RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF SOUTH AFRICA.
By S. N. H.
From what has already been said respecting the colonies, quite an idea may be gathered of the religious status of the country. The primitive Dutch are the religious element in this country. But they are necessarily narrow in their views. It was the same element that first went to the American shores at the same time these came to this country. But here they were isolated from the rest of the world, surrounded by natives who had no fear of God before them, and without any civilization whatever. What the United States would have been had the circumstances been the same as here, may be gathered from the Blue Laws of Connecticut, the banishing of the Baptists, the whipping of the Quakers, and the burning of the witches. This was an inheritance of the Papacy. And, still more, from the spirit which now manifests itself to persecute, can be seen what is in the hearts of those who have the power to persecute. It is always dangerous to any country or people for the religious element to sway the power of the state. It was so in the beginning, and it is so in the end. But the coming of the English to South Africa, and their establishing a more civilized rule, greatly helped the religious element in this country. There is no state religion here, and all denominations have equal privileges, except in regard to that one element which at the present time is cursing the enlightened world, namely, Sunday laws. These exist in Cape Colony, in Natal, and in the South African Republic. In Cape Colony, it is principally against the opening of shops and stores, the sale of goods, hunting, etc. It is about the same in Natal. But in the South African Republic they are much more oppressive. The one who sells a pound of sugar or a loaf of bread is subject to a £5 fine and imprisonment; but by some arrangement mining operations are carried forward on all of the seven days. Yet in each of these colonies strenuous efforts are made yearly to make the Sunday laws more oppressive. They do not as yet include those who observe the seventh day; but there is an unseen power that is moving them onward in this direction. Mission stations are scattered in all of the districts where the natives are under the protection of the English, in various lands, of which we have said but little in previous articles. Much might be said concerning them, but in a few words it can be said that the English are among nearly every tribe, trading and dealing with them in various ways. The missionaries are also there, seeking to plant the Gospel; so that among nearly all tribes they know of the work of the Gospel. But the influence of the unprincipled white man greatly neutralizes all such efforts. And now there is being worked up a sentiment that, as these efforts fail, we want religion established by law, especially on the Sunday question. Now is the golden opportunity to carry the truth in among all the tribes in South Africa. The governments of Cape Colony and Natal do all they can from their standpoint to encourage education among the colored population. They stand ready to aid any educational institution on certain conditions. Among these conditions are, no religion shall be forced upon any pupil. Another condition is, the teachers shall give evidence that they are competent in their calling. The education of the colored race is not encouraged outside of the English colonies as it is here. But there is nothing to prevent it, if others will take the responsibility of going forward with the enterprise. But with the religious element itself, it is much the same as it is in every portion of the world. The attention of the religionists everywhere is now strongly turning towards the civil power for the enforcement of Sunday observance, as though if that one step were taken, then a great feat would be accomplished towards the desirable end of the conversion of the world. But there are Mordecais in the gate that in some way must be disposed of, as they are a hindrance in this direction. When the power of the Holy Spirit fails to accomplish what they so much desire, they seek the power of the civil arm to do the work. The liquor traffic is a terrible enemy to South Africa. It yields a profit to the vender, and, as long as this is the case, men will continue to sell it. In many instances there are laws against selling liquor to colored men, but as long as it is sold in the country at all, the colored man will get it. Khaman, the Christian chief, has thus far kept it out of his country, but it has been by a direct appeal to the queen of England, and by various resources to which he has resorted. There is a strong feeling in some circles that if liquor can not be purchased, many persons will be deterred from settling in the territory. While it is so nearly universally used, there is some truth in this. The majority of the world are on the wrong road. It is the minority that are traveling the narrow way to heaven. And the broader the road is made among any people, so the evil customs and practices can enter, and the people be allowed to commit certain crimes, so much the more can men be induced to settle who wish to indulge in such crimes. But the road to heaven is a narrow one, and few there be that go in thereat. Particular schools, where the Christian religion is taught, such as have an extensive influence, might be mentioned, but time would not permit it in such a series of articles as we have written for the Signs. It is true, however, that every method of teaching, every means that men can invent to convert the natives, is utilized here in South Africa. Some of these methods prosper; and, in fact, there are no means or methods used but succeed in the hands of some. It is not by might nor by power, but success in the advancement of the kingdom of God is by the power of the Holy Spirit. So the poorest methods in the hands of the devoted, trusting missionary, succeed, while the best methods in the hands of those who do not have the fear of God before them, fail. There are valuable schools in South Africa; there are noble men who have given their lives and talents to educate, Christianize, and civilize the natives, and they have seen success attend their efforts. There are many more who have come with the best of motives, found the work discouraging, and left the field. Some of the schools and missions which began small, and worked through the most discouraging times, are now popular, and have done a noble work. Others have not been so prosperous. But such is South Africa where the country has been opened to European civilization.