(...)"THE author accepted the invitation of his friend, Professor Chas. T. Ball, General Secretary of the Baptist Student Missionary Movement [later designated American Baptist Student Union], to prepare this book on the missionary message of the Bible for use in schools, colleges, universities, theological seminaries, and for general reading. Two other studies of the teaching of the Bible concerning Missions have been prepared by the same author. Missions in the Plan of the Ages is an extended study for use in classes of seminaries and training schools and by others who wish to make a full study of the subject. It has been in growing use for twelve years. Four years ago All the World in All the Word was prepared at the special request of the Women's Missionary Union Auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention for use in their numerous study classes. Although extensively used by those for whom they were prepared, neither of these seemed wholly adapted to the uses of the Missionary Movement.
There has been no effort to avoid use of the same material in the different volumes. There has been diligent effort to adapt the use in each case to the constituency for whom it was prepared. It is hoped that the outcome may justify the effort, and that the multitudes of young men and women in our schools of learning, and in our churches, who are taking ever-growing interest in God's plans and work for the world, will find in these studies a sure foundation and a permanent inspiration for missionary interest and effort.
While seeking always to keep in mind the needs of the students, the author has not made these studies too simple and easy. They deal with God's redeeming idea in the history of revelation, a subject inevitably calling for careful and sustained thought. But the effort should be amply repaid if one comes to feel that the lines of divine thought and action have been grasped in some measure. The supreme need of the Missionary Enterprise at this time is consecrated personality in which to invest the everincreasing sums of money which the churches are ready to give. The saving gospel can be proclaimed only through men and(...)"
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