Foreign Mission Board
November
7»
19$7
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3:00 p.m. on
Thursday, November 7, 195>7 with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, H. P. Thomas, J. E. Boyles, Clyde V. Hickerson,
P. Earle Wood, Horace Ford, Emmett Y. Robertson, Mrs. Kenneth Burke, Howard
L. Arthur, C. Bailey Jones, Perry Mitchell, J. Levering Evans, Neal Ellis,
Baker J. Cauthen, George W. Sadler, Winston Crawley, Fon H. Scofield, Rogers
M. Smith, E. L. Wright, Floyd North, E. L. Deane.
Dr. Ford led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report:
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
The meeting of our Board today is in sharp contrast with another meeting being
held across the world in Russia commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the
Communist Revolution in that country.
The sweep of Communism in forty years is remarkable. It has demonstrated
definiteness of purpose, willingness to pay any price for attainment of its
objectives and an utter disregard of all considerations which might stand in
the way of its march to power. Vast areas of the world have been brought
under the sway of this movement which by its basic philosophy is atheistic
and is contemptuous of all religion and human rights. The objectives of the
movement is world revolution which in the opinion of its leaders can be
attained within this generation.
The free world has in recent weeks been awakened sharply by the evidences of
remarkable scientific progress within Russia. The significance of these
achievements is being felt profoundly as it is recognized that the future of
the countries within the Communist Bloc will experience accelerated industrial
development.
The impact of these scientific achievements upon many countries that are
nressed with serious problems and are looking for a solution to them is very
great. Many countries in which there is small Christian influence appraise
Communism in terms of its economic possibilities rather than in terms of
spiritual and moral values. We must regard the future as promising a much
more intensified appeal by the advocates of Communism for control of the minds
of men and their political loyalties.
It is realistic, therefore, to recognize on this day a fresh summons to a
Christian world task. We must be aware that Communism will greatly accelerate
its appeal to the peoples of the world in the immediate future. There must
come from the areas which represent a base for Christian witness a fresh thrust
on a world scale. This must involve not only a much greater number of mission¬
aries who establish work in many parts of the world, but a vigorous testimony
at the home base, so as to reinforce all efforts made abroad in the name of
Christ.
The presence of a missionary whose life is devoted to the service of his fellow
man for the glory of God is of incalculable value in helping people discriminate
between the paths that lead to freedom and those that lead to totalitarian
control.
Christianity is not a political movement. It does, however, reach into the
depths of man's nature with such vast significance that it enables him to
recognize the dignity of human responsibility. The basic ideas of the worth
of the individual and the accountability of man to his Maker shape the think¬
ing of people in such a way that they cannot willingly yield themselves to
the full implications of the philosophy of Communism.
One of our grave dangers is that Christian people will go along on the basis
of previous efforts being adequate for our present day. The philosophy of
expending a highly disproportionate amount of our resources and effort upon
our immediate surroundings must be re-thought. Unless Christian forces can
