The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-04
The Curse Of the Congo.
From The Baptist Courier.

One of the most terrible facts in
modern history is forcing the liquor
trade upon Africa by nominally
Christian nations. 1t il the unani-
nous testimony of missionaries that
the natural cruelty and blood-thirsti-
ness of the Africans are kindled into
the madness of demons by fire-water.
Beneath these wounds inflicted by
European traders, this poor land lies
bleeding at every pore. 1t remains
for Christian missionaries to make the
only atonement possible for Africa's
wrongs-to lay down precious lives, if
need be, to redeem her sable sons from
the captivity of sin.
In a memorial to Congress from: the
Worlds Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union, it was shown that during
1885, more than 10,000,000 gallons of
the cheapest and vilest spirits ever
manufactured were sent from the
United States, Germany, Holland,
England, France and Portugal to the
natives of Africa. The memorial says
that abundant evidence proves this
deadly rum to have developed in the
natives, an alcoholic passion almost
without parallel, and has sunk them
into q state of degradation lower than
they occupied before they had contact
with commerce and civilization. I'm
less this traffic is wholly suppressed,
the result will be most disastrous to
the cause of humanity, a reproach to
the Christian nations, and an outrage
second only to the slave trade it
self.
The Anti-rum Congress at Kharto-
um seems to have been vigorous one.
1t was held at the same time with the
Anti-slavery Congress in Brussels.
'While the Christians in Brussels
were resolving to search all vessels
and dhows suspected of having slaves
on board, and to confscate the vessels,
returning the slaves to their homes,
the Arabs were adopting resolution
to surround the entire coast of Africa
with Gordon Of armed dhows. to con-
tiscate every European vessel conain-
ing liquors, and sell the crews into
slavery"
The whole of the Congo Free State
is now open to missionaries. This dis
trict contaius l,680,00O square miles,
accessible through the Congo and its
tributaries. Mr.. Janssed, the govern
or-general of the Congo Free State, re-
turning to Brussels after having in
spected the vast regions under his ad-
ministration, reports progress in all
respects. The natives are anxious for
civilization. Human sacrifices and
tribal wars are diminishing in num-
ber,
The Emancipados, of Brazil, are
emigrating to Africa, "and," the re-
port continues "the most comprehen-
sive, far reaching and productive plan
for bringing Africa within the opera
tons of civilization and under the in
f1uence Of CHRISTIANITY would be to set
tie 100000 of the colored population
of the United States in the land OF
their fathers. With their knowledge
of the Christian religion and civil arts
acquired in the house of bondage,
they would cause the wilderness to
bloom.n How discouraging then, in
this connection. 10 notice that 273, ,63S
gallons of distilled liquors were expor-
ted from. Boston, Mass, to Africa dur
ing the year ending June 80,
1890.
The liquor traffic can be stopped for
ever, only by an international agree
ment. Let us pray that this terrible
barrier to spread of the gospel may be
removed as speedily as possible.
MRS. JAMES POLLARD.
Baltimore, Md.