"Asia, to what extent have the nations of Christendom visited thee, and
thy numerous islands? What have they carried to thy shores? and what has
been their deportment towards thee?"
To which Asia replies:
"The vast number, either of men or of ships from Christian lands, that
have visited my shores, cannot be told. I know full well the
enterprise, the energy, and the perseverance of Christian lands; yes,
verily, and traits too of less honorable name. Large portions of my
territory acknowledge the control of their armies. Their thundering
navies lie in my harbors and sail along my coasts. Ships without
number--mighty ships whose masts pierce the clouds, have come for my
teas, my crapes, my silks, my spices and other precious merchandise.
Their consuls, superintendents, officers of various kinds, and merchants
in great numbers, dwell in almost every port, and have erected in those
ports stores, shops, offices and sumptuous dwellings. Many things
pleasant and useful have been brought hither, but many things also that
are ruinous: full cargoes of ardent spirits; and immense quantities of
opium too, a means of destruction no less sure.
"Among the multitudes who have come to my shores, some few, indeed, have
brought the Gospel of Christ, made known its truths and exemplified its
spirit; but the thousands and tens of thousands have inculcated by their
example, worldliness, drunkenness, lewdness, war, violence and
treachery. If needful, a volume of details might be given; but this is
the sum."
Next, the inquiry is put to the Isles of the Ocean:
"Great Pacific, to what extent has the last command of Christ been
obeyed by Christian lands, in respect to thy numerous islands?"
The reply is as follows:
"Thousands of ships from Christian lands continually cruise upon my wide
waters, and visit my numerous groups of islands. They have exchanged
with my ignorant and destitute inhabitants, beads, trinkets, and a few
inches of rusty iron hoop, for the best produce of the islands. They
have sold to them guns, powder and rum. Many of their ships have been
floating grog-shops--floating exhibitions too of Sodom and Gomorrah.
From some, on slight provocation, broadsides of cannon have been fired
on my heedless inhabitants, strewing the deep with the dead and the
dying. Rum and disease have been introduced. The one has slain its
thousands, and the other has slain, and is still slaying its tens of
thousands. Many useful things indeed have been introduced, but in
connection with a host of evils! A few individuals too, bearing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, have visited some of my numerous islands; but
what are they among the multitude?"
After this testimony of the Isles of the Ocean, the inquiry is last
addressed to America:
"America, what is thy testimony? From Bhering's Straits to Cape Horn,
what treatment have thy native inhabitants received from Christian
nations?"
America replies:
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