The next day, the double marriage was solemnized by Professors Bennett and Spence, and later, a general farewell meeting was held in St. John’s Chapel. The large building was crowded, and many went away unable to find entrance. Prominent ministers from the city and vicinity, representing the leading denominations of Christian churches, were present. The tone of the meeting was congratulatory and hopeful, as befitted the sending forth of these soldiers of the Cross.
At their leaving Nashville by the evening train, an immense crowd gathered in and about the depot to see them off. A day or two only was spent in New York, to make necessary purchases, and receive instructions from the Secretary. On Thursday afternoon, a few members of the Executive Committee, and representatives of the religious press, held an informal interview with them. They each told the story of their lives, of their struggles to acquire an education, and of their religious experiences. All were deeply impressed with the sincerity of their devotion, and with their modesty and good sense as well.
On Saturday, the 23d of February, they sailed for England, where they arrived March 3d. By the 20th they were expected to reach Freetown, and a few days later, their new home.
We have thus fairly launched on the new experiment of African evangelization by men and women of African descent, who have come through American slavery to freedom. The nine adults together in the field are enough to support each other’s courage and hold up each other’s hands. But the field is far away; the perils of it are peculiar; the path is a new one to these young men and women. We trust in them with great confidence. But in the complications and unforeseen emergencies which always may arise in a foreign field, we feel that they need, more than most missionaries even, the constant remembrances, in prayer, of the thousands of the friends of Africa in our land and in Great Britain. We repeat most urgently their parting request—“Brethren, pray for us.”
THE TWO INDIAN POLICIES.
Two radically different views have prevailed in this country from the outset in regard to the treatment of the Indians—the one represented by the word civilization, and the other by the word extermination. The first of these was entertained by the Pilgrim Fathers, and by the founder of Pennsylvania, and was carried out apostolically by John Eliot, David Brainard, and others, as well as by successful Indian missions of later date. But the effort has been constantly obstructed by the hostilities between the Indians and the white men, rendering the latter indisposed to send the Gospel, and the former to receive it. The only decided and comprehensive effort by the general Government, for the civilization of the Indians, is the peace policy inaugurated by General Grant, the results of which, in spite of all obstacles and opposition, have been unmistakably and increasingly advantageous. (1) As a class, the agents selected by the religious societies have been far more trustworthy and efficient than their predecessors, being themselves honest in their dealings with the Indian, and defending them from the frauds of ring speculators, and the temptations of the liquor dealers. (2) The progress of the Indians in their industrial, educational and moral advancement has been very marked, as is shown by a tabulated and comparative statement of facts, prepared by the Board of Indian Commissioners, and recently published. (3) The agents—representing all denominations, and, therefore, not committing the government to sectarianism—have most directly and heartily co-operated with the religious efforts of the different churches for the evangelization of the Indians. As the only possibility of civilizing the Indians lies in their Christian enlightenment, the work of the religious societies, under the fostering care of the government, gives the highest promise of success.
On the other hand, the policy of extermination has been tried from the beginning. In the earlier days the struggle resembled the border wars between England and Scotland, being mere temporary raids, carried on with little expense. But modern warfare puts another aspect on this contest with the Indians, making it vastly more costly in men and money. It is believed that not a single Indian has been killed by our army, at less than an average expense of a million of dollars, and of the lives of one or more white men. The War Department and the army are the natural representatives of this policy, and if the Indians are transferred to their care, the peace policy will be overthrown, and we fear that of extermination substituted in its place. This apprehension involves no reflection on the humanity of the officers and soldiers of the army, but the inference is justified by the history of the past, and by the fact that the business of an army is to destroy, and not to give instruction.
Much significancy is added to this question by the recent tables of Major Clark, showing that the Indians are not decreasing in number. They are here, and mean to stay. We cannot exterminate them, and we ought, as a Christian people, to face manfully the other and grander alternative of making them good citizens and sharers in the blessings of the Gospel.
One other thing should not be forgotten. This nation long oppressed the black man, and the dread penalty came at length, whose mementoes are in a million of soldiers’ graves, in broken homes and hearts, North and South, and in the disturbance of all commercial and industrial interests, under which the whole land still trembles. If we persevere in our wrongs and neglects of the red man, have we any hope that we shall escape similar retributions? God still reigns!