The Desire of All Nations: Student's Edition — 1929 Presbyterian Foreign Missions — Extensively Annotated Study Copy with Two Leaves of Contemporary Manuscript Notes

Scarce 1929 Student's Edition of The Desire of All Nations by Egbert W. Smith, identified on the title page as Executive Secretary for Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. Published by Doubleday, Doran & Company, Garden City, New York, and specially printed for the Presbyterian Committee of Publication, Richmond, Virginia. An unusually interesting heavily annotated study copy, retaining extensive period manuscript marginalia throughout portions of the text as well as two folded leaves containing dense handwritten religious and Biblical study notes laid in. Smith's work examines the theological and practical case for Christian foreign missions during the interwar period. The text discusses missionary activity and Christianity in numerous international settings, including China, Korea, India and Africa, and provides a period perspective on Protestant evangelism, conversion, missionary organization and the worldwide missionary movement. The preface begins with Smith's recollection of a conversation aboard an Atlantic steamer with a wealthy American Protestant who questioned the value of foreign missions after traveling in China. Smith contrasts her skepticism with the enthusiasm of Korean Christians and uses the episode to introduce his argument concerning the missionary impulse of Christianity. This particular copy is especially noteworthy for evidence of active contemporary readership and study. Numerous pages contain manuscript underlining, brackets, arrows, circles, marginal comments, keywords, corrections, cross-references and reactions to the printed text. The annotations are particularly evident in sections discussing the history and purpose of foreign missions, missionary methods, conversion, church organization and Christianity's relationship with non-Christian cultures. Several photographed passages show extensive reader engagement, including annotations surrounding discussions of missionary work, William Carey, Christianity in India, missionary history, church growth, Africa, religious conversion and the role of the Christian church. Accompanying the volume are two folded manuscript leaves densely written on multiple panels, apparently containing Biblical and religious study notes. The notes include numerous Scripture references and comments concerning such subjects as prayer, healing, faith, missions, church work and Christian spiritual life. They appear contextually related to the religious study represented by the annotations in the volume, although the writer has not been positively identified. Rather than ordinary isolated ownership marks, the extensive annotations and retained manuscript notes provide an interesting surviving record of how an early reader engaged with American Presbyterian missionary thought during the period between the World Wars. Condition Fair. A heavily used and extensively annotated study copy. Printed wrappers show considerable age and handling wear, including soiling, discoloration/staining, rubbing, edge wear, creasing and small chips/losses, particularly at corners and extremities. Spine and wrapper surfaces show age and wear. Text block shows age toning, scattered foxing/spotting, staining and handling wear, with heavier discoloration visible along some margins and edges. Extensive manuscript marginalia is present throughout portions of the volume, including underlining, brackets, arrows, circles, marginal notes, comments and other reader markings. These annotations are a significant copy-specific feature and have intentionally been retained. Two folded leaves of extensive contemporary manuscript Biblical/religious notes are laid in. These sheets show folds, toning, handling wear and other signs of age. No attempt has been made to erase, clean or otherwise alter the manuscript material. Please examine all photographs carefully; photographs form an important part of the condition description.…