A NEEDED ORUSADE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1720, 26 November 1887, Page 2

A NEEDED ORUSADE.

In 1834 the foundation was laid of a Oruaade against Intoxicating Drink by an Oriental traveller, Mr James Silk Buckingham, then member for Sheffield. The trade m " Ardent Spirits " was condemned by a Parliamentary Committee, bat m vain ; for every Cabinet wan resolute to do nothing against the evil ; uay, promoted it, not only at home, but m the Levant, In India, and elge where. Oar high politicians consistently connived at smuggling opium into China, and at length enforced by war its reooption, against the Chinese Emperor's protest To this day no repentance ta shown of the donble inlqnlly. But m 1853 a Quaker again took the lead (a Mr Nathaniel Oard), confronting the idolatery of woaltb and apathy of a materialistic Government. Llke.Nenl Dow, m America, he struok against licensing the opeu sale of intoxicating drink. Fur this purpose he founded the United Kingdom Alliance, to be sopported by all who disapproved of free and open vale at bard and tlpple-housea. Societies for " dissuading " the drink had existed here for near 20 years (somewhat earlier m the American Union), but now the movement became " political," aa it was already la the State of Maine. Many earnest hearts rallied to the New Alliance ; Sir Walter Trevelyan became its President, the father of the preotnt Sir Wilfrid Lawaon joioed it ; so did a generooß Lord Harrington, and before long Lord Brougham " talked " for it and c«lled it the "Grand" Alliance. But its strength Iny chii-fly for a loog time In the dissenting churches, though a few ministers of the State oh arch wore active workers for It. Catholics and Protestants have warmly co-operated. At length Archdeacon Hand ford brought the question of drunkard-making into the convocation of Canterbury. By gradual progress In 33 years the movement against the existing system (which statesmen have diligently upheld " ever since Parliament made It profi able to the Exchequer '') baa becarao strictly national. Bat to thin day the animating spirit has boon from the religious heart of the charchea, while tho opponents have been the classes which sympathise more with the wealth of capitalists than with public morality. Intoxicating drink is the greatest faotor of crime, pauperism, orphauhocd, pioatltutlon, disease, and insanity. No one is fit to bo a citizon who does not preserve his " brain "m a normal state. Wo police can distinguish, when a man who has boen drinking is m a legal estimate "drunk." A drinker is most formidable beforo he Is downright drunk ; therefore tipplo shops are eminently dangerous to a community. Rural squires have long aotod on this conviction, for their own comfort ; but ministers of state im rely talk against tho shops, and will not act against them ; nay, they coutlnne to force them on the helpless Bindoos and Mussulmans of India, hereby forbidding us to make charitable excuse for their conduot m the United Kingdom. Ilapplly the churches of the three kingdoms are united In force against our fatuous politicians. Sir Wilfrid Lawson has long boen the leader of the second Crusade. Not only the ecolesiastioftlly religious now support him, but nearly the whole of those who esteem Virtuemore than Pelf.who wouldnot reject the motto, " Fiat Sanctitas, mat cwlum, " (" Let virtue be observed though the heavens should fall;") The battle is virtually a Crusade of the true Church for the benefit of the yorld, and for the protection of the poorer from the invasion of debauohery. —Professor F. W. JSlewman.

Skinnt Mkn.— '• Welle' Healt Rennwer," i Btores health and vigor,' oures Dyspepsia mpotence; Sexual Debility. At ohomiats aild druggiste. ; Kempthorne, Presser, and Co, »gentß, CtjneUburoti 2