Christian Civilization and Alcoholism
THE building of the great Congo railway in Africa has been hailed by many as an aid in civilizing and Christianizing the nations; but it is likely to prove more of a curse than a blessing. German whisky, English rum, and French brandy have already poisoned, it is said, one-fifth of the inhabitants of Congo Free State. This is latter-day Christian civilization. Christian England forces opium on China; Christian England, Germany, and France, educate the natives to drink that which will bring them under a worse slavery than they have ever known. Says an English journal: "From a philanthropic point of view, it would be better a thousand times over for the vast population of Central Africa to be converted to Islam and sobriety, than Christianity and alcoholism." "This is strong language," says the Churchman (N. Y.), "but it is suggested, if not justified, by appalling facts." No wonder that the Chinese call Englishmen "foreign devils." China, with Africa and America, will rise up in judgment against those powers which under the name of Christian and Christian civilization have slaughtered millions of their people. Christian nations, forsooth! they are governed by the powers of darkness.