Roosevelt on Missions.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 September 1910, Page 4

Roosevelt on Missions.

The August number of Scribner's Magazine presents an unusually distinguished list of contributors. The place of honour is given to "The Sentimentalists," an unfinished comedy by George Meredith. Mi .Roosevelt describes Uganda. Among other writers are Mr John. Fox, Mr Bicliard Davis, Mr E. W. Hornung and Mr Maurice Hewlett. In the course of his article Mir Roosevelt discusses the work of missions, and says"Those who complain of or rail at missionary work in Africa, and who confine themselves to pointing out the undoubtedly too numerous errors of the missionaries and shortcomings'''of their flocks, would do well to consider that even if the light which has been let in is but feeble and grey, it has at least dispelled a worse than Stygian darkAs soon as native African religions—practically none of which has hitherto evolved any substantial ethical basis—develop beyond the most primitive stage they tend, notably in middle and western Africa, to grow into malign creeds of unspeakable firuelty and immorality, with a bestial and revolting ritual and ceremonial. Even a poorly taught av.d imperfectly understood Christianity, with its underlying foundation of justice and mercy, represents an immeasurable advance on such a creed.

Where, as in Uganda, the people nro intelligent nnd the missionaries unite disinterestedness and zeal with common sense, the result is astounding. The majority of the people of Uganda are now Christian, Protestant or Catholic; and many thousands among them are sineerelvChristian; and show their Chlristia'nity in practical fashion by puttino conduct above ceremonial and do"ma i r. n 1 - 0 fortunately, Protest-ant •and Catholic seem now to be growing to work in charity together, and to show rivalry only in healthy effort against the common foe; there is certainly enough evil in the world to offer a target a.t whicih all good men can direct their shafts, without expanding them on one another We visited the Church of England - nssion, where wc were received by Bishop Tucker, and the two Catholic , AV(> "' we received by Bishops Hanlon and Streioher; wo went through the churches and Slf aV^k 8 ""'"' 1 ' the P " l>i,s ac -