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FOREIGN MISSION BOARD 261
BRAZILIAN BAPTISTS TO MEET WORLD PROBLEMS
Brazilian Baptists have already shown that they have an understanding of
present-day trends. They face dangers which can be met only through Baptist
solidarity. The War and the movement of the times have brought an unprecedented
prosperity to the Brazilian people. They are in the midst of
a great building program. Their industry has expanded to limits hardly
dreamed of before. Living conditions in the regions where this development
has been realized are comparable to those in other countries with a highly
developed civilization. Students seeking knowledge fill Brazil's schools and
colleges to overflowing. Agriculture, smeltering works, good roads, and extension
air routes, all are indicators which mark the continuous rise in her commercial,
industrial, and spiritual progress.
Brazilian Baptists also are sensitive to all the internal pressure and accumulation
of "power which is forging a new nation and a new people. Through the
long and thorny path of a somewhat exaggerated emphasis on Baptist liberty,
they seem to have found the true meaning of Baptist democracy—a democracy
which recognizes to its fullest the value of individual freedom, but which does
not reject majority rule.
BAPTIST CO-OPERATION
The National Baptist Convention, in Sao Paulo in January of this year,
resolved in open discussion to abolish all former rules drawn up between the
Convention and the Foreign Mission Board in Richmond for the co-operation
of these two Baptist bodies in Brazil. Henceforth the only recognized basis
for this co-operation will be the principles of the New Testament. In all
Brazilian Baptist history there has never been a more far-reaching declaration
of confidence between Brazilians and missionaries. It is many years since our
Foreign Mission Board and national Baptists have been so unfettered for a
truly collaborative program of progress and expansion, and just at the time
when Brazilian material growth demands our greatest spiritual co-operation.
BRAZIL AND THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST MISSION
Brazil as a mission field is unique, because of the diversity of her missionary
needs; unique because within her bounds may be found every degree of Christian
development known to Baptists. Every phase of our mission policy is
applicable somewhere within her bounds—pioneer evangelization, teaching the
first steps in reading, developing churches small and large, and the maintenance
of organizations and institutions within the capacities of the people who have
become Baptists. No one policy would be applicable for every state.
MISSIONARY PERSONNEL
During the years of Baptist depression in Brazil, the South Brazil Mission,.
like its sister organization of the north, saw its forces depleted. Because little
hope could be given by the Board for the appointment of new missionaries,
those on the fields were obliged to take on new duties, as the death or withdrawal
of their comrades continued to multiply the obligations thrust upon
those who were left.
It is true that some of these duties fell upon the shoulders of national
brethren (where they belong) just as fast as they could be assumed by them.
Baptist numerical and geographical expansion, however, has been enormous.
This growth has been far in excess of the development of a well equipped
ministry. Both nationals and missionaries have been too over-loaded to give
to the churches and institutions the attention they need in this formative period
of our denominational life.
Now we are experiencing better days. Young and well-prepared missionary
couples have come out to take their places among older missionaries and
Brazilian workers. Mr. and Mrs. A. I. Bagby have found their places in the
hearts of the people in Rio Grande do Sul, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bagby returned
to his home state of Sao Paulo. (Since this report was written we have been
informed Rev. and Mrs. Samuel Bagby have resigned.) Mr. and Mrs. T. N.
Clinkscales opened up a marvelous center of Baptist activity in Londrma,
Parana, Dr. and Mrs. E. F. Hallock came to Rio where he has become director
of the Training Department of the Sunday School Board of the National Baptist
Convention. Mr. and Mrs S. P. Jackson have moved to the great interior center
of eastern Minas Gerais, and Mr. and Mrs. W. B. McNealy. who spent their first