The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-23
Evangelization of Brazil
IF October, 1 mentioned the
". A. L. BLACKBOARD.

IL.
of October, | mentioned the
death OF i ;. 0ttoni, one of the most dis
tinguished Senators of Brazil. The death
of no other man in this country, for these
last nine years, has been so deeply or gen.
orally lamented. Even to the remotest cor
ner of this broad land the news of his de
cease has called forth demonstrations of the
most sincere regret. The reason is, he was
a man of the people. He possessed in an
eminent degree what all public men, wheth-
er in the Church or State, should have-an
earnest, deep, abiding sympathy with men.
He was not, however, demagogue; he could
speak Familiarity to the lowest without af
fecting condescension. He treated the high
est in rank as his peer. AS politician he
was too independent to ever become the &C
knowledged leader of a party. Now thai
he is dead, all parties join in honoring his
memory. Liberty in its amplest sense was
his motto, his watch-word.
But what, it may be asked, has all this tc
do with the evangelization of Brazil?-
Much, very much, as it seems to me. 1t re
veals state of the public mind most favor.
able to the propagation of the Gospel, il
rightly improved and directed, but which, il
! the Gospel be withheld, will carry the ma
! tion into infdelity of the most hopeless sort
The immense popularity of the lamente(
statesman is due to the fact that he was tht
i faithful interpreter of the popular, nationa
feelings, in regard to the inherent rights o.
mankind; feelings which are antagonistic tc
| sll that is essential in Popery, but which
when duly informed and rightly guided, ever
hail the Gospel of Christ as their fttiest ex
preston and surest guarantee. A little over
a year ago had the pleasure of very in
teresting interview with Mr.. Ottoni. HI
had most enthusiastic admiration for ou
country and her institutions, and was vel
versed in her history. Of our earlier states
men, Jefferson seemed to be his favorite
and he was much amused to find he was bel
ter acquainted with the life and opinions Q
my "great com-patriot" than l was. / fea
that he had imbibed Jefferson religious nc
tions to considerable extent, as well as hi
political principles. In evidence of Jeffel
sons political wisdom and foresight, he ii
formed me that when the Spanish America
States meditated throwing off the yoke {
Spain, Jefferson, who was then Ambassadc
to France, was consulted by the leaders
the movement, as well as by party in Brs
zil, who, near the same time, or perhaps
little earlier, contemplated the independent
of this country, with Republican form {
government. He replied: cit is too 500
for you to attempt it. You are not read
yet for Republican form of governmen
If you undertake it now, the result will /
many years of anarchy. Wait till you al
better prepared. Your time will come
The influence of the United States will or
day extend over South America, and tt
whole continent shall become free, with
perhaps fifty years, not by the power of col
quest, but by the moral force of our exam
: pie and free institutions" "And see, " sa
the Senator, chow the words of your gre
, countryman have been verified in the subs
, quent history of our Spanish America
States, which has been one of almost col
tinual civil discord. And now, about Il
t time named, we see tokens of the favorab
/ result predicted"
r Shall it always be, Christian brethren
the United States, that "the children
4 this worl' re wiser in their generation thu
of light?" What Thomas Je
s ferson, rfO--l a purely political or philosop
( ical standpoint, is said to have foreseen
D the destiny of our country and its infuen
1 over the continent of South America, mig
e and ought to be realized. II lies in Il
a power of the Church of Christ, of you, n
r brethren, to bring it to pass. Give the Go
f pei to these people, without which Meth
: individuals nor nations can ever be tru
g free, happy, or prosperous, and the prese
o generation will see them free, happy, al
y prosperous nations. Nearly every part
e this continent is already open to the Gospe
a and when the Church shall go forth, in OF
e dience to her Lords command, and in t
; strength of his name, to carry them t
e truth, he will break down every obstacle.
9 Jefferson's words, if he ever uttered the
f are already finding their fulfllment. 1t
Y said that Chill owes her statute of religio
W freedom in great part to the influence a
n efforts of an American missionary, Rev. [
ct Trumbull. The Argentine Confederate
,r which to-day leads the van of progress
re South America, has constitution model
s. after that of the United States, and her {
= tual President, Sarmiento, spent sever