and false customs die hard;
but their doom is written, and die they must. Problems will demand
solution, in whose clearing up will vanish many a cherished folly.
Here is such a problem for our Southern friends to solve. That most
excellent Christian scholar and divine, Rev. Atticus G. Haygood,
D.D., of Georgia, states it thus: "If, on other grounds, the teacher
is entitled to personal and social recognition, the fact of his
teaching a negro school should be no bar. Think, for example, of
people admiring David Livingstone, and then turning up their noses at
a teacher, not because he is bad, or ignorant, or ill-bred, nor yet
even because he is a negro, but, forsooth, because he teaches a negro
school! There is a very large intimation of 'sham' in this
distinction without a difference. It is utterly absurd. May it not
also be sinful?" We commend this problem to the good Christian people
among whom our missionaries dwell, for solution. They will be sure to
come out where Dr. Haygood leads them. And when they see the
absurdity of their attitude in regard to our missionaries, we believe
they will soon see the farther conclusion, namely, that it is sinful.

Meanwhile, our missionaries will keep on faithfully doing what they
believe to be right, accomplishing thus two things at once:
Witnessing for the truth and helping the needy. All honor to this
noble band of self-denying, principle-maintaining men and women. They
are standard-bearers of our advancing Christianity. They are where,
as standard-bearers, they ought to be, at the front, the post of
sacrifice and danger, but they are leading in a cause that is sure to
win.

* * * * *

THE FREEDMAN'S CASE IN EQUITY.

This is the title of a most thorough and refreshingly candid paper
from the pen of Geo. W. Cable, published in the January _Century_.
His opening sentence, "The greatest social problem before the
American people to-day is, as it has been for a hundred years, the
presence among us of the negro," indicates his estimate of the
importance of the subject. From beginning to end the paper bears the
marks of carefulest thought, profound conviction, and loyalty to
truth. Mr. Cable is a native of Louisiana, an ex-Confederate soldier,
the son and grandson of slave-holders. He has a right to be heard. He
knows the subject. He knows the American people. He evidently
believes that nothing is ever settled that is not settled right. He
does not