The Anglo-Saxon Rite

There has been a belief among Anglo-Saxon race that land is theirs by default and that they are the only race that lives in the rite. In Josiah Strong’s writings entitled “Our Country” it is suggested that Anglo-Saxons have shaped their lives by two main ideas, civil liberty and “pure spiritual Christianity”; with these ideas in mind the Anglo-Saxon race has set out to evangelize the world.
In support of civil liberty and “pure spiritual Christianity” Strong uses the Darwinian belief in natural selection. He states that “there is apparently much truth in the belief that the wonderful progress of the United States, as well as the character of people, are the results of natural selection” (Mathisen 506). By using this approach Strong argues that Anglo-Saxons will one day dominate the world; they will “move down upon Mexico, down upon Central and South America, out upon the islands of the sea, over upon Africa and beyond” (Mathisen 507). As we can see Strong has interpreted Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection to work in favor of the Anglo-Saxon race. He believes it is by God’s will that the Anglo-Saxons spread their beliefs and ways of living upon the inferior races.
Strong also states that “North America is to the great home of the Anglo-Saxon” implying that no other race is welcome there. His ethnocentric attitude is greatly apparent here. It seems that Strong does oppose the presence of the Chinese, but if by natural selection the ideas of Anglo-Saxon life are to supersede all others why should Strong be opposed to their immigration? As stated by a theorist in an article by Carlos Closson “the infiltration of inferior races is not evil, but a benefit” (Closson 77). If Strong’s use of natural selection is correct than why would he be opposed to the immigration of other races?

1. Closson, Carlos C. “The Real Opportunity of the So-Called Anglo-Saxon Race”
The Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 76-97. The University of Chicago Press, 1900.

2. Robert R. Mathisen, Critical Issues in American Religious History: A Reader (2nd Revised Edition). Baylor University Press, 2006.