to-day as the Mayor of---- street; his influence is met
everywhere."

[Sidenote: Accessible to Evangelism]

There is no doubt that the Italians are accessible to evangelical
Christianity. Thousands of them appreciate the true character of the
Church that tried to prevent Italian unity and liberty, and they are
peculiarly open to the truths of democracy and the gospel. The home
missionary finds among them a fruitful field. Dr. Lee expresses the
conclusions of many observers, and indicates also a gate of personal
opportunity to serve, when he says, as a result of personal observation
and effort:

[Sidenote: Exceptionally Open-minded]

"Incident to the general recoil from the papal control, an enormous
number of the Italians coming to this country are out of the old Church;
they are without religion, yet are in a way groping after one. As a
consequence the Italian is exceptionally open-minded. You can talk with
him. He is not suspicious--not apprehensive lest you mislead him. He may
have no respect for any kind of religion, but he is not afraid that you
will lure him into forbidden paths. He is beginning to think--a
privilege which he has been denied in the past. This open-mindedness is
readiness to accept the spirit and theories of American life; for
open-mindedness is an American characteristic."

And open-mindedness toward the gospel is the vestibule to conversion.

QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTER IV

AIM: TO CONSIDER THE DESIRABILITY OF THE ITALIANS AS IMMIGRANTS, AND
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG THEM.

I. _Contrast the Old and New Immigration._

1. What is the New Immigration?

2. What has become of the earlier immigrants? Was their coming a
benefit to the United States?

3. Would your judgment concerning it have been the same when they
were coming?

4. What races have gained and what have lost in their respective
proportions?

II. _The Italians._

5. What are the leading types at present? What are they likely to
be in the future?

6. Mention opposing opinions as to the Italians? Which seem to you
nearer the truth?

7. What differences are there between Italians from different parts
of Italy?

8. From what class come most of the Italians now arriving? Of what
sex? What age? What skill?

9. How has Italian immigration grown in numbers? How has it been
distributed?

10. What proportion go West and