Francois Coillard, missionary of the Zambesi, wrote, "When we see missionary festivals so run after-when we hear these stirring hymns, these sublime and moving protestations of our compassion for the perishing Heathen, and of our entire devotion to Him whom we acknowledge as King, should we not expect to see a whole crusade on the march for the conquest of the world, singing'Onward, Christian Soldiers? One might suppose that, all we have and all we hope for had been laid on the altar, waiting for nothing but the fire from heaven. And, in reality, what have we done? What have we given? What have we sacrificed? Where does this spirit of renunciation show itself in the details of daily life? What discipline are we willing to submit to? What ease, what luxuries have we denied ourselves? "Have we not indeed often grudged to God's service what we could spare? And alas even this half-hearted zeal soon evaporates. The fit of spasmodic devotion once over, we take back from God what we had professed to give Him; we return to the idols of our hearts, refuse His claims, and leave the Heathen to perish without compunction." (Quoted by Amy Carmichael in a private letter, May 2, 1899)
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