American Heathenism by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 8, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 38.

American Heathenism.

By Editor

A CALIFORNIA Presbyterian writes to the New York Independent concerning the Chinese, and says:—

"Already American-born boys and girls of the lower classes, growing up from tender years familiar with the vices described in the epistle to the Romans, have merely heathen consciences, feeling little or no sense of sin or shame in the commission of such crimes. No Eastern parent would wish his child to grow up in contact with such vices. Foreign missionaries send their children home to avoid it. Here it cannot be avoided. But those who are compelled to meet it, and to bear the forefront of the battle against heathenism, ought to have at least the sympathy of their brethren who are so safe in the rear ranks."

The Independent makes a few comments, and closes with these words:—

"We only add that children grow up equally here with heathen consciences; but we do not lay the blame on the Chinese."

We have no plea to make in favor of the Chinese in California, but we venture the assertion that their presence in San Francisco is no more detrimental to the morals of that city than the presence of an equal number of white people that might be imported from New York City or Chicago would be. We believe the Independent is correct in saying that in the East, as well as here, children grow up with heathen practices and heathen consciences. Human nature is essentially corrupt. Children are born with tendencies to vice; and with human fiends ready on every side to instruct them in its details, and parents blind or else indifferent to the practices, heathenism is as certain to exist in America as in China or Africa. Let the blame rest where it belongs.