The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1928, Page 93

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 93

noted them. Disappearances of deadly famines,
owing to the development of trade; better clothing
(this is a mixed blessing) ; better seeds and agri-
cultural implements (plow) ; possibility of earning
money; incentive to work in order to pay taxes
(this natives would certainly not call a blessing!) ;
decrease of polygamy; broadening ideas consequent
on travelers and work in towns. But the curses of
civilization far exceed its blessings for the South
African native; he has lost more through it than
he has gained: loss of political interest and respon-
sibility, loss of hereditary respect for the chiefs and
for the elder brothers, loss of personal dignity;
moreover, we notice decrease of religious faith and
of respect for tabus.

In addition, the vices of civilization have, found
a deplorable welcome on the part of these primitives,
and these vices have caused new and very dan-
gerous diseases, which are now quickly spreading
among them: alcoholic cachexy, syphilis, consump-
tion, much more frequent than before, due to their
working in towns, not to speak of the criminal
instincts which have developed under these influ-
ences — murder and rape (hence the black peril,
which was unknown in the primitive state). The
tribe has lost its orientation, and moral and physical
results have quickly followed.

To fight against these new and frightful foes
the black race happily possesses considerable physical
strength and great prolificacy; but these may not
necessarily last forever. They can be lost... .

I cannot conceal the fact that I consider the situa- _

tion of the South African tribe, under present cir-
cumstances, a very serious one. If these influences
are not checked, I believe in the possible extinction
of the race, in the long run, and I think that every
thoughtful observer will come to the same conclu-
sion. Ought not certain steps to be taken by the
‘government in order to stop the progress of the evil?
Would not, for instance, a policy of segregation be
commendable? Or would it not be in the interests
of the natives to remove them to tropical Africa,
leaving the white man alone in South Africa?
These questions have been discussed at length in
the South African papers, and I have nothing to
say about them except that such steps seem to be
absolutely impracticable. I am convinced that the
only remedy for these deadly dangers is the forma-
tion, in the black tribe, of a strong moral character,
accompanied by sufficient enlightenment of mind to
enable the native himself to perceive the danger
and overcome it.

I am convinced that Christianity is the only
true solution of the problem. Christianity, not
merely a new set of rites taking the place of the
old animistic rites, but the spiritual Christianity,
which perfectly combines the religious belief and
the moral duty, accepted by the Bantu soul, and
leading the weak and carnal Bantu savage to the
height of the Christian ideal, thu8 victoriously
replacing the non-moral religion and the non-
religious morality of the native. Science will soon
dispel all superstitious dread of the tabus.

Let those’ imaginary fears be replaced by the
fear of moral wrong, sin becoming for the Chris-
tianized native the real, the true tabu, and a
healthy: life will then be possible.

Christianity, the religion of conversion, regen-
eration, supernatural transformation, must be
brought within the reach of the native, a power
from above, which will deliver him and save him.
Magical notions are doomed to die before long in
the light of science. ... But faith in an all-
powerful Father will free the savage from the fear
of spirits and open his heart to the holy influences
of the religion of Christ.

Christianity, the religion of love, love between

individuals and love among the races, is needed, .

which regulates the relations between whites and
blacks, who are both indispensable to the cultiva-
tion, exploitation, and full utilization of the mar-
velous riches of South Africa, dispelling race hatred,
and promoting helpful collaboration of Africanders
and Africans.

But is the Bantu capable of accepting such a
high and spiritual religion? I answer: “Yes;
their heart is able to grasp the Gospel by faith,
as is proved by a thousand instances. And he that
believeth shall be saved.” :

Infe of a South African Tribe.

“Willing” Givers.

I have my suspicions’ about the man who is
always growling because the willing givers have to

raise most of the money for the Church. What is ©

that to growl about? The only money which a true
Church really wants is the money which comes from
willing givers. That there are always some people
who are not willing givers; that there are always
some who give their five or ten dollars a year to
insure them a Christian burial, that’s a fact we
cannot deny. But we cannot cure it, for the very
simple reason that we cannot look into men’s hearts

TIWARI TT