chapter IX 



FLOGGING A SHADOW 



To understand we must first learn and this is ever true 

 in relation to the dealings of the white man with the 

 African. The success of The Men of the Trees may be 

 largely attributed to the fact that this movement is based 

 upon an idea which could be understood by the people. 

 In the heart of Africa today, wherever its ideals have 

 penetrated, it affords a valuable means of training in ini- 

 tiative and responsibility. 



As life in Equatorial Africa becomes more settled, 

 villages will spring up and village life become the order 

 of the day. If we can only succeed in giving the African 

 a new interest in home and village life, first perhaps in 

 arousing liis interest in tree-planting, we shall lead him 

 to sink his old individual interests in the new ones which 

 will soon become too precious to be jeopardized when- 

 ever his inclination turns to the old improvident ways. 

 He will be industrious in spite of himself, as he recognizes 

 himself as a part of the new order unfolded before him. 

 Docs not the solution of African problems lie in first 

 aiding the African to adjust himself to this new order, 

 beginning with home life, which must ever be the most 

 important factor in the growth of any nation? The ideal 

 picture of the African future is that of the native who 



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