EMPTY SHOES (1956), a colorful docu-drama about 18thcentury shoemaker and Baptist minister William Carey, aka'The Father of Modern Missions,' is enhanced by excellentproduction values. Carey's missionary zeal and tenacityinfluenced the funding of his journey to India in 1793 tospread the Gospel and fulfill ''The Great Commission.' Careywas responsible for the translation of the scriptures into40 dialects and tongues. Carey went to Baptist Societymembers to persuade them to fund his mission: 'India isindeed far away. It is true we have no friends there. It isequally true that we have no funds for launching a missionbeyond England. But brothers in Christ, there are 160million souls in India who have not heard the Gospel. Andhow shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall theypreach, unless they be sent?' One tradition that tormentedCarey was the Indian practice of 'Sati' - the burning aliveof widows when their husbands died. Carey influenced theabolition of Sati and his 40-year mission in India inspiredcountless others to enter the missionary field. _GOSPELFILMS DIRECT is restoring and releasing a growing archive of20th century historical missionary films.
