A SAD THING IF TRUE

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 12.

A SAD THING IF TRUE.

The Lincoln, Neb., Evening Call of February 24 has the following item of news:—

“During a discussion in the English Parliament the fact was brought to light that the only currency in the delta of the African river Niger is rum and gin, which the missionaries are compelled, much against their will, to use as such for all purchases from the natives, thereby promoting the demoralization of the latter. Meanwhile, King Prempeh, the ex-ruler of Ashanti, has been transferred from his prison at Elmina to Sierra Leone, where, according to letters from Freetown, he is drinking himself to death with benedictine.”

Well, if we were a missionary there we would not use it. Would Christ have done it? Better to beg or starve than to place in the hands of men that which we know will prove a curse and only a curse. Certainly God has some better means or medium of exchange, and we believe his wisdom would solve the problems for the natives if they would seek him.