The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

cent of the soldiers of the American army in the
islands are afflicted with loathsome diseases.
That the poor souls in the Philippine Islands are
in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ no one will
deny; but that gospel must be carried to them by
men endued with the power of the Holy Ghost, and
armed with the weapons of faith and prayer, and
not by any such means as are now being used.
I will not dwell upon this phase of the question
longer, however, for it is only one of many. Suffice
it to say that in view of the condition of our own
spiritual experience and morals, one is hardly
warranted in believing that the opportunity to
become the owners of the heathen Filipinos by
purchase from Spain, and the liberal use of
American muskets and machine guns, constitutes a
“divine call” in order that we may impart to these
poor souls virtues so faintly visible in ourselves.
The next problem which demands solution is
that of the large army and navy which will be
continually required for the retention of the group.
262