CLASS OF 1882
The Secretary has neglected to inform the readers of the MAGAZINE that he has retired from the active secretaryship of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and has become secretary emeritus. The Alumni Editor will do his best to atone for the Secretary's neglect by selecting from the many tributes to Dr. Strong in the September number of the Missionary Herald the following official statement of the prudential committee of the Board: "In behalf of the world-wide constituency of the American Board, the Prudential Committee records its profound appreciation of the valued services of the senior secretary in its Foreign Department, Rev. William E. Strong, D.D., whose retirement will take place on August 31 of this year.
"Dr. Strong comes from a family long identified with the cause of foreign missions. His whole life has been spent in the atmosphere of the American Board, of which his distinguished father, the late Elnathan E. Strong, was for many years an honored secretary. In 1906 he was called from a successful pastorate to be associated with his father in the editorial work of the Board. He became editorial secretary in 1907, and for fourteen years was editor of the MissionaryHerald. In this capacity he not only maintained the fine traditions of the paper, but also lifted it to its present position of well deserved leadership in missionary journalism.
"In 1913-14 he accompanied President Capen on a visit to India, coming home via the Far East.
"In 1921 Dr. Strong was assigned to the post of corresponding secretary in the Foreign Department, and was given special oversight of the missions in the Far East. During the difficult and trying years following the World War, when the Orient has been seething with intellectual and social unrest and with political revolution, Dr. Strong has shown the qualities of real Christian statesmanship. While keenly sympathetic with the changes that have been taking place, he has never given way to hasty judgments or poorly considered plans, and has consistently helped to hold the missions to sane, constructive, and progressive policies. In 1925-26, as the secretarial member of a deputation to India (adding to his duties an inspection of the work in China), he greatly strengthened the hands and fortified the spirits of our missionaries, while at the same time inspiring the loyalty of the native churches.
"Dr. Strong's wise counsel and cheerful sanity have been invaluable in the home office during the confusing days incident upon the recent merger of our foreign boards. By his courtesy and understanding he has helped at all times to preserve in the staff that spirit of good fellowship which has always been one of its outstanding characteristics. During the past four years, while he has been obliged to work under a painful and exhausting physical handicap, he has never allowed the weakness of the flesh to dim the radiancy of his spirit.
"While the Board is reluctant to dispense with Dr. Strong's active services, as the retirement regulations compel it to do, it is confident that it will continue to have his unfailing interest and cordial support. May Dr. Strong be granted many years of happy usefulness, constantly illumed by the consciousness of the universal affection and good will of all those for whom and with whom he has so faithfully labored for the advancement of the Kingdom of God among the peoples of the earth."
Secretary, 89 Lowell Ave., Newtonville, Mass.
