REPORT of Committee on Cooperation in Latin America Representing the American and Canadian Mission Boards Working in Latin America ROBERT E. SPEER. Chairman SAMUEL G. INMAN, Executive Secretary) GEORGE B. WINTON, Editorial Secretary WEBSTER E. BROWNING. Educational Secretary December thirty-first, nineteen hundred and nineteen 25 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK CITY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Columbia University Libraries https://archive.org/details/reportofcommitte00comm_6 Committee on Cooperation in Latin America Report for Year Ending December 31, 1919 The Committee on Cooperation: Robert E. Speer, Chairman. William C. Brown, Vice-Chairman; Luther B. Wilson, Vice-Chair- man; Samuel G. Inman, Executive Secretary; Webster E. Brown- ing, Educational Secretary; George B. Winton, Editorial Secre- tary; Juan Orts Gonzales, Editor of Spanish Publications; James H. Post; Eben E. Olcott; Geo. I. Babcock; Henry C. King; Gilbert N. Brink; Frank K. Sanders; J. Ernest McAfee; Marshall C. Alla- ben; Mrs. Anna R. Atwater; Enoch' F. Bell; L. C. Barnes; Frank L. Brown; Mrs. Fred S. Bennett; H. E. Stillwell; Miss Carrie J. Carnahan; S. H. Chester; Paul de Schweinitz; Charles L. Fry; D. D. Forsyth; R. H. Glover; E. M. Halford; William I. Haven; Miss Esther Case; Miss Margaret E. Hodge; Ross A. Hadley; A. T. Howard; John A. Marquis; W. P. Minton; John R. Mott; Frank M. North; E. H. Rawlings; George Smith; Miss Harriet Taylor; W. A. Spicer; Charles L. Thompson; James I. Vance; Mrs. Kath- erine S. Westfall; L. B. Wolf; Mrs. May L. Woodruff. Five years ago Latin America was one of the most neg- lected and least known of all fields. There had never been held a conference where all the forces came together to consider common problems. There was not a union school, union paper or union administrative committee in all Latin Amercia. With the exception of Porto Rico and Brazil there was no definite delimitation of territory. There was no cooperative committee of the Boards to consider its needs. The home Church was largely ignorant of and indifferent to its claims. North and Latin America had few commercial relations and political re- lations were very unsatisfactory. There was little intercourse between intellectual leaders of the two Americas. Few visitors from either people were found among the others. Today there are great changes. The Committee on Coopera- tion in Latin America, which is officially representative of thirty mission boards doing work in those lands, held the Panama Congress, at which there were representatives from more than fifty different organizations interested in the spiritual life of Latin America. Seven regional conferences were held in the important centers of Latin America immediately follow- ing Panama and aided in outlining a comprehensive program for the whole field. Combined Christian forces found in these twenty nations a people united by a similar language, history, government, social structure and ideals, making possible a joint program for this continent and a half. This program, which is comprehensive and practicable and very encouraging to those 1 Cooperation in Latin America who have followed it step by step, has been developed through the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America. The Committee is organized to serve the boards in making continual studies and surveys of Latin American countries on which are to be based the strengthening of the work of indi- vidual boards, more efficient distribution of forces and fields, development of cooperative institutions and the publication of a Christian literature. Regional committees in each section of Latin America whose officially appointed members come together to study the entire work of that field, have been organized, encouraged and financially assisted by the Com- mittee. The Committee keeps in direct touch with a large number of missionaries on the field, sending them literature and by various means endeavoring to help and inspire. It furnishes to the press, both in the United States and in Latin America, material which will help the cause of Latin American missions. It has held conferences on evangelical education in all the South American countries and has aided in securing a better distribu- tion of territorial responsibility in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Cuba and Porto Rico. A detailed study of each Latin American country except Central America and Venezuela has been made by the secre- taries of the general committee so that they are prepared to assist boards in the development of work in each of these countries. A comprehensive program of union theological seminaries, union colleges, union literature enterprises and other cooperative work has been developed. Many of these are already actually in operation. If the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America did not exist, it would be necessary to organize some similar body im- mediately to carry on the vast amount of work the mission boards do in cooperation in Latin America. Much of the work of the Committee, such as the collection of data, working out programs, developing literature, providing for conferences and common discussion, etc., would have to be done otherwise by individual boards and would cost them much more in money and time than their share of the support of the Committee. The outstanding accomplishments for cooperation during the year 1919 have been : 1. The consummation of the proposals of the Cincinnati Conference concerning Mexico. 2. Surveying the virgin mission fields of Haiti and Santo Domingo. 3. The beginning of a monthly review, “La Nueva Demo- cracia,” which will circulate in all parts of Latin America, and the establishment of union periodicals in Mexico and Cuba. 2 Cooi)eration in Latin America 4 . Cooperation with the Interchurch World Movement, act- ing for it in all matters connected with Latin America. 5. Arranging for a Regional Conference in Central America for March 26-29, 1920, and a Conference for the Home Base in New York, January 16-17, 1920. 6. Employment of a Secretary of Literature for Brazil, a Secretary for Education in Mexico and a Secretary for the Committee on Cooperation in Mexico. 7. Publication of a directory of missionaries, mission schools and periodicals in Latin America. 8. Preparation in Spanish of the first general Commentary on the International Sunday School Lessons. 9. Beginning the publication of temperance literature in Spanish which will become an increasingly important activity of the Committee. 10. The beginning of union evangelical seminaries in Porto Rico and Brazil. 11. The opening of the union book depository in Chile. OCCUPATION OF TERRITORY The outstanding feature of the year’s work in the adjust- ment of territorial responsibility was the final consummation of the changes in territorial allotment in Mexico. Originating in the “Cincinnati Plan” in 1914, these changes have been worked out, modified and finally put into effect by the boards concerned working through the Committee on Cooperation. Each board working in Mexico now has a definite field of responsibility, determined to give best results from the efforts of each com- munion and to facilitate the administration of the enterprise in each field. Not the least important feature of the work in this connec- tion has been the education of the Mexican Church and its leaders to the desirability of these changes. The autonomy of local churches already established has been carefully respected and often these congregations have been strengthened by being placed on their own responsibility. In regard to new territory occupied, the past year has seen the extension of Methodist missions into Costa Rica and that of the Baptists in Nicaragua. In Paraguay, recently allotted to the Disciples of Christ, two missionary families have been sent to Asuncion, the capital, where a valuable plot of ground in the central part of the city has been purchased for the site of a school. A particular effort will be made from the start to reach the educated classes in this center and to develop a well- qualified native leadership. 3 Cooperation in L.atdii America The Methodists and Presbyterians have made a readjust- ment of territory in Chile, which has proved advantageous in making the territory of each more compact and easily reached. The workers in Venezuela have asked for a visit of the Executive Secretary to assist in studying territorial responsi- bility and other means of securing a more adequate occupa- tion. One of the Pan American magazines has also suggested such a visit to report on general conditions. Great unoccupied stretches of territory still await the coming of the missionary — interior Brazil, most of Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia, practically all of Ecuador, Santo Domingo and Haiti, the greater part of Uruguay, the vast reaches of southern Argentina, and most of Central America. In these great un- occupied fields live approximately twenty millions of Indians ranging from the comparatively civilized farm laborers of Peru and Bolivia to the savage pagan tribes of the Paraguayan and Argentine Chaco and the upper Amazon valley. Surely they are as well worth saving as the central African, yet so far no American society has heard their Macedonian cry. Even in the Republic of Panama, for which the United States is in a peculiar sense responsible, tribes of pagan barbarians are found within a hundred miles of the Canal. EDUCATION The year 1919 saw the formal opening of the Evangelical Seminary of Porto Rico, a union institution fostered by the Committee on Cooperation. The school is now doing a fine work and filling a large place in the educational life of the island, developing well-equipped leaders for the national church who could only have received this training by the establishment of a school of equal grade by each of the six cooperating boards. The economy and greater effectiveness of a union institution is being demonstrated in Porto Rico as it has previously been in Mexico and Chile. Other developments in education along cooperative lines will be found in the sections of this report devoted to the fields of the various regional committees. Probably no better idea of the close contact maintained by the Committee with the general educational work of Latin America can be had than by the following resume of the activi- ties of the Educational Secretary, Dr. Webster E. Browning: In Eebruary he attended the national evangelical conference in Mexico as advisor on educational matters. He also visited many of the mission schools in Mexico and advised concerning their development. He returned to South America, via Brazil. He then visited the new work of the Disciples of Christ in 4 Cooperation in Latin Aineriea Paraguay, conferring with the missionaries in regard to the es- tablishment of school work in the city of Asuncion and acting as agent for the Disciples’ board in purchasing a plot of ground for the institution proposed. With headquarters in Monte- video, he has naturally given much time to the new develop- ments of Crandon Institute of that city and the “Colegio Americano” of Buenos Aires. In November he made an intensive survey of the city of Buenos Aires for the Interchurch World Movement. In De- cember he was to have attended the meeting of the Brazilian University Federation, which includes all the secondary mis- sion schools of that country. In January he plans to start on a long trip meeting with the Regional Committees in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru, attend the Central American Mis- sionary Conference and arrive in New York in time to assist in the campaign of the Interchurch World Movement. In the midst of these travels he has found time to advise with many educational institutions, both missionary and gov- ernmental, regarding problems of curricula and administra- tion ; to do considerable writing for publication both in Latin America and in the United States including the manuscript of a series of lectures delivered at Princeton University in the fall of 1918, and to represent and link up the evangelical churches in many of the great educational and social movements which are developing so fast all over Latin America. An instance of his service for the churches along these lines is his attendance on the recent International Child Welfare Congress in Monte- video as the officially appointed representative of the United States government. All such movements are crying for leader- ship in Latin America and it is the great opportunity of the Christian churches to furnish it. LITERATURE It has become increasingly apparent that the production and distribution of literature is the field of missionary effort where cooperation is not only most necessary but most easily effected. The sentiment among the boards in favor of united effort in literary work is almost unanimous, especially as it becomes clear that the resources of no single Church, either in talent or in money, are equal to the development of an adequate pro- duction and distribution of needed literature. The literature program of the Committee is an ambitious one, yet in no field of endeavor is it so difficult to secure the actual carrying out of proposed undertakings. The work of original production or of translation requires the continuous application of one man over a long period of time. The field 5 Cooperation in Latin America of choice must be restricted, of course, to the few men who are really qualified. Such men are always heavily burdened with regular missionary duties and must be persuaded to de- vote all their spare time for months to a task that is extremely arduous. Such service must generally be secured without monetary compensation and without relief from other duties. In the face of these difficulties the work naturally proceeds slowly and it is almost impossible to put a time limit on any production. The Committee is neither a translation bureau nor a pub- lishing house, confining itself largely to the executive work necessary to initiate writing and translation, follow them to completion and secure a publisher for the finished manuscript. An indication of the success of this work may be seen in the fact that the Committee is becoming more and more the agency employed to find a proper publisher for completed manuscripts and that the approval of the Committee on a manuscript is accepted as an evidence of intrinsic merit and correctness of translation by the principal publishers of evangelical books. Books and Pamphlets. The following manuscripts have been completed during the year, by the Editorial Secretary of the Committee, Dr. Geo. B. Winton, and the Editor of Spanish Publications, Dr. Juan Orts Gonzalez, and are published : Complete Commentary on the International Sunday School Lessons for 1920. Handbook on the Interchurch World Movement. Eour important leaflets of the same. Two Temperance Pamphlets in Spanish. The following are complete and ready for publication : Social Teachings of Jesus — Jenks. How to Live — Eisher and Eisk. The United States and the Moral Welfare of Her Soldiers — Orts. The Greatest Victory of Modern Times (Pamphlet). A history of the prohibition movement in the United States. The Verdict of Mankind (Pamphlet). Testimonies of living men of prominence on alcohol. The following books are being translated either by the Edi- torial Department or by men in the field, under the auspices of the Committee. Some of these are nearly complete. The Pilgrim Teacher Training Course. Religious Education in the Church — Cope. Manhood of the Master — Eosdick. Meaning of Faith — Eosdick. 6 Cooperation in Latin America Negotiations are now in progress for the translation of a half dozen or more additional manuscripts approved by the sub-committee on literature. Periodical Literature. The outstanding achievement of the year in the field of periodical literature was the appearance in December of the first number of a high grade monthly review along evangelical lines. The new magazine is called “La Nueva Democracia” and is dedicated to the spread of the Christian ideal of democratic brotherhood in Latin America. Such a magazine has long been planned, but it was not until June of the past year that it became assured. At that time the Inter- church World Movement found it necessary to have an organ in Spanish that would properly present the Movement to the Latin American churches. Consequently it was decided to have the magazine edited and published by the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America, the Interchurch Movement sub- sidizing it because of its service in promoting the movement. The Rev. S. G. Inman was elected Managing Editor of The New Democracy and Dr. Juan Orts Gonzalez, already serving the Literature Committee, was made Editor. After a great many difficulties, due to the short time for or- ganization, and to a printers’ strike in New York, the first number was issued in December. A gratifyingly large group of prominent writers in both North and South America have become interested in the periodical, the first number containing four principal articles by men of international reputation, as well as a treatment of the Interchurch World Movement and notices concerning the progress of evangelical work in Latin America. The editorial and business offices of the magazine are at 25 Madison Avenue, New York City, and the subscrip- tion price is $3.00 per year. The year has also been marked by the establishment of two new union evangelical periodicals in the field, “El Heraldo Cristiano” in Cuba and “El Mundo Cristiano” in Mexico, mak- ing four such papers now in existence as the result of the Committee’s promotive work in this direction. The new paper in Mexico represents a combination of six denominational papers and in its superior appearance and service is already greatly appreciated. In Porto Rico the union paper, which has a larger circulation than any other periodical in the Island, has just increased its circulation by 1,000 by a special campaign. P ortuguese Literature. Greater progress has been made in the production of Spanish than of Portuguese literature since the organization of the Committee. The importance of good literature in such a field as Brazil, with its strong national church and its many capable writers, seemed to the Gjinmittee 7 Cooperation in I.atin America to warrant better provision for it than has been made. Con- sequently the services of Dr. Erasmo Braga, a man of excep- tional qualifications, have been secured as Secretary of Litera- ture for Brazil, and his salary included .in the budget of the Committee for 1920-21. His work will be along lines in- dicated by the Brazilian Committee on Cooperation, composed, like the other regional committees, of officially appointed rep- resentatives of the IMissions and national churches. This ap- pointment should result in a distinct forward movement in the production of evangelical literature in Portuguese during the coming year. The Committee has contributed to the Brazilian Literature Committee $600 during last year to help in produc- tion of manuscripts. They have translated Stalker’s “Life of Paul’’ which is now being printed by the American Tract Society and are working out an extended program for the immediate future. Syndicating Service. The newspaper service of articles in both Spanish and English in the interest of the evangelical plea for the development of better relations between the West- ern republics has been maintained as an important department of the Editorial Office. By the release for simultaneous publi- cation of matter appearing in La Nueva Democracia and the World Outlook it will be possible greatly to enlarge this service. These articles are prepared by Dr. Winton and Dr. Orts, sent to the executive office, mimeographed and forwarded to about 90 daily papers, and all of the evangelical papers in Latin America. This service has been of great importance in pro- moting more friendly relations and better understanding be- tween the American countries. It is helping the evangelical press to get high-class articles treating of important subjects in the religious world of today. Various evangelical books recently published in Spanish have also been reviewed in these articles. This year sjrecial stress has been laid on Temperance and our articles on that topic have been published in a great number of dailies and other papers in many countries. Literature Distribution . — The Committee has been working for several years to facilitate the circulation of evangelical and other good literature in Latin America. The first step in this program was the issuance in 1917 of a comprehensive' anno- tated bibliography of 500 selected titles, giving a brief descrip- tion of each book, its price and the name and address of the publisher. Supplements are issued from time to time. An order for a dozen books often necessitated sending for them to as many different countries and remitting in advance in half a dozen currencies. To remedy this situation the Committee has been helping the boards to organize, and financially assist- 8 Cooperation in Latin America ing, union literature depositories in the larger centers of Latin America where a stock of books is kept and from which they may be procured at a minimum of time and trouble. There are now four such depositories, the ones in Cuba and Mexico maintarning downtown sales rooms as it is planned to do finally in the capital of every Latin American country. These centers are great evangelizing agencies. Following are the names and addresses of those established to date: H. D. Cox, Egido 12, Havana, Cuba. Philo W. Drury, Apartado 537, Ponce, P. R. C. S. Braden, Apartado 2761, Santiago, Chile. R. A. Carhart, Apartado 115 Bis, Mexico, D. F. Union Literature Program Proposed. The Committee has worked out a union literature program for Latin America which will be presented to the Interchurch World Movement and through them to the boards concerned. It involves a total investment of $1,215,000 within a period of five years, most of which is for property and working capital. The program in- volves the establishment of a union literature depository in every large center in Latin America, a union press and union paper being part of the project in at least one center in each country. It provides a fund for the continuance of La Nueva Demo- craeia as a review in the interest of Protestant Missions, for the publication of a young people’s paper in Spanish Similar to the Youth’s Companion, and for an international Sunday School paper of the type of the Sunday School Times. There is also provided a fund of $350,000 for use as a re- volving fund in financing the publication of books in Spanish and Portuguese, to be administered by a central board of trus- tees appointed by the boards working in Latin America. TEMPERANCE WORK Opportunities for temperance work in Latin America are rapidly increasing for three reasons. First, the growing ac- tivities of the national temperance societies in practically all Latin American countries, stimulated by the prohibition vic- tory in the United States ; second, the activities of liquor in- terests of the United States in transferring their business to Latin American countries ; third, the readiness of the temper- ance organizations of the United States to assist their southern neighbors in the development of the temperance movement. The Committee on Cooperation has sought to advance this work by (a) collecting temperance literature already in use in Spanish-speaking countries; (b) publishing pamphlets on the subject; (c) furnishing articles to the secular and religious 9 Cooperation in Latin America press in Latin America; (d) constituting itself as an agency through which various temperance organizations can work, with assurance of wisest methods, in Latin America. The Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal and Disciple Temperance Boards have assisted the Committee to support the new Secre- tary in Mexico. The Presbyterian Board has contributed to temperance work in Cuba and Guatemala and the Methodist Episcopal Board has sent a Secretary for this work to South America, about all of which the Committee has been asked for counsel. Recognizing the many delicate questions involved in outside agencies doing reform work in Latin America, the Missionary Conference at Mexico City passed the following: “It is the sentiment of this Conference that we request the various organizations that contemplate temperance work in Latin America to cooperate in this work with the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America, which is the official representative organization for evangelical work in Latin America.” The Committee should be ready this year to do a much larger work in cooperating with the various temperance societies to assist Latin America along these lines. EXECUTIVE OFFICE Regular Activities. All correspondence in connection with the many cooperative enterprises mentioned in this Report passes through the Executive Office. In addition, hundreds of inquiries on every conceivable phase of Latin American affairs — many of them requiring considerable research — are answered by this office. Some idea of the volume of business transacted may be gained from the fact that the office sent out over 3,000 letters during the calendar year 1919, in addition to a great volume of circulars and printed matter. In addition to the trip to Santo Domingo, the Executive Sec- retary attended the National Evangelical Convention in Mexico City in February, 1919, and also the meeting of the Interde- nominational Council on Spanish-speaking Work in the South- west, which was held at Albuquerque in March. The Executive Office issued during the year a new edition of the “Directory of Latin American Missions” containing over 800 names and addresses of missionaries in Latin America, with their board connections, a complete list of union institu- tions with their officers, a list of union literature depositories, and the names and addresses of the officers of the ten regional Committees on Cooperation in the field. It is hoped to issue another more complete edition during the ensuing year, includ- 10 Cooperation in Latin America ing a brief description of the work of Mission Boards in each country and of the Union Institutions. The collection of Spanish and Portuguese books on exhibit in the Executive Office has been carefully catalogued and made available for easy reference. This collection now includes about one thousand volumes. Two sizes of maps showing the division of territory in Mexico were prepared and were so popular that it has been impossible to meet the entire demand for them. An edition of 2,000 pamphlets, describing the Mexico City Conference of February, 1919, has also been exhausted. The annotated bibliog- raphy of five hundred best books in Spanish has continued to be in demand and many agencies beside missionary societies have come to value it. Through the circulation of the Bibliog- raphy the Executive Office receives many orders for Spanish literature, which are usually turned over to the Union Deposi- tory in Cuba, which is the most central distributing agency for all America. Numerous articles and documents of interest have been mimeographed and sent to the religious press and leaders both in the United States and Latin America. The endeavor has continued to send helpful literature to missionaries. Interchurch Activities. The Interchurch World Movement decided to utilize the comprehensive organization of the Com- mittee on Cooperation in its work in reference to Latin America. With the approval of the Executive Committee, the Executive Secretary has been serving the Field Department, the Survey Department, the Publicity Department and the Lantern Slide Department of the Interchurch Movement as director of Latin American activities. For the Field Depart- ment a program has been worked out, by means of conferences, deputations, leaflets and a monthly magazine, to carry out much the same program among the churches in Latin America as in this country. The Protestant Churches in each Latin American country have been requested to come together to consider a forward movement in stewardship, offering of life, evangel- ism and missionary endeavor, along lines best adapted to their own fields. A booklet has been issued in Spanish describing the Movement, and a series of pamphlets are being published on the subjects just mentioned. Conferences are being ar- ranged through the Regional Committees. Monthly messages go to all the field through the “Nueva Democracia.” The Field Department provides for the expenses for this work, turning over a regular budget to the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America. 11 Cooperation in Latin America As Director of the Latin American Survey Department, the Executive Secretary has had the assistance of Messrs. Howard E. Jensen and W. E. Vanderbilt. These surveys, which so far have consisted in little more than making programs, have been made through the regular questionnaires, supplemented by con- ferences with missionaries on furlough. A general conference of such missionaries was held in November and small groups and individuals have from time to time been brought into the Executive Office for various periods to work on the programs for single countries. Such groups have assisted in formulating programs for the following countries : Mexico, Argentina, L"ruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile and Cuba. An aggressive, well balanced five year program has been worked out for each of the twenty countries of Latin America. These programs have the great advantage of embodying the exhaustive surveys made for the Panama Congress and the continued cooperative study of both the central and regional committees following the Congress. They have been submitted to the representatives of the boards and as revised by them will form the basis of askings for Latin America of the Inter- church World Movement. Surveys by special agents on the ground have been made for the City of Mexico and Buenos Aires. Eor the Publicity Department many articles have been fur- nished : the Latin American Section of the Survey Volume has been written, while for the Lantern Slide Department requests for assistance ' in preparing lectures, photographic work, etc., have been answered. This work has added greatly to the business of the Executive Office, not only in carrying out the actual program of these de- partments of the Interchurch Movement, but also in the extra office routine involved in accounting for funds, correspondence, filing, etc. The work of the Executive Secretary has been along six lines. First, regular routine work of the office including the secretaryship of the sub-committees of the General Committee and correspondence with the field committees. Second, addresses before churches, conventions, open forums and educational in- stitutions on Latin American matters, which this year have aver- aged about three a week. Besides these regular weekly lectures on Latin America have been given after office hours at Columbia Lhiiversity and Union Theological Seminary. A series of lec- tures at the College of Missions in Indianapolis on “Interven- tion in Mexico” was published at the request of the Mission Board supporting the institution. Third, literary work, which besides the book on Mexico, has included signed articles on - 12 Cooperation in tiatin Amerioa work more or less directly connected with this Committee ap- pearing in the following papers : New York Evening Post, Boston Transcript, the Outlook, the Survey, South American, Pan American Magazine, Pan American Review, Educational Foundations, Missionary Review of the World. World Out- look, Student World, Intercollegian, Missionary Year Book, Missionary Voice, Christian Work, Christian Century, Chris- tian Evangelist and World Call, besides certain mimeographical material sent to the religious press in general and those fur- nished to the Interchurch World IMovement. A handbook on Santo Domingo and Haiti has also been prepared, and a pam- phlet reporting the Mexico City Conference. Fourth, visits to the field, Mexico in January and February; Porto Rico, Santo Domingo and Haiti in May and J^me. Fifth, work for the In- terchurch World Movement as Director of Latin American Program in Surveys and Field Departments and managing editor of “The New Democracy.” Sixth, activities connected with membership in such organizations as the Committee on the War and the Religious Outlook, Committee for Relief for France and Belgium, Editorial Board Missionary Review of the World, and several Pan American societies. SPANISH SPEAKING WORK IN THE UNITED STATES The Home Missions Council having requested the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America to act as its committee on Spanish-speaking work in the United States, the Executive Secretary attended the Annual Meeting of the Interdenomina- tional Council on Spanish Speaking Work at Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 6th to 8th. At that meeting it was voted to request the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America to regard the Interdenominational Council on Spanish Speaking Work as occupying the same relation to the Committee that our Regional Committees occupy. This request was approved and a sum was voted for the expenses of the Council. The Council requested the help of this Committee in securing the support of the boards for the following proposals : Union Paper and Depository Interdenominational Bible Training School Course of study for Preachers and other workers Executive Service for the Council. These matters were referred to the sub-committee on the West Indies, which has been enlarged to take in the boards working in the Southwest. The Committee secured the alloca- tion of Dr. J. H. Heald, superintendent of the Congregational work, as Secretary of the Interdenominational Work. He has 13 Cooperation in Latin America just assumed his duties. The general approval of the project for a union paper was also secured but the first plan suggested was not satisfactory to the workers. With some changes in the plan the paper should soon become a reality. The next meeting of the Council is to be in Los Angeles in February and should have a full attendance of board representatives. CUBA The annual meeting of the Committee on Conference in Cuba was held in March, 1919. Among the more important actions taken were the approval of the following; 1. Temperance and Anti-Gambling Campaign. This cam- paign has been carried out on cooperative lines. Thousands of pieces of literature have been distributed by the Committee and many instructive posters published. Medal contests have also been conducted throughout the island and have awakened great interest. 2. Enlargement of “La Nneva Senda”, the Union Book- store. A budget of $35,000 for five years has been agreed upon and a holding corporation formed to operate the enter- prise. The depository has already become a literature center for the island, having orders on its books at one time for a thousand hymn books and as many Bibles in excess of what it could secure from the publishers. A small store in the central part of the city has been opened with remarkable results. Because of its central position as a shipping center it has been decided to use this store to fill orders received by the Central Committee, and now practically all the books listed in the Spanish Bibliography are obtainable at “La Nueva Senda.” The bookstore is also Cuban headquarters for The American Bible Society, the American Tract Society, the Cuban Sunday School Association, as the manager. Rev. Henry D. Cox, is also representative of these organizations. Also using the ad- vantage of the city as a publishing center, arrangements have been made to publish some general literature there. The Nueva Senda finds an open field for supplying churches and institutions with books for libraries, of both the circulating and permanent kind. These libraries are providing the mental food that all missionaries recognize as essential to the building up of any Christian community. One worker who has charge of one of these libraries says of its practical 'working ability that probably no one force has done more to raise the general mental condition of the community than the circulation of the books of this library. Students, lawyers, merchants, teachers, washer women and laboring men find alike helpful and inspir- ing literature at a price that anyone can afiford. 14 Cooperation in Latin America 3. Publication of a Union Evangelical Paper. “El Heraldo Cristiano,” a neat and attractive monthly is the answer to this resolution. It is edited by the Rev. Ezeqniel Torres, and sup- ported jointly by the Presbyterians and Friends, althoiigh sub- scribers are had among all the communions. Though estab- lished but recently, this periodical enjoys the largest circulation of any religious paper on the island. .4. Joint Sunnner Institute. This is no longer an experi- ment. The Second Summer Institute met in August, 1919, at Sancti Spiritu. Ten days were spent together in profitable study and wholesome recreation. This Institute was thrown open to all denominations that wished to send delegates. It was an occasion affording the frankest interchange of ideas on the common problem before them and did much to cement all creeds into a closer Christian fellowship. A special lecturer for this conference is to be furnished this year by the Commit- tee on Cooperation in Latin America. A very real and pressing project before the Christian people of Havana at present is the matter of the Union Evangelical Church. The very inadequate provision in Havana for re- ligious work in any form among English speaking people has influenced a group of Christian men to take definite steps for the improvement of this condition. A great union church and social center is planned which will cost about a Cjuarter of a million dollars. Havana is one of the largest ports in America. Its commerce is of such importance that the English speaking people are drawn to it in large numbers from all parts of the world. Its resident population of this element, rapidly pn the increase, now numbers into thousands, and it is estimated that more than fifty thousand come and go during the tourist sea- son. Havana is the nearest port to the United States where there are no temperance restrictions — eight hours only from the Florida Coast. Definite and well organized efforts are be- ing put forth to make the amusements of Havana attractive to the visitor. The race track already brings thousands to the city during the season. The financial opportunity which the recent legislation in the United States offers to a very undesir- able element of society in Havana, is apparent. The Christian forces are awake to the need for a very definite and thoroughly organized effort on their part in behalf of the children and youth of residents as well as the youth who for business pur- poses or for pleasure may visit the city. They are earnestly desirous that the very best in the Anglo-Saxon civilization shall be not only represented in Havana but represented adequately. The work of the Committee has been somewhat handicapped by a vacancy in the office of the Executive Secretary. Mr. IS Cooperation in Latin America Sylvester Jones, the former Secretary, was called into the head- quarters of the Friends’ Board as Latin American Secretary. A considerable interval elapsed before Rev. H. D. Cox, also of the Friends’ Mission, was elected and took charge. The pres- ent officers of the Committee on Conference, in addition to Mr. Cox, are Rt. Rev. H. R. Flulse, President; Rev. E. A. Odell, Vice-President, and Mr. W. M. Whitner, Treasurer. The address of the Committee and of the literature depository is Egido 12, Havana. PORTO RICO The Evangelical Semin-ary of Porto Rico. The most impor- tant happening of the year was the inauguration of this insti- tution on September 11. The organization of the Seminary has been effected in a most satisfactory manner. While the school is in the very beginning of its history, yet sufficient time has elapsed to demonstrate clearly the wisdom of this co- operative enterprise, and a new prestige has already been given to Evangelical work in the Island. There is a splendid student body of 23. In every way the cooperating missions have given the Seminary their most cordial support. The Blanche Kellogg Institute and the Polytechnic Institute. While these two institutions are under the direct control of de- nominational agencies, yet they are essentially interdenomina- tional in their activities. It is most gratifying to note the real progress that is being made in both of these institutions, as evidenced by the increased number of students as well as by the excellent type of work actually accomplished. They min- ister to the needs of all of the denominations and are factors of first importance in performing the task assigned to the Christian churches. Cooperation with these institutions is given in the way of scholarships. The number of these should be greatly increased. The Social Purity Campaign. Following up the campaign of the previous year the Sub-Committee on Social Reform called for a general observance of Social Purity Sunday on March 2. The churches responded well to the call and gave a decided impetus to the cause represented. Literature prepared for the occasion was widely circulated throughout the Island. The offerings from the churches, which amounted to $351.50, were turned over to the Insular Social Welfare Committee which at that time was giving attentioh to the unfortunate women who were confined to prison when the Island had its moral clean-up a few months before. The Depository of Evangelical Publications. Notwithstand- ing the difficulties that we have experienced in securing books. 16 Cooperation in Latin America the past year has been the best in the history of the Deposi- tory. During the year 3919 books were sold, and many more would have been sold had we been able to secure a larger stock. The capital of the Depository was increased $200 last year, and with the increase promised this year, the total will amount to $1,000. Puerto Rico Evangelico. This common organ continues to be a vital factor in the work. It has been enlarged and im- proved, and the number of subscribers is increasing continually. Last September, when we had 4,000 subscribers, we launched a campaign for new subscribers, with a view to doubling that number by January 1, 1923. Our first objective was to reach 5,000 by January 1, 1920. But long before that the 5,000 mark was passed and it is hoped to reach 6,000 by the last of January, and a 50 per cent increase for the first year. The campaign will continue until 10,000 subscribers are secured. Facilities for turning out the paper with the present number of subscribers are being severely taxed, and there is immediate need of the additional equipment asked for in the budget. A few weeks ago this printing plant issued a book of poems entitled “Primicias de mi Huerto,” by the Rev. Angel Archilla Cabrera. This is the first evangelical book to be published in Puerto Rico, and has been given a most cordial reception. The Summer Conference. Owing to the late date at which arrangements were begun for the Summer Conference last year, it seemed necessary to postpone it until the coming sum- mer. Already plans are under way for the Conference next June, and the outlook is excellent. It is necessary that the plan be heartily supported and that it is made possible for all the workers to attend. In addition to a lecturer to be furnished by the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America, it is likely that the International Sunday School Association will send a representative. This Summer Conference should become a part of the regular interdenominational program. Actions Taken by the Central Conference Committee of the Evangelical Union at Its Recent Annual Meeting. The Survey Department of the Interchurch World Movement requested the Evangelical Union to make up a five year program, which they did under the direction of the Secretary, Philo W. Drury. This was officially approved at its recent Annual Meeting. The budgets for the five-year program set forth the needs for the successful prosecution of the work. There is a unity to the plan, and the different phases of the work have been given close attention. In the budgets provision has been made for the following work : 17 Cooperation in Latin America (1) Under the direction of the Social Reform Committee: (a) Observance of Social Purity Day; (b) observance of Law Enforcement Day; (c) purchase of stereopticon slides for the use of the Committee; (d) religious survey of the Island in 1920. (2) Lhider the direction of the Committee on Evangelism: Special attention to Evangelism. (3) Under the direction of the Literature Committee: (a) Bookstore in Ponce and enlargement of Puerto Rico Evangelico Printing Plant, in a building erected for the purpose; (b) Bookstore in San Juan; (c) Placing of evangelical literature in the Island bookstores; (d) Additional capital for the De- pository of Evangelical Publications. (4) Under the direction of the Educational Committee: (a) Buildings, equipment, and provision for expenses for the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico; (b) Buildings, equip- ment and operating expenses of Blanche Kellogg Institute. 2. In addition the following action was taken : (1) The Baptist Mission is requested to allocate Mr. Abelardo M. Diaz for editorial work — that he continue as editor of “Puerto Rico Evangelico,” and that he give the re- mainder of his time to the preparation of tracts and other ma- terial adapted to Porto Rico. (2) Each denomination is requested to employ at least one colporter who will devote himself exclusively to the distribu- tion of Christian literature within the territory occupied by his denomination. (3) The Sub-Committee on Literature of the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America is requested to take into ac- count in the formation of its program the urgent need of litera- ture for young people especially. (4) The Constitution of the Evangelical Union was amend- ed so as to make provision for an Executive Committee repre- senting all of the denominations comprising the Union, which will attend to all matters related to the Union in the intervals between the regular meetings. (5) It was decided to organize the “Sunday School Asso- ciation of Puerto Rico” during the Summer Conference. A constitution for the proposed Association was approved. (6) In harmony with the request of the Committee on Co- operation in Latin America, Philo W. Drury was elected Execu- tive Secretary of the Evangelical Union. Funds for the Coming Year. The funds granted by the Committee on Cooperation for the past year were used largely in the payment for clerical help, a small part being used for travel and office expenses. As no provision has been made 18 Cooperation in Latin America here to cover such expenses, and as the Executive Secretary- will be freer to give attention to the interests of the Union, it seems that the amount available for the coming year should be increased. Appreciation. The following appreciation is expressed: ‘‘The workers of Puerto Rico greatly appreciate the services that the Committee on Cooperation is rendering the cause of the Kingdom in this Island, and they crave your prayers and help so that under the divine leading the best solution to the many intricate problems may be attained.” Visit of Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary of the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America visited Porto Rico in June of the past year and had a three day conference with the Evangelical workers dealing with problems connected with the Evangelical Seminary, Mission Schools on the Island, the Interchurch World Movement and the occupation of Santo Domingo and Haiti. The spirit of unity and devotion among the workers was greatly in evidence. A new spirit was found among the people in general caused by the experience of the war. There have been many labor disturbances during the year, and in spite of prosperity in some quarters the economic condition continues to be serious, due especially to the overcrowded condition of the Island. It is estimated that there are two and a half men for every posi- tion to be filled. On a little stretch of territory a hundred miles long by forty wide there live a million and a quarter of people, which means about 330 to the square mile. And most of this population is rural. San Juan the largest city has scarcely over fifty thousand people. There are no great factories that furnish employment for large numbers of men. The products of the Island are very limited, sugar, fruit, coffee and a few other things. If people are shut out of the industry on which they depend there is no place for them to turn for work. The government, recognizing the seriousness of the economic problem, has been doing good work in training the people to raise diversified crops, but this has had scarcely time to bear fruit as yet. It has been difficult for these people to understand, hereto- fore, why they should have any special loyalty toward the United States. But since they have been gathered into can- tonments and taught the meaning of keeping step, literally and figuratively, been shown how near the war came to them by the sinking of the Carolina, on which some of their loved ones lost their lives, had many of their boys who were in the United States carried over to France to fight, they have been able to 19 Cooperation in Latin America see that they are a real part of this country. The regret of most of the thinking people is that the men were not kept in camp longer, and that there was not a prolongation of food and other regulations which caused the people to consider as never before the meaning of life and the relation of their little island, which has so long lived to itself, to the big world on the outside. There were thirteen thou.sand soldiers in Camp “Las Casas.” At least 20 per cent of them had never had on shoes before. In many cases they made more money than they knew what to do with. They knew nothing of what it meant to do things by the clock, to do them in unison with others, to think of the effect that every little action would have on thousands of others, to obey orders to the letter, to read patriotic literature, to hear lectures on sanitation, venereal diseases, the social message of Christianity, and the meaning of the fight to make the world safe for Democracy. Many interesting stories are told by the “Y” men and others who worked in the camps and gained the confidences of the men. Like all Latins, it makes no difference how ignorant, they were keenly interested in dis- cussion. Religious meetings were among the most largely at- tended of all that were held. Often there would be a thousand men at a Sunday night service at the “Y” and the attention would be breathless. These new experiences have contributed remarkably to the opening of new opportunities for the Evan- gelical Church. The problem of living in Porto Rico is exceedingly difficult because of the few crops, most of which are exported, and the need of' importing the principal cereals and manufactured articles, along with a greatly overcrowded population. The missionary program should keep very constantly in mind the necessity of helping the people in the solution of these prac- tical problems which so closely relate themselves to the devel- opment of a strong indigenous religious force. SANTO DOMINGO AND HAITI At the request of the Home Mission Boards a survey of these two countries was made by the Executive Secretary in June and July, 1919, a report of which is just coming from the press in a 100-page booket. Most primitive conditions were found and practically a virgin field, as missionary societies had done next to nothing for these countries. The West Indies Committee has approved the occupation of the Island by a joint board of trustees which shall be appointed by the boards entering into the enterprise and shall have full charge of ad- ministering the work. Thus an endeavor will be made to enter this, one of the last virgin fields on earth, as a united 20 Cooperation in I^atin America Evangelical Church, eliminating the organization of denomina- tional churches. This is probably the first attempt to go this far in cooperation and the plan involves difficulties. But it seems worth while to make an earnest trial along these lines about which so much has been said when such an ideal field is found for the experiment. The Forces. The Episcopal Church has a few stations in Haiti with one or two chapels in Santo Domingo. The Wes- leyan Methodists of England have done some work in both countries, but for the last decade have been gradually abandon- ing the field. The Free Methodists have three congregations and one day school in northern Santo Domingo. One or two of the American negro denominations have evengelistic work in Haiti and there are a few scattering independent workers. What is said to be the most efficient boarding school for boys in Haiti is conducted by the French Catholic Brothers of St. Louis. One independent Wesleyan missionary conducts Bird College, which is the only Protestant boarding school on the island and is full to overflowing. The Moravians have several preaching points on the island but no intensive work. Most of the Protestant meeting places are mere shacks, though a large brick chapel is nearing completion by the African'M. E. Zion Church in Port au Prince and the Episcopalians have recently purchased a fine plot of ground in the same city with a view of adequately equipping their church and schools. The only places where Protestantism, so called, is meeting with any general favor are in a few of the Haitian cities where many seem attracted by an emotional, revivalistic type of ser- vice that makes no persistent effort to relate itself to the moral and social problems of the people. The great village and rural population is untouched, as are the majority of the urban folk. Proposed Program. For Santo Domingo it is proposed to develop two large urban centers with well-equipped social, educational and evangelistic work at Santo Domingo City and at Santiago. Industrial schools with courses in trades, agri- culture, sanitation, community service, preparation for rural teaching, domestic science, etc., are to be featured, with an evangelical bookstore and a large union hospital and training school for nurses at the capital. The institutional churches proposed for these centers will inaugurate programs with lec- tures on moral, hygienic, educational and religious topics of- fering courses in religious education with a public forum, boys’ and girls’ clubs, kindergarten, night school, public library, clinic and dispensary. Four smaller centers should be opened at San Pedro de Macoris, Puerto Plata, San Francisco de 21 Cooperation in Latin America Macoris and Sanchez, and from these evangelistic work may be projected into all parts of the country. For Haiti three principal centers are proposed, at Port au Prince, Cap Haitien and Gonaives. Similar features to those outlined for Santo Domingo are planned, with an especial em- phas on industrial education along the lines of Hampton Institute but more elementary. MEXICO The National Evangelical Convention held in Mexico City February 17-21, 1919, inaugurated what is probably the most inclusive program ever outlined by Christian forces for any nation, a program unanimously endorsed by the Mexican lead- ers, missionaries and board secretaries present. President Car- ranza, in a special audience, gave assurance of his sympathy and approval. Among the outstanding features of the program are; A university in the City of Mexico ; a hospital in the City of Mexico ; eight agricultural schools in different sections ; a community center or institutional church in each important center ; normal schools in districts lacking them and strengthen- ing of these now in existence ; equipment of the union Evangel- ical Seminary of Mexico ; the union of missionary publishing interests ; a campaign to popularize medical and sanitary knowledge ; a definite division of territorial responsibility. Two of these proposals have already crystalized into reality, the Evangelical Press of Mexico having been organized as book- sellers and publishers for eight Mission Boards, maintaining a bookstore in the downtown section of Mexico City and publish- ing a weekly paper, El Mundo Cristiano. The new paper takes the place of six denominational papers and its improved appearance and greater usefulness are already greatly appreci- ated. The division of territorial responsibility, which has been dis- cussed for years, was entirely completed during this year. The greatest harmony has prevailed in the transfer of work and the experience has been probably the most outstanding one of this character in all missionary history. The two Boards that changed their fields completely, the Disciples of Christ and the Southern Presbyterians, have now transferred all their work- ers to the new territory. The union Evangelical Seminary has been strengthened. A good deal of preliminary work has been done toward the union University. It has been decided to request the Mission Boards to provide for the first year five hundred thousand dollars, which would buy the land necessary and erect a building for 22 Cooperation in Latin America normal and commercial Departments which should be the first opened. The strong Committee on Cooperation in Mexico is to be still further aided by the employment of a General Secretary. In cooperation with the various Churches, with the Interna- tional Sunday School Association and the United Society of Christian Endeavor, the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America has just secured Mr. Geo. M. McBride for this posi- tion. Besides promoting the union program above outlined he will serve the Mexican Committee in developing such interde- nominational activities as temperance, Sunday School and young people’s work. Mr. McBride was formerly an educa- tional missionary in Chile and Bolivia and is splendidly equip- ped for this important service. The Educational Committee of the Mexican Cooperation Committee has been organized to represent officially the mis- sion boards and is endeavoring to secure as Secretary, Prof. Moises Saenz, now Director of the National Preparatory School. With these two leaders giving their whole time to the devel- opment of general missionary activities, rapid results may be expected. In spite of reports of bad conditions in Mexico, the mission boards find this year one of the best in all their history, with calls for opening new schools, social centers and churches far beyond the ability of the present forces to answer. All Boards are maintaining a full force of workers which are located in all parts of the Republic carrying on their work with encour- agement from people and officials. Toward the settlement of the “Mexican Question” the American missionary forces now offer a comprehensive, long studied, inclusive, educational program, on a fundamental spiritual basis which alone will redeem Mexico. BRAZIL This has been the best year the Regional Committee of Brazil has had. The Committee has been reorganized, and is now composed of representatives appointed by the various ecclesiastical organizations in Brazil. The Sub-committee on Survey has adjusted a question of territorial occupation between the Methodists and the Inde- pendent Presbyterian Church and is working continually for a better adjustment of territory in all parts of Brazil. As there has never been any general understanding on this matter it is greatly needed in order that the whole country shall be adequately occupied. 23 Cooperation in Latin America In the matter of Literature, the Committee, with the back- ing of the General Committee on Cooperation in Latin Amer- ica, has just secured the services of Prof. Erasmo Braga for Literature Secretary. Stalker’s “Life of Paul” has been trans- lated and turned over to the American Tract Society for pub- lication. The Southern Methodist Board has installed a mod- ern printing plant in its new building in Sao Paulo, erected expressly for this purpose. The manager of this plant, Mr. J. W. Clay, is also the agent for the union depository which is in process of development. The Mission Board has set aside a room for the use of the Literature Secretary and it is planned to make this plant a union organization. It is already serving practically all of the evangelical churches in Brazil, with the exception of the Southern Baptists, who have their own print- ing plant. Their plant, however, is located in Rio de Janeiro and does not come in competition with the Methodist plant. The Literature Committee works in close cooperation with the Brazilian Sunday School Association in the production of Sunday School literature, and the General Committee in New York made a special grant to them for Sunday School litera- ture last year. In order that development of Portuguese litera- ture, which is so far behind, may be further hastened, the Literature Committee requests that Mr. Myron Clark on his return to Brazil be allowed by the Young Men’s Christian Association to give half of his time to their work, assisting Prof. Braga. The Brazilian Committee has endorsed the request from the union Evangelical Hospital of Rio de Janeiro and from the union English-speaking church of that city for funds for the enlargement of their work. The Evangelical Hospital was built at a cost of $100,000 by the Brazilian churches. It is not be- ing used to its full capacity, however, because of lack of funds for its support. The union Theological Seminary, planned for several years by the Brazilian Committee, began its work this year by Prof. Donald Maclaren, formerly President of Mackenzie College, taking his sabbatical year for service in Brazil and teaching a small number of students in temporary quarters. It is hoped that next year will see the beginning of a building for this important enterprise. The Brazilian Sunday Schools have asked the World’s Sun- day School Association for a Secretary, and such an officer would be of help to the general cooperative work in which all are linked through the Committee on Cooperation in Brazil. There is great need for more workers being set aside for the cooperative task in Brazil. Few people realize the diffi- 24 Cooperation in Latin America culties and problems involved in the work in that country, since it is larger than continental United States and traveling facilities are very limited. Need of such workers was recently emphasized by an action of the Presbyterian Mission, as fol- lows : “The circumstances of the development of our work in Brazil are calling for the organization of interdenomina- tional efforts ; viz.. Union Seminary, Sunday School Work, University Federation, Joint Literature Committee, etc. Each of these efforts calls for the services of one or more men, as professors, general secretaries, etc. The Execu- tive Committee feels that this work is of such importance at present that the Board should be willing to allocate any of its men who should be chosen ; or, in case the choice falls on a Brazilian, the Board should be willing to contrib- ute its share to his salary and expenses during the years in which the Brazilian Church is being organized for his support. The Committee also feels that such appointments take precedence of all calls for reinforcement and where a Board could not meet such an appointment with immediate replacement should even then have precedence.” CENTRAL AMERICA This is one of the most neglected of all mission fields. In order that the problems may be carefully considered a Regional Conference is to be held at Guatemala City, March 26-29, 1920. The three boards recognized as responsible for that territory, the Presbyterian U. S. A., Northern Baptist and Methodist Episcopal, the Moravians who are doing Indian work in Nicaragua and the independent missionaries are in- vited to attend. Reports are being prepared on Evangelism, Education, Literature and Community Service, with proposed advance programs in all six republics. OTHER REGIONAL COMMITTEES No reports have been received from the other Regional Committees. While they have all had their annual meetings and served as a clearing house and round table for discussing mutual problems, they have been able to do little aggressive work because of lack of executive leadership. Until secre- taries are secured for these committees they will continue to find large service difficult. The following summary of conditions presented by Bishop Oldham on his recent visit to the United States is significant : 25 Cooperation in Latin America (a) In Argentina the Methodists and Disciples are coop- erating in the development of a national college, probably the first one in Latin America. The Methodists have already given up Paraguay to the Disciples and are ready to move from the three northern provinces as soon as the Disciples can appoint workers for that field. One of the greatest needs in Argentina is a training school for women workers, and Bishop Oldham expects to present this need to the two boards during his present visit. As school work advances the valida- tion of diplomas for North American institutions in Argentina is found necessary, and this matter should be studied. (b) The Montevideo Seminary must be planned in a large way. There is no college trained minister in all Spanish speaking South America. If a college trained minister should present himself there would be no place to give him theological training. In South America there is a special emphasis on trained leadership. An educated man will always refuse to sit at the feet of untrained evangelists. Everything possible should be done to start this seminary on the highest basis and well prepared young men will no doubt be found as students. (c) In Chile the Methodists and Presbyterians have re- cently agreed to a better division of the territory. It is not yet entirely satisfactory and could only be made so by large readjustments. The Union Bible Training School in Santiago needs a better building than has been planned and the boards will be requested to face this matter. In connection with the new Normal School in Valparaiso there is planned a Bible Teacher’s Training School for Women. This will probably be the first one in South America. (d) In Peru cooperation has not progressed very far. The forces have not been able to get together yet for a union paper, as proposed, and the Methodists have recently enlarged their paper. There is a great need for a training school for workers. The union night school now functioning cannot meet the demand. (e) There is great need of bringing the British societies, working in South America into closer connection with the Com- mittee on Cooperation in Latin America. There is a growing feeling that this Committee is simply an American organiza- tion. Something should be done to improve the connection with the English societies now that the war is over. There is a splendid spirit of good will in South America at the present time. People feel that the continent is on the edge of marvel- ous things. They do not know so much about North America as a whole, but they have abundant confidence in President Wilson. 26 Cooperation in Latin America UNION ORGANIZATIONS The Committee on Cooperation in Latin America has acted since its organization as a point of contact for the various mission boards in their desire to develop certain institutions which should be of a cooperative nature, rather than supported by individual boards. The following is a condensed schedule of such cooperative institutions and enterprises, both present and proposed. The union enterprises already in operation are under the direction of union boards of trustees appointed by the cooperating socie- ties themselves. Mexico Now in operation : Evangelical Seminary, Evangelical Press, union weekly periodical, union bookstore, secretary for the Committee on Cooperation in Mexico, union English-speaking church. The following boards are cooperating in these enterprises ; Methodist Episcopal, Southern Methodist, Presbyterian, U. S. A., Presbyterian U. S., Congregational, Disciples of Christ, Friends, Northern Baptist (cooperates in bookstore). Young Men’s Christian Association (cooperates in all literature work). The following institutions are proposed but not yet definitely begun : Union university, two union agricultural schools, union hospital in Mexico City, union training school for women work- ers. Cuba In operation: Union paper (supported by Presbyterians and Friends), union bookstore, secretary for Committee of Confer- ence in Cuba. Boards cooperating: Presbyterian, Northern Baptist, Friends, Episcopal, Y. M. C. A. Proposed : Union theological seminary, union normal school, union English-speaking church in Havana, union hospital. Porto Rico In operation : Union paper, bookstore and printing plant. Evangelical Seminary, secretary for cooperative work. Boards cooperating: Northern Baptist, Presbyterian, Metho- dist, Congregational, United Brethren, Disciples of Christ, Christian. Proposed: Union training school for women workers (using Blanche Kellogg Institute), special funds for evangelistic and social reform committees of the Evangelical Union of Porto Rico. 27 Cooperation in Latin America Santo Domingo and Haiti An entirely new program is proposed, including evangelistic, educational, institutional and medical work, directed by a union board of trustees. Panama Proposed : College and training school for workers to minis- ter to the eight surrounding republics, supported by Methodist Episcopal, Northern Presbyterian and Northern Baptist boards. Chile In operation : Evangelical Seminary at Santiago, Evangelical Normal School at Valparaiso, union paper, union bookstore. Boards cooperating: Methodist Episcopal, Northern Pres- byterian. Proposed : Junior college at Santiago under support of above boards. Argentina In operation : American College, evangelical training school for men. Boards cooperating: Methodist Episcopal. Disciples of Christ. Proposed : Union training school for women. Uruguay Proposed : International Eaculty of Theology and Social Sciences, at Montevideo. Approved by Methodist Episcopal, Northern Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ boards but not yet inaugurated. Brazil In operation : Union theological seminary, supported by Northern Presbyterians, Southern Presbyterians, Southern Methodists, Congregational of Brazil, Independent Presbyteri- ans and the Brazilian Methodist and Presbyterian Churches ; University Eederation, which binds together in a federation the following professional schools : Agricultural College (Southern Presbyterian) School of Pharmacy and Dentistry (Southern Methodist) Mackenzie College (Independent) and the various secondary schools supported by these denomina- tions in Brazil. There is also in operation a union hospital supported by the Brazilian Evangelical Church and a secre- tary for literature has been provided for the Brazilian Com- mittee on Cooperation. Proposed: Medical School, Law School. Normal School, Library Fund. 28 Cooperation in Latin America Literature and Other Special Funds (For All Latin America) Union Literature Program. This contemplates the strengthening or the establishment of union bookstores and periodicals in all Latin American coun- tries and the formation of a board of trustees to publish books in Spanish and Portuguese. Fund for Apologetic Lectures and Evangelists. To carry the Gospel message to all classes of people by means of meetings in colleges, theatres, halls and clubs. Fund for Conference Centers. Establishment of these “Northfields” in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Panama, Mexico, Cuba, Porto Rico. Fund for Emergency Training. Including correspondence courses and bringing workers to- gether for intensive training to meet the immediate need of leaders for the advance program. With a new open-mindedness, a new search for the spiritual and a new demonstration of friendship toward the United States evident in Latin America ; with the attention of the world focused upon these southern lands in a new way ; and with the larger plans for service by the American Churches expressed through the Interchurch World Movement, the Com- mittee on Cooperation looks forward to great things in the year nineteen hundred and twenty. Robert E. Speer, Chairman. Samuel G. Inman, Executive Secretary, 25 Madison Avenue, New York City. 29