The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-25

appraised by his providence and guild
ed by his goodness, has peculiar
mission to fulfill In the world. It
should be Gods missionary among the
nations, standing ever for Christian
principles and ideals In a singular
degree. he who labors to win America
for Christ serves the whole world.
Save America not only for Christ's
sake and for Americas sake, but also
for the worlds sake.
Our country cannot be for Christ
until we are for Christ. We are to
win the nation for Jesus by winning
individual hearts for him. Only as
he reigns over the lives of the people
can he reign over the country as a
whole. So we see that patriotism's
problem is one with the missionary
problen-the conversion OF men to
Christ
The results obtained in the few
years since missionary work has
found entrance into our island pos
sessions-Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippine Islands-prove anew the
truth of the old adage that Christian
ity and civilization go hand in hand.
With the establishment of religious
work in these islands there has also
developed a recognition of the neces-
ity of law, and a safe, intelligent,
Christian citizenship. and the people
are eager to know more of the Cos
pei which not only teaches but up
lifts man. Long under the domination
Of exacting ecclesiastical control, the
people welcome the independence and
evangelistic spirit of our churches.
The eight inhabited islands Of the
Hawaiian group have a population Of
almost 100000, including Japanese,
Chinese. negroes, whites. Portuguese.
and native Hawaiians. The task of
bringing such diverse people into ma
uOna1 and Christian unity is a S inter-
esting and important as 1t is difficult.
Though it is being wrought out on a
comparatively small scale on these
islands, their strategic position in the
path of commerce between our coun-
try and the nations of the east and
their connection with the United
States make this work of great inn
portance. Only Christian education
and Christian fellowship can utilize
this new territory Of ours for the re-
generation of the great eastern world.
y
The predominant race is the Jap
anese- Sixteen churches are main
tanned by them, while the Chinese have
six. A new China is being created in
the younger generation in Hawaii.
Eight day schools are conducted for
the Chinese in Honolulu; the Chinese
hospital has opened the doors Of two
a Bible woman have recently come
from China to reinforce the work
The rapid progress which the people
of Hawaii are making in the use of the
English language is a unifying element
in the problem of race blending The
consolidation of the Honolulu schools
into the Mid-Pacific Institute is re-
garded as educationally the beginning
of 2 new era.
The Philippine islands are so recent
an addition to the United States that
the work there is but yet In its begin
ming. In addition to the missionary
boards the American Bible society
maintains an organized work in the
islands. The school enrolment has in
creased in q single year from $50 900
to 500.0 900 and with the growth Of the
for themselves, there comes an in
creasing demand for the Bible. Among
the people there is a multiplicity of
languages which greatly increases the
difficulty of work among them. In
some districts the independent Catholic
church is strong.
The various missionary societies
which are at work In the Philippines
have agreed upon division of the
definite. limited field, thus avoiding
duplication in any one locality.
For four hundred years the people of
Cuba have been kept in fgorance and
have known only oppression. Today,
as a part of the United States there is
before them a chance for better things.
They need education and they need the
gospel. The first three years of
Protestant work in Cuba after the war
organized churches. Clean cities. bet
ter morals and good government have
come to Cuba since she became one of
the island possessions" of our coun-
try.
1.-The Liberty Religion" is the name
given to the Protestant religion by the
people of Cuba.
For four hundred years the island of
Porto Rico was under Spanish rule.
The period of American occupation
has covered scarcely more than seven;
yet during that time a new civilization
has taken the place of the old bring
ing in its train new language new
activities and new institutions. The
process Of transformation is already
showing a marked effect upon the life
of the people politically educationally.
socially and religiously For the first
time in four hundred years Porto Rico
is conscious that she has a future and
is eager for its coming.
A brief survey of the work accom-
plished by our government during the
few years since it has numbered Porto
Rico among its island possessions
would include the building of roads,
the organizing of an educational sys-
tenn and the opening of a thousand
public schools.
x
There are more than million peo-
pie in Porto Rico, and for generations
the great masses of the common people
have been almost entirely without
training in intelligence, good morals or
religion. The task of educating a mill
lion illiterate people is a formidable