RELIGIOUS FORCES
At the time of the conquest Argentina did not possess a large indigenous
population. Wandering tribes dwelt in all parts of the country from
Tierra del Fuego to Brazil, but the proportion of these Indians was
very small when compared with the extent of territory occupied. On the
slopes of the Andes were found tribes that were very closely allied with
and subject to the Incas, who ruled all along the Pacific coast from
Ecuador to Chile, and there was continuous intercourse between them.
No ruins of temples dedicated to the sun have been found in Argentina,
although some reminders of the Inca civilization have been uncovered
in the northwestern part of the republic. The principal strongholds of
the native tribes were in the northeastern sections of the country,
on the rich plains and low hills which border on the great rivers of
the country. Indians who were related to the Tupi-Guarani tribes who
inhabited Brazil, had established themselves there in considerable
numbers.
These Indians were not so bloodthirsty as those in the extreme south,
although some of them were given to cannibalism. Their slaying of human
beings, however, was for the purpose of food and not as a part of their
religious worship. They were not especially hostile to the incoming
Spaniards, until the members of the tribes began to be impressed into
slavery, and they then resisted the advance of that race in a feeble
way. Their religion was simple and consisted of a few good deities and
a number of evil ones. The former they tried to honour in their simple
way, but a great deal more attention was given to appeasing the latter,
in order to avoid physical suffering, for which they believed these
malevolent deities were responsible. Theirs was an ignorant belief and a
simple faith, and they rather welcomed the teachings of the priests who
first came among them. The new doctrines were accompanied by ceremonies
which appealed to their childlike natures. The chanting in an unknown but
sonorous tongue, the visible emblems and the incense cast a spell over
these simple people, who did not attempt to grasp the abstract idea of a
trinity or the sacrifice of a Saviour.
[Illustration: CHURCH IN CORRIENTES, BUILT IN 1588]
By far the most persistent and determined attempt to convert these
aborigines was made by the Jesuit priesthood. As a result of its tireless
and systematic efforts this order succeeded in establishing in Paraguay,
and the country adjacent to it on the east and south, about the beginning
of the sixteenth century, a seat of power which lasted for two centuries,
and which has been referred to elsewhere in a general way. It developed
into an ecclesiastical autocracy, with the heads of the Jesuit body as
the actual as well as nominal rulers. This remarkable order subdued the
Indians living between the Uruguay and Paraguay rivers, and brought all
of them under its domination. This was done without resort to the sword.
Although these pristine people were reduced to a condition of peonage,
or serfdom, they remained loyal to the Jesuits and assisted them in
repelling all invaders. So secure did the clerical rulers feel in their
position, that all other white persons were forbidden to settle within
the territory over which they claimed jurisdiction. It was perhaps well
for the natives that they did take this position, for the Spanish
adventurers would have enslaved the Indians, just as did the Portuguese
“Paulistas” in Brazil.
When the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil they crossed over the Paraná
River into Paraguay and Northern Argentina. Then was founded Misiones,
a series of missions along the eastern shores of that river. Although
these religious settlements have long since crumbled into ruins, the name
still clings to one of the territories of Argentina. The Jesuit effort
did not extend all over Argentina, but it was felt even to the foothills
of the Andes. The Jesuit emissaries encountered the Spanish advance guard
who had crossed the Cordilleras from Peru and met with a repulse. The
lack of gold in the section occupied by the Jesuits was also in itself a
protection, because it did not excite the cupidity of the gold-seekers.
These settlements were engaged solely in agricultural pursuits. Their
increasing wealth and prosperity, however, did finally excite this
cupidity, and the arrogance of the order aroused an intense jealousy in
the rulers of the province. As a result of these two influences this
order was forcibly expelled in 1768, and their property was confiscated.
Some of it was bestowed on other religious orders, but the most of it
was devoted to secular uses. The power and prestige of the Jesuits among
the natives were not at once destroyed by the blow. For a long time
their influence was paramount, because of the blind obedience of their
followers who had been gathered together in little settlements and had
been taught useful pursuits.
In other parts of the country the subjugation was not so peaceful. Those
Spanish troops who crossed the Andes and entered Argentina from that
direction pursued different tactics. Gold was sought and everything
was sacrificed to that one ambition. The conquerors were determined to
acquire wealth, or at least to secure a means of livelihood without the
necessity of manual labour. The natives were maltreated if they resisted,
and enslaved when once subdued. Where agriculture was attempted these
Indians were compelled to do the work, with no compensation except the
right to live. The priests were always ready to accompany the soldiers on
the most arduous campaigns. Without raising a hand against indiscriminate
slaughter they held up the crucifix to the survivors, and then turned
about and risked their own lives to spread the Christian faith into
hitherto untrodden regions. Even the desolate interior of Patagonia was
not too distant or too inaccessible for these indefatigable missionaries.
Sword in one hand and the cross in the other these teachers of religion
spread the doctrines of their church over the whole of the La Plata basin
and the rest of South America, and gave Roman Catholicism such a grasp on
the continent that it will probably never be broken. The one difficult
thing to understand is how the Church of Rome could countenance the
harsh and bloody methods of subjugation pursued under the very eyes of
its commissioned representatives, and the violation of all the ethics of
humanity as well as Christianity, unless it was simply the spirit of the
age with which even the heads of the Church were also imbued. The Jesuits
founded schools for the natives, in their settlements, but the other
orders did not do this, although they aided in inculcating orderly ways
among them.
The alliance of Church and State still exists in Argentina. The second
article in the constitution reads as follows: “The federal government
supports the Apostolic Roman Catholic Church.” This condition exists in
all the republics of South America, except Brazil. The president and
vice-president must be members of that church. Religious liberty prevails
and absolute freedom of worship is guaranteed to all persons of whatever
belief. Protestant or Jew has the same right to erect a place of worship
as the Roman Catholic. The alliance of Church and State, however, tends
to weaken each. It oftentimes drags down the high office of the Church
to the low level of politics and tends to cheapen its influence. It
sometimes ties up the government in ways that work to its detriment. It
will be better for the Church as well as government when this alliance is
separated. It will probably not be many years before the final break will
come in Argentina, and it is to be hoped that it will come peaceably and
without a rupture of peaceful conditions.
Although the Church is a nominal partner of the State it seemed to the
writer that its influence was not particularly strong. The day when the
Archbishop could dictate government policies has evidently passed away.
The bond between them is weak. It appears to be an age of remarkable
indifference toward religion. The men openly avow their indifference and
say that they “leave religion to the women.” A visit to the churches
is a practical demonstration of that statement so often reiterated.
The great Cathedral of Buenos Aires, which seats many thousands, will
oftentimes have only a mere handful of men at the regular services
within its walls. Some of the moral conditions in the republic show that
the cardinal teachings of the Church are not being followed, although
practically all are nominal adherents. How much of this condition might
be improved by a better priesthood would be difficult to estimate. Any
statement made might be construed as based upon an erroneous view, or
given from a prejudiced standpoint. It is a fact, however, that there is
great room for a religious awakening in Argentina, as well as the rest
of South America, and the Roman Catholic Church appears to be the only
one able to propagate this work aggressively among the many millions of
inhabitants.
Protestantism has not gained much of a foothold among the
Spanish-speaking population. There are a great many adherents of
Protestant denominations among the British and German population.
In Buenos Aires, Rosario and Bahia Blanca the Anglican and Scotch
Presbyterian churches have edifices and support ministers. They are
organized solely for the people of that faith, and do not make any effort
to evangelize those speaking other languages, as their services are
conducted only in English. Occasional services are held in other cities
where a colony of English-speaking people resides.
The only church that is aggressively pushing its work in Argentina is the
Methodist Episcopal Church. This church has about thirty missionaries
at work in various parts of the republic, and a number of congregations
have been successfully established. Buenos Aires is naturally the centre
of their efforts, and in that city they have organized a half dozen
churches. Of these the principal one is on Calle Cangallo, in the heart
of the city. This is generally known as the American Church, for people
who are members of the various non-Catholic bodies all unite in the
services here, which are conducted wholly in English. The pastor, Rev.
W. P. McLaughlin, has been in charge of this work for almost two decades
and is very much beloved by all. This church is entirely self-supporting
and contributes considerable sums to the work in the other churches.
The other churches of this denomination in Buenos Aires are intended
for work among the Spanish-speaking population, with the exception of
an Italian mission. Congregations have likewise been formed in Rosario,
Bahia Blanca, Cordoba, Santa Fé, La Plata, Mendoza, San Juan, Chacabuco,
Junin and other cities. They claim a membership exceeding five thousand
and seem to be very much encouraged in their work.
Educational work has received considerable attention from this body and
a number of schools are conducted by it in which well-qualified teachers
from the United States conduct the classes. These schools are recognized
as worthy institutions, and many families send their children to them
even though they do not accept that faith. Their influence cannot be
other than beneficial and uplifting, for any effort that aims to spread
enlightenment and moral ethics cannot fail to be of service in the
general advancement of the country. Their work will likewise stimulate
similar effort by others, and thus the general cause of education and
morality is greatly furthered.
The Morris system of schools was founded by an Englishman as a missionary
enterprise, but the scope of the work has since been broadened, until
now it has become a great educational enterprise with several thousand
students under its tutelage. The schools receive government aid, and by
that means those in charge have been enabled to branch out much more than
was permitted by the limited means in the early years of their history.
The Young Men’s Christian Association has a very flourishing society in
Buenos Aires which is doing a great work. At present they are hampered
by poor quarters, but a campaign had just been ended at the time of the
writer’s visit and two hundred thousand dollars had been secured for
a new building. A site was purchased in a central location and work
was to start at once on a fine new building. With these new quarters
and enlarged equipment, the work of this great world-wide organization
ought to be increased many fold, and there is room for all the effort
it is able to put forth. The Young Men’s Christian Association forms a
rallying place for young men who have broken away from home ties and
started life in a foreign country. The extension of the work among the
Spanish-speaking people also brings about a fraternizing between the two
races which is exceedingly beneficial.