because of the vast number of foreigners who remain and make it their
home; it is such because of the vast human river that flows back to
its source. In a barren desert tract in the West, where sage brush and
cactus are the only vegetation, the desert blossoms when the rivers of
irrigation are let in. So does this returning human flood bring hope and
new life to wornout and often hopeless civilizations.
Here lie the responsibility and privilege of America. Through school and
settlement and church and a myriad other institutions and influences we
must make these Old World brothers and sisters feel that they have found
in the New World more tender and loving neighbors than those they left
behind; we must show them that accepting our science and education, our
ways of farming, and mining and manufacturing, is not enough, although
these have had much to do with our greatness. Queen Victoria when asked
the source of England’s greatness, pointed to the Bible. It was a true
answer. It is being humble followers of Christ that makes us fit leaders
of these foreigners, and sends them back fit to be leaders in their turn.
If we are helpful, loving Christian neighbors to these immigrants we
shall set in motion waves of Christian faith and hope and love that, like
the tides, will sweep around the world and break in benediction on every
Old World shore.
End of Project Gutenberg's Some Immigrant Neighbors, by John R. Henry