To the Editor of Help and Food.

My dear brother:-It seems to many of us that the Lord in His goodness is directing our minds at this time to a special interest in the work of the gospel in foreign fields, whose great need appeals to every Christian heart. I say "a special interest," and "at this time." From the beginning of the gospel it has been an extending power, reaching out ever further to "the regions beyond." This was our Lord's "great commission" to His disciples after His resurrection, repeated prior to His ascension:"Ye shall be witnesses unto Me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth"-ως έσχάτoυ τς γς,-"as far as the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

In the joy of their first love the disciples "went everywhere preaching the Word." A diminution of this first love is ever accompanied by declension, worldliness, coldness, and, correspondingly, when the saints have been revived, there has been a renewal of gospel zeal in foreign parts. Even among so-called "Brethren," whose testimony had to do largely with the condition and walk of believers, this zeal for work in foreign parts has not, thank God, been lacking. Without boasting, we may mention the work in Egypt and among Arabic-speaking peoples, that in Persia, India, China, Japan, Africa, Central and South America, the American Indians, and in Spanish and Portuguese lands, together with the immense circulation of Bible Truth literature all over the world.

But I have said that at this time the Lord seems to be stirring us up to a renewed and special interest in this most blessed work, and it is of this that I wish particularly to speak. The recent departure to be with Christ of our beloved sister Miss Mercy McCandless, who laid down her bright young life for our Lord Jesus in the Congo region in Africa, has stirred many hearts. So far from such a life being wasted, we can say of her as our Lord said of another heart His love had touched, "She hath wrought a good work on Me;…. she hath done what she could. How many fragrant memorials of love to Him will in that day meet His appreciative "Well done." Nor would I be greatly surprised to learn that her call home has been a call to service for some others. May the Lord grant it.

I may mention also the presence with us of our beloved brother Dr. Woodhams and his wife, who are expecting shortly to return to their work in Central Africa. This has awakened much interest, and brought to a focus a number of practical questions relating to the nature of work abroad.

Perhaps what I wish to say further may best be given in the form of a report of a meeting held in New York on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 22nd of this year. This was in response to an invitation to come together for prayer and consultation as to the foreign work. A number were present from Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Elizabeth, Passaic, Plainfleld, Camden, Philadelphia and Buffalo. A spirit of prayer and brotherly unity marked the meeting. Fundamental questions were considered, together with much detailed discussion of the work in Africa-Dr. Wood-hams giving much practical information.

Back, however, of the work in any special field, it was considered that the time had come for perhaps a fuller recognition of the foreign work in relation to the truth which the Lord has in great mercy permitted us to learn. It was our conviction that no matter where the Lord's work was, nor what varied details marked it, there was ample provision in the Word of God for the manner of conducting it.

For instance, it was felt that the great truth of the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:1-3) should be our guiding principle both at home and abroad; that nothing should interfere with that unity in the relationship of those who go abroad with those in the assemblies at home; that the sea made no difference in the continuity of that scriptural fellowship which we would seek to maintain in all lowliness and meekness; that assemblies on the foreign field are recognized as absolutely, organically one with those at home, and should act on that principle, commending to and receiving from one another in the manner we have learned from the Word of God. In other words, fellowship abroad means the same as fellowship at home. Correspondingly, all the saints at home should meet the responsibility of support, counsel and encouragement of those who have gone forth "for His name's sake, taking nothing of the Gentiles" (3 John?). Nothing less than this would meet the spirit of Ephesians 4:1-6.

We all realized in a fresh way the call of God to carry the banner of the Cross forward, but were more than ever convinced that in His Word we have abundant and sufficient guidance for methods of work and all the details incident thereto. Thus we are sure there is no need for the formation of any society or organization. The various gifts in the Body are ample for all its proper activities. Nothing should in any way divert the mind of the laborers from their sovereign Lord and Master, who fits, calls, equips and sustains His servants. How dishonoring it would be to agree for a stipulated "salary," or anything of that kind.

But on the other hand, Scripture is equally clear that we are to "bring forward on their journey after a godly sort" those who are going beyond the immediate presence of the saints (3 John 6). The importance also of a knowledge of the work and its needs was felt, and a scripture precedent indicated in the sending forth and the return again of Paul and Barnabas in fellowship with the assembly at Antioch (Acts 13,14). It was thought to be in full accord with the spirit of such scriptures to devote a few pages in Help and Food to accounts, of the Lord's work, and matters of general interest to the saints regarding the foreign field.

Then, too, for work of such magnitude and importance it was felt that it would fall into the hands of one or more brethren who would act as intermediaries between the saints and the workers. These would receive financial ministry, and, unless specially indicated, use it where there was special need. They would purchase and send out medical and other supplies where they could not be procured on the ground, give counsel and encouragement, and act in any way indicated as "joints and bands ministering nourishment" (Eph. 4:16; see also 2 Cor. 8:16-24).

But I will not take up more valuable space at the present time. Enough has been said to show that interest has been aroused, and to indicate some of the exercises all are having. It is proposed to have another such meeting in New York in the latter part of February, at which we hope to have an even larger attendance. Might it not be practicable to have similar meetings at other points? I know this is done already in some places, and I would welcome any correspondence relating to these important matters. Above all, let us be in prayer for the Lord's guidance and blessing on the work of our hands.

Affectionately in Christ out Lord,
Samuel Ridout

P. S.-We would not suggest that there has been no interest in this blessed work hitherto. The monthly reports of money received and forwarded by the publishers would show the contrary. Our only desire is to seek to awaken and to co-ordinate these exercises, and to secure greater efficiency by giving fuller liberty to the Spirit of our God.