WITH CHRIST IN INDOCHINA - IndoChina1911

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asking how much would be given them to become
Christians. They were told that they would be given
nothing in the way of material things; the obligation
was on their side, and they would be expected
to help pay the expenses of preaching the gospel in
their land. The psychological effect of taking such
offerings is of much greater importance than the
amount received. It tends to keep rice Christians
out of the churches.
A number of churches had become self-supporting
before the Annamese National Church was organized,
and self-support was made a requirement for
full membership in that body. Congregations that
were subsidized by the Mission were permitted to
send delegates to the conferences, and these were
allowed to take part in the discussions, but they
could not hold office. A joint committee was set up
to care for the subsidized churches. It consisted of
an equal number of representatives, chosen from the
executive committees of the Mission and the church.
Pioneer work, where there was no native money involved,
was left entirely under the direction of the
Mission.
The native conferences had been largely prayer
conferences, and what little business had been done
was advisory. Now, with the organization of the
National Church, the conference became an executive
body. A constitution was drawn up to guide
the Annamese leaders, and the Mission turned over
to them the care of the independent churches.