionary heroes.

* Lesson 14. The Problems of Africa.

The Country, People, Language, and Political Conditions 85

/Lesson 15. The Redemption of Africa.

Christian Forces in the Dark Continent .... 92

Lesson 16. The Struggle in India.

The Gospel in Contact with Hinduism .... 99

Lesson 17. Burma and Assam.

Work where the Message is Welcome .... 106 Lesson 18. The Awakening of China.

Influence of the Occident upon the Orient . . .113

Lesson 19. The Winning of China.

Christianity upon Chinese Territory . . . .119

Lesson 20. The Conflict in Japan.

Christianity vs. a Self-satisfied Atheism . . .126

Lesson 21. The Glad Story of Korea.

Open Doors to the Hermit Nation . .... 132

Lesson 22. At the Ottoman Gates.

Christianity in the Turkish Empire .... 139

Lesson 23. Christian Occupation of Persia.

Prospects of the Work among Shi'ite Mohammedans . 146

Lesson 24. Among the Islands of the Sea.

Oceanica as a Mission Field ...... 153

Lesson 25. European Mission Fields.

Religious Conditions in the Greek, Roman and Protestant

Lesson 26. Christianity in the Eastern Hemisphere.

A Review of Asiatic and European Missions . . .166

Lesson 27. Protestantism in South America.

Complex Conditions affecting Missionary Work . . 171

Lesson 28. In the Land of the Aztecs.

Gospel Opportunities in Mexico . . . . .178

Lesson 29. Cuba and Porto Rico.

Political, Industrial, and Religious Improvement of the

Islands 185

Lesson 30. Christian Forces in the Philippines.

Breaking the Bondage of Superstition .... 191 Lesson 31. The Negro Problem in America.

Christian Contributions toward its Solution . . . 198

Lesson 32. Mountain Missions of the South.

Encouraging Work among an Isolated People . . . 205

Lesson 33. The Foreign Invasion.

Religious Phases of the Immigrant Problem . . 212

Lesson 34. The Work in Modern Babel.

Reaching the Alien Population of our Cities . . . 218

VI

Introduction

Lesson 35. The Greater West.

Its Future in the Making ....

Lesson 36. Missions for Men of the Sea.

Work Ashore and Afloat ....

Lesson 37. The Children of Israel.

Features of Christian Work among the Jews .

Lesson 38. Unevangelized Areas.

Vast Regions yet Unreached by Christian Forces Lesson 39. Christianity in the Western Hemisphere.

A Review of American Missions .

225 232 239 246 252

Part in. PRINCIPLES OF MISSIONARY PRACTICE AND FRUITS OF CHRISTIAN CONQUEST.

An outline of the policies of the mission boards; of the kinds of work pursued and the specific value thereof ; of the relation of the home church to the entire problem, and a consideration of individual Christian obligation in the light both of the need and the opportunity ; the whole emphasizing some of the chief consequences of the Christian missionary enterprise.

I. Principles of Missionary Practice.

Lesson 40. Missionary Preaching.

The Evangelistic Message and Method .... 257 Lesson 41. The Power of Medical Missions.

Healing the Body as Well as the Soul .... 263 Lesson 42. Training the Mind, Hand and Heart.

A Vast Educational System 270

Lesson 43. Interdenominational Co-operation.

The Spirit of Comity and Union . ... . .278

Lesson 44. The Church and the Mission Problem.

Value and Function of Organized Missionary Agencies . 285 Lesson 45. Modern Missionary Movements.

Reawakening the Church to her Task .... 292

2. Fruits of Christian Conquest.

Lesson 46. Science and Missions.

Indebtedness of the Former to the Latter . . . 298

Lesson 47. Reflex Action on the Home Church.

A Quickened Spirituality ...... 304

Lesson 48. Individual Renewal of Life.

The Sufficiency of Christ as Redeemer .... 310 Lesson 49. Social Regeneration.

Power of Christianity to Purify Society . . . 316

Lesson 50. Molding National Destinies.

How they are Affected by the Missionary Enterprise . 322

Lesson 51. The World Kingdom of Christ.

Its Characteristics and its Cost ..... 327 Lesson 52. What Christian Missions Accomplish.

Review of Methods and Results ..... 334