the sessions of this Conference should be held biennially instead of annually, but the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of the annual gathering. Missionary Societies have come to depend upon the Conference, and the united judgment of those who assemble, for the settlement of important questions relating to policy and methods of work. This Conference has become in America one of the regular organisations for the scientific study of missions, especially as relating to the home side of their administration, and for the application of the facts thus obtained.

The Committee has no power to originate business belonging exclusively to any one Board, nor has it the right to interfere in any way with the work of any Missionary Society. It can, however, lend its services to any Missionary Society asking its aid.

In view of the valuable results which have been secured from these annual Conferences in America, and from the Conferences of Continental Societies in Europe, the Commission raises the question as to whether the time has not come for the better organisation of Missionary Societies throughout the world, with a view to a more scientific study of missionary problems at home and abroad, and closer co-operation in the application of missionary policy and principles.

The Commission thinks that this might be achieved by the appointment of an International Committee, in a manner satisfactory to all participating Societies, the functions of which might include the following:

1. To study such international questions as are of general interest and value to all Missionary Societies.

2. To formulate the results of their investigation from time to time for the benefit of all Missionary Societies.

3. To act on behalf of the united Missionary Societies of the world as necessity may demand.

4. To act for and on behalf of any single Missionary Society or any group of Missionary Societies when requested to do so.

5. To take such steps as may seem wise for the conservation of the results of this Edinburgh Conference.

6. To provide for and issue such publication or publications as circumstances may seem to warrant and demand.

7. To give its services for the closer unification of the work at home and abroad, and for greater economy and efficiency in matters of administration.

This statement of facts and opinions cannot but be of interest to those who are concerned with the question of co-operation among the Missionary Societies of the world in the interest of better and more effective results. Many who at the outset entered the American Conference did so with grave doubts as to its probable value. To-day, so far as your Commission has been able to ascertain, there is no one who does not place great value upon the results of this annual gathering.

The suggestion has been made from Great Britain as well as from the Continent of Europe, that similar conferences should be organised upon that side of the Atlantic in order that the Missionary Societies of Europe and the general cause of missions throughout the world may experience a similar and even greater benefit. If that were done, it is possible that some relations between the missionary conferences of all Christian countries might be established in the interests of a general and comprehensive survey of foreign missions as a whole, a more thorough study of its problems, and a more scientific practice in the methods employed. There are many who believe that economy and effectiveness in all lines of missionary work would inevitably result from some such method of study and investigation.

The Commission has no recommendations to make at this time, but it desires to call the attention of the Edinburgh Conference and the Missionary Societies of Christendom to these facts and suggestions, leaving the delegates from different Christian countries to take such steps as circumstances may warrant and demand.

COM. VI.-17

CHAPTER XVII

THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUE OF

MISSIONS TO THE CHURCH

It is impossible for the Commission to give attention to the home side of missionary organisation without devoting consideration to the influence of the missionary enterprise upon the general work and life of the Church at home. The benefits which have come to the home Church from its work abroad add little to the argument for foreign missions, for disinterested giving is of the essence of Christianity, and we are bidden "to do good and lend, hoping for nothing again." But the reflex influence of foreign missions on the home Church is so marked and far-reaching, that an examination of the nature and extent of that influence must be full of encouragement to those who believe in that work, and must go far to remove the difficulties of those who think that the development of the work abroad must be prejudicial to that which so urgently needs to be done at home.

When a proposal was brought before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in the year 1824 to start foreign missionary work-a proposal which resulted in the following year in the sending out of Alexander Duff to India-there was before the Assembly at the same time a scheme for the increase of schools in Scotland and especially in the Highlands. The two schemes were regarded by many as rivals, and there was considerable discussion as to which should have precedence. Dr.

Chalmers, however, declared in a speech in the Assembly, that in his judgment the schemes were not antagonistic but helpful to one another, and it did not matter which was taken first, since charity works not by a process of exhaustion, but by one of fermentation.

A similar argument to that employed by Dr. Chalmers was used to meet an objector to the work of foreign missions, when the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was organised in Massachusetts in 1810. A charter was asked for it, and one of the members of the Massachusetts legislature made an earnest speech against granting the charter on the ground that the object of the Society was to export religion, whereas all were agreed that the State of Massachusetts had none to spare. The argument temporarily prevailed, but later was successfully met by the counter argument that Christianity is a commodity of such a kind that the greater the amount exported the more there is left for home consumption.

In pursuing this topic, leaders in every communion, both clergymen and laymen, and from all parts of Christendom have been consulted. The valuable material collected is better suited to a volume than to a chapter. This matter is so extensive in scope and abundant in quantity, that it is practically impossible to make quotations at any length or to refer even to individual contributions. The very unanimity of opinion makes extended consideration of the subject less essential than it otherwise would be. The similarity of the replies in stating that only good and not evil has come to the Church from its labours of love and sacrifice is most striking. We present the material which has been laid before us under six main heads.

I. THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS

On the merely intellectual side, the foreign missionary work of the Church has been of immense value in giv to Christian people a wider outlook and more intelligent grasp of movements that influence the life of the world. In secular life, merchants and others who have interests

in India or China make themselves familiar with the conditions in these countries, so far as such conditions affect the business in which they are engaged. It is only natural, therefore, that Christian people, who are seeking by personal sacrifice to make Jesus Christ known to the peoples of Asia and Africa, should devote time and strength to acquiring knowledge regarding the physical, intellectual, moral, and religious conditions that prevail among those peoples whose entire life it is sought to transform. This has led to the creation of a vast and extensive missionary literature, which has been and is of far-reaching educational value.

An additional impulse has been given to this educational movement in recent years by the rapid development of organised missionary study. Mission study text-books have been sold by tens of thousands, and have had a circulation equal to the "best sellers" in the book market both in America and in Europe. This study of missions has given to thousands of young people in Europe and America an understanding of great world movements. It has widened their vision and taught them to look at things from a broader and less provincial and sectarian standpoint.

In America the result of such study has been especially marked. Owing to the fact that until recently America has had no colonial interests, a general knowledge regarding the peoples of Asia and Africa has not been widely diffused. It is safe to say that missionary study has been the most powerful influence in disseminating a knowledge of the geography of these continents, the people who inhabit them, their customs, religions, characteristics, languages, and history.

2. THE ENLARGEMENT OF SYMPATHY

This wider outlook has not merely an intellectual, but also a moral and spiritual value. It has given to Christian people a deeper understanding of the meaning of Christianity, and of the universal significance of the Incarna