Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-04-05


religious help in behalf Of the ne
gro, uttered some very sane remarks
In references to the activity Of religious
bodies. favprtng the salvation of A.
RIGA; but, apparently, unmindful OF the
dense hes!henism residing In our
midst. There ia something peculiar
In our enTts to cultivate the field Of
others in distant cline. when our
own territory. under direct supervi
sion, is suffering from neglect. It
would be better by far If our ener.
gies, In support Of domestic missions,
were dcsbled. The fruits derived
therefron would present themselves
in realities, such as could be sen and
appreciated by those with whom they
come iI. contact. The most thorough
prepare ion is required to perform sue
cessful duties In the department Of
heathefMom; and this preparation
should be perfected before an under
taking Is attempted. 1t Is true. per.
haps, that Africa, the greater part,
stands in need Of redemption; but 1t is
true, likewise, that America, as .
whole. cannot boast the intelligence Of
angels; and II the inhabitants of the
Dark Continent are more deeply
stupid In ignorance and superstition
than many Of these surrounding US,
their condition Is pitiable indeed. The
gospel is effective only to those who
are sufficiently enlightened to under
stand its mfssion-the regulation Of
conduct between man and man, and
q willing obedience to the commands
OF God. Whatever might be the zeal
which prompts activity in missionary
pursuits, little of importance, in re-
ligious elevation can be accomplish
ed in the absence Of intellectual cul-
tivation.
Religion may be begctten of belief;
but It must be nurtured by practicing
the things which SAVIOR of righteous
ness, ere we are properly entitled to
lay claim to its possession. This is
a point Of vital consideration which
very mahy of our Southern neighbors
appear 10 overlook. We believe that
Ex-Governor Northern is sincere in
his advocacy of the spiritual uplift
Of the negro. We believe he has given
his services In earnest endeavor to i'm
prove the situation of the race; but
there are errors to be corrected and
powerful agencies to be combated ere
the period Of his desired consumma-
ton Is attained. An educational cam.
paign is necessary as the forerunner
of wished-for results; and II those gen.
temen who are benignly interested in
the welfare Of the negro would bestir
themselves on this particular subject,
much OF the opposition which he now
encounters would lose its force. There
Is something Of mystery in our de-
sire for the bestowal of spiritual bless
ings without the materials necessary
to their usage. Benighted souls can
better realize the benefits Of light aft
er darkness shall have been dispelled
All methods utilized In the regenera-
ton of any people, except those which
pass through the channel OF enlighten-
ed understanding, will avail very lit
tie towards uplifting the racial stand
ard.
These are our opinions concerning
ing more Of the zeal with which we
are affected, regarding those We term
our brethren in despair. Should the
enthusiasts modify their tactics re-
specting the negro in Africa and the
negro In America, radical changes for
good could be wrought within decade,
and wonders now undreamed of would
be the reward of labor
We welcome, however, the sympa-
thy and aid Of such as the ex-govern-
or's type; for influences such as theirs
can do much to tighten the. weight Of
our burdens.
REV. DR.. Edward Wilmot Blyden,
who has just died at the age of sew
enty-nine, was one Of the most distin-
guished members Of the negro race, a
scholar of notable attachments, a wise
statesman and successful diplomat"
comments the Springfield (Mass.) Re-
publican in an informing reference to
this eminent parsonage. "He was born