The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-11-22

THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT.


deavor is the religious spirit that per.
meates it's whole fabric from the lowest
to the highest walks of life. There are
bad men and women among the English
speaking people everywhere, as there are
in all countries and there is a wide
difference in the degrees of morality en-
listing in various communities, both in
Great Britain and its.,dependencies and in
the United States; but on the whole, the
people of The same stock in both coun-
tries are, as rule, God-fearing, law
abiding and self-respecting. Their relig
ious instincts are governed as much by
reason and common sense as those of any
people who have ever walked upon the
earth, and while historyssshows that the
race has not always been just in it's deal
ings with those subjected to its rule, it
has shown Mt the same time that the civ
ilization it represents is the highest and
most progressive in all the elements Of
all true progress of any that has hereto
fore existed among men. Relying upon
the orderings of Divine Providence and
submitting themselves without undue
remonstrance to its DEGREES Anglo-SaXons
everywhere, both individually and col
lectively, comprise within themselves a
vital force that is having n marked effect
| not only upon the countries over which
they rule but upon civilization and en-
lightenment everywhere on the face of the
globe.
1t is much the custom in this country
to speak derogatorily of the ENGLISH PEG.
pie, as represented by the ruling classes
of the British empire. These are called
avaricious, INSCRIPTIONS AMI despotic,
and are accused of far-rcaching purposes
in all their dealings with the nations,
especially with the people of the United
States. Some of these charges may be in
part correct, but much allowance must
be made to national prejudice and igno-
rance on our part of them and their in
stitutions: for..it cannot be. denied that
the characteristics which have made
Americans great are mainly derived from
the parent stock. These qualities have
been augmented and intensified by eli
matte conditions, environment and due
admiXture of fresh foreign blood; but in
language, institutions and sympathies
and religion we still resemble the English
so much that apart from our form of gov
eminent there seems but little difference
between us to the rest of the world The
love of liberty and fair play is charac-
teristic of both peoples, and each is
blessed with courage and forttudc that
no disconragements can dampen and no
opposition subdue; and, better than all,
there is deep down in the natures of both
peoples a religious sentiment that sus-
tains them at all times, and which if prop
erly directed will yet Christianize and
civilize that part of the..world not yet I'M
der this benign influence. If this spirit
could be fostered and developed as it
should be; if the people of both coun-
tries would, by arbitration, make war be-
tween them impossible and unite thor.
oughly in the effort to spread the Cos
pei, the most gratifying results would
soon be visible. The murlerous Turk
would cease his bloody work of massa-
S'NAAio CuiiHUi"iS Hc DllSuJ Ol MO
hammcdanism would he removed from
Northern and Central Africa; China would
be Christianized in time. and i'm place of
the darkness degradation, superstition
and dcspotism which NOW curse such a
large part of mans God given heritage
the benefits and blessings Of Christianity
would be carried from the tropics to the
poles. Already millions of willing and
ready hearts and hands are engaged in
both countries in spreading the truths of
the Gospel but these efforts, while
directed in IA spirit of unity and unset
fishness by the different churches. are 100
isoletcd to be effective as could he de-
sired What is needed in the furthcrance
of Christian work among barbarous and
semi-civilized people is an alliance of the
Engllsh-speaking people. This alliance
should not be for the purposes OF aggres-
sion, but to protect the lives and property
OF those engagedsin missionary work, so
that MT all times these messengers of
peace ana good will would feel that
wherever they may be there will be be-
hlnd them the protecting influence Of two
great governments. Such an arrange
ment may not come for years, but every
thing points i'll that direction. Repre-
sentatives OF the Anglo Saxon race are