71
Foreign Mission Board Rooms
September 10, 1953
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session on Thursday, September
10, 1953 at 3:30 p.m. with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, R. C. McDanel, J. Hundley ''iley, V.. Kush Loving,
Frame tt Y, Robertson, J. F. Boyles, E. P. Buxton, Herman P. Thomas, T. Shad
Medlin, L. G. Mosley, Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson, Mrs. Tom Smith, Ferry Mitchell,
Oscar L. Hite, Mrs. Kenneth 3urke, Reuben F. Alley, George Sedler, Baker
James Cauthen, Everett Gill, Jr., For. H. Scofield, Frank K. Means, E. L. Deane,
E. L. bright, L. P. Seay, Neal Ellis.
Dr. Robertson led in prayer.
Dr. Sadler gave the following report:
During these latter days there has been increasing evidence of the favor of
God and the cooperation of the members of our constituency. It has looked
as if every one was desirous of carrying a more -than -normal load in order
that the common burden might not be overwhelming.
Ridgecrest was filled with reassurance. Five members of our Board and about
a thousand others were present during Foreign Missions Week. All the services
we re stimulating and many of the meetings were characterized by a spirit of
dedication. As a matter of fact, scores of young persons actually dedicated
themselves to the cause of Christ and hundreds of their elders pledged their
support. If meetings of this sort could be measured in numbers, we would
have occasion to thank God and take courage.
As the treasurer's report will indicate, Southern Baptists are expressing
their interest in Foreign Missions by increased giving. It is evident that
we have a mandate from Southern Baptists to press forward. It is incumbent
upon us to lift the vision of our people in order that they may see the many
areas of opportunity and need. At the same time, we must do our best to
quicken their consciences and deepen their spiritual life.
Vthile religious intolerance in Spain has the approval of Cardinal Sequra of
that country Rr.d Cardinal Ottaviani of Italy, vie are encouraged by the
concordat that was recently signed by Generalissimo Franco and the Pope.
This writing recognizes the presence in Spain of non-Catholics and it
accords to them the right to worship freely. In the meantime, the number
of Baptists is growing. Rev. Charles Yi. Yihitten writes that forty-two
persons were baptized into the membership of the church at Sabadell last
year. It is expected that a corresponding number of converts will be admit¬
ted to the church in 1953. It is heartening to observe that the Baptists
of Sabadell are interested in those who live in the regions beyond. Their
concern for those outside their owr. circle is being expressed by their
monthly contributions to foreign missions.
Two British Baptists writing in the Baptist Times of London, concerning summer
conferences at Ruschlikon speak in high terms of "two of our professors.
Chaplain
7»,
Murray Raw states that Dr. John D. Vi. Y.'atts "took the book of
Anos and gave an admirable combination of the best modern scholarship and
inspirational homilitics A layman, K. W. Bennett characterized Dr. John
Hughey's address on "Man's Place in the Church" as "masterly."
From Southern Rhodesia come such reports as the following: "Last month I
held baptismal services at Bulawayo and had the joy of baptizing fourteen
converts. Next week we shall baptize about thirty in Shabani and Gwelo.
Approximately thirty others are still attending our enquirers' class and
seeking baptism. ... .1 was talking to two natives at a large gold mine where
we are starting regular services. As I talked, others drifted up, and within
twenty minutes I was surrounded by over 200 natives who listened intently as
I tolc. of the Creator-God who loves mankind. Vie taught a si ole chorus and
with this, the strange name Baptist came to hold meaning for these people
.ho have rarely, if ever, heard the true gospel. Hereafter they shall hear
the blessed story each week as our native pastors, lay -preachers and evange¬
lists alternate v/ith the missionary on these preaching trips."
Thanks to the i~ood offices of the American Embassy in Cairo, vie seem to be
making progress in the matter of acquiring control of the hospital at Gaza.
