Prohibition of Liquor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 15, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 42.

Prohibition of Liquor.

The utterances of King Lewanika, of Barotsoland, can not fail to have an excellent influence on thoughtful citizens who have noted his words on drink, as he has traveled through our country. He has, it is said, long been an abstainer, and has followed the good example of King Khama, who visited our shores some years ago. King Lewanika wants to protect his people from having the drink curse thrust into his country. In this respect he is giving evidence that wisdom is justified of her children. Once an inroad was obtained into this land by the liquor men, and his people fascinated with the poison, it would be difficult for him then to drive them beyond his borders. The strength, safety, and progress of his country depend upon his keeping them out, and not admitting them on any pretext whatever. The Emperor Menelik, of Abyssinia, has just been compelled to take action against the importation of French wines and German beer into his territory. He has watched their pernicious effects on his people, and has issued an edict prohibiting alcoholic drinks from being smuggled or legally brought into his empire. Thus the war against alcohol is being waged, and sober and enlightened heathen are teaching our country serious and valuable lessons, if we have judgment and wisdom granted us to take them. While our Parliament has great difficulty in getting a comparatively mild measure of temperance reform passed, it is pleasing to witness the kings of Abyssinia and Barotsoland, excluding from their States a vicious liquor that has rendered millions of our people at home little better than a class of human waste.—Christian Advocate, Ireland.