And thus have these great explorers demonstrated the power of sympathy and kindness even upon the most degraded of people. * * * * * LOOK ON THIS SIDE AND ON THAT. There is a very ancient chestnut tree which has been shaken by many a traveler on his way. One of its nutshells has a word of wisdom in the story of two knights who contended about a certain shield. “It was gold.” “It was silver.” Both were sure, for did they not see it for themselves? Both were wrong, of course; people usually are who see one side. There were two sides to that shield. The point of view has to do with what one sees. For example, when Rev. Doctor Field went South, the shield which he looked at on the way was burnished gold. He saw it. He wrote a book about it, which was honorable to his heart and to his eyesight. Everything was lovely and of good report down South. It was faith, hope and charity, but the greatest of all was charity. Then Editor Grady came to New York and told us in eloquence and imagination of the New South. The shield which he held up to us was gold studded with diamonds. “Very well, let it be gold, that is what we want,” was the hopeful response of tens of thousands until it has come to be the mode to say, “Surely it is gold. The era of good will and justice has come, and nothing either great or small remains for us to do.” Those of us who have been praying and working for “the acceptable year of the Lord” could wish that this were so, but it remains true that an intelligent view is not a one-sided view. People may run through the South and get the view that leans to inclination. They may have delightfully warm receptions, but it takes a good many warm days to make a summer. There is no doubt that there is a New South, that the beginning of the dawn of a glorious morning is lifting itself up. Thoughtful people in the South are realizing the trend of things. They are attent to the problems which present themselves. They are re-adjusting their opinions. A few leaders are coming into the realm of convictions which are quite other than those they once entertained. They are nobly meeting questions once ignored. This is the prophecy of the golden year for which the American Missionary Association has been expending itself. From the time when the American Missionary Association planted its first Institution at Hampton, Va., until its last one was destroyed so lately by incendiaries at Quitman, Ga., it has waited patiently for Southern recognition of its work. This has been coming gradually, and we need not say that we appreciate it. Many have been convinced, some are urgently exhorting us to increased activities and service. Thoughtful Southern people do not look upon a population of another race, now numbering about seven millions, which averages upwards of seventy per cent of absolute illiteracy, with unconcern.