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THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY (Founded 1792) 139th ANNUAL REPORT For the year ending March 31st, 1931 LONDON PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY AT THE CAREY PRESS 19, FURNIVAL STREET, E.C. 4. Telegraphic Address: “ Atiatie, Fleet, London." Telephone: Holbom 6888 (t lines) CONTENTS PAGE THE UNFINISHED TASK ... ..................................... 5 FINANCE ... ..................................... .......................... 8 THE UNFINISHED TASK ABROAD.............................. ... 10 OUR UNFINISHED TASK IN WOMEN’S WORK 23 THE UNFINISHED TASK OF OUR MEDICAL MISSIONS 29 AT THE HOME BASE ... 36 THE MISSIONARY ROLL CALL, 1930 .......................... 38 PART II. THE SOCIETY : COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS, 1929-30, &c. 45 LIST OF MISSIONARIES .......................... 60 STATIONS AND STAFF..................................... 80 STATISTICS AND TABLES .......................... 87 SCHOOLS FOR MISSIONARIES’ CHILDREN 117 PART III. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY .......................... ... 121 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS 121-125 DEFICIT ................................................................................... 125-128 WOMEN’S FU N D ........................................................................ 129 MEDICAL FUND ........................................................................ 130 BIBLE TRANSLATION AND LITERATURE FUND ... 132 GIFT AND SELF-DENIAL W E E K ..................................... 132 LONDON BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION ............. 134 ENGLAND: COUNTY SUMMARIES.„ ............. ... 142 WALES: COUNTY SUMMARIES ..................................... 174 SCOTLAND : COUNTY SUMMARIES .......................... 191 IRELAND, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN ... 194 SPECIAL FUNDS ... .............................................. .. 196 SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THREE YEARS ... 198 GENERAL SUMMARY OF CASH ACCOUNT .............. ... 199 TREASURERS’ CASH ACCOUNT ... .......................... 202 SPECIAL FUNDS ACCOUNTS .................................... 206 AUDITORS’ CERTIFICATE ................................................. 210 GIRLS’ AUXILIARY ..................................... .............. 211 THE “ WANTS” DEPARTMENT ..................................... ... 212 TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR AT HOME AND ABROAD ..................................... ... .............. ... 213 The Baptist Missionary Society 1 9 3 0 -3 1 ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINTH YEAR ANNUAL REPORT THE UNFINISHED TASK By B. GREY GRIFFITH, B.D., Home Secretary EADERS of this Report will quickly note the vastness of the work now being accomplished, and how varied, and how successful. India, Ceylon, China, Africa, Brittany—these R are the places where we are at work. Preaching, teaching, healing, visiting, these are some of our methods; but to anyone who reads below the surface there must come home the con­ viction that while so much has been done for which we give thanks to God, there is yet still a great deal undone, and that our tasks are certainly unfinished. First. It will be known that in the comity of Protestant missions the whole field has been mapped out so that as far as possible no two missions shall labour in the same area. This is one of the results of the Edinburgh Conference of 1910, and it will be agreed that such a policy is not only a sign of the amity and concord between Missions, but also most advantageous for the spread of the Kingdom. There have been committed to us, as the Baptist Missionary Society, tracts of country in which is to be found a total population of over forty-five millions. That is, we are responsible for a population larger than that of Great Britain and Ireland. Roughly speaking, they are divided as follows :— India, 38| millions ; China, 6 millions; and Congo, one million. For all this work we have only about 450 European workers, and, needless to say, we are only touching the fringe. Round about four stations in India there are over a million people for whom we are responsible. Again and again in the Report will be found the appeals of the people for the ministry which we are able to offer, and for the treasure which we hold in our hands. Surely there is none among us who will suggest that we can regard our work as in any way finished; nay, rather, the call is for advance everywhere. 5 6 ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. [1 9 3 1 . Second. Among the features noted at the Jerusalem Conference was the coming into being all over the world of churches native to the soil, and we have much cause for thanksgiving for the develop­ ment of church consciousness everywhere. That is seen in some of our areas by the fact that the church members are under­ taking so very much upon themselves, especially in the way of providing church buildings, as may be found in certain parts of India, or of workers for whom they have become responsible, as on the Congo. But it cannot be thought that as yet they can do entirely without the help which we are privileged to give them. They realise their need of the spiritual experience which comes from those lands where Christ has been known so long. These churches are in the midst of perils peculiar to themselves. The great wave of nationalism that is sweeping over India might very easily swamp the church. In China there is an intense fight going on between the Christian inter­ pretation of life and that which is merely secularistic. The church there must find it very difficult to maintain its witness. In Congo there is the peril of the impact of Western civilisation, especially in the form of industrialism. Where a few years ago the only white man known was the missionary, now in place after place there are scores of white men in trade and in commerce, whose manner of life to a large extent does not help the work of the missionary. It cannot be easy to be a Christian in any of these lands. We read how in some of our Indian villages there is only one Christian. We read that in China the pressure of secularism is very great. We read that on the Congo the desire for material gain tends to draw many away from the Christian faith. And it has to be remembered that all the while the older religions from which they have come are still there in power, permeating the customs and habits of the people. Yet it is from a land like China that has come the great movement known as the Five Year Movement, with the intention that so far as lies in them there should be a large increase in church membership during these coming years. So our work still remains unfinished. We need to give of our treasure in experience and in knowledge to help these churches, that they may become strong and powerful. In many ways we are but beginning our task. Third. During the year many candidates have been accepted for service in the work of the Society. They have come to us from all parts of the country and offered themselves for all forms of service. Altogether thirty-two candidates have been received, fourteen men, eighteen women, though some of them have not yet completed their 1 9 3 1 .] THE UNFINISHED TASK. 7 training and will not be ready to go out for a year or two. We have had four offer themselves as doctors, and five as nurses. Some are being sent out for specific educational work. To a large extent, however, these are but filling the gaps that have been made during the past years, and in many parts of our mission field there is a serious and alarming shortage of workers. Especially is this the case in China. It is a privilege of the Society to translate into work and deed the enthusiasm and devotion represented by these offers. It certainly would be a dangerous symptom in our Denomina­ tion if, when we have aroused this enthusiasm in our youth, we should be unable to go forward to complete it. For it must be remembered that it is the Society, through its missionaries, its members at home, the ministers of our churches, the literature that is disseminated, and in other ways, that creates in these young minds this desire to serve Christ in the lands across the sea. It is very difficult at any time to refuse candidates, but some must be rejected because they have not the physical strength sufficient for the service, and some others because, while there is no disputing their zeal, they have not had the oppor­ tunity of equipping themselves. But the task of the Society is surely unfinished when such devotion is aroused and when all in body and mind and spirit is ready. It must go forward to create the oppor­ tunity and to send forth these young men and young women. It cannot be emphasised too often that one enthusiasm maintains another, and that to damp down enthusiasm in one direction is to imperil it in every direction. If the youth of our churches find that we do not provide the means to serve as they desire, we shall not only lose the enthusiasm which is theirs, but also risk losing the enthusiasm which such people themselves create. Fourth. Once again we have to give thanks for large and self- sacrificing generosity on the part of many of our friends. Gifts are made out of penury, and were it not for the devotion of many in our churches, the work would be more hampered than it is. We know also that along with these gifts ascend many prayers. Day after day in letters and conversation witness is borne to this. It is not too much to say that there are many amongst us who agonise for the coming of the Kingdom, and it is the sacred privilege of the Society to count these amongst its members. Possessions are sold, holidays are foregone, denials are exercised in order that the wherewithal shall be found ; and yet how much more could be done, for in this also our task is unfinished. Large numbers of those who profess loyalty to our Lord take little or no interest in the spreading of His Kingdom. It would appear as if one side of their faith has been entirely un­ touched. They are satisfied with the Lordship of Christ over a small area, and it really means that the giving and the praying, to which 8 ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT.

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