The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-19

extraordinary material possibilities.
Steamship lines encircle the continent.
A continental system Of railways and
of lake and river steamboats, will soon
extend northward from Cape Town
5000 miles to Cairo, while branch
lines Will unite the east and west
coasts at several points. The latest
results or science are being utilized
In mining and agriculture. while scnol-
arly experts In different centers Of
Europe arc studying the questions Of
native languages and religions, as we'll
as the best methods of advancing civ
ilization among the many millions Of
native people. The wealth OF the COM
merce which will be developed can
not be estimated. Tue white man
rules; but thore is only one white man
on the continent to one hundred others,
who are either barbaric black heather
or fanatical Mohammedans.
Selfintorost and competition Will. /
believe, unite In making the govern
ments fair to the people, and the In
domitable energy OF the adventurous
settlers and the wealth of the nations
behind them will result In exploiting
the vast commercial resources of the
continents But there is a question
that Is larger than either government
or trade, and that is the moral we'll
being Of these vast millions who have
come under the, protection Of modern
governments. The representative Of
tne Christian religion must have his
place side by side with the man OF
government and trade, and for genera
tionS that representative must be sup
piled In the person Of the foreign mis-
sionary from America and Europe.
Civilization can only be, permanent
and continue blessing to any people
II. in addition to promoting their ma
terial well-being. it also stands for an
orderly individual liberty, for the
growth of intelligence and for equal
justice In the administration of law.
Christianity alone meets t0cse fun
damental requirements.
The change OF sentiment In favor Of
the foreign missionary In a single gen
GRAFTON has been remarkable. The
whole world, which is rapidly coming
into neighbornood relations, Is recog-
Dizing as never before the real needs
OF mankind, and is ready to approve
and strengthen all the moral forces
which stand for the uplift of humanity.
orderly and permanent developments of
society. There must be intercourse
among peoples in the interests of
commerce and growth. But, above all,
there must be moral power, estab-
lished and maintained under the lead
ership of good men and women The
upright and farseeing statesman,
the honest and capable trader, and
the devoted Christian missionary
represent the combined forces which
are to change the Africa of today into
the greater and better Africa of the
future.
The responsibility of America for
the moral well-being of the people of
Africa is manifest Our wealth and
power have given us a place of infu-
ence among the nations of the world
But worldwide influence and power
mean more than dollars or social, in
tellectual or Industrial supremacy.
They involve a responsibility for the
moral welfare OF others which can not
be evaded
The United States has no territorial
interests In Africa, and may never
have. The Republic of Liberia was
the outgrowth of immigration move
ments from our colored populations.
But beyond q paternal interest, the
United States has no organic relation
with or responsibility to that govern
ment. We are friendly to all govern
ments on the continent, and stand
with them to the extent of our lnllu-
ence, for righteous native rule, especla-
ly as applied to the vast populations.
Our commercial relations, already large.
Will grow to vast proportions in COM
Ing years. But beyond questions of
rule or traffic are the responsibilities
of America as to the moral uplift OF
the people of Africa This RESPONSE
bility Is to be met in cooperation with
the Christian forces of other nations
So vast Is this problem of redeemlng
continent, which has lain for tnous-
ands of years In darkness, that all sec
tions of the Christian church must
have nand in this great work. The
few score of missionaries who are now
on the field from America should be
multiplied In the near future, and the
money contributed to Africa should be
doubled over and over again year after
year. 1t is JOY to learn that among
the missionary forces in Africa, from
different lands and representing diff
ferent branches of the church. there
are fraternal and mutually helpful re-
lationS.
The responsibilities of America to-
ward Africa Is emphasized because of
our past history, and because of the
number of our citizens who are of Az
rlcan descent. AS result of the Afri-
rican slave trade, that crime of the
ages, and Of two and half centuries
Of slavery in America. the United
States has nearly 10 100000 of colored
people as a part of its citizenship. No
other country outside Of Africa has so
large negro population; and, what
of negroes in the world who own as
much property and have as large per
cent VINO are intelligent, moral and
thrifty. The education and uplift OF
the American negro now going for
ward should DE accompanied by the
increase Of the missionary and Chris
tian forces on the continent from
which his ancestors came. The num-
Der of those who 90 as missionaries to
Africa Will increase; and 1t Is not un,
reasonable to suppose that a large
share oil the leadership for the evan
gelizatlon of the continent will be fur
nlshed from among our own colorcd
leaders IN America
In the redemption of Africa all Sec
tlons of the Christian church must be
united, but Methodism. because Of
the vast numbers III rPDrpSontS and fho |