THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY (Founded 1792) 144th ANNUAL REPORT For the year ending March 31st, 1936 LONDON PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY A T THE CAREY PRESS 19, Furnival STREET, E.C. 4. Telegraphic Address; “ Asiatic, Fleet, London," Telephone : Holbom 5883 (S lines) CONTENTS PAGE “ THE DEFENCE AND FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL” 5 FINANCE 7 OUR WORK IN 1935: INDIA, CEYLON, CHINA, CONGO... 9 WOMEN’S W ORK ...................... 32 OUR MEDICAL WORK IN 1935 42 AT THE HOME BASE ... ... 49 THE MISS ION All V ROLL CALL, 1935-36 ................................... 52 MAPS ............................................................................................. 54 PART II. THE SOCIETY : COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS, 1935-36, &c. 59 LIST OF MISSIONARIES ......................................................... 75 STATIONS AND STAFF .................................................................... 96 STATISTICS AND TABLES ......................................................... 103 SCHOOLS FOR MISSIONARIES’ CHILDREN .......................... 131 PART III. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY ................................... 135 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS ._ ... 135 DEFICIT .......................................................................................... 139 LEGACIES (General).............................................................................. J40 WOMEN’S FU N D ............................................................................... 141 MEDICAL FUND ............................................................................... 142 BIBLE TRANSLATION AND LITERATURE FUND .............. 144 GIFT AND SELF-DENIAL W E EK .............................................. 145 LONDON BAPTIST MISSIONARY UNION ........................ 146 ENGLAND: COUNTY SUMMARIES............................................ lf.4 WALES : COUNTY SUMMARIES .............................................. 1ST SCOTLAND: COUNTY SUMMARIES ................................... lit« IRELAND, CHANNEL ISLANDS AND ISLE OF MAN ... *21«! SPECIAL FUNDS .............................................................................. SlW SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THREE YEARS ... 210 GENERAL SUMMARY OF CASH ACCOUNT ........................ 212 TREASURERS’ CASH ACCOUNT ~ ... 216 SPECIAL FUNDS ACCOUNTS .............................................. 21 s AUDITORS’ CERTIFICATE ......................................................... 222 GIRLS’ AUXILIARY .................................................................... 22:< THE “ WANTS” DEPARTMENT .............................................. 224 TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR AT HOME AND ABROAD .................................................................... 225 The Baptist Missionary Society 1 9 3 5 - 3 6 ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOURTH YEAR ANNUAL REPORT “ THE DEFENCE AND FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL” N his letter to the Philippian Christians, Paul gives thanks to God, I with joy, for the fellowship he had with them in the furtherance of the Gospel. No letter is more intimate, and it is clear that the relationship between the Apostle and the members of the Church at Philippi was close and affectionate. He evidently considered that what he was doing at that time in Rome, though in bonds, was a part of the service of the Philippian Church. They had contributed material support to him, and on this occasion, at least, Paul could do no other than accept. * * * * * HILIPPI spoke always to Paul of the furtherance of the Gospel, P for it was to that city he first came on that venture when, in obedience to the call from Macedonia, he crossed from Asia to Europe. To one so discerning as Paul this journey must have been recognised as determinative, but probably all the significance of it was not apparent to him. We, looking back upon it, see how critical the entry into Philippi really was. Then Christianity turned westward to capture Rome and Europe. * * * * * UT there was more than that in the phrase he used, for he was B able to tell the Philippian Christians that those events in his life which caused them anxiety and trouble were really turning out for the furtherance of the Gospel. What might have appeared as a limitation to his energies and activities, in bondage as he was, and in a prison, had really brought about astounding results. Preachers were springing up everywhere, some not from the best motives, but others stirred by the sight of Paul’s own witness and endurance. Moreover, the guard that watched over him unceasingly was learning to know why he was there, and was being impressed. * * * * * O everyone like the apostle the thing that matters is whether Christ T is preached, and it is a great day in any man’s experience when he realises that the ways of preaching are many, that not only by word 5 ft ONE HUNDRED AN© FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. [1936. o f mouth, but far more by the testimony of the life, is the witness given. The number of believers was being increased as the Gospel was being preached. But there was yet more, for it is clear that there was a development going on in Christian character. It was already seen in those who were waxing confident, and were emboldened to speak the Word without fear. It was also disclosed in the deeper understanding of the relationship of Christians ons with the other. ***** N a matter of conduct Paul makes his appeal from the amazing fact I of the condescension and humiliation of Christ, Bet forth in the Incarnation, and in His obedience unto death, even the death of the Cross. It is upon this that he bases his plea for Christian conduct and Christian character. And as this grows the Gospel is furthered. * * * * * O those who read these pages it will be made dear that still the T Gospel is being furthered. There are records here which tell of new territory that has been occupied, and again and again of men and women who have come to faith for the first time. Undoubtedly, the number of believers is being increased. It is not without interest that it is just fifty years ago that the first convert was baptized in the Congo in connection with our Mission. The date was Monday, March 29th, 1886. Writing, about it, Comber, who conducted the service, says th is : “ On the Monday morning, as I notified to the people on the Sunday, we proceeded to the nearest pool, a mile away, to carry out for the first time in Congo the ordinance of Believer’s baptism, the subject being my boy, William Mantu Parkinson. It was an impressive service. Several hymns were sung, and a few words spoken on the subjeot of following and serving. Oh, for the time ‘ when the little one shall be a thousand, and the small one a strong nation ! ’ The Lord hasten it in His time.” HE one has become a thousand. Last year over 2,000 were T baptized in Congo in connection with our Mission. Likewise, these pages report that evidence is forthcoming of the deepening realisation of the meaning of Christ for life and for character. And, above all, there is appearing in clear outline the Church of Jesus Christ in India, in China, and in Congo. * * * * * ET the reader seek these things and he will find them. He will L then surely join with Paul when he sayB: “ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now: being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” THE FINANCIAL SITUATION THE APPROACH TO THE CHURCHES URING the year the usual deputation visits were made to the D churches. Something of their extent may be judged by the fact that, in a busy month like October or November, speakers ^e provided for over one thousand meetings, while on each of the last two Sundays in April over forty churches in London alone received missionaries. We would take this opportunity of thanking all who made these visits profitable and also pleasurable; in particular, we would thank the ministers, missionary secretaries and hosts, and those who provide transport. * * * * * A CONFERENCE of women auxiliary secretaries in May provided • a most useful occasion to discuss the work of the Women’s Forward Movement undertaken during the last three years. The secretaries brought to the meeting the experiences of their own districts, and the corporate judgment of local fellow-workers on the value of the enrolment scheme, the usefulness of the Prayer Partners leaflet, and other allied questions. The number of Prayer Partners steadily increased during the year, and we thankfully record that 20,250 leaflets are now issued. Since these leaflets are only given to enrolled members, the figure indicates a larger volume of pledged personal support. ***** /~\NE outcome of the conference has been the holding of similar conferences locally for Church women missionary secretaries. The benefit of frank discussion of difficulties, the exchange of methods that have proved helpful, testimony to what God has wrought in local groups and individual churches, are already bearing fruit. Note must also be made of the increasing number of individuals in the churches who receive letters from stations and missionaries through the Mission House ; in particular, bed supporters are kept in close contact in this way. The Ministers’ Letter has been sent out periodically; and each quarter all missionary secretaries receive an eight-page pamphlet relating to their work. ***** t h e r e s p o n s e o f t h e c h u r c h e s ' | ’'HE first response is to be found in the candidates