Josiah Strong
Josiah Strong: A Pioneering Voice on Evangelicalism and Social Reform
Full Name and Common Aliases
Josiah Strong (1847-1916) was an American Congregational minister, writer, and advocate for social reform. He is often referred to as a key figure in the development of American evangelicalism.
Birth and Death Dates
Strong was born on April 14, 1847, in Richland County, Ohio. He passed away on March 26, 1916, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Strong was an American citizen by birth and a minister of the Congregational Church. He is best known for his influential writings and public advocacy on various social issues.
Early Life and Background
Josiah Strong's early life was marked by strong convictions that would shape his future endeavors. Growing up in a small town in Ohio, he developed a deep faith and commitment to serving others. This sense of purpose led him to study theology at the University of Rochester and later at Andover Theological Seminary.
Major Accomplishments
Strong's most significant contributions were as a writer, minister, and advocate for social reform. He is perhaps best known for his influential book, "Our Country: Its Possible Future and Present Crisis" (1885). In this work, he outlined a vision for the United States that emphasized its potential to become a beacon of Christian values and humanitarianism.
Notable Works or Actions
Strong's writing and advocacy focused on several key areas:
Evangelicalism: Strong played a significant role in shaping American evangelical thought. He advocated for the importance of faith in public life, emphasizing the need for Christians to engage with social issues.
Social Reform: Strong was an early advocate for women's rights, temperance, and labor reform. His writings emphasized the interconnectedness of these issues and the need for Christian communities to address them.
Missionary Work: Strong supported missionary efforts in various parts of the world, recognizing the importance of spreading Christian values globally.Impact and Legacy
Josiah Strong's influence can be seen in several areas:
Evangelical Thought: His writings helped shape American evangelicalism, emphasizing the need for faith to inform public life.
Social Reform: Strong's advocacy for social issues like women's rights and labor reform helped pave the way for future generations of activists.
Christian Missionary Work: His support for missionary efforts contributed to a growing awareness of global needs and the importance of Christian service.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Josiah Strong is widely quoted and remembered due to his significant contributions as:
A pioneering voice in American evangelicalism
An early advocate for social reform, particularly women's rights and labor reform
* A supporter of missionary work, recognizing the importance of spreading Christian values globally
Quotes by Josiah Strong
Josiah Strong's insights on:
It is not necessary to argue to those for whom I write that the two great needs of mankind, that all men may be lifted up into the light of the highest Christian civilization, are, first, a pure, spiritual Christianity, and second, civil liberty.
What if it should be God’s plan to people the world with better and finer material?
The time is coming when the pressure of population on the means of subsistence will be felt here as it is now felt in Europe and Asia. Then will the world enter upon a new stage of its history – the final competition of races, for which the Anglo-Saxon is being schooled.
There are no more new worlds. The unoccupied arable lands of the earth are limited, and will soon be taken.
What if it should be God's plan to people the world with better and finer material?
The rich are richer, and the poor are poorer, in the city than elsewhere; and, as a rule, the greater are the riches of the rich and the poverty of the poor.
We have seen... that, although England is by far the richest nation of Europe, we have already outstripped her in the race after wealth, and we have only begun the development of our vast resources.
The Anglo-Saxon has established himself in climates totally diverse - Canada, South Africa, and India - and, through several generations, has preserved his essential race characteristics. He is not, of course, superior to climatic influences; but even in warm climates, he is likely to retain his aggressive vigor long enough to supplant races already enfeebled.
The time is coming when the pressure of population on the means of subsistence will be felt here as it is now felt in Europe and Asia. Then will the world enter upon a new stage of its history - the final competition of races, for which the Anglo-Saxon is being schooled.