Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1919

70 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEnow being done by Rev. Samuel Edgar, Miss Florence Mearns,and of all the other recruits who have gone to the War-torndis-rtricts; and feel sure that the experiences suffered there areGod's preparation of the soil for the new planting. We haveconfidence in the wisdom and efficiency of the Board to prosecutewhatever missionary and reconstruction advance they maybe able to make in Syria and Asia Minor, and we look to themto submit to the church an adequate program of such work jus|tas soon as the needs and possibilities of this field can be determined.The progress of our work in China has from its very startbeen a cause for unceasing gratitude, and never more so thannow. The determination of our congregations at Tak Hing andLo Ting, to become self-supporting, is a most hopeful evidenceof the vitality of the Christianity of our converts, and that thework is permanently established. It is worthy of note that thisstep on their part was in connection' with the organizing, of tithingleagues among their members, and in this they have set agood example for some of our aid-receiving congregations inAmerica.Not less splendid and worthy of our imitation is the evangelisticspirit of these Chinese Covenanters, as manifested inthe conferences arranged and the campaigns conducted to propagatetheir faith. When our people at home have come to believe,as does one of these native Christians, that "to do thiswork is better than being an Emperor;" the hope of a GospelTeam in each congregation will be realized, and the problemsof a decreasing membership solved.The faithfulness with which our missionaries are seeking toapply the whole gospel, to the needs of China is most commendable,and the work of their Witness Committee in theirefforts to secure the application of Bible principles to the socialand industrial needs of that country is especially timely. Theirprogressiveness in the desire to introduce industrial training asa part of the missionary program, is in accord with the mostadvanced ideals of missionary endeavor. To lead our convertsto the knowledge of how to provide for themselves better conditionsof living must follow in the progress of the work, andwe are glad to know that they have reached this milestone intheir development toward a Christian civilization.The aggressiveness of this mission in their proposal tocarry the gospel into the regions beyond, is manifest in the desireto have Synod authorize the establishment of a new centerin the Province of Yunnan—an undertaking for which the mostcareful investigation has been conducted, and for which the opportunitiesand needs seem most .compelling'. The' earnestnessand spirituality which marked the last annual meeting1 of ! ourworkers m China, is one of the most assuring e-Wdehbes thatthey are living in, and serving under, the direction* and fellowshipof the Master himself, and 'that in all their undertakings!We' "th$ recommend—'•'••hand of the Lord is*with them.'1*'- '•'-' :"•'"