THE BIG GAME OF AFRICA 



" American missionaries have done more to advance 

 the welfare of my country and my people than any other 

 foreign influence." 



It would be very easy for me to print many more tes- 

 timonials of the same character from a great many other 

 prominent statesmen and governors, but this may suffice to 

 confirm my assertion that high-minded and clear-sighted 

 men the world over understand and appreciate the great 

 value of missionary work, without which our own country, 

 as well as Europe, would to-day still be worshiping idols 

 and graven images, as our forefathers did. 



On the other hand, I must frankly admit that there 

 are a good many missionaries who, indeed, are inefficient, 

 selfish, ignorant, and lazy. Such men would probably do 

 better as tailors, shoemakers, clerks, and teachers in their 

 respective home lands; and I dare say that such people 

 have many times unnecessarily provoked both white men 

 and natives ; they have been a hindrance to the very cause 

 they were sent out to further. The different missionary 

 societies know and deplore this very much indeed. But 

 to judge from such missionaries, and to condemn the great 

 body of noble men and women whose only aim in life is to 

 elevate, help, and advance the conditions of native tribes 

 the world over, is just as unreasonable and absurd as to 

 say that the Americans are no good, that they are drunk- 

 ards, crooks, and thieves, because there are some such 

 people in our great land! 



As to the influence of mission work among the tribes 

 of Central Africa, may I here mention what, for instance. 

 Sir Harry Johnston, a former Commissioner to East 



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