Arthur Judson Brown
Encyclopedia
Arthur Judson Brown was an influential American clergyman, missionary
and prolific author
.
Brown was born in Holliston, Massachusetts
, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1883. He preached in various cities throughout the United States, including Portland, Oregon
and Oak Park, Illinois
from 1883 to 1895.
Often termed a "missionary statesman," Brown traveled throughout the world—most notably in China
and other Asian countries. During the time he surveyed China, he wrote a seventeen-volume diary of what he'd seen and discovered. Over time, Brown communicated with Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox leaders, in addition to such influential Protestant clergymen as Henry Sloane Coffin
, Nathan Söderblom
, and John R. Mott. Brown himself received letters from five American Presidents and various other government officials. Booker T. Washington
, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
(1839–1937), and John Wanamaker
were among his famous American correspondents. In addition, members of European and Asian royalty, including Chinese general and emperor, Yuan Shih-kai, were in communication with Brown.
Overall, Brown will be remembered as a pioneer in the ecumenical and world missionary movements of the 19th and 20th centuries and was an individual who was active in and out of the church. He served in a plethora of notable positions. The following is a lengthy chronology of Brown's achievements and activities. During this time Brown also preached at various churches.
Arthur Judson Brown died in New York City
in 1963, 39 days after celebrating his 106th birthday. He was subsequently buried in Orange, New Jersey
.
As noted, Brown was appointed as a life elector for the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, serving from 1915–1963, a period of 48 years.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and prolific author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
Brown was born in Holliston, Massachusetts
Holliston, Massachusetts
Holliston is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the Greater Boston area. The population was 13,547 at the 2010 census. It is part of the region known as MetroWest. Holliston is the only town in Middlesex County that borders both Norfolk and Worcester...
, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1883. He preached in various cities throughout the United States, including Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois
Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb bordering the west side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the twenty-fifth largest municipality in Illinois. Oak Park has easy access to downtown Chicago due to public transportation such as the Chicago 'L' Blue and Green lines,...
from 1883 to 1895.
Often termed a "missionary statesman," Brown traveled throughout the world—most notably in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and other Asian countries. During the time he surveyed China, he wrote a seventeen-volume diary of what he'd seen and discovered. Over time, Brown communicated with Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox leaders, in addition to such influential Protestant clergymen as Henry Sloane Coffin
Henry Sloane Coffin
Henry Sloane Coffin was president of the Union Theological Seminary, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, and one of the most famous ministers in the U.S...
, Nathan Söderblom
Nathan Söderblom
Lars Olof Jonathan Söderblom was a Swedish clergyman, Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden, and recipient of the 1930 Nobel Peace Prize...
, and John R. Mott. Brown himself received letters from five American Presidents and various other government officials. Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John Davison Rockefeller, Jr. was a major philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. He was the sole son among the five children of businessman and Standard Oil industrialist John D. Rockefeller and the father of the five famous Rockefeller brothers...
(1839–1937), and John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker was a United States merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a "pioneer in marketing." Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:He was born on July 11, 1838.He opened his first store in...
were among his famous American correspondents. In addition, members of European and Asian royalty, including Chinese general and emperor, Yuan Shih-kai, were in communication with Brown.
Overall, Brown will be remembered as a pioneer in the ecumenical and world missionary movements of the 19th and 20th centuries and was an individual who was active in and out of the church. He served in a plethora of notable positions. The following is a lengthy chronology of Brown's achievements and activities. During this time Brown also preached at various churches.
Arthur Judson Brown died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1963, 39 days after celebrating his 106th birthday. He was subsequently buried in Orange, New Jersey
Orange, New Jersey
The City of Orange is a city and township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 30,134...
.
Career Chronology
- 1887: Moderator of the Synod of ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. - 1890: Chairman of the Portland City Board of Charities; drafts law organizing Oregon's first State Board of Charities and Corrections
- 1895-1929: serves as Administrative Secretary, later General Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.
- 1896: first attends the Foreign Mission Conference of North America; later becomes first Chairman of the Committee of Reference and Counsel (16 years), and Chairman of the Emergency Committee on Support of Missionary Societies.
- 1898-1900: Ecumenical Missionary Conference, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
--member Executive Committee; Chairman—Hospitality Committee. - 1901-1902: world trip to Asian missions.
- 1909: made world trip.
- 1910: World Missionary Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland--member Executive Committee; Chairman, American Section; member of Continuation Committee for 16 years.
- 1910: Commission of the Federal Council of Churches on Relief for Protestant Churches in FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
-Chairman; resumes following World War I. - 1913: awarded D.D., Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. - 1913-1963: Council on Religion and International Affairs (formerly The Church Peace Union)--Charter Trustee; member Executive and Finance Committees; treasurer since 1936.
- 1914: British and Foreign Bible SocietyBritish and Foreign Bible SocietyThe British and Foreign Bible Society, often known in England and Wales as simply as Bible Society, is a non-denominational Christian Bible society with charity status whose purpose is to make the Bible available throughout the world....
--Honorary Foreign Member.1914: World Alliance for Promoting International Friendship Through Religion-member Executive Committee. - 1914-1937: Peking Union Medical College, China—trustee; member Executive Committee; post 1937—member Advisory Committee.
- 1915: Near East Relief-trustee.
- 1915-1918: Moral Aims of World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
--member Executive Committee. - 1915-1919: National Committee on Relief of Children in BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
--member Organizing and Executive Committees. - 1915-1963: Hall of Fame for Great Americans—elector.
- 1917: Foreign Missions Conference of North America-Chairman. League of NationsLeague of NationsThe League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
Non-Partisan Association—Honorary Vice-President. - 1918-1940: HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
-American Society—Chairman of Executive Committee, Vice President; 1920- Chairman of Deputation to Hungary. - 1919: Committee on Relief for Protestant Churches in Devastated Regions in Europe in World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. - 1920-1937: American Committee on Religious Rights and Minorities—Chairman; 1937-Honorary Chairman.
- 1920: Life and Work Movement—member of delegation sent by Federal Council of Churches of U.S. for its delegation 1920: Greek Decoration—Officer of the Royal Order of George I. Emergency Committee for Relief of Refugees in GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
--Chairman. - 1921: International Missionary Council—organizer.
- 1921: Siamese Decoration—Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the White ElephantElephantElephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
. - 1924: National Committee on American-Japanese Relations—member.
- 1925: Conference of Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System, Cardiff, Wales—Committee member and speaker.
- 1925: Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work, StockholmStockholmStockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, SwedenSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
-Joint President; Chairman-American Section; helps establish "Life and Work". headquarters at GenevaGenevaGeneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
in 1928; Chairman-Continuation Committee until 1936. - 1927: World Conference on Faith and Order, LausanneLausanneLausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
--delegate; American-Palestine Committee--member. - 1930: editor the Missionary Review of the World for one year.
- 1931: Save The Children Federation--first President; 1931-1936-Honorary President; member Executive Committee.
- 1933-1937: International World Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches-Vice-President: President-American Section.
- 1937: Eugene Field Society (National Literary Association)-honorary membership
- 1960: Hall of Fame for Great Americans—citation.
As noted, Brown was appointed as a life elector for the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, serving from 1915–1963, a period of 48 years.
Writings
Brown is also remembered for his career as an author. In his 106 years of life, he authored numerous books. The following is a listing of Brown's works.- The New Era in the Philippines (1903)
- New Forces in Old China, 7 volumes (1904)
- The Foreign Missionary (1907
- The Nearer and Farther East (1908)
- The Why and How of Foreign Missions (1908)
- The Chinese Revolution (1912)
- Rising Churches in Non-Christian Lands (1915)
- Unity and Missions (1915)
- Russia in Transformation (1917)
- The Mastery of the Far East (1919)
- The Expectation of Siam (1925)
- Japan in the World of Today (1928)
- One Hundred Years (1936)
- Memoirs of a Centenarian (1957)
See also
- 19th Century Protestant Missions in China
- List of Protestant missionaries in China
- Christianity in ChinaChristianity in ChinaChristianity in China is a growing minority religion that comprises Protestants , Catholics , and a small number of Orthodox Christians. Although its lineage in China is not as ancient as the institutional religions of Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism, and the social system and ideology of...