This Week in Texas Methodist History May 10

E. Stanley Jones Speaks at Travis Park Methodist Church, San Antonio, May 6, 1941

Perhaps the most famous Methodist missionary of the mid-twentieth century was E. Stanley Jones  (1884-1973)who spent the first week of May 1941 in San Antonio.  He was already well known as a Christian author.   He became famous with the publication of   The Christ of the India Road (1925) which sold over one million copies. That best seller was soon followed by The Christ of Every Road (1930),  The Christ of the Mount (1931)), Christ and Human Suffering (1933),  Christ’s Alternative to Communism (1935), Victorious Living (1936), the Choice Before Us (1937),  Christ And the Present World (1937),  Along the Indian Road ((1939), and Is the Kingdom of God Realism? (1940). 

When he appeared in San Antonio, there were few Methodist preachers who did not have at least one of his books.  After 1941 he continued to publish, travel, and organize ashrams all over the world.

Jones appeared several times in San Antonio from May 4 to 7.  He filled the Municipal Auditorium every night.  On Thursday morning he spoke to Methodist leaders at Travis Park Methodist Church.  Naturally the announced purpose of the rallies was to gain support for missions and publicizing the Christian Ashram movement which he had begun.   There was a larger purpose to Jones’ months-long visit to the United States---nothing less than preventing war between the United States and Japan.

During his six months in the summer and fall of 1941 he talked often to President Franklin Roosevelt and also to Japanese diplomats.  He provided valuable insights to Roosevelt on the state of political affairs in Asia—especially India.  We should remember that Japan had imperialistic designs on India which at that time was still under British rule. Britain was fighting for its life against the Nazis and the Japanese saw opportunities in India as a result. Jones had intimate contacts with both Mohandas Gandhi and Jawarihal Nehru, leaders of the movement for Indian freedom. 

Jones was on his way to Chicago where he was to keynote a peace meeting chaired by Methodist Bishop J. Bromley Oxnam.   The meeting included religious leaders from several denominations and also included the Japanese Ambassador to the United States.   Obviously the Chicago meeting did not avert war.