Abstract
In 1963 Professor Robin Winks published a selection of readings entitled British Imperialism: Gold. God. Glory. In his subtitle Winks achieved more than clever alliteration — he demonstrated the significance that mission work claimed as a justification for conquering and maintaining an empire. What had occurred in the New World during the Spanish conquest was repeated by the British in Africa — before the dust of conquest had settled, missionaries had built churches and schools in the new lands. They journeyed the length and breadth of "the dark continent." carrying with them the message of Christ. and indirectly, of the British Empire. One scholar has noted that "The missionaries were as much agents of alien political expansion as traders, consuls and concession hunters." Although societies in England sponsored missionaries, they served the same temporal master — the British government — as the colonial officials, known as district officers. Missionaries and district officers often clashed, for superficial disagreements arose over specific policies. The real conflict between them, however, was deep-rooted.
Recommended Citation
McDorman, Kathryne S.
(1983)
"Preachers and Pagans: The Christian Missionary in Joyce Cary’s African Novels,"
University of Dayton Review: Vol. 16:
No.
3, Article 10.
Available at:
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/udr/vol16/iss3/10
