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Platform and Pulpit
131

Churches, or any consciousness of being tools; but tools and screens they are, none the less. The history of South Africa is full of the feuds between British missionaries and the Dutch; and from the former a feud, a latent animosity, has been transmitted to the British ministers of the towns. Missionary and minister have claimed, often in good earnest, to be the friends and protectors of the natives, and have favoured and promoted a policy towards the natives which is opposed by Africander sentiment and conviction. Into the merits of the controversy it is needless to go, though I may remark in passing that a careful reading of the Jingo literature issuing from South Africa clearly shows that British Africander sentiment upon the native question favours the Dutch and not the missionary policy. The business men who mostly direct modern politics require a screen; they find it in the interests of their country, patriotism. Behind this screen they work, seeking their private gain under the name and pretext of the commonwealth. Sometimes this screen is inadequate, and a second covering is required. This has been the case in the present business: indiscreet directors 'gave away the game;' the hands of financiers were visible upon the stage of politics moving the figures;