The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-01-11
IN THE A. B. P. Q
Missionary 10 Mexico Delivers an
Interesting Account or His Work.

Rev. ]. g. Dale, Associate Reformed mis-
sionary to Mexico, addressed the Abbevtlle
A; r: p: congregation last Sunday night, after
scription, for the building OF q college IN
Mexico, somewhat similar 10 that OF Erskine
College at Due West. |
Mr.. Dale's appearance aud manners were
prepossesipe. He is a man Of education and
fully alive TO the interests OF bis Mission.
Judging from Mr.. Dale's remarks we are in
clined 10 think that the Mexicans lack a |
ligion and civilization which we have sell up
for ourselves. He thought that the religion
Of the Az.ecs had been grated on the Catho-l
lie religion. and that the combination made
religion more like paganism than christisni.
ty. He referred to their idol worship in the
magnificent temples that abound In the cities
and crown mountains OF that historic land
whose annals are traced back to the begin
ming or The seventh century. While Mr.. Dale
gave rather q d%iscouraging account OF the
manners and vices OF the Mexicans oftoday, |
ces,ors bad different and better standards.
Their ancestors would be Imprisoned for
debt; "adultery was punished, with death,
however noble the offender might be. For
embeZzlement Of tn I the offender was put
to death With all bis kindred to the fourth
degree. Murder, even Of q slave, was then a
capital crime. Drunkenness in youth was q
though GMsu CO piial. p It was punished With &c.
verify. He who lied to the IreJudice Of an
other had q portion OF bis lips cut of. He
who robbed In the market, altered lawful
the fields, was Immediately put to death"
Mr.. Dale left the impression that the inba6.
itants Of the land OF the Montezumas had DIFF
ferent standards today. The AZtecs were
eaid to be "most sincere in. the practice Of
their religious rites. They believed in q Su-|
preme Creator, invisible yet omnipotent, but
v Tilf.h numerous '''''an'' to perform hi'
Mr.. Dale thought the representation Of
these assistant s In their temples were idols TO
whom some OF the Mexicans Of today were
paying religious worship. ~
1 Nc part OF North America furnishes more
Interesting history than the land OF volcanoes
and revolutions. And the citizenship Of
until that country has q stable government.
Mr.. Dale seemed TO think that Christianity
would bring the blessings OF peace to the peo-
l R,i ii ms denom INA nTSe Of MEXICO Mex sos we're pee' not
more tolerant to the professionals than was our
own liberality Of thought and action toward
tle Mormons In this country.
o Mr.. Dale enlarged on the benedcent work
OF the A. r. p. church In Mexico, and gave &C
count of the manner In which those mission
aries who have studied medicine practiced
sick. He said that the sick though not EN-.
braciug the Christian religion, would listen
TO talks in the chapel In order that they
might receive medical treatment at the close
Of the speaking. This reminded Us OF the
| Chinaman who said he would embrace the
christian religion ifhis wages were increased
q dollar q week. Mr.. Dale said that prescrip-
lions and medicines were furnished, to those
cents. Those who were poor received their
treatment without cost TO them. In such
cases the facts would indicate 70 us That med.
all Christian lands, was offered free.
The population Of Mexico 10 said. to beIess
than ten million, divided as follows:
HaItsaste, indians and whites 100000
Whites OF Spanish descent 100000
Spaniards by birth $1,000
Other Europeans and Americans 10000
I. do.Alricansr 1900
Muiattoes 5000 7
Those OF our %fellow-citizens who believe
|, that the PRONUNCIATION Of the doctrines ofthe
Prince Of Peace can hsrmonize.a and Christian
nifty to help Mr.. Dale IN his noble work, and
J Mr., Dale does not fail to impart something OF
his own zeal upon those with whom he
comes In contact.
/ In our own opinion. however, the sword
and the conqueriDg army Of this country can
do more to establish, good government and
good citizenship then the persuasive and
peaceful measures Of the Chr stian religions.
These Missionaries are no doubt doing 9
army Of soldiers from the United States
would convert Mexicans by the score.
Mr.. Dale seemed 70 look for the purifying
and religious freedom to the Mexicans, and
there is no sort OF doubt that the Mexicans
Ineed education along that line.
In our own view, the civil liberty and the
good government ofevery country must fol.
low the sword. The greatest and the most
lasting reforms are the results OF war. War
makes the people free, and free people who
are we'll governed. are naturally drawn TO the
lpurer and the higher standards. The church
gives Us the purity and the sweetness OF the
|, Preside, and by that purity and that sweet
meas orr souls are led upward.
When Christianity f1nds>g good government
lit finds q home In the hearts OF the people.
The pulpit too often claims that religion Ia q
lforerunner OF civil liberty and good govern
r mept, while the exact reverse is true. Chris
tIanity follows, and does not lead, civil liber.
ty, The mission Of the church is not along
1.-The lines OF civil government, but Its work Ia
to settle under good government, and to
lcause the people TO live purer and holier lives,
In one thing Mr.. Dale led Us TO think that
] the Mexicans we're not entirely unlik the
people OF this country. he said at the church
> festivals in Mexico drunkenness was not IN.
com mon. Are such occurrences as drunken
ness when we celebrate the holi.
, est and the most sacred Of all the days In the
lchristIan calendar? On Christmas do not 8
: portion OF our people engage IN all the de
bauckery known 10 men? Is not the day, or
+ the season, not characterized by cruelty to
lanimals and by all the personal excuses ?
i Until we sweep before our own doors, we
+, think the Mexicans need not be blamed by
: US for INDUCING In the drink which brings us
. victorious over all the Nils Of life"