The Awakening of the Central African 



its existence to the strenuous efforts of pioneer 

 missionaries. 



The subsequent traders, travellers and officials, 

 have benefited by the devoted labours of those who 

 preceded them. 



Hostility is not the word, for that is a thing of 

 the past ; but let us say a want of sympathy between 

 officials and missionaries is very evident. This 

 seems a pity, for both have the same aims in view 

 — the amelioration of the black races — only the 

 roads they take are different. Englishmen have 

 been more successful than any other nation in 

 dealing with native races, because they always 

 have such faith and affection for their own particular 

 people. This is seen in officials and missionaries 

 alike, but this should not blind any one to the fact 

 that others have the same good intentions. I 

 think both sides are apt to be somewhat on the 

 defensive. In these days of enlightenment and 

 good government the native is not oppressed. 

 Public opinion is against it; the best relations exist 

 between employer and employed. A man who 

 respects himself will respect others, be they black 

 or white. 



One collector told us he was unable to see much 

 of his missionary neighbour because he could not 

 stand running the risk of having to drink tea with a 

 native teacher. The same official loves his people, 

 would doctor or nurse his sick boy, devotes his life 

 to studying native character and custom, but cannot 

 allow himself to be placed on an equality. He knows 

 what familiarity will breed; he must keep up his 



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