After surveying one of the better staffed divisions of the mission field, a missionary declared that not more missionaries were needed, but a more effective use of the force at work; and fortunately in that particular field central direction is beginning to secure that end.  But usually there is no central direction and no comparison of plans between neighbouring missions on the field, although several missions may be located in the same town or city; and two Mission Houses in London may be almost next door neighbours, and may have missions in the same city in the Far East, and may yet be entirely ignorant of each other’s plans for work in that city.  They might be rival businesses guarding trade secrets!  Hence it is not strange that when late in the day a survey of a city in China is made in which there are about two hundred missionaries, it is found that not one of them is giving full time to evangelistic work!  Across the city of Tokyo a line could be drawn west of which all the foreign workers live, while east of it there are nine hundred and sixty thousand people without a single resident missionary!

But not only is intermission planning, based on survey, sadly lacking; few missions have thoroughly surveyed their own fields and their own work, and fewer still have surveyed them in relation to the work of others.  The result is that policies are adopted and staffs increased in a way which—­for all administrators know to the contrary—­may be adding weight where it should be diminished, and may be piling up expenditure in the wrong place.

It should be pointed out, however, that survey is beginning to come into its own.  It is being more and more realised that it should be the basis of all co-operative work, and the survey of China now nearing completion places that country in a premier position as far as a foundation for wise building is concerned.  Recently in London, neighbouring Mission Houses have been getting into touch with each other, and the Conference of British Missionary Societies and the analogous body in America have made conference between missions frequent and fruitful.  But there is a long way yet to travel before we can have that comprehensive planning which the present world situation imperatively and urgently demands.

But just as neighbouring missions should get to know about each other’s work and plans in order that funds may be spent most effectively; so a world survey is necessary if the command of Christ is to be adequately obeyed.  The unit is the world, and survey in patches may misdirect money which would have been spent differently if the whole need had been before the eyes of those who are charged with the responsibility of administration.