The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-08-13
MIR. Damon,s Sermon.

On Monday morning we heard from several
sources that the Rev. DIR. Damon had preached
at Fort Street Church, the previous evening, a
coolie sermon, in other words that he endorsed
the labor system of these islands because Of the
good that might accrue in the conversion OF
Chinese to Christianity, and the influence they
would exert to the same end upon their return TO
China. After n careful perusal of the sermon
we cannot find u sentence or a word that can be
distorted to aid or comfort the supporters of the
coolie system. Possibly parts of the sermon
were so vaguely worded rs not to convey clearly
the reverend gentleman's well known views upon
this much-vcxcd subject, but it was not intended
70 deliver a sermon treating the abuses of our
labor system. Mr.. Damon said in SO many words
that he viewed the Chinese question from q
standpoint above the mere commercial transao-
ton. One portion of the sermon upon which we
rondercd, and which we quote, struck ms rs hav-
ing a local application. Speaking of the opium
traffic he said:
"This is q subject which is beginning deeply TO
agitatc the people Of England. Honorable and
Christian statesmen in England see and deplore the
abominahle traffic. A strong rcmonstrance has
already been made 10 Parliament and the only reply
which could be made on the part of the Prime Min
lister was that of the rum seller-if we do not raise
opium ana eel III 10 the Nnlnese SOIneoOuy else VIII,
and besides il brings into our treasury about $780,
. 10000 Such reasoning will not stand the test of
this enlightened age, and the English people are
seeing it. The feeling against the traffic will rise
higher and higher until the government will be
compelled to abandon all completely and connection
with it. The ruinOus effects of this traffic are such
as should bring the blush of shame to all directly or
indirectly engaged in it. 1t is opposed to every
principle of morality and Christianity"
1t will be remembered that a petition was
presented to the Assembly, at its recent session,
praying the government to prevent the legalized
sale of opium setting forth the ruin and devas-
tation it was working not only among the Chinese
but the natives as well. The arguments OF those
who favored the petition were met by the Minis
ter of Finance with precisely the same argument
as to revenue-that the sale IF opium produced a
reUenue that the government cOud not rehnquiSh.
The public was doubtless surprised at the stand
taken by supposed enlightened, Christian men in
our Legislature Assembly upon the " labor ques-
ton " and the opium petition.
The Rev. John F. N. Talmadge, D. D., of
China, says: "In favor of the opium traffic
there is nothing to be said, except that there is
money to be made by it. 1t is because of this
profit that arguments are put forth in its favor,
sometimes SO plausible as even to convince those
who have no personal interest in the trade, and
thus arraign them among its advocates. By the
same means we have seen even good men led to
advocate African slavery and the slave trade"
In conversation with some of the most promi-
nent men in this community we have listened to
language condemnatory of the coolie traffic, the
/" Master and Servant Law - and other kindred
topics of public interest which they would not
have conceded a few months ago, showing q
gradual change of sentiment for the better.
Others, admitting that the principle is wrong,
think it expedient that the abuses should exist
for the present but these same men are not
willing to be heard upon wrongs which are sap
ping the very foundation of our moral and social
fabric; verify +" they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction
and perdition."