Missions
p. 24 · Read in the full issue
Future Of Pacific Islands
“ A USTRALIA and the Pacific” is a XX booklet written by the Rev. R. C.
Blumer and the Rev. H. M. Arrow smith, and published by the Church Missionary Society, Sydney, apparently for young students of missionary work in the Pacific. It covers the history of the Church Missionary Society in the islands of the Pacific and in lands bordering the Pacific, and presents some ideas concern ing the future of this area and the aims of the Society—particularly in regard to the Netherlands East Indies, where a new field of service is planned. There are about 50 million Mohammedans in the NEI, and about 1,500.000 Christians.
It is admitted in the booklet that the task ahead is one that will try strong men; but the solution of all Pacific problems is summarised in two words, “comradeship and partnership.” These sentiments are endorsed by all who pause
even for a moment, to consider the Pacific now, and in the post-war period—and as sentiments they are fine—but no one yet has got down to brass tacks and told us what line we are to take to reach this happy state of affairs.
We may accept the hypothesis that in Gods sight all men are equal, and that the answer to our immediate problems lies in comradeship and partnership. But what then? No one has given us any indication of how the conflicting con glomeration of ideas, religions, problems, lusts, ideals, poverty, misery, wealth, power, and the millions of individual aims and desires that are cradled in the Pacific area are going to be welded to gether into one mass of co-operative effort. Perhaps, in the crucible of war, we shall be cleansed of our old failings and imbued with a desire for duty, self sacrifice and neighbourliness; but there is remarkably little indication of it up to date.
The ideals of Mr. Blumer and Mr.
Arrowsmith are inspiring; but they must be backed up by something more prac tical than a pious hope that mankind and Governments in general will be motivated by a sense of Christian duty.