New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-12
CHURCH SHAKEN
IN LATIN STATES
Impending Collapse OF
Christian Faith De-
plOred in Report.

Panama, Feb IA comprehensive
survey Of all Latin-America for future
occupation for missionary work was
made to-day in addresses by speakers
from both Latin-America and the
United States at the second days ses-
sion of the Congress on Religious WORK
in Latin-America, which had under dis
cussion the subject "Survey and occu-
patton
The attitude of a majority OF the
: delegates was voiced by DR.. Silas ID.
Daugherty, Of Philadelphia, who de-
clared that in view OF the interest taken
in the United States in Latin-American
affairs commercially. business and re-
licion should march hand in hand. Out
Of this. he said. would arise a true
Latin-Americanism which would be
helpful 70 both sections of the Western
Hemisphere.
The Rev. Harlan P Beach, Of New
Haven, declared that Latin-America
should be carefully surveyed before
aggressive work was undertaken there,
in order that the activities begun
should take the proper direction ana
/ bring forth the greatest results.
Other speakers delivered addresses
along similar lines, notably the Rev. H.
c. Tucker. OF New York, VINO made
strong plea for earnest work among
the Indians throughout the Americas
M L
spoiled ruthlessly by our foreiathers'
both Latin and Anglo-SaXon
During the session the report OF the
commission on survey and occupation
was presented. an abstract OF when
follows:
a complete collapse OF the Christian
faith in Latin-America was declared
70 be impending.
The report declared that in all the
Southern republics practically uniyer-
sal unbelief exists as far as modern
learning has proceeded. The commits
I sion asserts that the people in each OF
the several countries may be roughly
divided into four classes: violent
anti-clerical party, many OF whom
carry their opposition 20 religion OF
every form; the more or less well rea-
soned skeptics and atheists, who look
indulgently upon religion as harmless
for women and for the lower classes
but who are themselves Indifferent q
is claims: the dissatisfied, Il not dis
illusioned and cropping companies OF
souls who soon pass Oh 70 cynicism
and hardness OF heart; those whose
"period OF doubt and breaking away IS
ahead OF them as they are overtaker
by free education"
The report says that surprising
number Of the women are beginning
TO share the skepticism of their hus
bands and that theosophy, spirltism anC
similar cults are rapidly taking the
place Of Christianity IN numerous sec
tions.
Reviewing the difficulties which con
front missionaries TO Latin America
the report lays the blame for many OF
the evil conditions which il enumerates
and drunkenness in particular. TO tho
influence Of many American and other
foreign business agents who have IN
vaded the southern countries IN search
of trade.
The sordid commercial standards
/. saws. (which too many foreign bust
ness men have adopted will serve long
20 keep humble and silent their observ-
ing and interrupted fellow nationals
Where industrial injustice is m
trenched, many representatives OF FOR
eign capital also complaceatly proht
by II. The character-bullding force.
OF nations that export the products OF
their breweries and distilleries and
other agents Of debauchery may not re-
main insular in their outreach.
Referring moro specifically 20 the re,
lations between the United states and
Latin-America, the commission vigor-