New-York tribune., 1901-02-06
MARX TWAIN on AMENT.
THE HUMoRIsT DOES NOT LIKE THE MIS-
sIoNARY's METHODS.

Mark Twain's article In 'aThe North American
Review for February, To the Person Sitting
in Darkness" uses this quotation from the
Chinese news of last December:
The Rev. Mr.. Ament OF the American Board OF
Foreign Missions, has returned from a trip which
for damages done by Boxers. Everywhere he Went
he he compelled the Chinese 10 pay He says that
He had 200 Of them under his charge. and so were
killed. He has collected 800 taels for each OF these
murders, and has compelled fun payment for all
the property belonging 10 Christians that was de-
thirteen times the amount OF the Indemnity. This
money will be used for the propagation OF the
MT Ams1t declares that the eomPsnsat,on he
amount secured by the Catholics, who demand, I'm
addition To money, head for head. They collect
wen-chu country $50 catholes were killed and
Tor this the European Catholics here demand 10000
In the OF a conversation Mr.. Ament re-
ferred 10 the attitude Of the missionaries toward
deny emphatieaily that the missionaries are
]diGtiye' that they generally looted or that
circumstances did not demand l criueise the
not as good as the mailed fist OF the Gernans.. II
you deal with the Chinese with soft hand they
The sta atement that the French Government will
return the loot taken by the French soldiers Is
the source OF the greatest amusement here. The
French soldiers were more systematic looteTs than
chfistsns esrrying T1 French aFs and armed with
modern guns, looting villages in the Province
OF Chilli
Commenting on that the humorist said:
BY happy luck we get all these glad tidings on
brate the day with proper gayety and enthusiasm
Our spirits soar and find we even make
Jokes: Taes ] win, heads YOU lose Our Reverend
Ament Is the right man IN the right place What
we want Of our missionaries out there Is not that
they shall merely represent in their acts and per-
sons the grace and gentleness and charity and low
ing Kindness OF our religion. but that they shall
also represent the American spirit.
Our Reverend Ament is justihably jealous OF those
enterprising Catholics, who not only get big money
for each lost convert, but get head for head" be-
sides But he should soothe himself with the
feetion that the entirety Of their exactOng for
their own pockets whereas he, less selhshly. de-
votes only 800 taels per head 10 that service. and
gives the whole vast thirteen repetitions OF the
property indemnity the service OF propagating the
Gospel HIS magnanirnity has won him the ap-
proval Of his Nation. and Will get him monu-
ment. Let him be content with these rewards. We
all hold him dear for manfuly defending HIS fellow
missionaries from exaggerated charges. which
beginning 20 distress US, but which his testimony
has considerably modified that
template them without notcea be pain For now
know that. even before the siege. the mission
'since the siege" they have acted quite hand
somely except when circumstances" crowded
them. ] arranging for the monument Sub
scriptions for IL be 20 the American
Board; designs for # can be sent TO me Designs
allegorically set forth the Thirteen Redupli-
they were eXacted; as ornaments the designs must
exhibit $50 heads disposed as to give pleasing
and pretty effect; for the Catholics have done
nicely, and entitled 10 notice IN the monument
Notices may be suggested. II any shall be discov-
cred that Will satisfactorily cover the ground