Missionary Survey as an Aid to Intelligent Co-Operation in Foreign Missions

This early 20th century work tackles one of the most pressing problems facing global missions: waste, overlap, and terrible inefficiency. Allen argues passionately that missionary societies were operating in darkness, pouring resources into some fields while leaving others desperate for workers, with no systematic way to know what was actually needed where. He makes the case that a comprehensive survey of mission fields worldwide isn't just useful but absolutely essential - how else can societies ensure they're spending their limited resources wisely? The book advocates for coordination between different missionary organizations, suggesting that scattered, competing efforts undermine the very cause they serve. While written in dense, period-appropriate prose, its core argument remains startlingly modern: data-driven decision making in an era before we called it that. For readers interested in the history of Christian missions, the evolution of international relief efforts, or early attempts at global organizational planning, this remains a fascinating primary document.