gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,
and kindred, and tongue, and people." Rev. 14:6.

This was a declaration that as the time came for the closing gospel work
to be done, the doors of access to every nation and tongue and people
would be thrown open. In 1844, or but a few years before, much of the
world was closed to missionary endeavor; but as the prophecy indicates,
the years following have witnessed the swift and systematic opening of
all lands to the gospel message.

It was in 1842 that five treaty ports in China were opened to commerce
and to missions,--advance steps in the opening of all China to the
gospel. In 1844 Turkey was prevailed upon to recognize the right of
Moslems to become Christians, reversing all Moslem tradition. In 1844
Allen Gardiner established the South American Mission. In 1845
Livingstone's determination was formed to open up the African interior.

Dr. A.T. Pierson, speaking of the wonderful way in which Providence
opened the doors of access in those times, wrote as follows:

"Most countries shut out Christian missions by organized
opposition, so that to attempt to bear the good tidings was
simply to dare death for Christ's sake; the only welcome
awaiting God's messengers was that of cannibal ovens, merciless
prisons, or martyr graves. But, as the little band advanced, on
every hand the walls of Jericho fell, and the iron gates opened
of their own accord. India, Siam, Burma, China, Japan, Turkey,
Africa, Mexico, South America, the Papal States, and Korea were
successively and successfully entered. Within five years, from
1853 to 1858, new facilities were given to the entrance and