Hear, oh ye people, how the Blessed Lord became transfigured, and the wretched need awaited His transfiguring Love below: And it came to pass, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And as they came down from the mountain, straightway all the people, when they beheld Him, were greatly amazed, and running to Him saluted Him. And behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech Thee, look upon my son, for he is my only child. (He) hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away. (St. Luke IX, 28-29; St. Mark Ix, 9, 15; St. Luke IX, 38; St. Mark ix, 18.) Among the poor people of both groups, some are eagerly listening, waiting, hoping; others are discouraged. The Mandarins watch stolidly with contemptuous curiosity. There is silence, a long silence. VOICE OF DIVINE MEDIATION Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? (Lamentations I, 12.) Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people; that they plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may in Thy service be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. After a pause the Voice of Divine Mediation goes back to his place in front of the Altar. Then one or two friendly people, a man and a woman, go up from the sides of the Congregation, and maybe one more from the middle of the Congregation. They go up among the poor people of both groups and greet them in a kindly manner, mingling with them and engaging them in conversation, and pointing them to the three Voices, as if explaining to them who they are. Then from different parts of the Congregation a Physician and a Nurse go up. The Physician puts on his white operating coat as he goes, and carries his instrument bag with him. The Nurse is dressed in white and carries in her hand a bandage roll or other simple first aid equipment. One of the friendly people who went up first calls the attention of the Physician to a sick or injured child among the Chinese, and he immediately proceeds to examine and do what he can for the patient. The other Chinese gather around with intense interest, and even the Mandarins come out of their indifference. One Mandarin especially becomes almost excited as he watches the Physician, talking with the other Mandarin and at last rushing out. He soon returns with a handsomely dressed but feeble boy, his son, whom he brings up to the missionary Physician, crowding through and pushing others out of the way to get him there. He appeals for attention and help, making almost frenzied offers of great reward. The Physician nods to him kindly, but makes him wait until he has finished with another patient. Meantime the Nurse has given her attention and help to the destitute people of the group representing the Domestic Mission Field, with similar good results, some evidence of gratitude, and increasing appeal for further help. Other people may come in to increase the number of each group. At the same time this action is going on, the following lines are spoken: APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT No suffering so great, no pain so slight WORD OF GOD God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did. (Acts x, 38-39.) After the Medical type of Missionary Work has been clearly presented, a young woman, one of the first friendly group of Missionaries, gathers about her, on the Choir steps, some of the children of the people of the Domestic group and begins to teach them. The Missionary Physician, finding a serious case among the Chinese, probably the Mandarin's son, calls the Nurse for her assistance. They instruct the patient's friends how to carry him, and they go out with him. Some of the Chinese also go out, and then soon return. The other two of the friendly Missionaries similarly gather Chinese children, or young people of either group around them and teach them. Then other Teachers, of university grade, come up from the Congregation, two or three of them. As they come, they may put on their academic gowns and caps and the hoods of their university degrees. Around them gather some of the older people, especially keenly intelligent young men, who show their eagerness for the instruction afforded. Some of these may come in from either side, as if having heard about the educational advantages offered to them through the Church's Missions. As this suggestion of the Educational kind of Mission Work continues, the following lines are spoken: APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT O send out Thy Light and Thy Truth, that they may lead me: and bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling. (Psalm XLIII, 3.) Show me Thy ways, O Lord: teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy Truth, and teach me: For Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day. (Psalm xxv, 4-5.) WORD OF GOD And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things. (St. Mark vi, 34.) Between the quietly, clearly spoken lines of these passages there should be a short silence. So also at the end. Then the Appeal of the Human Spirit speaks meditatively: APPEAL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT To know the Love of God is not a thing A little more, until at last we know Its wonder. His Glory and His Love surround us everywhere, Then comes He in His Glory and His Love Our weak, spasmodic, hesitant belief. So teaching is primarily the nurture of the soul, Indeed obey the Lord's command, to feed After a pause, sufficient to mark the distinction between the two types of Missionary Work, during which the teaching continues, the Word of God speaks: |