The Expansion of Christianity in the Twentieth Century A New Reading Course in Foreign Missions Conducted by ERNEST D. BURTON and ALONZO K. PARKER Professors in the University of Chicago THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF SACRED LITERATURE CHICAGO, ILL. 1913 T he American Institute of Sacred Literature is a division of the University of Chicago. It conducts non¬ resident work in the study of the Bible, religious education, and kindred topics, through reading and study courses by correspondence and by personal representatives. Address for any information or send enrolment fees to THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF SACRED LITERATURE THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CHICAGO ILLINOIS Aim of the Course The aim of this course is to give to the reader a thoroughly vivid and accurate impression of the work already developed in the lands treated of in the course, of the tasks immediately impending, and of the forces available for these tasks. Such a survey should enable him to form a definite judgment on these questions: Are Christian missions to non- Christian lands justified? Have they thus far achieved results commensurate with the cost ? Is it reasonable to hope that they may ultimately be successful ? Are young men and women warranted in devoting their lives to this work, and is it reasonable for the churches to con¬ tribute of their wealth for the prosecution of missions ? Scope of the Course This course is limited to the study of four great regions within which Christian missions are now being vigorously carried forward. The regions selected are: 1. China. 2. Japan, including Korea. 3. India. 3 4 . The lands in which Islam is domi¬ nant, including the Turkish Empire and Africa. Method of the Course A few books have been selected for each country with a view to giving an intelligent account of the present situa¬ tion in the lands under consideration, together with as much of the preliminary history as it is possible to include. The whole number of volumes included in the course is twenty-two, plus an extensive atlas of Christian missions. Some of these are reports to be studied rather than books for general reading. Each of these books is carefully re¬ viewed by the authors of the course in such a way as to assist the reader more effectively to gain the information which it contains. The treatment of the books is of such an interesting character that even reports become vital and illumi¬ nating. In addition to the required reading, under the head of each country from ten to twenty volumes are recommended for supplementary and reference reading. Descriptions are added to the titles of these volumes so that the reader is able 4 to choose his reference material intelli¬ gently in case he desires to do more than the required reading. The discussion of each country closes with a series of practical questions to be considered in the light of the books which have been read. Practical Uses of This Course 1. Training schools .—In the training schools where regular courses in missions are offered, this course will be an admir¬ able supplement and will provide an excellent reading-list. In schools where there is no resident instructor in missions, the student intending to enter mission fields can get an intelligent start and a great inspiration through the reading of this course, under the guidance of the reviews. 2. Ministers .—Ministers who so fre¬ quently have the task of raising funds for foreign missions will be able from this course to gain a comprehensive view of the various fields, and will themselves feel a new sense of the magnitude and pressing needs of the causes to which their churches are asked to contribute. Every minister should feel that his own church is but a part of a great world- s movement, and both pastor and people should have an intelligent knowledge of the entire field. 3. Libraries .—To librarians, many of whom are realizing the necessity of re¬ plenishing their shelves with books which scientifically discuss religious conditions in foreign lands, this course will give the best possible lists for both small and large collections. 4. Missionary societies .—This course will provide most interesting reading- matter for a survey of Christian missions which may be taken up by individuals or small groups in the local missionary so¬ cieties and reported upon to the full group, thus providing a most interesting program for intelligent discussions at the monthly meetings. Undoubtedly the course is much more extensive and demands much more than other courses for missionary study which have been offered for the use of these societies. But has not the time come when intel¬ ligent men and women in our local churches are willing to spend a consid¬ erable amount of time in becoming ac¬ quainted with the facts concerning the progress of Christianity in foreign lands ? 6 Certainly the life of the home and of the community in which such a course of study is being pursued will be enriched in many ways. Registration Any person desiring to read this course should send the membership fee of 50 cents, plus 2 cents postage, to the office of the Institute. He will receive in return a forty-eight page pamphlet giv¬ ing the lists of books and guidance in the reading of the course. If he chooses, in addition, to discuss in writing the ques¬ tions given at the end of each section, a certificate for the course will be awarded him on the basis of his work. Traveling Libraries Since the cost of the books in the course may in some cases seem to pro¬ hibit the reading, the Institute is circu¬ lating traveling libraries including all of the books. One of these complete li¬ braries will be sent, express paid, to any point in the United States or Canada, for a period of four months, upon the pay¬ ment of the library fee of $3.50. Thus, in a missionary society, those of the group who desire to register as members of the 7 Institute would pay the 50-cent fee and receive the pamphlet, while the entire group could use the one traveling library. At the end of four months, the library may be returned, express paid, to the Institute; or any or all of the volumes may be purchased at a discount price; or, it may be passed to a near-by center which shall have been secured by the group using the books, or by the Insti¬ tute, as the case may be. It is probable that, in many cases, individuals in a group will wish to purchase single vol¬ umes and the cost of returning the library will be eliminated. The number of traveling libraries is limited. They are furnished in the order of application. Club Rates with Missionary Periodicals A club rate has been arranged by which subscribers to the International Review of Missions, published by the Missionary Education Movement, and Missions, published by the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, may secure this course by the payment of twenty- five cents in addition to the subscription price of the magazine. 8