Analysis of Negro Scholars, Jamaica
The principle idea of this anecdote is that the missionaries were able to use the Bible to introduce morals to the natives. The girl in this story is very young, "between three and four years of age," but she is able to display an understanding of morals as a result of Biblical study. Given that she picks up a rock to attack her provoker, it seems as if this was a behavior she retained from before the missionaries arrived. However with the Biblical knowledge brought by the missionaries, the young girl knows that violence is morally wrong, and as a result she displays restraint("The CMS Juvenile Instructor" 105-106). This is a good outcome of the introduction of religion to the natives, as it helped discourage fighting, and promoted friendliness among the natives.
It's interesting to note that the girl's first reaction to being provoked was violence. This provides some insight into the society and mindset of the natives before the missionaries came to Jamaica. This lends some credence to the idea of natives as being "savage," as even their children's first reaction to a problem is violence. In this sense, the introduction of Biblical ideals can be interpreted as a way of civilizing the natives, as morals are considered to be an integral component of a civilized people.
Finally, one must consider the purpose of including this anecdote in the book. In addition to showing that the Bible was able to help the natives make better moral decisions, it also shows that the missionaries are making a difference. All of the travelling and work the missionaries have done to introduce religion is paying off, and it is also paying off in a very important way by affecting the children. Many years down the line, these children who have been taught the Bible will be the ones leading the country, while the adults and older people who may have been less receptive to the ideas of the Bible, will be dead or too old to do anything. Having the Bible implanted in the children will ensure that it stays with them their whole lives, allowing them to pass it on to future generations. By making the Bible part of their childhood, it will also cause the children to think of it more fondly when they are adults, as it will have been with them for so long, it could be a source of nostalgia for them; one the children would want to pass onto their children. This anecdote about the young girl shows that the missionary trips are making a difference, and that the missionaries actions will be felt by future generations.
