Excerpt from Demoralization of Native Races by the Liquor Traffic: A Paper Read at the International Temperance Congress, Held at Zurich, September 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1887

It is from the behaviour of the Christians here that they have had, and will still have, their notions Of Christianity, which God knows hath been generally such that it hath made the Indians to hate our religion. The Indians are daily wasting away, and in forty years it seems probable that there will scarce be an Indian to be seen in all the English parts Of America. In the meantime the Christians selling the Indians so much rum is a sufficient bar, if there were no other, against their embracing Christianity.

Since those words were written our great empire has extended far and wide, but our treatment of the uncivilized and heathen races has been very much the same.

But today we do thank God that the national conscience is at last beginning to awaken, and that during the last three years public atten tion has been forcibly directed to this terrible blot on our boasted civilization and Christianity by missionary and temperance conferences at home and abroad by the collection Of overwhelming evidence by a committee Of Missionary Society delegates, which has been edited and arranged by the Rev. Horace Waller by the letters of the Archbishops and Bishop Of London to the Indian and Colonial bishops, and their subsequent action at the Lambeth Conference; by public meetings; by the pulpit and some leading organs Of the press; and last, but not least, by the increased interest in missionary work, arising out Of the increased and daily increasing spiritual life Of the Church, which is necessarily accompanied by a deeper sense Of responsibility.

At the outset let me say that this question, in my opinion, must be dissociated from the drink question at home, and from such subjects as total abstinence. TO mix up these topics will only have the effect Of keeping away great numbers who would otherwise gladly co-operate in the efforts now being made, in which all Christendom can and should unite.

I. - First I would turn your attention to (a) the liquor traffic as carried on in certain parts Of Africa, and bring before you such figures relating to the enormous quantity Of spirits imported into these parts, as I have been able to Obtain either from Official sources or from sources which are above suspicion, and can be thoroughly relied upon.

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