New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-11
THE LOWEST OF THE HEATHER.
BY BISHOP L. DE sCHwEINITZ, 6. I. D., OF BETHE-
HEM, PA

BY BISHOP L. DE SCHWEINlTZ e. l. d., OF BElHLb-
HEM, PA.
The topic which | propose to discuss u.s.,
missionary work among the Insignificant aud de-
graded tribes Of the heather world" From a mission
airy polnt Of view, the heather may be divided
into three classes. The first consists OF popu-
lous nations whose homes are permanently estab-
lished and whose countries embrace important re-
sources for the material development OF the world
twOhrQs Asia, from the North Pacific 10 the river
Indus and spreading more than oDe-half OF Africa
from the Cape Colony 10 the Great Desert Thelr CON
version TO Christianity would make them great ana iaf
reaching power the Church OF Christ The second
class comprises aborgines that either nhablt ISLANDS or
the sea- cOnOinlly with growing colonies OF the White
eucirced by CIVILIZED and nomnaliy Christian States
IN the Malay Archipelago in Polynesia in Australasia
Territories Of North and South America, We
meet with the representatives Of this class
Whether they will be permanent agents In the coming
time OF to-day cannot tell. They may, at least IN
account Of their geographical position and Inferior
resources secondary power IN subduing the earth TO
tribes, broken remnants Of nations isolated, con-
trolling no resources of any moment exercising no nhn-
total extinction would not affect the world. Its
material DEVELOPMENT would 60 on nnhin,
far any evan6ellzng force 10 concerned which they
could put forth, would barely feel their loss They
mostly occupy moreover the lowest grade Of humanity
Their religious sense is almost blank, relieved only by
vague superstitlons which they do not themselves I'M
lar North; petty and detached clans of Indians in the
forests Central and south America the Bushrangers
OF SuuDam; the Inhabitants OF Terra del Fuego, and
the abOrgue OF the continent OF Australia do not
bic until the Church will have fully searched
out every Pagan world. The tribes of this third
class, therefore, denominate tne most lnsig-
10 direct your attention 1t cannot be denied that other
missions are comparatively more important. The
lions Of new members into the church The riches Of
poured banner
would be borne by armies OF missionaries TO all the ends
OF Asia or suppose the Korannos, Bechuannas, the
Dahomans with their terrible history Of slayehunts
blood and other cOgnate peoples of Africa, reclaimed
from barbarsm and made partskers of that grace Of
God which brings salvation, and which has
appeared TO all men. The result would be wonderful
wild multitude OF negro tribes TO flow together
iuto one great and powerful Christian nation making
extremity, in and glorious sense. the Cape OF
Good Hope. An outlook such this suggests the ques
tion Would It not be advisable for the church to with
draw from work among the Inferior tribes scattered
over heather world and TO concentrate all its
ae bower g SSd that f Fave futa &D "' w"
These reasons the Divine behest 10 preach, the
power of Christian love and the folly OF aban-
donlng work that has been begun in any field seem
20 me 10 show that missionary work among the most
insignificant and degraded tribes paganism neither
a waste Of money a loss OF men. 1t is proper,
necessary and great work But there is another point
Of view from which such enterprises may be contem-
plated They Prove, without the possibility OF doubt
what the Bible predcates with regard to the Teildwlde
power. In the way Of illustration let Inc briefly
refer 70 the work among the natives OF the Australian
Continent. This of the newest and most remark
able of those undertakings that come within the scope
OF my topic.
what has been said, therefore infer that the
Gospel a sufficient, and the only sufficient power for
the conversion Of the whole world This influence
should encourage the Church TO push forward its foreign
missionary work, In these present days with all Its
strength The which mas at last been even
among the natives OF Australia, should give energy
every labOrer in the field, aud new zeal to
cely at home. Is the everlasting Gospel thus going
forth cOnQuerDg and to cOnqueT len let there be
of union among Protestant Churches in supporting It,
and OF a system spreading II, so shat
mon Lord may hasten the day o. he final victory.
In conclusion, will up what has been said in the
form OF two theses FIRST 1t the duty Of the Church
continue and hnIS1 me missionary work begun among
the insignificant degraded tribes OF tine heather
world. Secondly. sucl WORK has peculiar significance
in our day because 1t proves 10 the Church and 10 anti
Christian philosophy the worldwide efficiency Of the
gospel as converting and civlizing power.