The difference between the savage and the enlightened man is often due
to Christian civilization.
John Williams tells how the Raratongans were excited and
overawed when, for the first time, they saw him send a written
message to his wife. He requested a chief, who was helping, to
take the chip to Mrs. Williams; but, thinking the missionary
to be playing a joke on him, he asked, “What must I say?”
“Nothing,” said Mr. Williams; “the chip will say all that I
wish.” “But can a chip talk? Has it a mouth?” He got what
he went for, and, still more perplexed, could only exclaim:
“See the wisdom of these English! They can even make chips
talk!”--PIERSON, “The Miracles of Missions.”
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