At each group of the conference six or eight chapters of a mission text-book are presented during consecutive hours by methods similar to those of the study class, with such changes of leaders as fatigue may make necessary. Those who attend are free to come and go as they like. Local Normal Class Work Normal classes have been successfully held in America by travelling secretaries, who remain three consecutive weeks in a place. With semi-weekly sessions, a stay of this length permits six meetings of each class. In very large cities enough classes can be organised to fill all the time of a secretary. In other cases, two or more cities or towns which are not more than two or three hours apart, may constitute a single circuit. If enough travelling secretaries could be secured, this would be the best solution of the rural problem. Classes could be held at central points, attended by delegates from surrounding towns and villages. The difficulty in most cases is to find competent leaders for normal classes. THE LOCAL ORGANISATION OF MISSION STUDY Summer conferences have been found to be one of the most effective agencies in promoting the organisation of mission study classes, not only on account of their training of leaders, but also by inspiring delegates to undertake or join classes. Those engaged in the promotion of mission study miss a great opportunity when they permit this subject to occupy an inconspicuous place in the programme of a conference, or to be allowed only two or three hours of time. For those who cannot attend summer conferences, shorter local conferences or institutes are useful as being more easily prepared for and multiplied. Much of their value depends upon the way they are followed up by the local or campaign committee. Where the conferences are of longer duration, this committee is started with more training and inspiration; where they are shorter, they touch more people. The main aim of all these agencies, as of the visits of a travelling secretary, should be the organisation, by personal contact, of committees in districts and individual churches. Local conditions will determine the extent to which fusion is possible between various organisations. Sometimes existing committees, such as those of local Christian Endeavour Unions, etc., can be utilised; in other cases an entirely new committee will be more effective. Much of the success of a local mission study campaign depends upon the previous creation of an atmosphere in which it can live. Special meetings and addresses, conferences with influential persons and active workers, may help greatly both in the preparation, and in the organisation of classes afterwards. In a local church a series of live missionary meetings, or an active circulation of missionary books, is often a most useful preliminary to securing members for classes. The first mission study "season" begins about the middle of September and lasts until the middle of December. Leaders are usually advised to hold weekly sessions consecutively within this period rather than to permit their courses to be interrupted by the Christmas holidays. The second season begins in January and lasts till June, with time for two courses. It is desirable, and increasingly the custom, for a leader to take more than one group over the subject. The first attempt prepares the way for more effective work with subsequent classes. Some leaders have five or six groups or circles every year. In American colleges and universities the most effective method of enlisting students in the study of missions appears to be a systematic canvass of the student body by a carefully selected committee. This is done usually within the first college month of the year. Often a preliminary canvass is made in the spring. Correspondence during the summer months secures the interest of a great many. In most cases a "rally" is held just before the autumn canvass is made, at which the claims of mission study are strongly and attractively presented, and members for the classes are often enrolled at this meeting. The work is advertised in the college paper, on bulletin boards and posters, at chapel services, in the college hand-book, by literature on the subject, including specially prepared folders, and sometimes in the official calendar of the institution. The annual student conferences also afford an excellent opportunity for the promotion of this study, entire college delegations being often enlisted as a nucleus for the enrolment in their institution. THE VALUE OF THE MISSION STUDY MOVEMENT While this Report has dealt more directly with the more systematised, and it may be more scientific methods of mission study, there is no desire to depreciate any and all kinds of "missionary reading circles," and the more irregular and unsystematic study of the subject. Anything that will lead Christian men and women and youth to the personal investigation of the facts and principles of missions cannot fail to have its value. Yet, when everything is said, we shall probably all agree that the more systematic and thorough the study, and the more in conformity to the known laws which govern all education, the greater and more lasting will be the value of the work accomplished. It is recognised that the future success of foreign missions depends in no small measure upon the promotion of an intelligent appreciation among the young people in the Churches throughout the world of the facts, principles, and purpose of missions. CHAPTER VI THE PROMOTION OF MISSIONARY TION IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITU- I. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN AMERICA THIS subject is of such prime importance to the cause of missions and to its future success that the most thorough investigation of the subject was made both in America and in Europe. Owing to quite different conditions prevailing in the two countries, the methods of approach to the subject materially differ. At the same time the information secured in both cases is of supreme value to those who are studying this subject with a view to the provision of better missionary educational facilities in preparatory and collegiate institutions. In the treatment of the material obtained it has seemed best to separate the so-called secular institutions from the theological colleges and seminaries. The special mis sionary instruction given in the latter class of insti tutions is treated under that section of this Report which deals with the leadership of the clergy in the missionary enterprise. The investigation of the provision for missionary instruction in the academic institutions of America was conducted by means of correspondence with five hundred and fifty universities, colleges, schools, and academies. A special correspondence was also conducted with a number of leading American educators. Of these five hundred and fifty institutions, four hundred and five. sent definite replies to a series of questions. Three hundred and eighteen make no provision for the study of missions; but of these, sixteen provide courses in comparative religion or in the history and philosophy of religion. Six treat of missions incidentally, in connection with the following departments or subjects: Comparative Religion, Pedagogy, History, Sociology, Political Science, and Ethics. One institution mentions occasional lectures by visiting missionaries, and one speaks of an extensive mission library. Of the eighty-seven institutions which make some specific provision for the study of missions, thirtyseven are theological schools or mission training schools, or have special departments for training ministerial students. A large number of these institutions make reports which properly belong to the consideration of theological seminaries. The almost uniform provision is for two hours per week of instruction, and this by means of lectures, the course extending through one year. In ten cases, attendance is required of students for the ministry, but in all cases the classes are open to all students. Thirty-eight reports are from denominational institutions which are in the direct control of some branch of the Church. Six of these provide occasional lectures in missions, averaging some two hours a week for one year; nine report required courses, averaging some two hours per week for one year. Five of the reports are from "academies," and suggest elementary studies in mission history and occasional lectures by visiting speakers. Of the four hundred and five institutions reporting, when we except the academies, denominational institutions, and theological and Bible training schools, only seven report any specific missionary instruction. Four of these mention brief and occasional elective courses. George Washington University of Washington, D.C., provides an optional course, attended chiefly by those not enrolled in the University. Yale University at New |