A PROTESTANT MISSION TO THE PUTUMAYO.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.']
SIR,—The controversy that has followed the appeal for the esta- blishment of a Roman Catholic Mission on the Putumayo for the protection of those unhappy natives shows that there is a deep- rooted and well-founded resentment in the minds of a large section of the Christian public against the allegation that the Protestant form of religion, which is embraced and professed by the foremost nations of the world to-day, and which has ever been conspicuous for its championship of the cause of the oppressed, cannot be allowed to bring succour to those perishing people.
Careful inquiry has proved that these allegations are not founded on fact. At least one recognized missionary society has been working in that land, and among the Indians of the Sierra, for eighteen years, and on the not infrequent occasions that the workers have come into conflict with the priests of the Roman Catholic faith, and Article IV. of the Constitution has been invoked against them, the Peruvian Government has invariably protected the Protestant missionaries, and refused to apply Article IV. in the way that it is being presented to the British public at thip moment.
Feeling assured, therefore, that to make such use of an article of the Peruvian Constitution which is in virtual abeyance is to misinterpret the trend of the best thought of the Peruvian nation, and to reflect upon the genuine desire of the Government for the betterment of the country, as well as to ignore the consistent kindness and courtesy invariably extended to the agents of the British and Foreign Bible Society and to other Protestant mis- sionaries ; and feeling, further, assured that a Protestant Evan- gelical Mission would form the best channel for the expression
of the sympathy of tills eminently Protestant nation, we have decided to appeal for the establishment of such work in those regions.
A sum of 410,000 would be required for the equipment of a Mission such as is called for, and the Evangelical Union of South America has offered the services of a small band of experienced and trained workers (including a doctor), and is prepared to send them out at once if adequate support is forthcoming. These men already know the country, the people, and the language. Hence there need be no delay in at once taking up the work which the report of Sir Roger Casement declares to be immediately called for.
We have no desire whatever to raise any sectarian controversy in this matter, but we are profoundly convinced that an effort in which all sections of the Evangelical Church can unite is the most fitting vehicle for conveying the help which the oppression of these helpless Indians so loudly calls for from the Christians of our land. The urgency of the case demands an immediate response, and all desirous of contributing to this work should communicate at once with Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, D.D., Rev. J. Stuart Holden, M.A., or with the Secretary, Rev. A. Stuart McNairn, at the offices of the Evangelical Union of South America, 8-9 Essex Street, Strand, W.C.
(Signed) HINNAIRD. P. B. Marzss.
LA-NOFORD. G. CAMPBELL Moncisfr.
R. ANDERSON. J. STUART HOLDEN.
J. CLIFFORD. EUGENE STOCK.
J. SCOTT LIDGETT.
Previous page
