eet tots rs EAN OF PRINGE Ss ? OCT 2.0 1926 “ S, rea il y) 12 English through the Latin mouth and which means, | WHAT ITS WORK IS 7) in whatsoever tongue, to bring good tidings to. The English equivalent, though rarely used, is gospelize. The missionary idea involves further the in- gathering of souls into the Church of Christ and the ministration of Word and sacrament to the end that they may be built up steadfast, strong and complete in the faith and in the life. The carrying out of the missionary idea of propa- gating the knowledge of Christ and of His Gospel involves also expression. This takes many forms, and first of all in speech or language. The medium of evangelization is the spoken and the written word. Therefore, the first task of the missionary is to learn the language of the people to whom he is sent. Then, if they have no written language, he must give them one, so that they may read and thus enlarge their knowl- edge of Christian truth and extend the truth to others. The missionary idea finds expression also in Christian education. This is as necessary in the foreign as in the home fields, and it is the same in both with the necessary modifications. See Out- line, IT. Inasmuch as the missionary idea aims at nothing short of a Christian society instinct with the spirit of the Master, and serving in His Name, it expresses itself by providing for the relief of suffering and need wherever found and for the promotion of the social welfare. This includes the care of the poor, of orphans, defectives, the aged and the like; the providing of homes, food, clothing, medicines and other supplies where needed; also provision for the advancement of the people in general education, in 76 OUR CHURCH industry, in the various crafts, in pure arts and in all useful knowledge. See Outline, Il, 2 a (2), and IIT. 2. The Scope. The Lord defined the scope of the Church’s missionary task when He said, ‘‘Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”’ It is betes he to speak of Home Missions and Foreign Missions, and though the distinction is not clear and adequate it serves in a general way to distinguish between our missionary operations within the territory of the United States and Canada and the work which we are doing outside of those countries, especially in non-Christian lands. The work in Canada must be regarded as Home Mission work, both because it is concerned with Christian populations and because the United Lutheran Church came into being with dimensions which embraced Canada. See Outline 1, 2, a and b, and Chapter VI. 3. The Method. The method of the Church in establishing and carrying on its missionary work does not differ essentially from that which it em- ploys in countries and places where the Church is established. It dispenses the means of grace, preaches the Word and administers the sacraments which were given as the means unto salvation. This the Church does through ordained missionaries. Qualified unordained helpers are used in the edu- eational work; for wherever the Church is planted schools become necessary. This is true in every field, whether home or foreign. The schools, ex- cepting the theological, conform in the main to the WHAT ITS WORK IS Tt educational system of the country, but afford the additional advantage of Christian instruction. In order to marshal the whole of its strength for the missionary task and to conduct the work more intelligently and efficiently the Church has estab- lished certain boards; for the work of Foreign Mis- sions it has board 3. For its home mission opera- tions it has boards 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. See List. The Women’s Missionary Societies, general, synodical and local, exist for the same purpose and form a powerful auxiliary force. By means of these and other agencies the Church keeps in constant touch with the field and also in- structs and informs the people and seeks their whole-hearted support. Chapters VI and VII con- tain much matter relevant to this section. Il. Tuer Epucationan Worx The Church must educate. This has ever been regarded as necessary, and in the work of educa- tion the Church has always been a pioneer. It has been its policy to establish schools where there were none, and where others have led the way the Church has, until comparatively recent times, wielded a controlling influence upon the course of education. 1. The Idea. Education as fostered and car- ried on by the Church must be Christian. It must differ from a purely secular education in some im- portant way, and must offer something which is better; otherwise the schools of the Church would have no just and prior claim to the patronage and support of the people, and their very existence would no longer be a matter of special concern. 73 OUR CHURCH Christian education requires not only that there be Christian teachers, men and women who walk in the way of faith and are able to sympathize with youth and guide it to the true light; not only that the Church with its ministries and associations must be an ever-present, watchful and kindly par- ticipant in the work, but there must be something in the very concept which differentiates it from education in general. If education is a complex idea we add something to the complex when we speak of Christian education. We mean an educa- tion which begins and proceeds with the constant recognition of the truth as revealed in Holy Scrip- ture and as divinely given for fulness and beauty of life in time and in eternity. This education never forgets God. ‘To it the child or youth is an immor- tal being made in the image of God. In reality, as it knows itself and is known by others, this handi- work of God falls far short of likeness to Him who made it. Herein is sin, and to this Christian eduea- tion cannot be blind. Neither can it ever lose sight of Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners and of all that He has done and given for our salvation. The © Bible is treated reverently in the spirit of faith and not of trifling criticism. In Christian education these things must enter — constantly as life-giving and molding influences and — nothing must be allowed to displace or obscure them. This is the differential characteristic which gives it © distinctive value. Christian education is always © positive and constructive in regard to faith, right — and duty. These things being properly attended to it de- © spises or neglects nothing that contributes to the — “Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me, and Forbid Them Not: For of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven” SRbiyrhietergersetpas | | ELISTS TN G CHRIST AND THE EVA! WHAT ITS WORK IS 79 full development of mind and body, to an adequate preparation for a right enjoyment of life and for fullest service in all of life’s relations. It is a fitting and perfecting process which seeks to rear the whole man for the whole of life and all that it means. II Tim. 3:17. 2. Scope; and 3. Method. As regards the scope and method of Christian education a reference to the accompanying Outline will suffice. & o c = = o—— wa) = —d D x) ° o r | oo ill