The next day being Sunday, after the morning duties were finished, this family, with the missionary, enjoyed a season of devotion and Christian fellowship. As they, in the fear of God, intended to “move upon the enemy’s works” on Tuesday night, it would be profitable for the leader to know how the enemy was entrenched, and what forces had been employed against him; how these operated and what their success.
“What kind of people have you here in the West?” inquired the missionary with a smile.
“Well,” replied Mr. Brown, “we have what the geographer terms ‘a mixed population.’ Or, as old Peter Miller would say, ‘good, bad and indifferent.’ It is a great mistake in eastern men to suppose that the western pioneer is an ignoramus. You will find some of the sharpest, best educated and most energetic men of this continent here in the West. A great many have the ‘bump of go-aheadativeness,’ as Fowler would say, ‘largely developed’.”
“Method or system is not so much looked upon as ‘will it go?’ ‘will it pay?’ ‘how long will it take?’ The masses are what some term ‘fast men.’ Money must be made at once! Fortunes acquired in a day! Circuitous approaches are inadmissible. ‘Straight through and go ahead’ is the cry. ‘Young America’ here is impatient of delay; and if one way does not at once succeed, another is tried; and if speedy results are not seen, a new location or a change of business is contemplated. Hence, ‘fogyism’ is generally discarded, and which ever way they move they tend toward the extreme. This restless spirit is the very secret of their being here. Ambitious, brave and independent minds seek their development in situations where they can ‘make a country,’ create cities, establish commerce, and lay the foundation for learning, art and science.”
“Why, indeed, Mr. Brown, you have given me a very graphic description of the characteristics of the western people, and it almost makes me afraid to risk my abilities among such,” replied the missionary.
“Never mind,” said Mr. Brown, “you must become enthusiastic too; and when they see you are in earnest, they will help you.”
“But are there not some ‘old fogies’ mixed up among the crowd, who would oppose radical measures of any kind?” mildly suggested the missionary.
“Plenty of them,” quickly replied Mr. Brown. “It is especially so in religious matters—here they seem to have the most influence, being well-meaning, orderly and good men; but holding the idea that the old routine must be followed, they oppose any change, or any ‘new measure,’ as they call it; and being men of standing in the community, the result is, in many cases, that nothing is accomplished.”
“Are these old measure men inclined to oppose the temperance cause, prayer-meetings, revivals and Sunday-schools by any decided action?” seriously inquired the missionary.
“Some will, and carry others with them, who otherwise might be made active members in the Church; as they are, you cannot tell them from non-professors,” rejoined Mr. Brown.