lly
social problems, and the watchword of all the movements that are
undermining thrones and caste, and the wicked social order, is, "The
world no longer for the few, but for the many." In America the _many_
are already in possession, and the problem with us is, How may our
rulers--the people who can never be dethroned--be rendered competent
to rule? That is the question to which the American Missionary
Association is devoting itself; and its answer is the only true one:
By making the people intelligent, and Christian. And how long before
that will be accomplished? A Scotchman once asked an Irishman, "Why
were half-farthings coined in England?" Pat instantly replied, "To
give Scotchmen an opportunity of contributing to missions." When will
this problem be solved? Never, if the Christians of America are like
Pat's Scotchman, but quicker than any of us dream, if all the
Christians of America are like that woman in the New Testament who put
into the treasury two mites.
* * * * *
THE SOUTH.
SOUTHERN TESTIMONY.
We insert the following from the _Southern Presbyterian_, as a recent
testimony to the views, principles and work of the American Missionary
Association. It will be all the stronger from the fact that it was not
written for a testimony, but as a setting forth of facts by a
Southerner to Southerners.
The old masters and the old slaves are now rapidly passing into
eternity. In ten years more no one of our people, white or black,
under _forty years_ of age, will know personally anything of
slavery. It then comes to this, that now and from this time
forward, we white Christians must be impressed with the fact that
we have here at our doors, in our houses, offices, stores and
kitchens, and on our farms, not slaves, but a race of people,
three-fourths of whom are but a little removed from savages in so
far as their knowledge of religion is concerned. They have among
them those whom they call preachers; they hold meetings, they
halloo, they shout, but no _saving truth_ is preached or heard from
that source. The result is great animal excitement, but no moral
elevation. Then many of them are receiving secular education. That
sharpens their intellects but gives no Christian character. It does
just the opposite; it fits them for rascality. They are increasing.
There are probably eight millions of them now, and there will be
many millions more. Those who are dyin
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