THE CASE FOR MISSIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14360, 4 February 1911, Page 4

THE CASE FOR MISSIONS.

There are those who hold that religious missions held by visiting evangelists should not bo needed, that they are, in fact, a reflection on the constant work of loonl ministers, and on the zeal of members of the churches, which requires at intervals a foreign instrument to fan it to intenser flame. This is a view which we in no way share. There is,- t it seems to us, a psychological necessity for _ missions in the natural disposition of humanity to abate continued effort, to slacken from protracted _ strain, to weary of well-doing, in religious, as in mental, intellectual, and all other strivings. The religious life is one of climbing, anil it is easier to slip back than climb. It is a life of wnrfare, and the soldier who would be always active must beencouraged sometimes by now signals and examples of fresh ardour. The religious man can no moro hope to be always at the same white heat of devotion and aggression than the commercial man onn hope to be always stimulated by his ledgers, or the Boldier to bo always sure of conquest. The important activities of life have no long truces or victories that oiler a long rest. " It is but to koop the norvoß nt strain, To dry one's eyes and laugh nt a fall, And baffled, get up and begin again— So the chaso takes up one's life, that's all." 'And whatever gives new stimulus and strength for such exertionchange or timely recreation _in the mental struggle, the infection of an evangelist's enthusiasm in the religious life, is to be utilised and not despised. It is idle to pour scorn upon "revivals/' The necessity for " revivals " is felt bj' all the energies of our being, w'hich tend naturally towards inertia after they have been exorcised n certain time.

But the mission which fulfils its purpose ilocs more than to reanimate the fighters; it indices new soldiers for the cause. Some of them may fall back ut the first onset; they may change their minds as soon as they have taken the Kind's shilling, but a minority, at least, will continue to odvance the colours. It is sometimes stated that the effect of missions is short-lived: thnt u period of unnatural excitement is followed by reaction more 'lististrous than the first indifference, but the results depend upon the character and methods of the missioner. If those methods tiro merely sensational and dramatic, if they excite the emotions without jrivinp reason to the mind, the effect can be no more than temporary, raid it may be even harmful.'But if the evangelist can impart the conviction and deep earnestness that should nourish his own ardour, can n'ive, not only mime, but fuel, the effect of the contagion must be lastine;. Wide there have undoubtedly been some misshms which have lent themselves to criticism, there have been many others whose fnrreuehiiif?. lonjr-contiimed benefit hardly the most sceptical would deny. The evangelistic work of l)r Henry, who commences his united mission in Timaru to-dav, has stood tha strouuest test—th«

♦est of tiii'c. Hi-i name is hi-hl in honour in Aiucrii.-u and England, ami in till.- Dominion, wheiv lie Juts hi-i'it i-i<mlut-titi<r mwtintrs for tin- best jiart of a year, the lnolnnjivu oxin-iieiice of his clinracit'i- ami medio Is lias won for him atlmiration.