PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 3, 1 April 1946, Page 5

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

1<45 has been the most momentous Hyear in the history of the world as ■ world matters go. Scientists have re- ■ leased energy in the atomic bomb ■ which has staggered the nations, GerI many and Japan have surrendered to H the United Nation*. Prisoners of war who have survived I the cruelties of tho.*'' terrible years ate [ being returned to ii. ir homes, thou- | sands of service men and women are !“ returning, and thousands of hearts are aching for those have given their lives for their country and will not return. Hospitals are filled with sick and wounded men. We must ever remember the people who are so deeply hurt through the devastation of war. Paul wrote, “As ye are partakers of ■ the suffering so shall ye be also of j the consolation.” To be true to those who suffer, we suffer with them, may they all find consolation in Christ. Paul also says, “Ye also helping together by prayer.” He knew the power of prayer. When sorrow and trouble was surging around him, the prayers of fellow-believers was as an anchor to his soul. We are helping every stricken heart when we pray for them and prayer will help to bring peace and concord when unrest and dissatisfaction seem to rule in the heart of nations. We praise (iod that victory lias come. What an untold blessing that wars have ceased. No war has even been so terrible, but God overruled and 104 S lias been the year of deliverance from bondage which would have been worse than death. May we ever give thanks for the cessation of hostilities and pray without ceasing for the sick in body and mind and for goodwill to come throughout the nations. Pray that Christ may he at the head of the Conference being held in London. With % His guidance, right decisions will he made, without Him the efforts of men will he futile. How did we in New Zealand celebrate the great news that wars had ceased? 1 hank God there were thanksgiving services. Men and women lifted up hearts and voices in praise to God who curbed tbe wrath of men and brought into subjection those who thought to dominate the world with tyranny. A vast number celebrated this victory in a very different manner. It is to tbe everlasting shame of X T ew Zealand that the liquor traffic was allowed to run riot. The disgraceful scenes in some of the cities cannot be overlooked nor can they He forgotten. Hotel bars poured out a flood of intoxicating liquor. Drunken revelry and bestial self-indulgence by men and women and youths of both sexes, many just in their ’teens, was tbe order of the ciav. Some people were killed, whilst hundreds were taken to hospifals as the result of broken bottles and glasses being thrown about, also by motor accidents and assaults.

In Auckland alone twenty tons of broken bottles were collected from the stieets, besides thousands of unbroken bottles. Shall any right-minded citizen forget these things and vote for the continuance of a trade which makes such a disgusting orgy possible. Let no one forget until the day dawns when the drink traffic shall be in sub-

jection and surrender as Germany and Japan have done. Let us turn from this picture of shame to the New Testament with its ringing cr> of victory Thanks he to God Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ was crucified by Roman soldiers it looked like defeat, hut victory over sin, destruction and death was won. God so loved that He gave His Son, and love won. Love,

not force, is the conqueror and ever will be. It was love for those being lost through drink that brought the W.C.T.U. into being, and it is love that will keep our organisation in action until the liquor traffic is dethroned. Love is indestructible. May every member have a victorious faith in the right of the cause which was born in the spirit of love and which is the responsibility of each until the day of victory, it is drink we arc fighting. •There is a movement amongst a section of the people in favour of control of some kind. Serve liquor under the best of auspices and the worst features of the liquor trade will disappear, they say. Bishop Henry C. Potter dedicated a saloon in the city of New York with a religious service which closed with the doxology. A sign was put up on the building, “Yes —this is the place dedicated by Bishop Potter. You are welcome.” The opening of the saloon attracted nation-wide attention. Reporters thronged the model saloon to report results. One of the papers said: “There is just as much drunkenness in a drink taken at a canonised bar as at* a regular whisky shelf.” Quoting from “The American Issue,” it says, “The conditions finally became so bad that in disgust the company sold out to a man who announced, This saloon is going to he run as a saloon should be run—as a gin mill. It is no use trving to play with the Lord and run with the devil/ We cannot choose between two evils, i.e., continuance or control.” "Alcohol is a poison. In a drop, in a pint, or in a gallon, in every quantity it is a poison. Plainly the quantity cannot alter its chemical constitution.” is the verdict of the American Medical Association. Dr. Richards, in evidence before the Royal Commission in Auckland, said: “Alcohol is a potent poison to human tissues. In small doses it gives rise to a general feeling of well-being with a lack of regard for scruples. The subject becomes more self-confident and less shv, at the same time he exhibits less self-control, and the emotional side of h is character becomes more pronounced; the jovial man becomes hilarious, the choleric pugnacious—all lose their natural dignity. In large doses, speech becomes thick and muttering and the movement ungainly. This condition is followed by stupor and sleep, frequently the victim passes into unconsciousness and coma and death t 'How.” Let no one he persuaded to accept the idea that State or trust control, or prayers over drink, will make it anv better for human consumption. It is beverage alcohol that we oppose with all the strength we possess. This is the victory that overcometh the world, with all its deadly evils, even our faith. Is our faith a victorious faith.

It is poll year and we are in the minority, but \vc are builders together with (iod. When Noah was building the Ark he was the laughing stock of his neighbours. He was held up to ridicule for years, but he toiled on in building and he continued to warn the people of the danger ahead. He was \ery much in the minority, but he won. He was doing God’s bidding. Britain was in the minority when war was declared, but through great tribulation Britain came out victorious. God came to her aid and she became a majority. We may be in the minority in taking up the cudgels against beverage alcohol, but if we enthrone Christ in our hearts and in our work there is no defeat, for He shall reign and all shall be brought into subjection to Him.

One of the attractions for drinking alcohol is the feeling of importance which it gives. And how folk like to be important. Christ pointed the way to an essentially important life. Whosoever giveth a cup of cold water, whosoever doeth a kind and helpful action to one of the least, shall be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. He took a child and set him in the midst and said, “Whosoever shall hurt one of these little ones, it were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he was cast into the sea.” Christ’s view of the importance of the child. How infinitely small the feeling of importance through self-indul-gence compared with Christ’s standards ot greatness. Every person who is injured by drink, physically, morally or spiritually is a loss to the State. The State needs them. We need them. We are dependent one upon another. How earnestly we should labour to stablish Y branches in every community. Youth will be reached by youth. Many of us move in Church circles and do not meet with those who sponsor sherry parties, who think that an afternoon or evening gathering is not complete unless sherry or some alcoholic beverage »s handed round. Our Y members will meet youth at social functions, in colleges, in work-rooms, etc., and their witness will help others. It takes great courage to decline drink when the host and hostess urge it upon the guest, who is made to feel that his or her refusal will he considered a discourtesy. Young people who have not been taught the harmful effect of alcohol are easy victims. The scenes which were enacted on Y.E. and V.J. Davs could not happen if our young people had the information which is the right (i every person entering into society, and this is why it is so essential to establish Y branches in every community. Now that the war is over, our young men are returning from overseas in ever-increasing numbers. Is the war over for them? Do they not meet another enemy as soon as they step on their home soil? An enemy which destroys both physical fitness and moral stability. Those of us who remember World War No. 1 know that after the war there was an

increase in moral and civil crimes. Alcohol played an important part in this degeneration, and alcohol has a greater hold on New Zealand at the close of this present war than it had then. We prayed for our servicemen whilst they were absent, we have a duty towards them now. May we ever rctnemher Christ’s judgment of which are the important things of life and prove by our disinterested service that we want the very best for those who have returned from the war, and let us be more determined than ever that the liquor traffic, which hurts and destroys manhood and womanhood, must go. We have a vote. Use it as God would have us use it, in voting tor a candidate who will stand for righteousness and who will oppose beverage alcohol in every shape and form.

Where Sugar Went In Britain

Since the war began 4,200,(XD tons of grain have gone to the breweries and 1,008,0001 b. ot sugar. If at the outbreak of the war the manufacture of beer had been restricted to 50 per cent, there would have been a store of 2,000,000 tons of grain and 250,003 tons of sugar for the feeding of the starving people of Europe.

This is the year when we can 'do exploits for righteousness. The challenge of evil never ceases. When Christians everywhere are roused up from sleep they will realise that the challenge to the Christian is to redeem human character and purify human society.

When General John Nicholson, bravest of the brave, marched his column to the relief of Delhi, during the Indian Mutiny the need of the besieged was so urgent that he would give his men neither rest nor respite. One day, when.the sun was scorching fiercely down upon the desert, they came to a grove of trees and begged for a rest, and he gave them leave to rest. The exhausted men tumbled off their horses and. slepf*where they fell. The first man to wake looked round upon his sleeping comrades and noticed at the head of the ranks, just where they had last seen him, and still astride his horse —John Nicholson. He had not left the saddle, he had not slept. He was waiting for his men to he ready. Quickly the word was passed round, slumbering forms were shaken awake ami soon every man was in his saddle, and when they were ready Nicholson led them on. Do we sometimes think, in our battle against the drink menace, that God has gone to sleep, that Jesus Christ has forgotten the world for which He died. The true state of affairs is that Christ our Lord is waiting at the head of His army, waiting for us, for Christians everywhere to he ready. It is we who are asleep. It is the Christian community which must be aroused. New values must be set up. Manufacturing and selling destructive commodities for

human consumption must go. God’s law must hold sway, “That nothing shall hurt or destroy in all His holy mountain.” He is waiting at the head of His army till His people are ready ;o set up new values, to take up the challenge to redeem human character. The liquor traffic cannot stand before the organised host* of the Lord. Let us follow our Leader to sacrifice, to live sacrificially. God needs thousands more to take up the challenge. Are we willing to pay the price of victory in prayer, and offerings of self, substance and service?

May this year he more momentous than the year 1045, because God’s people are willing to give consecrated service for children, for youth, for homes, for neighbours, with unfaltering faith in the power, and love of God. By so doing the drink traffic, entrenched as it is, shall receive its death blow. We shall then l>t able to say with joy unspeakable, “Thanks he to God Who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”