Age Quote by Anne Royall
“If those millions squandered on designing missionaries had been deposited in funds for the support of yourselves, when old age, misfortune, or sickness (from which none are exempt,) overtakes you, or for the distressed of your race, what a heaven of happiness you would have created on earth: ye would now be an ornament to your sex, and ages to come would call you blessed. But it is in vain to try - a priest-ridden female is lost to reason. Why? because she has surrendered her reason to the ... missionaries ... the orthodox; they are the grand deceivers.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unpublished pamphlet by Anne Royall, early 19th century USA
The quote argues that money spent on missionary work could better support individuals in hardship, and criticizes women who abandon reason for religious orthodoxy.
In simple terms: Spending on missions wastes resources that could aid people; women who follow doctrine lose rationality.
Redirect resources to personal welfare and value reason.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- elder care
- poverty relief
- women's education
- religious reform
- community support
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives could fund both material aid and spiritual needs?
- How can reason and faith coexist without conflict?
The claim may overgeneralize missionary impact and ignore spiritual benefits.