_THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE._
The missionary, after bidding farewell to the kind friends with whom he
had spent the night, again went on his way, “Seeking the lost sheep of
the house of Israel.” He had not gone far before he met two children,
who proved to be Mr. Steele’s. Upon entering into conversation with
them, he found that they remembered him. Their bright, intelligent
answers to his questions, led him to regret more deeply that they were
kept from the influence of the Sunday-school. The innate kindness of
heart manifested by these children made him feel that, if properly
trained, they would become useful members of society and the church;
so, with a view to using all possible influence in their favor, we
again find him an unwelcome visitor on the farm of Mr. Steele.
The farmer was at the time unloading wood, and scarcely noticed
the missionary; the latter soon broached the subject occupying his
thoughts, by saying,
“My friend, could you not consent to take your children to
Sunday-school once, on trial?”
“_No sir!_” he roared; “and I don’t want you to bother me any more
about it;” and continued, “work like I do, and let your betters alone.”
“Well then,” said the missionary, “if you will not go yourself, will
you not permit your children to go? I know that the school would be a
great benefit to them, and”----
“I don’t want to hear any more of your nonsense--just ‘git,’ you lazy
loafer,” retorted the angry man.
The missionary having failed to accomplish the object of his visit,
left with feelings of sadness; he went on his way, however, doing with
his might whatsoever his hand found to do, and he had the pleasure of
seeing the schools increasing in numbers and influence. This increase
was secured only by hard work--the various difficulties attending all
movements aiming at changing fixed customs had to be overcome. One by
one, these _were_ overcome; and although many opposed the work, and
others were indifferent and careless, most of the best men and women
of the settlements were in favor of the schools. Nor were they afraid
to give their money in support of the good cause, nor unwilling to
sacrifice ease and pleasure, if necessary; for they well knew that even
in this world they would receive tenfold reward, and in the world to
come, everlasting life.
Parents, come with your children to the Sunday-school; it is the
nursery of the Lord, in which plants are reared for the garden of
Heaven--the Paradise of God!
Young man, wend your way to the Bible-class, and thereby shun the
temptation of the Sabbath-breaker and the snares of the transgressor!
And you, young woman, blooming in all the loveliness of life’s early
dream, shun the society of those who mock at religion, and the
teachings of the Holy Word, and fly for your life to the place where
prayer is wont to be made--where the better qualities of your nature
will be fostered, and your heart taught to love the Saviour!
The missionary felt that the time had now come for him to attempt to
establish a Temperance Society among these people for whom he had been
laboring. This was a hazardous undertaking, where the habits of the
people were so firmly fixed in favor of using intoxicating liquors as
a common beverage. But a meeting for that purpose was appointed and
the whole country was aroused. Those favoring the cause, though few
in number, were willing to take the responsibility, and the missionary
promised to do his best; he was aware that those of the opposition were
powerful, having on their side _appetite_, _self-interest_, _custom_
and _public opinion_; but he was not in the least dismayed; he knew in
whom he had believed; and although the gates of Hell should oppose, yet
they could not prevail.
The time for the meeting having arrived, after singing a hymn and
offering a prayer, the missionary called the attention of his large
audience to the following words:
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contention? who hath babbling?
who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that
tarry long at the wine! They that go to seek mixed wine! Look not thou
upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, when
it moveth itself aright; at last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth
like an adder!” Prov. xxiii. 29-32.
He then demonstrated by example and facts, the truth of the answer
given to these questions. Taking up the last part of his subject in the
words, “At last it biteth,” &c., he gave a most fearful description
of the effects of spirituous liquors upon the human system and the
immortal soul--depicting with great force the awful condition of the
poor rum-enslaved, soul-degraded drunkard, both in body and mind. He
held up to their gaze the emaciated form of a heart-broken wife, and
the half-famished images of her little ones.
He also stated that intoxicating liquors were the parent of
every conceivable sin, and had extended the catalogue of crimes
until language could scarcely furnish a name for the atrocious
iniquities--that they filled the jails and poor-houses, at the expense
of the industrious and good, and also furnished subjects for the
gibbet.
He alluded also to the groceries, declaring them the prolific schools
in which the young were taught the rudiments of sin, in idleness,
vulgarity, profanity and drinking--thus preparing the way for infamy
and crime, and daily training the mind for the service of Satan.
He then enforced the command in the text, not even to look upon
it--saying that the apostle had commanded to “Abstain from all
_appearance_ of evil.”
He also declared that there was no neutral ground between virtue and
vice--between supporting and opposing this source of evil; that we must
be either for or against it.
He concluded with an appeal to the people to save themselves and those
around them from the fangs of the serpent and the sting of the adder,
and to organize at once an army to fight unto death this monster,
Intemperance.
A pledge was written and laid upon the desk; after it was read and
a few words of explanation given, all who wished to join the society
were requested to rise and give their names. Quite a number of men,
women and children instantly responded to the call; among them were
several tipplers and two hardened drunkards, whilst the moralist
and the moderate drinker refused to aid in the work of reformation.
There can be no doubt that these persons were “stumbling-blocks in
the way of sinners;” and the position taken by them sealed the fate
of more than one poor soul. And there were also elders and deacons,
class-leaders and gray-headed Christians, unwilling to deny themselves
of the “lusts of the flesh,” but went with the “customs and maxims of
the world”--taking their morning dram, their favorite bitters, and with
themselves, training their families in the way leading to drunkenness
and death!
After the people had been dismissed, those who had given their names
signed the pledge with their own hands, and organized a society, by
electing officers and framing a constitution for the government and
permanent efficiency of the same. Upwards of sixty put their names to
the “Declaration of Independence” of the tyrant, “King Alcohol!”
This was a glorious beginning--and the wives and children of those
tipplers and drunkards who joined, shed tears of joy, and their hearts
overflowed with thankfulness to God and His messenger.
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