The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-29
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in hand With the establishment OF
religious work in these islands there
has also developed a recognition of the
necessity of law, and safe, intelli-
gent, Christian citizenship, and the
people are eager to know more of the
gospel which not only teaches but up
lifts, man. Long under the domino
ton Of exacting ecclesiastical control.
the people welcome the independence
and evangelistic spirit of Protestant
churches.
The hand of God has shaken to-
gether in Hawaii seed corn from many
nations. A unique opportunity is
opened here to the Christian church
of America, profoundly to influence
the life and thought of Asia. The
stream of life GIBBS and flows between
China, Korea, Japan and Hawaii. Here
these nations may be brought in close
touch with American life and thought,
under friendly circumstances, Already
the possibilities have been seen and a
beginning made. Only the substantial
support of wise and far-seeing states
manship among the churches of the
mainland is needed to inaugurate a
great work. There are churches al
ready built, filed once with native
Hawaiians, but untenanted now by
that diminishing race. Men are on the
ground already trained The door is
with which Henry NJ. Stanley present.
ed to the English world the wide-open
door to civilization and Christianity
in Uganda, 1.-THE opportunity is before
you, gentlemen, embrace it,"
All the Christian people, whatever
their nationality, and irrespective Of
whether or not their own denomination
maintains missionary work in the Phil
ippines, must be interested in the ex-
kl1n
islands since the American occupation
This is SO general that the Philippines,
along with Korea, are considered by
missionary experts as one of the very
few places where the missionary IS
eagerly welcomed and actively sought.
There are not lacking signs that a
new infusion of religious zeal may
come to the older Christian nations by
way of their own converts. The devo-
ton of the Filipinos and Koreans, who
practice their faith more diligently
than those of US who have possessed
Christianity longer, is at once a re-
Duke and an inspiration to the lands
that have sent them missionaries. On
this side of the world many church
members have been deeply stirred by
the news from these mission fields, and
an eagerness to partake of the same
spiritual blessings is wild eSpread.
There was a great outcry, nearly a
hundred years ago, over the departure
of missionaries for Hawaii. Traders
and sailors had debauchcd the natives
beyond belief. The coming of the mis-
sionary ended the reign of wickedness.
Under missionary tutelage Hawaii be-
came a transformed land. The case is
one illustration of the proposition that
it is not contact with the white race
that elevates a primitive. people, but
contact with Christianity.
It is as important to keep the white
men in the Orient true to the faith as
it is to introduce. to that faith the
pagan natives. .,---.-
The undeveloped resources of hui
man nature in the Philippines are in
fnitely greater than the much-lauded
undevelcped resources of mine and
field and forest.
Wherever men have need. there the
church has obligation.
In Manila, as throughout the Islands
there are company of broad-gauge,
all round missionaries.
They stand high as men. and as active
members of the community life. The
Protestant Episcopal church has es-
tablished place of social resort for
American men, the Columbia club,
which ranks above any similar organ
ization I have ever seen. It is in reality
the Cathedral Parish House, although
men of all denominations belong to 1t.
The Columbia club is really a first
class club for gentlemen; differing
from others in that category principal
ly in the fact that liquors are not sold
in the club and gambling is not per-
mitted there. A more prafseworthy
for white men in mission
lands I have not been able to discover
in a journey around the world.
Massachusetts sent missionaries to
Hawaii, today a Hawaiian is preach
ing in one of the decadent Massachu-