UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1935-11-01_Page-061

APPENDIX IV THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY AT CAIRO REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON S PIRITUPL RESOURCES The spiritual resources of the University, which are "the unsearch-nble riches of Christ", remain undiminished and at our command just so far as we are willing to appropriate and use them. Has that willingness itself remained undiminished? This is a serious cuestion for all. The missionary impulse, which made the past century forever memorable in church history, has sunk to a low level. This we all recognize and de-plore. Several causes might be ascribed for this depression. The church itself in spiritual life is at a low level, and is ready to emphasize the excellencies of the non-Christian religions as disclosed in their sacred books, and to c_uestion whether Christianity is enough better to justify offering it as a substitute. Nationalism, which is a most seductive form of selfish-ness, has affected the attitude of almost all Americans towards dwellers in foriegn lands, and has greatly increased the old protest, "Then' our own land needs all the gospel we can give, why spend time and money on Foreign Missions?". The fate of the Christian schools in Turkey raises +. fear that some day Christian schools in Egypt may be suppressed. And at the present moment we all are wondering what effect the Italian war may have on our University. Truly the present is a time when, unless we are on our guard, we shall almost unconsciously come to feel that the spiritual resources of our Uni-versity have been reduced along with the material reduction. More than ever we need to emphasize prayer. Our individual prayers as Trustees and the pet-itions of the Prayer Circle should be more earnest and unceasing that vie all may be able to comprehend how exhaustless is the wealth of grace and power that we freely given us for the asking. At a time when ve are tempted to fear that former friends of the Uni-versity are losing interest, the recent meeting of a dozen or more men who had been on the University staff at different times was inspiring because it disclosed the strong affection they still retain for the school and their interest especially in its spiritual life. They were frank in their crit-icisms, largely of themselves as failing to improve opportunities for Christian work among the students; but even such criticisms revealed the hold the Uni-versity still retains upon them and their desire that in every" way it shall fulfill its mission. Prof. Cleland and Mr. Badeau, who were present, found many helpful suggestions to take back to Egypt, and ir. Lunt and I were cheered by the expressions of unceasing sympathy with the work and the workers. Some-what similar meetings held in other sections of our country would, I ant sure, bring similar encouragement. Ve cannot count ourselves poor when we have such intercessors.