1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

conversion during this present generation through the useof the thirty million dollars proposed. Nor, indeed, ifthe sum were a thousand times that. We would not, however,discourage the giving of money for Missions. Thosewho give will be benefited by so doing, and undoubtedlyevery million spent benevolently in Oriental lands willhelp to bring in the more extravagant civilization of theWest. It will increase the wants of the natives, and thuspromote commerce. As for promoting vital Christianity,we all know that this is not a purchasable commodity.As to whether the Western civilization will reallyadvantage the East is a question. The Orientals, economicaland industrious, are also contented, which is morethan can be said of their more favored brethren of theWest. Nor can we claim that our Western civilizationwould make them more honest and more truthful.The very suggestion of the conversion of the worldis ridiculous to the peoples of the East--including theMissionaries. One Methodist minister frankly said, "Ihad to come here and see for myself, before I dropped theidea of the world's conversion, and the twin idea that allthe unconverted would suffer endless torture."VII.--"To what extent do the monies donated benefitthe heathen, and could any improvement along this linebe suggested?"Answer.--Our judgment is that that portion of moneycontributed to Foreign Missions, which reaches heathenlands, is wisely enough used for its intended purposes.Whatever waste there is would seem rather to be in themachinery of collections. One collector for such benevolentinstitutions told us that he was allowed, as his salary,one-half of all that he collected. We know not to whatextent this principle obtains with other Societies. EachSociety owes to itself to institute a very thorough investigationinto its own affairs, and to ascertain what proportionof the funds received is ever forwarded to theMissionaries.Nothing in these remarks applies in any degree to theAssociation under whose auspices this Committee wentforth. It is well known by us all that the InternationalBible Students Assn. is conducted along most economicallines, and that all services in the home office are gratuitous.We know nothing to suggest, except that the trueGospel of salvation be preached--the Gospel of the Kingdomof Messiah. Wherever Pastor Russell preached thesoon coming of Messiah's Kingdom to "Bless all the familiesof the earth," all classes heard with keen interest.He quotes Scriptures relating to the coming "GoldenAge," the lifting of the veil of ignorance and manifestingGod's love to all men, including those now sleeping indeath. It seemed good to Mohammedans, Hindus, Buddhists,Confucians--all. Many desired him to stay longer,but his time was limited; instead he promised them literature,for which they eagerly handed in their addresses.Your Committee found no time in which to visit Burmah,Africa and Australasia, and suggest that it might be