A History of Lutheran Mission

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II.--THE PIETISTIC ERA. India--Lapland and Finland--Greenland. The eighteenth century witnessed new and increased missionary activity. This, according to worthy historians, was due to the influence which the great philosopher, Leibnitz, exerted over A. H. Francke. The religious consciousness re-awakened through the efforts of Spener and Francke made it possible for the mission ideas of the day to become a reality. The minds of the devout were filled with all kinds of thoughts about missions, and when men of practical piety, such as the Halle leaders were, had their attention directed to the subject, it did not take them long to put these ideas into tangible form. There was the open door; the desire to dp something, and the master mind to direct. Pietism not only erected a monument of benevolence in the form of the Halle Orphans' House, but also laid the foundations of a mission temple at which the Lutheran Church has been building ever since. Through the establishment of colonies in the East Indies (1620), in the West Indies (1672) and, about the same time, on the Gold Coast of Africa, Denmark had an opportunity to let her light shine among the heathen as no other Lutheran country. The union of Denmark with Norway gave her access to the Lapps of the North and the inhabitants of Greenland. The principal missions of the Lutheran Church during the XVIII century are found on Danish territory. It can not be definitely ascertained who first entertained the thought of taking up mission work in the Danish possessions. Frederick IV. when as yet only prince, is said to have been surprised that no effort was made by the Lutheran Church to convert the heathen. When he succeeded to the throne he charged his chaplains, Jespersen and Masius, to look around for s...