The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-16
THE BOARD OF MISSIONS.


Civilization versus Christianity.
The meeting Of the Protestant Episcopal Board OF
Missions held last evening in the Church OF the
TRANSPORTATION, Twenty-nnth street, was one OF
unusual interest. The Rev. Bishop Atkinson, OF
North Carolina, who presided, opened the meeting
with very eloquent and appropriate prayer, at the
conclusion OF which the Rev. DR.. Hill, the veteran
missionary from Athens was introduced.
Before proceeding to read his interesting report on
the Greek mission the venerable missionary gave
short but graphic sketch OF It's origin and pro-
gress He said that more than one generation
had passed away since he was despatched
from this country to establish the mission,
and he felt grateful to the Almighty that
he has been spared beyond the years allotted by the
psanst to continue his abors and return once more
to his native land and report upon the success which
had attended them. The standard OF the Cross
had not been planted on the territory where the
crescent gtters the emblem OF the cruel sway OF
the lnddel without great dirnculty and danger but
God had sustained his through all trials and
the soldiers OF Christ were triumphant. The church
men OF England had watched the progress Of the
American mission in Greece with intense inter
pupils in the schools Of the mission number 75O
The infant school system has been introduced with
see1 asast Mrs
Miss Muir, the other members OF the mis-
sion. In addition to the regular expenses
| OF the mission large sums have been expended for
benevolent purposes and large number OF tracts
| have been distributed. The work cannot be allowed
| to cease stand still: II must go forward That
which has been done thus far can only be considered
| as preliminary. The reverend gentleman said he
had found it impossible TO give full details in his re-
port, but expressed his Willingness to furnish such
further information as the committee and those In
terested may desire: For many years past the mis-
| sion had been entirely sustained by his own per-
sonal exertions. The annual appropriations mad
never been sufficient 70 meet the expenses. The
fa go asIee was upT paid in currency and / is
impossible that the mission can be carried on when
the small amount provided for Its support - subject
to the fluctuations OF Wall street. In conclusion the
Rev. Dr. Hill told his hearers that he came to ask TO
be relieved Of the embarrassments by which he was
surrounded and TO be sent back to his mission free
| from worldly care and able 10 devote the remaining
years OF his life to the cause in which he had SO long
The Rev. Bishop whipple OF Minnesota, then
read the report on the moral and temporal con
dtion OF the Indian tribes on our Western from
| relations with the Indians from the begin
ming to the end Is such AZ TO make every Ameri
| our nation has pursued policy OF determination al
untold expense OF blood and treasure To-day, for
Of the United States are camoring for the extermna
ton OF the red man. TIE poor savage has been plum
and it is no wonder that now and then, when smart.
ing under his wrongs he bindly scores his ven
geance upon the people OF the border. The Indian
question must be settled on principles OF Christianity
or else win come OF which our children's emil
dren win not see the end. Our Indian system Is
wee to those whS are respo asl
for 1t. Every Indian war has been
1 S BY the greed ma and rs cruelty e OF
| and the people, forgetfu OF God are mady camor-
ing for war OF determination against the red
| devils" nation which has Within Its borders over
half million graves upon which the grass has not
yet grown ought at least to have learned that
just and that ~ we SOW SO shall reap. The Eng
/ lish come OF the same soI-grasping Saxon race as
ourselves, but In Canada the Indians well treated
ceye their appointments In return for questionable
political services Our system Ia based upon false
hood. We make treaties with Indians with foreign
States, but the Indians have no means Of compelling
US TO fulfil our engagements. The history Of any one
OF our Indian treaties makes one ashamed and sick
at heart. In recent removal Of the Chippewas
| tons. There Is no crime OF which our red brother
cannot accuse u.s. In sight OF the mission house, IN
sight OF civilized village, an Indian woman was
/ violated by nendsh white men. The authorities
knew OF this but made no attempt TO punish
The report Of the reverend bishop contained nu.
| merous instances OF Inassacres In cold blood, OF
men and children. and Of wholesale paSe: and ~" a.
he dwelt upon them In his thrilling, earnest manner,
spoke OF the awful retribuon IN store for the guilty
and Interceded In behalf OF the untutored, savage
his audience became deeply moved. Many OF the
fairer portion bowed their neads and wept while the
male listeners turned restessy In their seats and
/ could not refrain from giving audible expression 70
the indignation which had been kIndled within them
at Is your white brothers who SELF us the FIRE
| water and who violate our wives and daughters,n
said old chief 70 Bishop Whpple land II you can
teach them do better we win believe in your Goa
/ Another chief, whose people were starved after
they had been induced TO part with their lands said
| TO the commissioner by whom he had been duped:-
| '.See the bones OF my people whom you have de.
| stroyed Will leave them here on the PRAIRIE and
the day Will come when the Great Spirit will point
to them and say, What have you done with your
red brother fn
| No patriot leader ever stirred the hearts OF his
countrymen more deeply tnan Bishop whIppie did
the hearts OF his hearers last night and Is TO be
hoped that the resolutions made ut the conclusion Of
mis- report may be speedily carried Into erect
The Rev. Bishop VI Pittsburg moved that Bishop
Whpple's report be printed ana distributed through.
out the length and breadth OF the land, that Lne
nation might be moved 10 confess Its shame before
God and DO all In its power TO atone Tor the count
less wrongs and crue,ties inflicted upon the poor
savage.
The motion was carried unanimously, and after
passing special vote OF thanks 10 Blsnop Whippe
the meeting adjourned.