The Call of the World

In Short

This book serves as a manifesto for the Laymen’s Missionary Movement in the early 20th century. It argues that modern advancements in communication and global commerce have created a unique historical opening for the spread of Christianity. By framing missionary work not merely as a religious duty but as the "biggest business proposition" for the church, the author provides a practical, strategic manual for laypeople. It remains a historical artifact of an era that viewed global engagement through a lens of moral duty, organizational efficiency, and institutional expansion.

The Story

The narrative begins by establishing a sense of urgency regarding the state of the world in 1913. The author posits that humanity is undergoing an awakening of "unparalleled magnitude," affecting three-fourths of the global population. This is not characterized by the localized shifts of the Crusades or the Renaissance, but by a truly global transformation. The author contends that the "sovereignty of Christ" is widening, evidenced by the fact that Christian nations now exert political or territorial control over 82 percent of the globe. This geopolitical shift, the author argues, is a divine preparation of the stage for a great missionary advance.

The argument moves from the global landscape to the specific responsibility of North America. The author asserts that the United States and Canada have been granted a strategic position of leadership due to their geographical isolation, vast natural resources, and, crucially, their "moral worth." The narrative frames the founding of the American republic as a divine commission, tracing a line from the Pilgrim Fathers to the present day. Because North America holds such immense wealth and organizational capacity, the author argues it is uniquely obligated to shoulder a significant portion of the world’s missionary task.

Following this call to national duty, the narrative shifts toward individual action. The "fourfold program" is introduced as a method for the layman to engage: widening one’s horizon through study, adopting principles of stewardship, engaging in "unwithholding consecration," and committing to "unending prayer." The author moves away from mere emotional appeals, demanding instead the "keenest sagacity of business men" in the governance of mission boards. The goal is to move beyond sentimental interest to a systematic, business-like approach to global evangelization.

The final arc of the work addresses the practical mechanics of this mobilization. The author provides a detailed, if sobering, survey of "unoccupied" regions—places like Bhutan, Nepal, and vast swaths of Africa—where no missionary presence exists. By calculating the number of missionaries needed and the costs involved, the author presents a quantitative "budget" for the spiritual conquest of these territories. The text concludes by reinforcing that while the task is immense, it is entirely possible if the church organizes its resources as efficiently as a modern corporation. Prayer, in this framework, is the essential energy source that powers the entire machinery, ensuring that the movement remains a spiritual endeavor rather than a mere administrative one.

How It Unfolds

The widening sovereignty of Christ The author surveys historical movements to show how the present era is uniquely expansive, covering most of the globe rather than specific regions. He argues that the shift in geopolitical control toward Christian nations is a clear signal that the time for a massive, coordinated missionary push is now.

The challenge of a great task The narrative provides a diagnostic breakdown of the world’s spiritual needs, moving continent by continent. It highlights regions that remain "unoccupied," treating these areas as gaps in a global battle line that must be filled.

America’s position in the world battle The text pivots to the unique, providential role of North America as the "home base" for this movement. It justifies this central role by citing the continent's immense mineral, agricultural, and mechanical resources as assets intended for global use.

A man’s response to the world appeal The focus narrows from nations to the individual reader, outlining a rigid four-part discipline for personal participation. The author insists that being a Christian steward requires the same rigorous, systematic effort as managing a successful commercial enterprise.

The People

The book focuses on the "layman" as its central protagonist. This is not a specific individual, but a composite figure: a man of business, a man of resources, and a man of untapped potential. The author treats this reader as a latent force who, once properly "cultivated" and informed, will transform the world.

The author also invokes the "pioneers," such as the Pilgrim Fathers, as models of the required character. These figures are presented as the spiritual ancestors of the modern layman, possessing a "tireless energy" and an unwavering conviction that their nation was founded for a divine purpose.

The "native leaders"—men like Hon. T. H. Yun of Korea and Ding Li Mai of China—are presented as the successful results of the missionary enterprise. They represent the ultimate goal: the transition from foreign oversight to local, autonomous leadership. These figures are celebrated for their sacrificial giving and their role in social reform, serving as proof that the investment of money and labor in foreign missions yields tangible, high-value returns.

In Its Own Voice

"Instead of a limited area millions of square miles are in the midst of far-reaching changes."

This observation underscores the author's belief that the scope of current global shifts is historically unique and necessitates a similarly global response.

"To learn Chinese is work for men with bodies of brass, lungs of steel, heads of oak, hands of spring steel, eyes of eagles, hearts of apostles, memories of angels, and lives of Methuselah!"

The author uses this quote to illustrate the sheer intellectual and physical difficulty of the missionary’s task, emphasizing that only the most dedicated individuals can succeed.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the application of modern efficiency and "big business" principles to the spiritual task of global expansion. The book argues that missions are not a peripheral church activity but the defining, urgent business of the modern age. It explores the tension between material wealth and spiritual obligation, proposing that a nation’s prosperity is a trust to be managed, not a possession to be enjoyed. Ultimately, the work asks whether the church can shed its "provincial" mindset and adopt a "world vision." It treats the global map as a strategic chessboard, where the movement of people and resources is the key to achieving a lasting, worldwide, and unified Christian civilization.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of institutional mission work, early 20th-century geopolitical perspectives, or the development of modern "efficiency" culture will find this a fascinating document. It provides a window into a mindset that viewed the world as a singular, manageable project—a sentiment that resonates with modern globalism, albeit expressed through a strictly religious vocabulary.

Reading this book feels like examining the blueprint of a grand, vanished ambition. It is written with an intense, earnest warmth that is characteristic of the period’s evangelical enthusiasm. However, today’s readers will likely encounter significant hurdles. The text’s period-specific attitudes toward "backward races" and the assumption that Western political dominance is inherently synonymous with divine favor are stark. Its reliance on long lists of statistics and rigid organizational strategies can make it feel more like a manual than a narrative. Despite these difficulties, it captures a distinct moment in history when a segment of the North American church felt that the entire globe was within its grasp, requiring only enough willpower, organization, and capital to complete the project. It leaves the reader with a profound sense of the confidence—and the blind spots—that defined that era’s vision of the world.