The National tribune., 1892-02-04
MAHOMETANISM.
IL is Doing Better Work Ia Africa than Christi.
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The FoytHiglttly Rsrietr.1
The followers Of the prophet are moving
down from the north in a long wave, convert
ing the tribes aud Installing into them energy
aud the arts in the place OF savage idleness.
These converted tribes in turn assist ia cOu-
verting tho next tribe 10 MahOmetanism,
and so the flood moves on. 1t Is no vulgar con-
quest like our Christian wars, for the sake Of
plumber alone. The tribe in becoming Ma
homeian is bound to keep its villages in a
healthy condition, bound 10 accept a sanitary
code, including abstention from strong drink /;
officials are appointed, trades are formed, every
man must work. so that the most useful indus
tries and delightful arts spring up. Law is
speedy in their townships The old, gray
bearded village chieftain walks round the
streets AZ daybreak, kuOuting any gentleman
OF the Municipal Council whose streets show
signs OF uueeaniness The English are even
behind the Mahometans
The Anglican Church, too, fails in many
ways where the French succeeds. We preach
too much at the natives and hold them at too
great a distance; the French priest breaches TO
them aud treats them with love and kindly
interest
Many Englishmen are disappointed that
Lord Salisbury has not stipulated for a larger
portion Of the Dark Continent. But il might
be well TO remember that If by annexing Afri-
can territory Englishmen win the privilege of
destroying the people by the worst kind Of
alcoholic drugs it would seem that the less
territory we have the better. Surely, the time
has come when some action should be taken in
Parliament as regards this drink traffic in
Africa. What is the use Of sending mission
aries to convert the heather if our traders in
heather lands thrust upon the natives poison
which destroys them with more certainty than
any war, pestilence, or famine2 Will no one
set on foot holy crusade against this curse?
IL Is work far above the shibbOleth of party
politics aud sectarian differences In unity
Of effort against the demon Of all demons dis
tinction Of race and nation and creed should
vanish, since all are responsible for the great
wrong. Drunkenness says ArchdeacOn Farrar,
is considered ia Africa European fashion, and
IN spite OF the grief of the native authorities
this crying injury to "A perishing people re-
mains unredressed aud UNDECIDED by the most
humane and Christian nation in the world.
Tempted by greed and ayarce, white traders
introduce the poison to the native. Souls of
men are battered for money, and Africa is be-
ing slowly but surely desolated by the FORE
most missionary nation on earth.
As stated by the Bishop of London. il Is
positive fact that in one place in Africa the
Christians ere building mosque rather than
church, because the MahOmetans do not
bring drink with them; whereas increased
number OF Christians would mean an increase
in the importation Of drink.
One Of the Mahometan African chiefs. in
praying for the suppression of the liquor traffic,
created by us in his country, says: THE
natives themselves do not want il, it is forbid
den by their laws but they are forced TO break
those laws by you English. YOu are deteriOrat.
ing our people and destroying whole races OF
them" de pathetically imploros " the En-
glish Queen to stop sending her rum and her
gin to his people"