ABSTRACT
From the beginning, Williams says, Westerners applied Western concepts to quite different African institutions. Africa was naturally among the first areas to which Christianity spread. For Williams, the African Constitution is discussed as a body of fundamental theories, principles and practices drawn from the customary laws that governed Black African societies from the earliest times. The African peoples meanwhile, seeking a re-birth of their own civilizations or, where none ever existed, a new creation, must now look in vain for positive leadership from that part of the world. Centuries before the rise of modern capitalism and the industrialization of society, the Christian Church had abandoned its mission, according to Williams, and had itself become more economic and political than spiritual. Ancient religion gave birth to science and learning, art and engineering, and architecture, the resources for a national economy and political control as well as being the mother of history, writing, music, the healing art, song and dance.
