The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-12-12
MISSIONARY SIDE 0F
|NERICANIzATIDh
Wonderful Opportunity is
Presented to the
Churches.

AmenicanizaEoo IL q themo which
s. irving great concern to our ma
ttonal government aud to all those
agencies and people who realize the
NECESSITY Of qutckened effort toward
national unjty.
The war has focused attention upon
the vital issue Of national unity. 1t
has shown us the folly Of easy going
/ complacenCy, and our criminal indIffeT
ence. II has tested the loyalty OF the
adopted sons of America and also the
sincerity Of older Americans. And 1t
has brought us to see the necessity
snf genuine Americanization. This
Z is not the concern Of. any particular
race: not merely a matter of Language
or easy familiarity with American Gus
toms 1t does not involve hatred or
contempt of other nations. 1t Is a
process gradual and slow, and not me-
chanical but spiritual,
Every intelligent American has his
views" on the subject of American
,ization and the status of dhe people
whom we class Unfortunately as
"forcigners." Viewing it from ma
tsonal standpoint and as a National
task:
/. America is a sacred trust which
we have received from those who have
gone beforeus and which we will pass
on those who come after us. A ma
ton Is not simply land area or even
Stipulation. 1t consists Of ideals, ira
difions, aspirations and hopes. 1t is
sancttfied by the heroic achievements
and sacrifices of the past. Its spiritu-
Al and moral character comprise ma
.ition's real wealth.
2. Democracy is not merely a form
of government 1t Is the spirit or
government and society. The founda-
,ftons Of democracy are in the char
Rcter Of the people. To be great a
nation does not need to be OF one
:blcod but Il must be OF one mind.
8. AmerlcanizatioI-ts achievement
.of national unity for world service on
,Ehe plane Of our highest ideals. 1t ts
the maintenance Of an unwavering and
united progress toward the goal OF
those ideals
a. In lis larger aspects Americani-
zation means the extension OF our ma
stional ideals, of the American spirit
and Language to every quarter until
there shall be no section untouched by
the i'Ill currents Of American life or
tut of harmony with the rest of the
America.
But the more fundamental viewpoint
and the one wholly consistent with the
truest Americarism, is the universal
or Christian point Of view. This will
enable us 10 understand that .AmeFl-
"a has a missionary destiny. We shall
'be able to think Of all races WIN
which we are dealing as the children
,of God and recognize the obligation OF
the stronger to serve the weaker. 1t
will enableius to see our generation
against the back ground of history in
me light Of the unfolding purpose OF
God to establish his kingdom in the
world. We shall not be content to
think OF him; but against the back
GROUND Of his past, with Its repres-
jon and lac kof opportunity, we shall
see our national task as world service
81 the Interest OF world unity, unaer
She sway Of the principles and Ideals
81 the Kingdom of God,
We as Christian Americans have
never been brought face to face with
strch an opportunity for service as that
which confronts us today. In this su-
prtme hour of our history 1t Is for
ihe Christian to interpret afresh our
democracy and our destiny in accord
anee with the mind Of Christ. In the
need OF the nation for men and woHl-
en- who win interpret IT'S spirit and