^ I I 8 o THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION, DISCUSSED PRO AND CON FROM A RATIONAL STANDPOINT IN CONNECTION WITH THE • • ■ U PERMISSIVE BILL," OF 1878. By ISHMAEL. • • • • ST. JOHN, N. B.: R. A. H. MORROW. 1879. Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-nine, by R. A. H. Morrow, in the OflSce of the Minister of Agricul- ture, at Ottawa. • > • < • • ,fj<>.(lr> , •.. - . . . • , . ' • • • . ' • •«• > •«•■ ••4 pRmrxD AT THE TELEGRAPH JOB RQOMS, SAIMT JOHN, V. B. TO SUFFERING HUMANITY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. THE AUTHOR. PREFACE, After much reflection, observation, experience, the author has written this Treatise on the "vexed question" of Temperance^, in tlie i)Oi)ular, or nanative style, as being best adapted to reacli the masses, feeling assured that a careful perusal and calm consideration of the principles discussed will do good. Although hurriedly written under the pressure of other business, every available source that was deemed reliable and calculated to cast light upon the subject, has been resorted to, and in some cases the facts are presented with- out change of words ; but, from the style adopted, and as justice could not possibly be done to all, it was thought better not to credit by using quotation marks or otherwise unless where absolutely necessary. However, special in- debtedness is acknowledged to "Nott's Ten Lectures on Bible Temi)erance," also "Maguire's Life of Father Mathew," both of which havQ been freely referred to. Craving the indulgence of the critics for any defect, real or imaginary — this being a "lii*st effort" — and with earnest prayer and desire that "Ishmael might live," and with God's blessmg, assist in the solution of the difficulties with which the whole question is surrounded, it is sent forth to accomplish its mission. St. John, N. B., March, 1879. v >^ •< CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. rAUK. Pkkliminaby Kkmarkb — Moderation versus Tutal Abstiiieiico — Teetotal Fanatics— Up River Hubbub— Customs of Society— Deflnition of Tom- pcrauce— Sweeping Assertions CHAPTER H. Glimpsks of tiik Past— Origin of Drunkenness-Scripture Digcl«>6ures-Invcn- tion of Distillation —Virtues of Ardent Spirits— Indisputable Facts- Comfort in a Social Qlosa— A Vast Assemblage - The " Drunkard's War- Song." 20 CHAPTER HI. Modern Ecuoks— Seeing the World— Mysteries of Ruined Life— Awful and Affecting Descriptions— History of Taverns— A Ghastly Sight— "A wee bit raggit Laddie"— Nature's Bard in a " Muddle " 42 CHAPTER IV Cloud of Witkessbs— Death and exposure at St. ^phen, Lake Lomond, Reed's Point, Portland Mill Pond— Another sad case -Monday muniing at the Old Police Court-Remarks of the late Beverley Robinson, Esq. — Incident at Lawton's Drag Store— Humour on King Street— Musings in a Coal Cellar— " The Mysterious Stranger "—War and Rum Con- trasted—Strains from the Convict's Cell -" Old Dow " and the *' Maine Law "—Selling on the " Sly "— Eastporters Smuggling— Voice from the Gallows— Talraage on the •' Rummer of Wine " 64 CHAPTER V. Present Probphct— Returns from York Co. and P. E. I. —Selling their Birth- right — Slumbering impulses awakened— Prof. Allison at Monctoa — Clark's Poem— "The Blue Ribbon Band"— Sighing for the good old times— Momentous Questions — Untutored Advocates— King Alcohol's death throes — Old Commentator's Harvest — Noah's Ark launched— Re- markable aspect of the times— Liberty claiming her rights — Tottering Empires 95 135235 • Tl« CONTENTS. CHAPTER VL Bbpormatiok— Three thousand years ago— Formation of Sodeties— The Old Quaker in Cork— Father Matiiew at the helm-Pat«y takint; the Pledge —Movement in America— The World's Temperance Conventiun—LeKis- lation — Som of Temperance in Canada— Charter members of "Old Howard "—First G. W. Patriarch Death by Consximption— Buckling on the armour— Late diticovcries— Is Uuin Poison ?— A drunkard's ex- perience— How Stimuli acts— Or^p* Secret of Murphy's success 112 CHAPTER Vn. N»w Movement— " Red White and Blue "— Cheerintj results— Boomings accroes the Atlantic— Getting infatuated — The world growing worse — Temi>eranoe Bummers— Adding hyiK>crisy tu sin— Great evangelixer of the world— Punch and England— Cook's Lectures— 7A« CAmtuin at Work 140 CH \PTER VHL The Late WAVE-8t. Luke'd C. of E. Society— Hon. S. L. Tilley's Speech- Border Bubbles— MoKenzie in motion— Ladies* Society— Torch light pro<3e8sion— Enthusiasm at St. Andrews— Another town awakened — Following up the movement— St George takes the lead— Billows at Mci^dam— St. Croix and Vanceboro on the move— Carleton County Ink- lluii 8— Victoria on her metal— North Shore Counties aroused —Grand ralliiy at the •' Bend " — I'^ashes from Sussex— Hoj)eweIl Hill looming up — Great excitement at the capital-^,025. 10 subscribed for a club house — Tlie crusade— The all absorbing topic— Last scene in the "Celestial City "—The Public pulse in St. John- "The Ladies' Union" Crossing the Ferry to Carleton— A soothing iteni 172 CHAITEK IX. pROORESBiON— Will reform go on?— Are its champions fanatics ?— Clearing the atmosphere— The moderation sermon- Current changed —Slavery In Britain— Glances at futurity -Man's chief end— Terribly in earnest- Taking up the Cross— The Apostle's Teaching— Go it while ye'r young —Cough's idea— A wonderful letter— Our motto 219 CHAl^ER X. Woman's iNFLrBNCK— Old mother Stewart— Women of Sacred History — Grace Darling— Sceptre of Empire— Victoria's Banners— Joan D'Arc — Woman's relation to man— Her true position— A tender cord touched — The two Homes— A noble Bride- Wives in 8U8i)ense 2S8 , CHAPTER XI. Prbparino for AcTiON— Major Welch and the Printer's Rle— Colonel R«y CT* t ' CONTENTS. VII. and the new recruit*— Our Hljfh Shcriif- Rclnforromenls- Prep«ni- tlon of liattorles— New Ilclmcta— The war department -Wine incrchanta fur Boston— A York Pointer trembling— Mass Meeting at the New Hall — Indiantown awakened- Pitt Street Church, St Malachl's, Falr\ille, Milford falling into line— Stirrinjf Addresses— LAdics' at work Reports from all quarters— 115,000 returned by a rumseller to ruined families- Triumphant >ictorj- over rum— Fair and square ticket— Hand to hand contest— Twelve towns have claimed the vote— The anny movinfr on — ChriKtmas eve muster at Ottawa -Finance Minister's oration— Tupi»er*8 address Stru^fKle for life at Niagara— Capture of Sampson— " I'll go home sober to-night" 259 CHAPTER Xn. BiBLB TuBORT— Fatal error— Nature and Scripture in hai-mony— Good and Bad Wines defined- Our Saviour's Wine— Jocob's Grant 278 CHAPTER XUI. CnrRon Admonition— A tender subjectr- Shaking among the dry Ix>ne8~ Plausible excuse— The Shulamite— Shipwrecked Crew— G«tting too orthtxiox—Mrhat the " Seven Churches" are doing— Reformed Presby- terian Synod in Ireland— Established Church of England and Lreland — Methodists Welch Calvinists Presbyterian Church in Scotland— Irish Presbyterians -Congrcg-ationalists -Baptii^tsand other Bodies— General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and Cnnada — Wesleyan Methodists Church of Eastern British Auierica— Mcthtnlist Church of Canada— Diocesan Synod of Fredericton— Baptist Association of N. B.— Free Christian Baptists— Reformed Presbyterian C!hurch of North America 800 CHAPTER XIV. Gravb QrBSTiOKS Considered- How is the Law to be nuiintained?- Tlirough what channel is the drink revenue to be realized ?— Duty of Rulers- Is the Rumseller to be abused?- Our City Fathers and the New Buildings— Is Prohibition a Failure?— Patrick Murphy's Lamenta- tion over the " Maine Law "— ManKoba and the Hudson's Bay Com- pany—" Queen of the South " rising in judgment 318 CHAPTER XV. Closing AppeaIi— Hope dawning— Co-oiKjratiou— Solid Advice 847 * APPENDIX. Sj-nopsis of the " Canada Temi^erance Act (Permissive Bill) of 1878." 358 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. OLD POLICE COURT, St. John, N. B., (frontispiece.) BAR ROOM SCENE, 43 INEBRIATE'S DEATH BED, , 58 DOCTOR GUTHRIE, 77 FATHER MATHSW, 123 HON. S. L. TILLEY, '. ^ 07.3 ■ - ■. f . . f • * * ' \ * - ' * THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: PRO AND CON. CHAPTER I. PUELIMINAUY REMARKS. "Hany," said Bob, one evening as they met on Charlotte street, opposite the country market, "are you for the Keform Club Mass Meeting to-night in the Institute ?" "No, indeed,'' was the teree reply, "I don't believe in such fanatical gatherings." "Oh," said Bob, "you don't believe in temper- ance? "Certainly, I do," responded Harry, "my mother instilled the principles of true temperance into my mind when I was a boy, and my father, in after years, taught me that it was wrong to drink too much whiskey ; and I have always acted according to their instructions. I have never taken more than a few glasses when at a social party, or in company with a friend ; ana ..uch I believe to be essential to good breeding." "Indeed, are thAe the principles your parents taught that you sneak of ?" 10 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Of course they are; my parents were both Chris- tians, and set their children an example that I mean to follow to the end of life. They alwa3's kept a little wine or something of that sort in the house, and took and gave a glass when they deemed it necessary for health or sociability ; and this I call Bible temperance. I don't believe in total absti- nence as it is nowhere taught in the Bible, and is contrary to reason and common sense." "I see," said Bob, "you are a moderate drinker, and, of course, opposed to temperance reform. I should like to have a chat with you on the subject, had we a convenient place to spend an hour. I once graduated in your school, and thought, and talked, and acted as you have dono. I just know how it is with you, Harry, and can sympathize with you from the bottom of my heart. But in due time I was led to see the error of my ways, and now feel that I cannot do too much to save others from the ruin that must have overwhelmed, had not Divine Grace interposed by plucking me as a brand from the burning." "Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Bob, than to have a friendly talk with you on the sub- ject of temperance, as I don't see how any sane person could advocate the stern principles of total abstinence. You have confessed being a reformed drunkard ; and it is an old saying, that 'no man is better qualilied for a Custom-house officer than an old smuggler.' PRO AND CON. 11 You will, no doubt, be able to give us some good yams of your experience. Let us go over to Mor- row's bookstore. There is plenty of room in his back office; and we may have the honor of convert- ing Mr. M., who is one of the old Sons of Temper- ance." "All right, Harry, I meant to go to the Institute; but perhaps we may spend the evening to greater advantage, in private conversation, upon the all- impoi-tant subj 3ct you have referred to." On being sea ^sd, Bob suggested, "Were you really in earnest, Hany, when talking on the street?" "Was I in earnest! I surely was, and could find thirty thousand in our city who are of the very same opinion as iiiyself regarding the reform party and other similar associations." "You astonish me, Harry; I had no idea that our city was " far behind the age; neither can I be- lieve that s^ many of our people are opposed to the temperance reform as you say. I am aware that last fall when McKenzie was here to organize the club, and when some thought that everybody were going to become teetotallers, and that in a few days we would not have a rum shop in St. John, many of our citizens evidently gave the cause a 'cold shoulder,* which called forth maledictions from the renowned reformer after reaching Fredericton. However, .1 believe it was owing, in a great measure, to ignor- ance or some misunderstanding of the principles 12 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: advocated, that we cannot account for. Notwith- standing, I am convinced there are many thou- sands of sensible people in our city who would gladly support any measure that was considered for the general good of the city. I know we have a fair sample who are in favor of prohibition, and would not be ashamed to put their shoulder to the wheel was it only put in motion. The 'Celestials* have been doing a great work. They have carried the 'Permissive Bill' by a swelling majority in their city, and Sheriff Temple has received the writ to test the county by ballot on the 28th instant, and there is no doubt but the Bill will be carried in York triumphantly. I tell you, Harry, the question of temperance reform is the great question of to-day, and is being discussed throughout the known world. It must prevail, and I am almost convinced that our city folk will turn out en masse when the polling day comes around, in favor of the Bill, and give it such a majority that the 'moderation' men will feel ashamed to lift their heads in future." "Bosh!" said Harry, "you will never see Prohibi- tion carried again in St. John, if you live to be as old as Methusalah. You are aware they tried it once, but it could not be carried out, and the whole thing was 'knocked higher than a kite' in a short time. There is too much money in the sale of liquor for the sellers to give it up; and, besides, people like gin too well to stop buying it, and the PRO >M) CON. 13 revenue derived from its importation is too great an item for our legislators to lose by refusing to grant licenses. It is all very well talking about the 'Celestial City' and the Permissive Bill; but after all the whole thing w(»n't amount to 'shooks' in the end. I venture to assert that before two years the Celestials will have returned to their vomit again, as the ' sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.' Tilley, no doubt, was the chief cause. of the late hubbub in the up-river country. He became a teetotal fanatic many years ago, when retailing alcohol as a pharinacopolist on King street, and ever since has made temperance one of his hobbies to ride into parliament. Of course, he being Governor and residing in the capital, had many disciples ; but he has now gone to Ottawa to convert Sir John, and may never return; and as for the Professor, Gib- son, McLeod, and other fanatics of the hour, I will bet my life on't they will soon 'cave in.' These creatures have each 'got an axe to grind.' I see by the Telegraph that Foster has received and accepted an invitation from the Ladies' C. T. Union of Massa- chusetts, to lecture on temperance, the engagement to begin in January. This is doubtless owing to his popularity as an editor of a temperance sheet, pub- lished in Ontario, and a leader in the campaign. 'Sandy' is said to be a millionaire and has some thousands of bushmen in his employ, and, of course, is shrewd enou^ i to know the value of keeping men 14 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: sober. Under the circumstances these two, and Mac, who is a preacher of the Gospel, may 'hang out;' but woe be unto the others if the millennium don't soon come. Do you think could they ever have got the Bill passed, had they not imported Dow and McKenzie to act as generals in the crusade?" "There may be some truth in what you say, Harry, but much nonsense. The Prohibition Act of fifty-four, you refer to, had many failings, and be- sides, the people were not then prepared for it as they now are. One cardinal virtue of the Permis- sive Bill, soon to be agitated, over any former bill, is, that it is 'The Canada Temperance Act of 1878/ ENACTED BY HeR MaJESTY, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE AND HoUSE OF COMMONS OF Canada, and gives to each and every municipality in the Dominion, the privilege of deciding the mat- ter, in a legitimate way — at the polls — for them- selves. I should like, had we time, to examine every department of the Bill, so that you might see how it is framed; but it is too elaborate to do so, and as it will soon be in general circulation, you will have ample time to investigate every detail before accept- ing or rejecting it. The men you have referred to as doubtful characters, are all solid men who- mean business. I am prepared to stake my all on their ini^grity. Our ex-Governor is well known as an 'old stager' on the temperance course, and rest assured tlmt, whatever his other failings may be, he PRO AND CON. 15- will not fail to appear upon tlie high places of the field as a champion in the cause that has long been dear to his heart. Why, Harry, you have no idea of the men you have derided. Had we only fifty b .r^h men in our city, we could beard ihe lion in his den, and carry the Bill victoriously, though all the legions of darkness were arrayed against us. But, as it is, we have no fear of ultimate success. Al- though some of our prominent merchants and others have stood aloof from us in the past from some rea- son best known to themselves; yet, rest satisfied, that their sympathies are with us in this matter, and their support will be given when the proper time comes for putting things to the test. Indeed, if the masses are frank, they must admit that the 'rum traffic' is doing much harm in our city. Ypu know that after the fire, when the rowdy element got unmanagable, we got prohibition without any troul)le for a few days. It was deemed essential to the preservation of life and propei-ty at that time; and one of our most prominent wine merchants was the first to move in the matter; and do you not think our people would go for it again, were they only convinced that it would benefit them? Have they not intelligence enough to know that, if it is good to stop the sale of liquor for a day, it is better to have it discontinued for all time?" "Well, I suppose. Bob, they might, but I hardly think they will; for, as I have already said, people 16 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: like rum too well to stop bu3'ing it, and, of course, they will not try to prevent others from selling it for any length of time, unless it could be had some other way. It is said there are few families in the city who don't use some kind of strong drink, and that when a railroad is being opened, a boat race coming off, or a state dinner given, it is flowing like water, and some of our best men get as drunk as 'lords;' and, perhaps, you are not aware that many of our best ladies keep a decanter on their sideboards to treat their friends at New-year's, and other festal seasons, when they call. How are you going to overcome these old customs that our citizens have so long gloried in, especially when they are so popular and no harm in them?" "No harm in them, Harry, do you say? ^\niy, sir, there is every harm in them. These old cus- toms of moderate drinking are the curse of our land. Do you think that so much drinking would exist in our city, was it not for the example of these ladies and gentlemen you refer to? It is not the ragged, squalled, brutal drunkard who raves in the bar-room, consorts with swine in the gutter, or fills with clamor and dismay the cold and comfortless abode, which, in the spirit of a demon, he returns to at night, we are to fear. Much as he injures himself, deeply wretched as he renders his family and his friends, exerts but little influence in beguiling others into an imitation of his revolting conduct. On the con- ./ PRO AND CON. 17 trary, so far as his example goes, it tends to deter from, rather than allure to, acts of criminal indr.l- gence. From his degradation and his woes the note of warning is sounded both loud and long, that who- ever will may hear, and hearing understand. But re- spectable, careful, christian, moderate wine thinkers — such as the men and women you speak of — are those who send forth from the high places of society, and sometimes even from the j^ortals of the sanctu- ary, an unsuspected, unrebuked, but powerful influ- ence, which is secretly and silently, on every hand, doing its work of death. It is this orthodox drink- ing that furnishes a salvo for the inquietude of the drunkard's conscience, which saves the bar-room tippler from deserved reproach, and encourages youth in occasional drinking excesses. I feel con- vinced, Harry, that if the temperance cause has an enemy upon earth it is the moderate drinker, and those, and those alone, are the foes we are to dread." "Really, Bob, you are veiy enthusiastic, and ap- pear to mean what you say; but still I think you ought to have a little charity for those who cannot think and act as you do. Canada is a free country and this is an enlightened age, and every one should have the right to think, speak, and even act accord- ing to their own convictions of duty. We should not for a moment attempt to abridge the privilege of the moral agents that surround us, perverse and 18 * THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: erring as their conduct may be. Every man should be allowed to stand or fall to his own Master." "Harry, I ain surprised at a man of youi intelli- gence talking that way. This is no doubt a free country and ours is an enlightened age, and I glory in the liberties with which we are privileged; but do you think that a man has a right, though living in a free country and an enlightened age, to kill his neighbor, or commit suicide?" "Certainly not. But you don't surely mean, Bob, to infer that the man who sells liquor is a murderer, and the man who drinks it guilty of suicide?" "I would I could say, Harry, that the man of in- telligence who, after knowing — as he must know — the havoc that rum has made, and is still makings among his f 3II0W creatures, engages or continues in its sale, is free from the blood of those who are de- stroyed through the effects of the drink he vends to them. And I cannot see how any rational person could believe that the man who persists in drinking such liquor until death ends his miserable career, is not guilty of self-murder. There is not a moral be- ing in the universe, if candid, who will not admit of this fact. And you know the Bible pronounces a woe upon him that putteth the bottle to his neigh- bour's mouth. It also declares that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of Heaven. However, I don't wish to be harsh in any way, or sit in judgment upon my fellow sinner. I am satisfied to leave the PRO AND CON. 19 TLijMer with Him who judgeth lighteously, and who will assuredly render to every man &s his works have been." "Well, Bob, these are rather tough assertions, but, after all, God is a God of mercy, and will, no doubt, have pity upon the poor drunkard who is not able to restrain his appetite. 1 know there is hope for the liquor seller, for his business is legitimate, hav- ing a license from the state ; and as for the reference you have made from the Bible regarding the con- demnation of the man who putteth his bottle to his neighbor's mouth, perhaps it is a wrong translation, or means something we don't understand. There is no doubt that the Bible gi'ants a license to take a little wine for your stomach's sake. I believe I could find stronger proof to support my doctrine of moderation in the Bible, than you could to support that of total abstinence. And, on the whole, I judge it wiser not to tiy to injure our neighbor by de- stroying his business." "Harry, your assertions are veiy strong, indeed, in reference to Bible proof on your side ; but, I trust, before getting through, being able to show that you have not studied the Bible as you ought to have done. You say that God is a God of mercy. Such is a glorious truth taught in the Scriptures. Yet, He has also revealed Himself in that blessed volume as a God of Justice, who will by no means clear THE GUILTY, OR LET THE SINNER GO FREE. I knoW 20 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: that the state legalizes the traffic in intoxicating liquors, but I hope to show you by-and-by that this is wrong. However, it is useless lasing time by these preliminary remarks. If we hope to talk to ad- vantage we must make a point, and leave other matters to come in order as our subject proceeds." "Agreed with all my heart, Bob; I should like, had we time, to discuss this 'vexed question' in all its bearings. Although I have long since made up my mind on the subject, yet I am only human, and, as others, open to conviction. I know that truth is mighty and must ultimately prevail where free dis- cussion is allowed." "Very well, then — where shall we commence, Harry?" "Oh, I suppose at the beginning. I always like to see a man having a good foundation to build upon." "That's my idea, Harry, and now let us consider the meaning of the word 'Temperance.' What do you think is understood by it?" "Indeed, Bob, I have never considered much about what it is derived from. I always thought it meant not to cat or drink too much, but to be temperate in all things. What is your idea?" "Harry, my opinion is not worth anything unless it agrees with scripture and reason. Although tem- perance is one of the fruits of the Divine Spirit, and — if we believe the Bible — means to keep in PRO AND CON. 21 check every animal indulgence and evil propensity of our fallen nature; yet, owing to the one giant vice which has swelled to such appalling propor- tions, and which is grasping in its relentlevss grasp so many of our fellow-men, the word temperance has come to be appropriated to signify the restraint, the mastering of it. Generally, when we speak of tem- perance, the beating down or stamping out the pas- sion for alcohol is suggested to the mind. This appropriation of the term is a hopeful sign for good ; it indicates that the moral sense of men is awakened, and that we are conscious of the presence among us of a devouring demon of evil who is slaying multi- tudes more than all other demons of evil put to- gether. It shows that ^^e are almost forced to forget all other evils as we think sadly of this mighty one that rests like a blight ingy ivitJierlng curse on our social life, sending up a long sad wail from deso- loted homes, broken hearts, crushed hopes, squandered fortunes, all over the larul, and bearing with it on the breeze the disparing cry: 'Is there no help for usr" "Bob, your elucidation of the term temperance is quite satisfactory; but, have you not overdrawn the results of the counterpart?" "No, sir! It would be impossible to exaggerate the evils of intemperance! 22 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Thou mayst call intoxication Just a little recrtsation ; But its right uanie is ruination — A liend that brings disgrace, And blights the reputation E'en of kings. She maketh beggars of the wealthy, And brings disease upon the healthy. And sometimes 'neatn her step so stealthy. The great, the clever. Sink, sink, alas ! how very low. They are lost forever. Of all baso deeds she is the source, Tho basest are by her made worse ; She's the best fiend of Satan — The bane, the curae, of our fair land. Myriads, in misery have died. Myriads, committed suicide, Myriads, upon a scaflfold tied, Have met their end, Who might have been their country's pride But for this fiend. / Whate'er may be thy occupation. Genius, talent, rank, or station. If given to intoxication, (Thus saith my jjcn) Thou must fall low in the estimation Of all good men. Oh ! could poor erring mortals see One half of her depravity. Me thinks they 'd quit her company. For, I am sure, They would then lose half the misery They now endure. Harry, the results are too plainly written on the pages of experience, observation, history, for any rational creature, with the light of the nineteenth century being upon his path, to have the hardihood to deny that intemperance is a potent evil, in waiting PRO AND CON. 23 to the whole family of vices. Without exaggeration it might be asserted that, of all the evils that ever infested our world, that of intemperance in drink- ing, or the immoderate use of intoxicating liquor, is the most injurious, self-degrading, soul-destroy- ing; blighting all that is noble, holy, humane in man; expelling his reason, drowning his memory, defacing his beauty, diminishing his strength, in- flaming his blood ; causing internal, external, and incurable wounds — in a word, destroying that prin- ciple of morality implanted by the Creator in the human breast, that should govern between man and his God." "Bob, these are sweeping assertions, and I doubt whether you could substantiate them either from reason, observation, or scripture. I am aware that many undertake to prove the opposite of what the Bible teaches, either from their own prejudice, an ignorance of the scriptures, or the assertions of their neigbors; and I should like, could we lay aside all prejudice and preconceived opinions, and be guided wholly by unquestionable proof. Facts are stub- born things and hard to deny; and I should be pleased to have you present solid facts in support of what you have so confidently stated." "In discussing this great question, Harry, I assure you my desire is not to be governed by anything but the arrival of a just and scriptural solution of the difficulties with which the subject is surrounded. 24 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: I know truth is mighty and must in the end pre- vail, and if the reform work is of man it must come to nought; but if born in the interests of humanity and of Heaven, it must go on, though all the devils in the infernal pit were opposed to it." "Keep cool, Bob, and not get so enthusiastic." "I wish I could, Harry, treat this subject with calmness and indifference, as it would save me a gi'eat amout of anxiety; but I feel that I am my brother's keeper, and responsible, in some measure, for the crimes that are being committed in our city daily through che effects of intemperance. How is it possible that any intelligent being could ad- vocate the * rum traffic ? ' " "Why, Bob, you are growing crazy. I trust you will lay aside these 'whims and whas,' and come to the *neb of the mire snipe' at once. I wished you to back up your wild assertions with solid arguments if you have them at command, otherwise acknowl- edge that you are laboring under a delusion." "I assure you, Harry, I don't wish to delay, neither am I beside myself in any way, but speak the words of truth and soberness. 1 am convinced that our subject demands the most serious, calm considera- tion of intelligent minds. Hence let us review some of the leading events connected with the his- tory of the intoxicating cup. It were vain attempt- ing to trace all the countless streams that flow from the polluting fountain of intemperance, for eternity PRO AND CON. 25 alone shall be able fully to reveal the untold misery and woe connected with this vice. A very few samples should be more than sufficient to sho^y that the reign of intemperance over the human mind has had a moat degrading effect, and that the bar-room ?ia8 been, and still is, the haunt of vice, the pathway to iiiin, and the broad road to perdition." "Why, Bob, do you refer to the bar-room in your remarks? It has no connection with our subject, and you know it is dangerous treading upon forbid- den ground." "Harry, it has much connection with our subject. It is the hot-bed where the vipers of intemperance are nursed; and if we ever hope to destroy the vul- tures, we must pull down their rookeries. It is an established theory, that without a cause there can be no effect. Now what do you think is the cause of drunkenness?" "I presume it is drink. Bob." "Yes, it is drink, Tarry; and now let us squarely look at the effects of drinking. It is better to ex- amine the whys and wherefores of the whole matter, so that we may have an intelligent understanding of what we are talking about." "Bob, such is my idea to a 'T.'; and, in order to do this, we muift commence at the origin and trace its whole history down to date. I fancy you will not find much out of the way in its career." 26 THE TEMt»ERANCE QUESTION: CHAPTER II. GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, "Certainly, Harry; this is the only safe course to pursue; and when we take a retrospective view of the ravages of this demon, not only during the dark, dark ages of antiquity, but of modern times in par- ticular, what a scene is presented to the vision!" "Of course, Bob, we have a good many cases of drunkenness recorded, but things are not so bad as you fancy them to appear. No use looking too much on the dark side of the picture, or grumbling at the past. Our duty is to cheer up and hope for better times in future." /,« ' .ij "Why, Harry, it presents, on tlie v^hole, a melan- choly scene of intemperate darkness too dreadful for the human Tnind to contemplate. History, sacred and profane, has left us on record, many striking exhibitions of the dire calamities connected with the use of intoxicating beverage." - ^ "Where is drunkenness first recorded. Bob?" "Harry, although I am led to believe that intoxi- cating drinks were in use long before the flood, from our Saviour's reference recorded in Luke I7th and 27th, to the Antediluvians: 'They did eat, they drank, until the flood came and destroyed them all.* No doubt they drank to intemperance, disordering themeelves with drink ; for they never could hav« PRO AND CON. V become so corrupted without the use of wine; and God let them have liquor enough — ^first they were drowned in xuvnCy and then in water; yet the first mention we have of wine drinking in the Bible is in connection with the disgrace of Noah, that ancient mariner and friend of God." "Oh, that didn't amount to much." "Didn't amount to much, Harry? Why, sir, it amounted to a gi'eat deal. Ham and his posterity were accursed with servile bondage in presence of their brethren." "Bob, they were black people at any rate, and it was intended that they should be slaves. You can't find any more passages of this kind in the Bible, I believe." "Harry, it is again referred to relative to the destruction of the ten children of that patient and upright patriarch Job. Hear the messenger: 'While they were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four comers of the house, and it fell upon the young men and they are dead.' It is represented as being the exciting cause of in- cest in the case of just Lot, who, after having es- caped the fiery plagues of the cities of the plains, through deception, drank the vdne of Sodom and reaped the penalty of pollution. And oh! what a reckoning! His posterity are excluded from enter- /ing into the congregation of the Lord, even for ev^r. 28 THE TEiTPERANCE QUESTION: It is associated with the deception practiced upon an aged parent, by which a first-born son is deprived at once of his father's blessing and his own birth- right. Again we have the penalty of death an- nexed to any use of wine by the priests while ministering in God's work, being ascribed as the implied cause, with a flagrant violation of religious duty on the part of the sons of Aaron, who are de- stroyed by fire for their profanity. It is also mixed up with the murder of Ammon at the command of his brother Absolam. It is moreover referred to in language truly impressive in relation to tbe impious feaSt of the renowned Caldean monarch. On the night when he, his wives, concubines, and princess, were assembled drinking wine in the sacred vessels of Jehovah's temple, we are told by the sacred his- torian that, in the same hour, the fingures of a mys- terious hand wrote upon the wall of the banquet chamber, in characters not to be forgotten, Belshaz- zar's inevitable doom, which was immediately exe- cuted." - •"* s'^ "Bob, you don't mean to say that all these tradge- dies are recorded in the Bible in the way you have described?" •'Certainly, Harry! If they don't mean what I have stated in reference to each transaction, they don't mean anything at all. Hundreds of similar instances might, also, be enumerated. Infinite Wis- dom has recorded in the sacred volume, to furnish PRO AND CON. 29 US with the most striking proof of the corrupting influence of strong drink on the Jewish church and nation. And we are informed by that blessed book that 'these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition' lest we fall into the snare of the tempter and be destroyed with an everlasting destruction. Only ponder what a history this is ! The social and moral advance- ment of this chosen race hindered, the teaching of its prophets and the labors of its reformers frus- trated, and the coming of the better dispensation delayed by man's unfaithfulness to the privileges of that preparatory economy. A privileged church and a favoured people corrupted and driven to idolatry by the use of strong drink, until, at last, in order to affect a reform, their temple was destroyed, their priesthood dispersed, and their people driven into prolonged captivity. Harry, these facts may be gleaned from the sacred oracles, and should warn us that it is an evil and a bitter thing to tamper with the enchanting bowl, which, at last, 'biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.' " "Bob, you seem to be pretty well posted in Jewish history, and have, no doubt, made out a black cata- logue of crimes instigated through wine drinking in olden times; but, you have only treated on the one side of the question, and I feel confident that my arguments for the use of wine given in the Bible will overturn your whole theory. However, 30 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: I don't wish to interrupt you by presenting them until your quotations are exhausted." "Harry, my quotations might be inexhaustible; I meant only to refer to a mere tithe of what are recorded, and we must not dwell. As we glide down the stream of time to the days of the Caesars and scan the page of profane history, we find Rome, not only the mistress but the wine-shop of the world. Accounts are recorded of Greek, Roman, and Bar- barian drinking matches — all equally barbaroas — which might pass belief, were there any known limits to human vileness consigned to its own mis« guidance. As a specimen, Tiberious Nero, or Bi- herious Mero, as he was jocosely called by his drinking friends, having assembled all the great drinkers of the day, proposed a prize for him who should swallow most wine at a standing, on which^ one of the Cercian troop, having despatched three gallons at a pull, so delighted the Emperor that he created him 'knight of the three gallons' on the spot. Alexander the Great, who conquered the world,, and wept because there was not another world to conquer, died not on the field of victory, but in the arms of Bacchus. He killed his friend Clytus when drunk, for whom he would have given half his king- dom when sober. He also awarded prizes to those who could carry away most liquor in hold. Philip,, his renowned father, was also noted for his glory ta intemperate habits, passing much of his time at dis- PRO AND CON. 31 sipated feasts with the most profligate chai*acters, and finally became enamoured to the vile Cleopatra whom he eventually married. At the feast we are informed that Alexander, having offended his parent, the monarch, drawing his sword, made toward his son ; but anger and wine having the mastery, he fell in the attempt, whereupon the youthful hero took advantage of the event, crying aloud: 'Men of Macedonia ! see there the man who was preparing to pass from Europe to Asia; he is not able to pass from one table to another without falling!' It is particularly cited that the famous Cato spent whole nights in fuddling his brain with Falerian. Nay, even the excellent and moral Senecia thought there were some griefs which nothing but deep drinking would drown. Besides those I have mentioned, a host of other great names are recorded, all famous for the vice of intemperance, enumerating the loss of human life in ancient times, from this enemy, as being fearfully great. Well may it be asked: 'Where are the mighty empires of the past, and whence their decline?' It has been justly asserted — and is true of other powers — that when the Ro- mans governed their appetites they governed the world; but when intemperance prevailed in their midst their doom was sealed. Hence we may boldly infer that the nation or individual, persisting in the vice of intemperance, must eventually come to dis- grace and ruin. The history of the past establishes this fact beyond contradiction." 32 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Bob, you have certainly summed up a pile of evi- dence in favor of your idea, and I am not prepared to deny that some old Patriarchs and Roman gen- erals got a little out of sorts sometimes from the effects of drinking too much wine. However, I don't- think you should judge the whole nation by the conduct of a few individuals." "The conduct of a few individuals did you say? Why, sir, whole nations were dried up of thii-st. Only turn to the 28th of Isaiah and read what is there recorded: 'Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim; they are overcome with wine. The residue of the people have also erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priests and the prophets have erred through strong drink; they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink ; they err in vision, they stum- ble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no plojce clean! Harry, the statements I have made are all beyond contradiction, and cannot be denied, being recorded on the page of imperishable history." "Well now. Bob, I presume you anticipate having made out a pretty good case, in your own favor at least; but there are always two sides to a story, and we will now look at the other side for a few mo- ments. Of course, I don't pretend to dtiiy that there was a great deal of drinking long ago ; but it was only those who indulged in wine drinking to PRO AND CON. 33 excess that are condemned. You have made no case •out, in my judgment, against the moderate use of wine. You know that our Saviour made wine tor the guests at the marriage feast, and Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake and his other infirmities; and when we go back to the Old Testament dispensation, we find many ref- erences to a blessing being connected with the use of wine. It was among the good thing promised to Jacob. It is stated that when the Ark of God was being moved from the house of Obed-edom, David dealt to the whole multitude of Israel — both men and women — a cake of bread, a good piece of flesh and a flagon of wine. And again the royal psalmist says that * God causeth food to grow out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man.' And the wise man says: 'Wisdom hath mingled her wine, and invited her guests to drink. Eat, O friends ; drink ; yea, drink abundantly' Again he says: 'Give wine to those of a heavy heart.' It is, moreover, stated that a feast of fat things is prepared, of wines on the lees well refined; and ministers call this 'the Gospel feast.' Many other similar instances might be referred to; but it • is useless, as these passages ought to satisfy any candid person that moderation, and not total ab- stinence, is taught in the Scriptures." "Harry, you appear to have read enough of the Bible to find arguments to meet your own views at Z4 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: least. In due time I hope being able to show that you are not altogether justified in the referonces you have made from the Word of Truth. But we are leaving our subject. We were endeavoring to trace the evils connected with the history of intoxicating drinks, from the earliest ages to the present time, and had only got as far as the Caesars. It is gen- erally surmissed that, up to that time, and for cen- turies after, nothing stronger than wine had been in use. But the discovery of distillation forms a re- markable and important epoch in the history of intoxicating drinks. This fatal invention placed within the reach of man a readier, more sudden, and effectual method of sensual gratification." "Bob, when was ardent spirits first introduced, and who invented it?" * . "Harry, it is non-essential that we should know the date and authors of this invention. They are circumstances involved in considerable obscurity. The Chinese are, at an early period, supposed to have been acquainted with the art of distillation;, but the supposition is destitute of the necessary proof, and we cannot receive it as fact. Villanova, a physician of the south of Europe, who flour- ished in the thirteenth century, is the first writer who distinctively alludes to the discoveiy of ardent spirits. From his statements, it appears that the ancients were not acquainted with the process, but that it had only become recently known. Ray- PRO AlCD CON. 35 mond Lully, a native of Majorca, and disciple of Villanova, dwells in the most enthusiastic terms on this newly discovered medicine. Lully believed it to be an emanation of Divinity sent for the physical renovation of mankind. Such is an illustration of the effects produced upon the minds of those who were first acquainted with this important event. Through the influence of Villanova and Lully this medicine gradually extended its influence northward and through the various divisions of Europe. In the sixteenth century alcohol became more generally known. As a medicine it was highly extolled, and several treatises written in its recommendation. The following virtues were attributed to this king of medicine, or great panacea, at that time,^nd are, no doubt, a true copy of one of the old labels with which it was adorned by the apothecary: 'It sloweth age — it strengtheneth youth — it helpeth digestion — it cutteth phlegiri — it abateth melancholy — it relisheth the heart — lighteneth the spirit — it cureth the dropsy — it healeth the strauguary — it pounceth the stone — it expelleth gravel — it pufifeth away ventosity — it keepeth and preserveth the head from whirling, the eyes from ( zzling, the tongue from lisping, the mouth from snaffling, the teeth from chattering, and the throat from rattling — it keepeth the weason from stifling, the stomach from wambling, and the heart from swelling — it keepeth the head from shivering, the sinews from shrinking, the veins from crum- bling, the bones from aching, and the marrow from soaking.'" "Bob, it must have been a splendid article — better than anything of the kind we can find at present; for it is almost impossible to get a glass of good 36 THE temperan^;e question: whiskey at any price. I of ben think it is mixed with poison, or something worse. *01d Scotch' and 'Irish Malt' are only to be relied on, and then they are adulterated." "Yes, Harry, it was doubtless pure, and suited the purpose for which it was intended at the time." "What was that. Bob?" "Medicine, Harry. But in due time people began to like it so well that it was used as a beverage by almost everybody, and, of course, took, in some measure, the place of the old wine, being more excit- able in its nature. Notwithstanding this fact, and the imputations of its original virtues, distillation was not conducted on a large scale until about the end of the seventeenth century. Even at that period its manufacture was unimportant, when compared with that distilled during the early part of the eighteenth century; or, more particularly of the present day, when Great Britain is annually spend- ing one million of money on the world's salvation and one hundred millions on strong drink — when the amount consumed in the Dominion of Canada, and throughout the vast continent of America, is almost beyond our calculation, $2,200,000,000 hav- ing been expended during the last twelve months in the United States alone; and the liquor used would have filled a canal four feet deep, fourteen feet wide, and one hundred and twenty miles in length; and the places where these drinks were sold, if placed in t. PRO AND CON. . Hif rows in direct lines, would make a street one hun- dred miles in lengt^h ; and if the victims of this rum traffic were there also, we would see a suicide at every mile, and a thousand funerals a day ; and if the drunkards of America could be placed in pro- cession, five abreast, they would make an army ex- tending one hundred miles long — when I'rance is flowing with wine, ana Germany with lager beer, allowing every man, woman, and child of the popu_ lation, an average of twenty -four gallons annually — when the brandy monoply of Russia is ten million pounds sterling — when Sweden has some hundred and fifty thousand stills eniployed, producing three hundred million gallons yearly — when the duties paid at our own little port of St. John, during the last fiscal year, ending with June last, on beers, wines, and spirits, imported by our merchants, amounted to the handsome sum of $271,755.89 — when every peo- ple under Heaven are manufacturing strong drink, save the New Zealanders and wretched inhabitants of Van Dieman's Land — and when the entire inhabi- tants of our globe are spending nearly $2,000,000 a day on intoxicating drinks. But it is useless attempt- ing anything like a correct estimate, for the statistics of intemperance can never be computed. Society is bleeding, groaning, sufiering, because of it. What fearful tales these figures tell ! and must they remain forever upon the calender of' human depravity? What havoc of life, morals, happiness, and comforts, 88 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: follow in the train of those elements of death, when drugged, vended, and dispersed among the people! It has been asserted, upon good authority, and, I believe, is an indisputable fact, that alcohol has destroyed more victims than the sword. What a solemn thought, then, to reflect upvon, that sixteen thousand millions of our race have been humed into a drunkard's grave ! Harry, let us ponder a moment. This is not fiction. Here are actually fourteen times the number of the inhabitants of our world at the present day, who have fallen into the jaws of this fell destroyer of humanity — Intemper- ance!" "Bob, you surprise, you astonish me altogether. Is it possible that intemperance is so prevalent? I know that a great amount of rum must be sold, as there are so many poor devils in every large city who don't do anything but drink, until they either starve or die of ill usage; but it is impossible for the whole victims to sum up such an army as you fancy they amount to." "Harry, I am inside of the mark. I don't make these statements upon the extent of my own limited knowledge or capacity. I have, with great care, ac- quired the information I have laid before you. It has been obtained from the most trustworthy sources. I believe they are facts, and therefore present them in support of my argument; and if you are not sat- isfied, just come over to my office and examine my PRO AND CON. ' 39 files. I have been collecting faxits for the last twenty years. I tell you, Harry, you have just met the 'chap' who is prepared to bring you off your 'pegs' by backing his assertions with good and true arguments that cannot be gainsaid or resisted; and I feel con- fident that you are man enough to admit that drunkenness is destroying many of our citizens every year. Just try and sum up how many of your friends and acquaintances, since you can remember, have died or been murdered through the effects of intemperance, and then figure up the number of peo- ple in our world to-day, and how long it is since Adam and Eve left off gardening, and you will be able to form some idea of the correctness of the calendar I have presented." '•Oh, yes, I know it is doing a bad work among those who cannot restrain their appetites. However, I have never troubled about statistics. I always thought them compiled by shallow numbskulls who wished to figure en paper. One thing I do know, that there is some comfort in having a social glass with a friend. I am a strong believer with the old poet who said: 'When we go to the market or meet an old friend, we'll still have a naggin tho' times never mend.' I tell you. Bob, you may talk as you like, but there is comfort in a glass of good punch." " Comfort, Harry 1 It is like Job's comforters — miserable to the extreme. Could we only realize the vast assemblage of wretched beings I have re- 40 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: f erred to, whose first step to ruin has been through the social glass, separated from the residue of the community, and marching to ihe last great conflict, chanting their war song, what a spectacle of horror must be ours! Harry, allow me to rehearse 'The Drunkard's War Song' to you. Every tippler ought to have it by heart; it is a choice piece for a bar- room ode, and thrills an audience when properly recited: — * We come ! we come ! in sad array, And in procession long, To join the army of the lost, Unnumbered thousands strong. Our banners beckoning on to death, Abroad we have unrolled ; And famine, care, and wane despair. Are seen on every fold ! Ye heard what music cheered us on — The mother's cry that rang So wildly, and the babe's that wailed Above the trumpet's clang. We 've taken spoil ! and blighted joys And ruined homes are here ; We've trampled on the throbbing heart — And flouted sorrow's tear. We come ! we come ! we've searched the land, The rich and poor are ours, Enlisted from the shrines of God, From hovels and from towers. And who or what shall balk the brave, j,f Who swear to drink or die ; i j What boots to such man's muttered, curse. Or His that spans the sky. Our leader ! who of all the chiefs. Who've triumphed from the first. Can blazon deeds like his? Such griefs, Such wounds, such trophies cursed. PRO AND CON. 41 We come ! of the world's scourges, who Like him have overthrown? What woe, had ever earth like woe, To his stem prowess known? Onward ! tho' ever on wo marcli, Ti.e xlruukarda' countless train — Onward ! to death ! from rank to rank Pass we the cup again. We come ! we come : to fill our graves, On which shall shine no star — To glut the worm that never dies, And hope forever bar ! '" "Bob, I guess they would bs a bard-looking crowd, and I should feel inclined to give them a wide berth as they pass." "You're right, Harry; they wouldn't be fit for a Christian gentleman to associate with. But we should remember they were, each, at one time, 'some- body's darling, and, perhaps, as good-looking as either you or I, without any idea of ever becoming so de- gmdeJ. They all conunenced the doivnward course hy taking a social glass, doubtless, at home ivith their parents, or in company tvith a friend. And I assure you it becomes us to be on our guard and totally * abstain from all appearance of evil,' lest we fall into the same condemnation. Every moderate drinker is furnishing a recruit for this great army we have been trying to realize. Could we see them individualized, dispersed among their friends and kindred, and linked, each in his vileness, by ties tender and dissoluble, to other beings — and beings often of the purest virtues, liveliest sensibility, and 3 42 THi: TEMPEllANCE QUESTION: loftiest aspirings. Could we see them thus, what gauge could measure the extent, or arithmetic sum up the amount, of misery comprehended within our field of vision!" "It is certainly sad, Bob, to think of how many families suffer from the effects of drunkenness; but, do you not think that we could take a social glass without any danger of becohiing drunkards?" "Harry, there is always danger tampering with evil. ' Can a man take coals in his bosom and his clothes not be burnt?' But we need not dwell upon these things which are as 'clear p.s mud' to every- body who wishes to see. Would we see intemper- ance in all its vileness, we must visit the low grade gin palaces of London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bel- fast, Montreal, and other large cities. In fact, we would require to accompany Talmage and his sturdy officials in their New York explorations. Yet we need not waft our way to other lands to find confir- mation to the melancholy fact, that drunkenness is a curse to mankind; that it degrades its victims and destroys their souls for time and eternity. CHAPTER III. MODERN ECHOES. "We only need turn our eyes upon our own Prov- ince, around our own streets, to find ample proof and to be fully convinced of this solenm truth ! Have PRO AND CON. 43 we not seen many loafing about our dram shops until their money was all exhausted for ruvi, then turned into the street by the unrelenting 'landlord,' as a hog to wallow in the mire, until — as in too many cases it has been — they perished by the way, and sank, not only into a drunkard's, but a prema- ture grave ? This is a fact too well known to admit of contradiction." "Bob, I don't wish to differ with you in this mat- ter; I always agree with a man when he talks about things that I know to be true ; but you know that our respectable people don't go to these low, miserable 'rum holes.' They have too much self-respect to be found among such wretched creatures as frequent these dens. You don't do justice in making any comparison whatever." "Harry, we have heard enough about respecta- bility. I never knew any man, no matter how high an estimate he may once have formed of his own character, who, after becoming addicted to drink, didn't soon lose his self-respect, and become so depraved as to be qualified for the lowest villany, no matter how mean." " I presume, Bob, you have seen a great deal more of the world and low life than I have. I understand you have been over creation prying into the mys- teries of ruined lives." "Harry, you have said it all; you bet I have, and I will be able to give you some ideas in due time; 44 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: but, to trace our subject, let us for a moment follow from the bar-room, those who may have the good fortune — or rather misfortune — to get home, and what do we see ? a drunkard's home and family. It is only here we can find man in his lowest stage of h'utality possible upon earth ! At eve when gloom and sorrow reign Within the drunkard's cot, Where mourns his wife, once bright with smiles, Heart-broken and forgot ! 'Tis then she hears his bitter oaths, On raging tempests borne. In withering cadence, seem to float, Around her faded form. Or, it may be, before his ravings are heard in the distance, that death has, in mercy, called her hence, with the following words upon her latest breath. — Let me repeat them to you, Hany; they are most appropriate for the occasion, and a perfect com- panion to the * drunkard's war song' that I have already recited: — 'Dark is the night ! How dark ! No light ! No fire ! Cold on the hearth, the last faint sparks expire ! Shivering, she watches, by the cradle side, For him, who pledged her love— last year a bride! ' Hark ! 'tis his footsteps ! No ! 'Tis past !— 'Tis gone ! Tick ! — Tick ! — 'How wearily the time crawls on ! Why should he leave me thus? — He once was kind I And I believed 'twould last ! — How mad ! - How blind ! 'Rest thee, my babe ! — Rest on ! — 'Tia hunger's cry ! Sleep ! — For there is no food ! — The fount is dry ! Famine and cold their wearying work have done; My heart must break ! And thou ! ' The clock strikes one. 'Hush ! 'tis the wine-cup ! Yes ! he's there ! he's there ! For this ! — for this he leaves me to despair ! PRO AND CON.. 45 Leaves love! leaves truth! his wife! his child! for what? The wanton's smile — the villain — and the sot ! * Yet I'll not curse him. No ! 'tis all in vain ! 'Tis long to wait, but sure he'll come again ! And I could starve, and bless him, but for you, My child! — his child!— Oh, fiend !' The clock strikes two. 'Hark ! how the sign-board creaks ! The blast howls by ! Moan ! moan ! A dirge swells through the cloudy sky ! Ha ! 'tis his knock ! he comes ! — he comes once more !' 'Tis but the lattice flaps ! Thy hope is o'er ! 'Can he desert us thus? He knows I stay Night after night, in loneliness, to pray For his return — and yet he sees no tear ! No ! no ! It cannot be ! He >vill be here ! 'Nestle more closely, dear one, to my heart ! Thou 'rt cold ! Thou 'rt freezing ! But we tvill not part ! Husband ! — I die ! — Father ! — It is not he ! Oh, God ! protect my child ! ' The clock strikes three. They 're gone, they 're gone, the glimmering spark hath fled ! The wife and child are numbered with the dead. On the cold earth, outstretched in solemn rest, The babe lay, frozen on its mother's breast ; i The drunkard came at last — but all was o'er. Dread silence reigned around. The clock struck four." "This is certainly an awful and affecting descrip- tion of the abode of misery you have given, Bob. But, did you ever witness such a tragedy?" "Harry, notwithstanding this quotation, I am not speaking by random. I am not portraying what others have adduced. My calling in business has caused me to enter many abodes of heartrending misery and wretchedness, where all the endearments of life are blighted, where his Satanic Majesty reigns supreme, in what should be the joy and sup- port of those families, and his subjects sink into a 46 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: felon's grave, leaving only the inheritance to their children that ' their father was a drunkard.' Harry, was there only one such miserable wretch in our land, should it not be enough to warn us io flee from the intoxicating cup? But thousands may be found in every land who are daily falling a prey to the treacherous foe, without a friend to sympathize when the last battle is being fought and the IiUTiior- tal Spirit is about to wing its flight to the Judgment Seat of the Eternal — no loving friend to sing their requiem. The}^ are buried, and their escutcheon is stained — if not with the blood of a fellow creature — with the infamy of a drunkard!" "Bob, I don't think there is much danger of us ever becoming so degraded as to murder our wives, or ruin our children, from the effects of intemper- ance. We know better; and I trust we are looking to Omnipotent power to keep as from such a dread- ful fate." . "Harry, hope keeps the heart whole for the time being; but why should we flatter ourselves that we are aught but human, and that Omnipotence will save us from ruin, if we only hope in his general mercy, and ofier the petition, * lead us not into temp- tation,' and, at the same time, persist in rolling sin as a sweet morsel under our tongue? No, my dear fellow, such is not the way God deals with respon- sible creatures. Although He doth according to His own soverign will and pleasure; yet, His govern- PRO AND CON'. 47 ment is contiollod by laws fired and sure; and His Eternal Word niiist stand that declares: 'Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.' — 'There is a way that seenieth right unto a man; but the end thereof (ve the ways of death;' 'therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us wateh and be sohery "Bob, arc you not wandering from our subject?" "Yes, HaiTy, we were at the drunkard's 'home;* but let us leave this scene of misery, too dreadful to behold, and return with the drunkard, in the morning, to the bar-room, and gaze upon its present aspects. At (lawn the drunkard drowsy wakes, In all his vile attire, And totterinji to the dram-shop hastes To ply the liquid Are. The landlord smiles to usher in His victim in the mom, And glass by glass his poison deals To this poor wretch forlorn ! It is, perhaps, better that we should let the curtain fall, and investigate this picture at our leisure. It was engraved by Flewwelling, who says that it was sketched on the spot, and is a perfect like- ness of the original. At any rate, it is rather sug- gestive, and will, doubtless, repay scrutiny. It is seldom you will find so much truth in a nut-shell, as it were. Meantime I will, if desired, give you a description of a drinking saloon called the 'Hive,* not far from the 'Old Stump,' where I spent an hour with a few 'friends,' many years ago — and an hour 48 THE TEMPEIUNCE QUESTION: I IS: PRO AND CON. 49 that I shall not soon forget. It may, perhaps, in- terest you, as your experience of bar-room life has been so limited." "Bob, I should be pleased to have you recite it if it is of a tragic nature ; and if you proceed, I promise to inspect the picture you have given me at the earliest opportunity." "Harry, that you may be able to understand it thoroughly, we must look upon the scene as it were on canvas upon the table : — Here is a spacious hall well filled with daily customers. Although every- thing around is calculated to impart happiness and mirth to the jovial crew, yet sorrow and misery are, seemingly, stamped upon all the surroundings. The licentious song is heard, in chorus, to resound through every crevice of the mansion. The profane oath falls upon the ear as the drunkard uttere his imprecations ; eveiy topic is being here discussed, but those of reason and I'cligion. Who has the swiftest horse? Who is the richest and best man in the whole group? Who is chief at quoits? Who can beat at checkers? Who is trump at dice? Who has acquired most trickery, and is best posted to every game? These are subjects of no little enthu- siasm and debate, leading not only to blows, but, finally, to death ! Yes, Hariy, death is stamped upon everything within this hall. The photograph of 'poor Trust,' you see, exhibits him lying upon his back dead. The * little clock' hangs on the other side, CKJ THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: right over the gin keg, bearing the momentous inscription, *no tick here.' These are the only words of truth, publicly engraved, within these walls. On the outside, below the window,, is tlie bronzed in- scription : * Walk in and try our choice U([Uors.' Over the door the old creaking sign-board displays the following stanza — a bastard edition of which may be seen on a 'gin palace' opposite Godsoe's meat shop, adjoining Sparrow's dining saloon, Germain street — and which some say was composed by Burns or Tom Moore, although I am inclined to think it was the Irish schoolmaster's last effort : — 'Within this Hivve weer ol allive, And Rumm 't wil make ye phunny ; As yue pas bye kum inn and thry, But Qon't f orgett yer monney ! ' 'Licensed.' Ah! Harry, let us stop and inquire? Licensed for what? 'Licensed, to make the strong man weak; ; Licensed, to lay a great man low ; Licensed, a wife's fond heart to break, And cause her children's tears to flow ! Licensed, to do thy neighbor harm ; Licensed, to kindle hate and strife ; Licensed, to nerve the robber's arm ; Licensed, to whet the murderer's knife ! Licensed, thy neighbor's purse to drain, And rob him of his very last ! Licensed, to heat his feverish brain. Till madness crown thy work at last. Licensed, like spider for a fly, To s])reatl thy net for man thy prey ; To mock his struggles, suck him dry, Then cast the worthless hulk away ! PRO AND CON. H\ Licensed, wheio peace and (juiet dwell. To bring disease, and want, and woo; Licensed, to make this world a hell, And tit man for a hell Ixjlow ! ' Many are complying with the request: There is room here for every man but the 'sinner's Friend.' Mem- bers of our legislative halls are here; the aristocracy of our Dominion are here; the scum of our country and our cities are here; many once promising youths are here, and must have their hopes blighted for time and eternity! The cup is filled and the toast goes round, but what is the end thereof? 'Tis the Angel of Death Spreads his wings o'er the glass, And breathes in the face '■ •' Of the drunkard at last! Yes, Harry, the Angel of Death is waiting for his prey. A dispute now arises. 'Wine is in and wit is out.' The hand is raised — the blade is plunged, and the victim falls! A revolver is next discharged, and the strong man lies low! What a picture is here presented ! Pandemonium is now open to our gaze ! Satan, with all his emissaries, has his seat here, and seems enthroned in every soul! The once honest inn-keeper, now degraded, feels that he has been bartering souls for nought, and must soon have his reward ! His prodigal son is cursing the day the farm was exchanged for the bar-room. Fury is de- picted upon every countenance ; each man is grap- pling his antagonist. The constable comes, the 52 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: fiends are dispersed, the jail is filled, and the gal- lows, the mad-house, or the penitentiary, ends the scene !" " You don't mean to say, Bob, that you ever spent an hour in such a place as that you have described ? Impossible ! You must have been transmigrated to the nether regions. No such place ever existed upon earth. I know when a man is intoxicated he often fancies things to be different from what they really are." " My dear sir, you have never been a mile from home, and have no idea of what has been transpir- ing in such places as I have referred to. The pic- ture I have presented, although you may think it startling, is alas ! but a mere sample of those soul- destroying dens so prevalent in our day. It is true, there are many exceptions. We often firxd warm hearted, honest looking, and it may be, religious liquor merchants; but how many groggeries, nay, respectable saloons, could we find in our land where all the tragedies I have depicted have transpired ? I say many ! The business of a Taverner seems never to have been held as respectable ; a fact which shows that it has always been associated with immoral or low life, and always must be until that which pullutes is removed. When we glance at the history of the drink traffic in Great Britain and Ireland, and other nations of Europe, in the earlier ages of their history, we find that the sellers PRO AND CON. 53 of strong drink were looked upon as public enemies who made provision for the voluptuoiis pleasures of men rather than for their necessities, and who, for prolit, generally enticed men to a debauched and vicious life." " Bob, where did taverns first commence, and how were they conducted ?" " Harry, the first mention we have of their exist- ence is recorded in Acts 28th and 15th, where Paul refers to 'The Three Taverns' as a well known place, where he met the Brethren, thanked God — no doubt that his life was spared — and took courage. If it were necessary I might try to show the origin of taverns in various countries; but it is sufficient for us to know that traders in strong drink existed long before the Christian era, and were then held as the very scwni of society, and classed with the vilest of sinners. They were not more respected in Scot- land one hundred and sixty years after the birth of our Saviour; and in the middle of the ninth century, in the days of Constantino the Second, the places where liquor was sold were looked upon as common nuisances." , , -, "How can you prove these things, Bob?" : •'From history, Harry. Did you never read the glowing description of a drinking tavern or grog- gery, which may be found in the seventh part of the 'Confession of the Waldensies and Albigenses/ 54 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: an old volume composed seven hundred and sixty years ago, and which is held by some Christians as almost infallible?" "No, sir. I've heard of the work, but I never saw a copy. Let us hear what it says?" *A tavern is the fountain of sin, the school of the devil ; when a man goeth to the tavern he goeth uprightly, but when he cometh forth he cannot go at all, and he hath lost his sight, his hearing, and his speech. The lectures that are read in the school of the devil, are gluttenies, perjuries, lying, and blasphemies, and di- veis other villanies ; for in a tavern are quarrels, slanders, conten- tioris, a.nd murder.^ ^^ "That's rather rough, Bob; yet, I presume, as it's historv we must receive it." "Yes, Harry, it's a little that way; -but 'facts are stubborn things and hard to deny.' You know you wished me to back up my arguments with solid facts, and I'm pleased to be able to gratify your desire. There is no end to facts connected with our subject, and we must hasten. Although only three taverns were open in London in the 13th century, in the reign of Edward the Third, yet, they were then dreaded by the community at large. In Ire- land, in the 15th century, a large traffice was being done in the sale of beer, and usquhaiigh, the original name for whiskey in our native land; and the dens where they were sold were dreaded by the people generally as dens of vice. But it is useless prying into the past to verify the fact that taverns are common nuisance s in every community where they PRO AND CON. 55 are established, as we have ample proof thereof in eveiy-day observation. Hariy, was I an artist, and could only cast upon the canvas, the misery, the woe, the wretchedness, and the fiendish-like spectres I have witnessed during my travels, within those dens of disease and death, a thrill of horror would pass through every nerve. I have seen • enough to make the angels weep, if they are ever permitted to look down from their celestial abode of purity and blessedness, and behold the multitudes who have been stepping, yea, rushing, in the broad highway of intemperance. To see those who should have been reflecting the gloiy of their Creator, wilfully blotting out every trace of that Divinity stamped upon them, and prostituting all their gifts before an unholy and unhallowed shrine, is to stir our hearts with pitiful indignation ! " "Bob, you have no doubt seen a good deal, but, are you not a little eccentric sometimes? Better keep cool, or 'you'll go off the handle.'" "Harry, do you still doubt the verity of my state- ments ? If so, I ask you to go to the bar-room as I have done; go see with your ow^ eyes the demented looks, bloated countenances, and trembling nerves, of those wretched beings, once human, who frequent the dram-shops, chiefly of our large cities. Go, I say, wO one of those haunts of vice and immorality, to be found in such places as Talmage has exposed i^ his 'Night Sides of City Life.' Go hear with 56 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: ' • your own ears their lascivious and silly jests, their idiotic laugh, their sepulchral moan, and those un- earthly curses stammered forth from their quivering and blistered lips; and if doubt still hovers upon the mind, that such fountains of crivie are daily sending many to the gallows and the grave, then go and ask the poor-house, the jail, the prison-house, the house of silence, whence their wretched inmates are sup- plied, and remain sceptical if you will. Oh ! if the dead could speak, the response returned from the tomb would move alike the surface of the earth and the bosom of the sea, for there is scarcely a spot of either that has not witnessed the drunkard's degra- dation, and even become itself the covering of a drunkard's grave!" "Bob, I should prefer not visiting such institu- tions. I have always made it a matter of conscience to shun scurrilous company; and I am not surprised at your reproachful denunciations of the 'liquor traffic,' after your familiarity with the secret work- ings of the order. I feel for your squeamishness, and trust you may be preserved f I'om becoming con- taminated by entering these dens in future. Doubt- less, from your sad experience, and forsaking of your 'first love,' you view things in a diff^erent light from what many others do. It is a well-known principle that 'turn coats' are the woi-st enemies to their former religion imaginable. I fancy you are some- thing like the man who was born in the middle of PRO AND CON. - 57 the 'Boyne' without knowing what side to swim to, and when he got out it was on the wrong side, and spent his whole life ridiculing his relatives on the other side." "Harry, your remarks are certainly very insinu- ating, and I might justly feel annoyed did I not know that you have been educated to look upon the wine-cup as among the good things of God that should be received with thankso-ivinir. But oh, Harry, how different it would be with you would you only stop to think — there are moments when vve must all think — and look at consequences. Actions speak louder than words, and if you only knew how many souls have been ruined through your example in using your social glass, you would exclaim with the poetic King of Israel: ■ ' * Rivers of waters from mine eyes , , Did nm down w^hen I saw, How wicked men go on in sin And do not keep thy law. ' Although it is unpleasing to linger upon such mel- ancholy exhibitions as are daily being presented in every corner of our native and our adopted land, through intemperance ; yet, I must mention a few that have come under my pei-sonal observation, and deeply impressed my memory. One was an affluent merchant soliciting an alms at my father s door, to purchase another glass, when his last cent had bee» expended at the dram-shop — and he was once a preacher of the Gospel, too ! Another was an hon- 4 58 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: est farmer, in rags, skulking among the pines in the wilds of the far West, with a jug of whiskey under his arm, after his farm had been bartered for 'gin.' I have seen the young man of promise, too, with haggard countenance and emaciated form, sink into the chambers of an untimely grave, through the agency of strong drink. I have, moreover, seen one whom I blush to name, going from door to door with a pitcher of Tnalt liquor in her hand, begging for bread — and she was once high in society. Yea, and I have seen a raotkers heart break, through dread intemperance of her ' idol ' son ! — a scene that must last w hile memory is retained ! I have also witnessed, in the town of Portland, the father of a respectable family, who, when his sun was fast slop- ing to the west, was taken to the asylum to end his days a maniac, through the ravages of ram. And although many years have since passed away, yet the picture is still vivid in my mind. The moment I was called to his bedside, by his devoted wife, shall never be forgotten. It was a moment of suspense. Strong men were assembled to assist in quieting the troubled spirit. The doctor was present, and every- thing that was considered essential was administered, but to no purpose. The time was when he could have been comforted and reclaimed, but it was now too late ! the demon of rum had done its work. His immortal spirit was soon to be ushered into the immaculate presence of its Judge ! The following THE INEBRIATE'S DEATH-BED. I ♦-'. 4» PRO AND CON. 09 verses will convey some faint idea of the reality^ which can only be realized by the victim of the HORRORS OF INTEMPERANCE: — 'Say, doctor, may I not have rum, To quench this burning thirst within? Here on this cursed bed I lie, And camiot get one drop of gin. I ask not health, nor even life — Life ! what a curse it 's been to me I I 'd rather sink in deepest hell. Than drink again its misery. But, doctor, may I not have rum? One drop alone is all I crave : Grant this small boon — I ask no more — Then I'll defy — yes e'en the grave ; Then, without fear, I'll fold my arms, And bid the monster strike his dart, To haste me from this world of woe, And claim his own — this ruined heart 1 A thousand curses on bis head Who gave me first the poisoned bowll Who taught me first this Dane to drink — Drink — death and ruin to my soul! My soul! oh cruel, horrid thought ! t , FuU well I know thy certain fate ; With what instinctive horror shrinks . , , The spirit from that awful state ! . / Lost ! lost ! I know forever lost ! To me no ray of hope can come : . My fate is sealed ; my doom is But give me rum ; I will have rum! But, doctor, don't you see him there? In that dark comer low he sits ; See ! how he sports his fiery tongue, And at me burning brimstone spits ! Say, don't you see this demon fierce ! Does no one hear? will no one come? Oh save me ! save me ! I will give — But rum ! I must have — will have rum ! , 60 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: All ! now he's gone ; once more I'm free : He — the boasting knave and liar! He said that he would take me off Down to But there ! my bed's on fire ! Fire! water! help! come, haste — I'll die ; Come, take me from this burning bed : The smoke — I'm choking! — cannot cry ; There now — its catching at my head ! But see ! again that demon's come ; Look ! there he peeps through yonder crack ; Mark how his burning eyeballs flash ! How fierce he grins ! what brought him back ? There stands his burning coach of fire ; He smiles and beckons me to come — ' T What are those words he's written there ? ^ - 'In hell we never want for rum ! ' -^ One loud, one piercing shriek was heard ; One yell rang out upon the air ; ; One sound, and one alone, came forth — The victim's cry of wild despair! Why longer wait ? I'm ripe for hell ! A spirit's sent to bear me down ; " . There, in the regions of the lost, I sure will wear a fiery crown. Damned! I know, without a hope ! — One moment more, and then I'll come ! — • - And there I'll quench my awful thirst With boiling, burning, fiery rum ! ' I have never yet failed to find the home of the drunkard — if he had any home — a desolation, his wife a wreck, and his children wretched. I have seen the latter shivering in the cold blast, and weep- ing with the pain. I have often heard the question: ^Wha's the puir wee callant?' and the answer: * He's a drunkard's raggit wean!' • r -^ 'His faither he nae pity shows. He drinks his last babee ; His mither wi' a broken heart And hunger, she maun dee ! PRO AND CON. 61 Ah ! take him to the alms house, He'll there be unco weel ; His faither's lost ! his mither's cone ! He's the drunkard's pauper chiel.' Harry, had you only been with me in Glasgow during my last visit to that city, and heard the fol- lowing plaintive strains wafting on the midnight breeze, as they came from the lips of some poor 'Howard' wending his way up through Bobbie's Loan, how your heart must have melted with pity for the poor outcasts of society through their pa- rents' indulgence in the fatal cup. — *A wee bit raggit laddie Gangs wand'ren through the street, Wadin 'mang the snaw Wi' his wi' haeket feet. Shivering in the cauld blast, Greetin' wi' the pain ! Wha's the puir wee callant ? * • He's a drunkard's raggit wean. He stans at ilka door, . , An' he keeks wi' wistful e'e, , To see the crowd around the fire Laughin' loud wi' glee. But he dauma venture ben, Though his heart be e'er sae fain ; " ' " T For he mauna play wi' ither bairns. The drunkard's raggit wean ! Oh, see the wee bit baimie, His heart is unco fou ; The sleet is blawin' cauld, And he's dreepit through and through. He's speerin for his mither, An' he wun'ers whaur she's gane ; But oh ! his mither she forgets Her puir wee raggit wean. • 63 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: He kens nae faither's love, An' he kens nae mither's care, To soothe his weo bit sorrows, An' kame his tautil hair. To kiss him when he waukens, • ' Or smooth hia be:oiT>'?RQ AND CON. 73 it about in the same spirit as that in which you have searched the Scriptures, Of such I may be able to show you in due time. ' Meantime let us read the paragraph about the crazy fellow. I have the paper in my pocket; it was too good to lose« Here it is: — ■f>«j' r>«ti r^u! hM« ior nr.x^d ^mf 'Freak of a Drunken Man. — On Saturday evening, about ten o'clock, an uuuaual scene was witnessed at the head of King street., A man who appeared to be drunk halted beneath the rays of the street laiip, and unbuttoning his coat, took it off by tearing the garment up the back. The vest he served in a like manner, and coming to the shirt he tore it into ribbons. By this time he was surrounded by about a hundred men, but he continued to divest himself of his wearing apparel, after which he danced a jig for his audience. During his continuance of his strange actions he talked wildly, which might have been intended as a reason for his conduct, but he could hardly bo misunderstood, he was crazy with rum. Finally two officers came along and provided him with accommodation in the station. ' , , . , • .. In addition I will just read you another similar case — an extract from a drunkard's soliloquy in a coal cellar — as reported by a listener: — - ,,,7, t -p 'Let's see, where am I? This is coal I'm lying on. How'd I get here? Yes, I mind now; was coming down Rocky-Hill; met a wheel-barrow wot was drunk, coming t'other way. That wheel- barrow fell over me, or I fell over the wheel-barrow, and one of us fell into the cellar, don't mind now which ; guess it must have been me. I'm a nice young man ; yes, I am ; tight, tore, drunk, shot ! Well, I can't help it ; 'taint my fault. Wonder whose fault it is? Is it Jones' fault? No ! Is it my wife's fault? Well it an't ! Is it the wheel barrow's fault? No-0-0 ! It's WTiisky's fault! ! Whisky! Who's Whisky? Has he got a large family? Got many relations? All poor, I reckon. 1 won't own him any 5 74 ' THE TEMPERANCE (QUESTION: more; cut his acquaintance. I have had a notion of doing that for the last ten years ; always hated to, though, for fear of hurt- ing his feelin's I'll do it now for I believe liquor is injurin' me ; it's spoilin' my temper. Sometimes I gets mad and abuses Bets and the brats. 1 used to call 'em Lizzie and the children ; that's a good Avhile ago, though. Then, when I cum home, she used to put her arms around my neck and kiss me, and call me 'dear William ! ' When I cum home now she takes her pipe out of her mouth, puts the hair out of her eyes, and looks at me and says, 'Bill, you drunken brute, shut the door after you! We're cold enough, havin' no fire, 'thout lettin* the anow blow in that way.' Yes she's Bets and I'm Bill now ; I a'nt a good bill neither ; I'm counterfeit ; won't pass — ( a tavern without goin' in and getting a drink. ) Don't know wot bank I'm on ; last Sunday was on the river bank, at Suspension Bridge, drunk ! I stay out pretty late — sometimes out all night, when Bets bars the door with a bed-^ post; fact is, I'm out pretty much all over — out of friends, out of pocket, out at elbows and knees, and out — rageously dirty. So Bets says, but she's no judge, for she's never clean herself. I wonder she don't wear good clothes? May -be she an't got any! Whose fault is that? 'Taint mine! It may be whisky's. Some- times I'm in; I'm in — toxicated now, and in somebody's coal cellar. I've got one good principle ; I never runs in debt 'cause nobody won't trust me. One of my coat tails is gone ; got tore off, I expect, when I fell down here. I'll have to get a new suit soon. MoTT told me t'other day I'd make a good sign for a paper-mill. If he hadn't been so hiij I'd licked him. I've had this shirt on nine days. I'll take it off, but I'm 'fraid I'd tear it. Guess I tore the window-shutter on my pants t'other night, when I sot on the wax in O'Brine's shoe-shop. I '11 have to get it mended up or I '11 catch cold. I an't very stout neither, though 1 'm full in the face; as the news boys say, 'I 'm fat as a match, and healthy as the small-pox.' My hat is standin' guard for a window-pane that went out the other day at the invitation of a brick-bat. It's getting cold down here ; wonder how I '11 get out? I an't able to climb. If I had a drink, think I could. do it. PRO AND CON. 75 Let's se«, I an't got three cents ; wish I was m a tavern, I could sponge it then. When anybody treats, and says, Come fellers ! I always thinks my name is fellers, and I 've too good manners to refuse. I must leave this place, or 111 be arrested for bur- glary, and I an't come to that yet ! Anyhow, it was the wheel- barrow did the harm, not me ! ' "What do you think about these gentlemen, Harry? Were they in their right mind?" "Well, I should think the former acted strangely at any rate. The other's experience, I believe, is nothing new. I have often heard of people tumb- ling into cellars in the same way. In fact, I tumbled over Smith's sign-board myself on my way to the Post-office, a few nights ago, fell into the gutter op- posite Vassie's, and fancied I was in perdition. I wasn't drunk either, having only had three or four glasses at Furlong's with a fiiend." "Harry, your apology is quite sufficient. 'Tiiith is mighty and must prevail;' but we will drop this matter and proceed. And now for 'Watson.' Per- haps Mr. M. could lend us the volume. 'Certainly, gentlemen.' Let us turn to the five hundred and ninety-fifth page and see what is there stated: 'There is no sin which doth more deface God's image than drunkenness, it disgusteth a person, and doth even unman him; drunkenness makes him have the throat of a fish, the belly of a swine, and the head of an ass; drunkenness is the shame of nature, the extinguisher of reason, the shipwreck of chastity, and the murderer of conscience; hurtful for the body, 7o THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: the cup kills more than the cannon; it causeth drop- sies, catarrhs, apoplexies — fills the eyes with fire, the legs with water, and turns the body into an hos- pital ; but the greatest hurt is that it doth to the soul ; it breeds the worm of conscience. The drunk- ard is seldom reclaimed by repentance, because, by this sin, the senses are so enchanted, reason so im- paired, and lust so inflamed. Drunkenness is a sin against all the ten commandments. If this sin of drunkenness be not reformed, I pray God the sword be not made drunk with blood.' Harry, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. The ref( rences you have made from this volume are all eit ler wrong quota- tions or disconnected pasj ^ges. No use handing along your old divines unless you are prepared to bolster them up. I have perused their works and knov: them all like a book. If you advance argu- ments in support of your tottering fabric, they must be such, at least, as will stand reasonable criticism. I believe 'Guthrie' was the best man in the whole group. He was none of your cringing divines. When he got the right cause by the end, it was do or die with him. Just look at his fine physique! I got this photograph some time ago and prize it much. I tell you, Harry, he was a whole man in every good cause. He w^as the pioneer in the eccle- siastical field in the cause of temperance in Scotland, ■ and had many a hard battle to fight with his old companions; for when he was at the University of Edinburgh, in 1820, there was not one abstaining student, nor was there an abstaining minister in the whole churelx of Scotland, it is said, at that time. Harry, I should like to read you an extract from a speech he made in Belfast sixteen years ago, stating his reasons for becoming a reformer. I happened to be in the old country at the time. He said : — * I was first let! to form a high opinion of the cause of temper- atnce by the bearing of an Irishman. It is now some twenty-two years ago. I had left Omagh on a bitter, biting, blasting day, with 78 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: lashing rain, and had to travel across a cold country to Cooks- town. Well, by the time we got over half the road, we reached a small inn, into which wc went as sailors in stress of weather run into the first haven. By this time we were soaking with water outside, and as these were the days not of tea and toast, but of toddy-drinking, we thought the best way was to soak ourselves with whisky inside. Accordingly we rushed into the inn, ordered warm water, and got our tumblers of toddy. Out of kindness to the car-driver, we called him iii ; he was not very well clothed — indeed, he rather belonged in that respect to the order of my Ragged School in Edinburgh. He was soaking with wet, and we offered him a good rummer of toddy. We thought that what was sauce for the goose was aauce for the gander, but the car-driver was not such a gander as we, like geese, took him for. He woutd not taste it. Why ? we asked ; what objection have you ? Said he : Plase your riv'rence, I am a teetotaller, and I wont taste a drop of it. Well, that stuck in my throat, and it went to my heart ; and (in another sense than drink though) to my head. Here was a humble, uncultivated, uneducated Roman Catholic carman ; and I said, if that man can deny himself this indulgence, why should not I, a Christiam Minister ? I remembered that, and I have ever remembered it — to the honor of Ireland. I have often told the story, and thought of the example set by that poor Irish- man for our people to follow. I carried home the remembrance of it with me to Edinburgh. That circumstance, along * ioh the scenes in which I was called to labour daily for years, made me a teetotaller !' " j! * ■ ' .-,''■ '■■>:_ r • ,■■.■.. -..,... "Bob, his reasons are undoubtedly very good, and I think if all the clergy would adopt the same prin- ciples their sermons would do more good. Of course it's different now from what it then was. People have got to like new doctrines so well that the min- ister who doesn't adopt some newfangled idea in PRO AND CON, 79 his sermon is considered old-fashioned and stale; and people won't go to hear hira. It's quite popu- lar for preachers, now-a-days, to come out upon the platform with all kinds of .^pouting about the evils of beer drinking; but, I shoald like to follow some of the old fellows to their parsoriages or manses, and just see whether they practice quietly at home, all that they teach in public. I am afraid 'mene, mene, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,' would apply to more than one of their cases. But, I am only interrupting you. I should be glad to have you produce the balance of your witnesses, at once, as I promised to be home in good season, and it is now getting late." "Harry, I mean to be brief. I promised my wife also to be home at ten, and it is now half- past. I might produce thousands of witnesses to establish all I have said; but, as the evening is so far ad- vanced, I will be brief as possible. If all I have stated don't convince you, you would not be per- suaded though one should arise from the dead. However, we won't tarry; but, bef^ *^. proceeding, excuse me for glancing at this note I nave j^ st re- ceived from my esteem*; d friend and well-wisher. Rev. Robert Wilson, of Hopewell Corner. You know him, Harry. He is a popular lecturer and author, and is about issuing a splendid voluii^e en- titled 'Never Give Up.' By-the-by I find that the note is adapted to our present conversation. I will read it with your leave." "I have no objections — go ahead." 80 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: ** 'My Dear Friend,— ''•'^•' '- vn.i..".w^. ,.. , ,.,... ,.,| ■ As you wished me to furnish an item on temperance, the fol- lowing is at your service if you wish to use it. I can vouch for its authenticity. '.r/ .;■.;.,;..;.:.... ,.....,. Yours faitV fully, '• " ^'**; ir I . /;jt • RoRERT Wilson. " The Mysterious Stranger. — In a remote section of Western New Brunswick there lived many years ago a man wli oae career was shrouded in mystery, and of whose antecedents the moat prying curiosity could gain no knowledge. He was about fifty years of age, of portly appearance, of gentlemanly manners, and easy and unassuming in all his ways. He had evidently moved in respectable circles, and his decidedly English accent left no doubt as to his nationality'. If not rich, he was comfortable, and, considering the isolation of the place in which he resided, enjoyed many of the luxuries of life. He had neither wife nor child, and his whole establishment consisted of himself and a male and female domestic who had accompanied him thither. And while master and servants were kind to all they were inti- mate with none, and so shut themselves out fom the world as soon to be known to all as The Hermits. Why such a man should have chosen to bury himself m the wilderness, was hard to be accounted for, and gave rise to many a curious conjecture. Some said he was a political offender, some a criminal, hiding from justice, some one thing and some another; but perhaps the most generally received opinion was, that he had been disappointed in love, and, rather than cross the path of his successful rival, or meet with the one who had deceiv^ed and re- jected him, he had sought a home in this remote region where the associations would recall nothing that was painful. But, unconscious of or indifferent to all this, Mr. Hall pursued the even tenor of his way, and, as year after year rolled by, his neighbours knew no more of him than they did when he first came among them. Neither letters nor papers came to him, nor was ho ever known to correspond with any one, and the mystery that hung around him was as great as ever. Meanwhile imx)ortant ,.„;;•.. PBO AND COJJ.^ jyx changes had taken place in the surroundings: the forest was rapidly disappearing ; a prosperous settlement had sprung up ; a church and school-house had been erected; and a young and talented minister had recently been settled among them. But, in proportion as the place became known, Mr. Hall grew more and more retiring, and latterly was rarely seen beyond the limits of his own garden. About that time the great crusade against intemperance was in full blast, and the subject was discussed on the platform, in the pulpit, and through the prsss. Temperance lectures were the order of tlie day — the public mind was greatly jigitated — and there was a great uprising against the demon drink. The min- ister at Mapleton threw himself into the movement with all his heart, and with tnie apostolic zeal Avent from house to house to enlist the public sympathy in the good cause. And when he thought the time had come for some decided action, ho announced his intention to discuss the subject fw^n the pulpit oiji a Qert^i Sabbath evening. : . • „ ■■ ' , ,' Impelled by a feeling he could not account for, Mr. Hall at- tended the ser\-ice. As the place was crowded he took a seat near the door, where he remained uimoticed until the exercises were half over. Although he had aided in the erection of the building he had never been in it before, and though contributing to the ministers' support they had rarely met. For a time Mr. Hall took no interest in what was said but sat as one in a dream, while memory was busy recalling the scenes of other days. Roused from his reverie by the ringing utterances of the young and gifted man before him, he leaned forward as if trying to iden- tify him with some one he had previously known. The longer he had looked and listened the greater his interest became, and his whole soul was strangely excited. His agitation grew intense, his whole frame quivered with emotion, and hiding his face in bis hands he wept bitterly. When I was a boy, said the speaker, I had one of the happiest of homes, and as good a father as ever lived. My mother was one of the excellent of the earth. My every wish was antici> 82 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: pated, my every want supplied, and as I think of my childhood's happy days, I sometimes wish I was a boy again. But the tempter entered our Eden, robbed us of our peace, and wrecked all our earthly prospacts. My father became addicted to drink, the habit grew stronger, he sank lower and lower, until he became powerless in the grasp of the destroyer. My poor mother did all she could to save him, but her efforts were unavailing. When sober he was the same tender parent and loving husband as ever, but under the influence of strong drink he was often furious. The usual results followed, prosperity, character, and health were squandered and lost ; but that was not all. In a fit of mad- ness he felled my mother to the ground, from which she only re- covered to kiss me and die. With the cry of a maniac he seized me and dashed me upon the ground, from which I was taken up for dead. Sobered by what he had done, and supposing he had killed us both, he fled at once and took passage for America ; but the vessel in which he sailed was wrecked on the coast of Nova Scotia, and all on board perished. Thus was I at once deprived of a mother I had idolized, and a father whose only fault was a love of strong drink. Had he lived to know that his child recovered, and that the last \^'ord3 of his noble wife were those of forgiveness and affectionate remembrance, he might have been rescued and sa,ved; but he went down into the deep waters with that hcai-y load upon his heart. To me these are heartrending memories, and I only refer to them in the hope that others may be persuaded to shun the path of the de- stroyer. Can you wonder that I feel deeply and strongly upon this subject ? Can yon wonder at my earnest advocacy of the Temperance cause? Or can you wonder that I feel forced to fight the demon to the death ? Tell me I hate the bowl ? f Hate is a feeble Wvord — I loathe, abhor, my very soul • . With strong disgust is stirred ; . > Where'er 1 see, or hear, or tell Of this deadly drink, that leads to hell ! PRO AND CON. : * 83 A deep groan startled the audience, as all eyes turned instinct- ively to the place from whence the sound proceeded, Mr. Hall was seen forcing his way to the stand. Grasping the pulpit stairs to keep him from falling, he cried out in soul-thrilling tones, 'Oh, William ! William ! my dear boy, ' and with that he swooned away. What followed we shall not attempt to describe; the meeting broke up, the son returned home with the father, and the mystery was at length cleared up as to who and what he was. As might have been supposed. Hall was only an assumed name, the real one being Stanley. All had not perished in the wreck as had been supposed, for he and his two domestics had been picked up and carried to Portland. Having secured some money he per- suaded his fellow voyagers to accompany him to Mapleton, and here they had since remained. The rest of our story is soon told. The case was at his own jrequcst investigated, and taking all the circumstances into ac- couii the matter was allowed to drop. The son continued to minister to the people in holy things, and is well and favourably known, and with him the father quietly settled down. And how- ever painful these disclosures were at first, they relievevl him of a heavy burden, melted away his reserve, led him to mix more in society, and after a few years of useful and active effort he peace- fully passed away, and is still kindly remembered as The Mysterious Stranger.' "Harry, what do you say to this story?" "Of course it was sad, Bob, but might have been worse. In the midst of wrath deserved, there is always a ray of mercy, and everything comes out all right in the end. If we could only cast our whole care upon our Heavenly Father all things would, undoubtedly, work together for our good in the end. Although 'God moves in a mysterious Vv^ay, His wonders to perform;' yet, sometimes, He maketh the very wrath of man to praise Him; and, I think, 84 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: that this mystery — for such it assuredly was — must have done good. I have never heard anything so touching in all my experience. But, we are losing time, and you must proceed if we wish to get home before midnight." "Harry, 1 am glad to know your heart is touched. Callous must the soul be that would not inspire a sigh or feel sensations by hearing of such an event; and I do earnestly hope and pray that the arrows of lasting conviction may not only stick fast in your heart, but in the hearts of all who may hear this story. Pleased to hear you so well versed in Scripture; but the devil can quote Scripture; and, when it suits his purpose, change himself into an angel of light. I always like to see people prac- ticing what they preach." • r;,^,.: v.ji '/.orinj't.-ij,- i .v ' "Bob, I am getting very uncomfortable, and trust you will finish up at the earliest moment." '* -^^f "» "Harry, I should think you ought to be; and I don't wish to hold you one moment longer than is absolutely necessary. This is a big subject and it is essential that you should hear the balance of my witnesses. And first, I would introduce youi old friend Dr. Guthrie, who, you know, 'wouldn't tell a lie for the world.' Hear what he says: — f < ■ 'Before God and mau, before the Church and the world, I im- peach intemperance, I charge it with the murder of innumerable souls. In this country, blessed with freedom and plenty, the word of God and the liberties of true religion, I charge it as the '■'■'"' PRO AKDCOK. ="" ^ • t r . . • . ^ . . ■ .• . ■ , • I I . . 1 . ... . ■ . ■ cause — whatever be the source elsewhere — of almost all the pov- erty, and almost all the crime, and almost all the ignorance, and almost all the irreligion that disgrace and afflict the land. 'I am not mad, most noble Festus. I speak the words of tnith and soberness. ' I do, in my conscience, believe that these intoxicat- ing stimulants have sunk into wretchedness more men and wo- men than found a grave in that deluge which swept over the highest hill-tops, engulfing a world of which but eight were saved.' . - Rev. Dr. Houston, Professor in the Theological Hall, Belfast, and author of a treatise on 'Horse- racing,' and many other valuable works, has pro- claimed that, — * Intemperance has done and is to-day doing more to destroy the souls of men, the morals of society, and otherwise obstruct the work of the church, than any other known evil, and than all other evils combined.' Rev. Hollis Read, author of 'God in History,' sajrs in his late work 'The God of this World,' — a volume that should be in the library of every man who believes in the Gospel of the New Testament : 'Where war has slain its millions, intoxicating drinks have slain their tens of millions. Where war has cost its millions, in- temperance has cost its tens of millions. The little finger of intemperance ia thicker than the body of the demon of war. But its cost, either in the destruction of property or in the awful havoc it makes of human life, is not the worst of it. Intemper- ance, as we have aeen, is a deadly disease on the immortal spirit. It not only filla this world with wretchedness and woe and death, but it does more than all other evils to fill the nether world with its miserable inmates. It works death temporal and death eter- nal. It is a poisonous evil — a devouring monster, leaving nothing 86 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: in its train but poverty, woe and death ! One* throw yourself into its deadly grasp, and yoii have nothing in return but shame, disgrace and ruin. Alas ! what has not intemperace done as the angel of death to people the grave? Not even the bloody annals of war equal the death record of rum.' The Troy Times states in a paragraph recently published in that paper : *I have been counsel in twelve murder cases,' said ex-Congress- man Horace Bemus, of Homellsville, at a meeting on Thursday night. *In every case rum was at the bottom of the crime. I bought supper for a man to-night who was worth $50,000 eight years ago. His wife was a judge's daughter. She is in a pauper asylum for the insane to-day. Every dollar of the $50,000 went for rum. ' Rev. Dr. Nott, says : — * Drunkenness is terrible, and is admitted to be terrible. Half the miseries of the human family spring from drunkenness, and are known to spring from it.' Judge Coleridge asserts : * There is scarcely a crime comes before me that is not caused directly or indirectly by strong drink.' Roland Burr, Esq., Justice of the Peace m To- ronto, and Jail Commissioner for nearly twenty years, says : * That nine out of ten of the male pris- oners, and nineteen out of twenty of the female, have been brought there by intoxicating liquors.* He also reports * that in four years there were 25,- 000 prisoners in the jails of Ontario, 22,000 of whom were brought there by intoxicating liquors. He has kept a record of the liquor dealers of a single street PRO AND CON. ti 87 in Toronto, 100 in number, for fifty-four years past. In these families there have been 214 drunkards, 45 widows, and 235 orphans left, 44 sudden deaths, 13 suicides, 203 premature deaths by drunkenness, 4 murders, 3 executions, 1,915 years of human life estimated to have been lost by drunkenness, and a loss of property once owned in real estate amount- ing to $293,500.' The Rev. J. E. Stebbins, a well known author, says : * No pestilence that has ever swept through the country is to be compared to it. That is but temporary. The winds of heaven, the heats of sum- mer, or the frosts of winter may modify the procur- ing cause of these things ; but none of them touch those blighting agencies of which we speak. Its devastations are worse than those of luar. Its con- tests may l)e long and bloody, and we may turn from the immense sacrifice of human life with hor- ror; but there comes a time when the sword is sheathed and peace proclaims a jubilee. But intem- perance is always marshalling her ranks and filling up her armies from the moderate dHnJcers — always slaughtering her thousands, and keeping up the din and roar of her battling legions. To stay this mor- tal blight is the question of to-day. No grander movement could claim the attention of men, and earth and heaven wait the result.' The same gentlemen tells us about a wretched, miserable inebiiate, in the days of comparative 88 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: youth, who was doomed to die, and who, when asked: 'Where and what was it that first led you into the course of intemperance?' replied: 'It was wine at my father's table. Before I left tho shelter of the parent roof, I had learned to love the drink that has been my ruin!' And again he adds: 'A young man was convicted of murder, and while confined in jail, under sentence of death, he wrote a letter to warn others against a similar fate. The act had been committed while under the influence of strong drink, but the law held him responsible; and his story is but a repetition of the fact that it takes away reason, and goads on to madness and destruction continually. He writes : * O that I could only portray the horrors springing from the first glass ! You would shun it as you would the road in which Death, in his most hideous form, was lurk- ing. Would to God I had died before I kneiv the love or passion strong drinh can bring to its poor deluded victims ; for then I woidd have had kind friends to lueep and think kindly of me, as, in sol- emn silence, they gazed into my tomb ! O, young man! by all that you hold dear, shun the cup — the fatal cup ! You may think you are able to take a drink and leave it alone when you wish; let me entreat you, don't try the experiment, for when it gets hold it rarely ever lets go. It not only destroys you, but friends must suffer also. Think well before you touch the cup. Don't say: 'I can take a drink • PRO AND CON. - !• 89 and leave it off;' the chances are against you. Would to God that one year ago I could have seen strong diink as it really is, stripped of all the ornaments thrown over it by those engaged in the traffic! — could have seen it as a swift and sure road to that which was to lead to my unhappy condition in a felon's cell, with the prospect of a shameful death! My hands are ironed, irons are on my limbs, and I am chained to the floor; and whiskey has done it all! I have lost friends, character, home, all that makes life dear, by not saying No! when asked to drink. I could have said it. God gave me un- derstanding; I hrixiiv right from wrong; but I flat- tered myself I could go so far, and then rein up. Now I am lost! Don't believe in moderate dHnk- ing; there is too much danger in it. There is no drunkard living but thought he could leave off* when he w^ished. Say you that 'many drink, and do not what I have done?' All true — hut vone do as I did hut vjhat drink — not one. AH say at first: 'Whiskey shall not be my master; I am too much of a man for that.' How soon they find out that he who said 'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and he that is deceived thereby is not wise,' knew more about it than they! It will hold one in fetters that are well nigh impossible to wi-ench off. There is no other way in which the reformation of these advanced drinkers can be secured but by ahstaininq altogether. A little will keep the flame 6 AQt THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: forever burning, and it is so hard to come to the conclusion — not a drop — when habit cries out so strongly for the indulgence!'" "Bob, that's a 'stunner;' but it's a question if it's true. It may be some 'cunningly devised fable,' or story, concocted for the occasion. Them 'Yankees* are always getting up something sensational. In- deed, they are qualified for anything. They almost cheated us out of the Five Millions ' Fishery Award,' that they had got to 'fork over' a few days ago. It was 'Old Dow' who first started the 'hue and cry' about 'Prohibition,' or the 'Maine Law' as he called it, and got the thing passed by getting up a sensation over the matter. But the people are about tired of it, and some would gladly have it repealed. So far as keeping men sober is concerned, it's a failure. The people just drink as much as ever, and many sell it on the 'sly.' The Eastporters smuggle it from Indian Island and St. Andrews, and the government is cheated out of its legitimate revenue* I am acquainted with a man who was in Calais not long since, and a friend asked him to take a glass, and they were ushered into a private room in the eU, where a 'bar' was kept to evade the police, I have also been informed that the sign they display in that town is a large * beet,' ' poked ' through a broken pane. If there's anything in the world I hate, it's hypocrisy; and men cannot be kept up- right if their libarties are cramped." PRO AND CON. %^ "Harry, you're a 'brick' to argue, and I see there's something in you yet for the bringing out — you only require to be 'pumped;' and, I should like, had we time, to go into this 'Maine Law' business, and other matters of importance. But it is too late to-night, and, if you are willing, we will adjourn to meet after the holidays to settle the question." "Bob, I shall be delighted to do so; but, as I have detained you by my late remarks, perhaps we may yet take time to hear the balance of your witnesses to-night; and if they are brief, I will wait with patience." "Hany, I only meant to call one or two more at any rate; and, as you have doubted Stebbins' refer- ences to the earnest echoes from the murderer's cell, I will make free to sing you a few verses of a 'hymn' your cousin Frank composed some thirty years ago. He lived in Carrickfergus at the time, and was an eye-witness of the whole tragedy. It was in Belfast Barrack, near where your aunt used to live, the rash deed was done, and John Cordeiy was the culprit. I heard the piece sung on the public streets of Bal- lymena, and many an eye was moistened with a tear of sympathy for the poor unfortunate whom wine had only overcome ! I remember the day the execution took place, and laaev/re you, Harry, it was a stem reality! and calls, in thunder tones, to us to shun the fatal cup, and that we cannot indulge in this luxury with impunity: — 02 JHE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: 'How sadly rose the sun upon The walls of Carrick Jail, And brought that day whicli was to teH A dark and mournful tale ! The fifteenth day of May should now Be called a day of ill, — On that day two years, Margaret Dennis Was killed on the Cave HlU. None being hung in Carrick since The blind man and his mother; And many a year we hope may pass. Before we see another. The sight being strange, the country thronged To see this deed of doom ! From Colerain Town so far away. And from the bridge of Toome. And as the day wore on, the crowd Streamed in from every road : While beating hearts and moistened eyes, Their feelings strongly showed ! And when the hour of ten arrived, As far as you could see. Was like a field of human heads, Around the gallows tree. The rope being thickly soaped, and then Slip'd forward through the wall, — And swinging blackly from the beam, Struck terror deep in all ! And many a heart grew cold and sick. And many wept aloiid ; — 'T was plain that pity for his fate, Prevailed amongst the crowd. Oh! let not whiskey touch your lips: *Twas it that caused all my tooe; In whiskey I killed Sergeant Dodd^ And struck him cold and loiv! PRO AND CON. 93 So I mnat die ! my doom being just, I don't for pardon call ; But all my foes I now forgive, — The jury judge, and aU. I die not as a solilier should, U^n the field of fame ; But m a mode which makes my friends, Hang down their heads with shame. My pleasant comrades you with whom I 've spent many a pleasant day, — A long and last good-bye to you, I now no more shall say ! And friends and brethren all around I bid you all farewell ! My hour of death is corne at last, I have no more to tell ! This moment he step'd forward, Looking young and fresh : A bolt was drawn, and then he himg A mass of lifeless tiesh. What proves that tender feelings may, In manly hearts be found ; — When he sprang off, six soldiers fell, And fainted on the ground ! It ends rather abruptly. I fancy there's another verse, but it has slip'd my memory. However, it is better that we should draw our own conclusion from this lesson. It is sad to meditate on such tragedies as have come up before us to-night, and I trust we may never have the same ordeal to encounter again. I assure you, Harry, it is no pleasure to meditate upon such themes, and I should shrink from such a duty, did I not feel confident that good will come *'Jf %i THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: out of our present discussion. Although we have been talking in secret, our words shall, no doubt, yet be proclaimed upon the housetops." "I shouldn't doubt, Bob. The reporters will get hold of it, as they are always hopping around, like a duck in thunder, in search of an 'item,* as they call it. And we may just a.s well exclaim, with the old Patriarch Job, when repining over his 'boils,* after having 'escaped with the skin of his teeth:' — *0h that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book!' But we must go at once, or join in chorus the bar-room ode, 'We won't go home till morning." "Have patience, Harry, our subject is a big one, and it is our duty to probe into its very core, if, by so doing, we may only be able to arrive at the truth, and drive the audacious invader from ever}' inch of the soil. However, as the most important and in- teresting portions of our topic has not yet been touched upon, it might be well for us to adjourn, and ' tryst to meet some ither day.' Although enough has been said to prove that drunkenness is the arch enemy of mankind; that it is the cause of much of the misery existing in our world at the pi-esent day, and must continue to (yurse our race until it be destroyed; yet, we must proceed with cautioti, and investigate every detail, governed by the wisdom of the serpent and spirit of a dove." "Agreed ! say we meet Monday after New-year's — will that suit?" PRO AND CON. 95 "Certainly, Harry, and let us cheer up and look forth to it with pleasure, instead of looking 'too much upon the dark side/ But, before leaving, allow me to ask you one question: Do you think O'Neil would have killed his mother-in-law, or Vaughan old Mrs. Quinn, had it not been for i*um?" "I presume not. Bob; but I'm no prophet, and would rather decline a reply. It is better that we should let the dead rest. I feel tired and want to get home." "I'm not surprised, Harry. One thing I do know, that Booth confessed he was not able to screw up courage to shoot Lincoln without the aid of a stim- ulus of brandy; and Talmage says, the New York midnight assissins prepare themselves, before start- ing on their hellish miss- ion, with a 'rummer of wine.' Harry, let us now go, with the hope of a glorious reunion — good night — remember Monday evening." "Good night, Bob — ^good night." CHAPTER V. PRESENT PROSPECT. "Good evening, Bob!" "Good evening, Harry! I'm delighted to see you — as 'true as steel* to your engagement! I've just been looking over the returns in York, and here they are as officially reported by telegram: — '^C THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: FULL KETURNS OF YORK COUNTY ELECTION-A MA- JORITY OF OVER 1,000 FOR THE BILL. Fredericton, Dec. 30. The Permissive Bill was carried in the County of York by a majority of 1,012 as follows:— ^^'*''^^^- For. Against. Dumfries, No. 1, 32 g Dumfries, No. 2, j2 o St. Mary's, No. 1, [ 98 q St. Mary's, No. 2, 117 ^ St. Mary's, No, 3, 47 q Southamptou, No. 1, 33 15 Southampton, No. 2, 27 14 Southampton, No. 3, 28 6 Manner-8utton, No. 1 66 4 Manner-Sutton. No. 2, .' 2 1 Canterbury, No. 1, 25 Canterbury, No. 2 77 q Canterbury, No. 3, 31 4 Canterbury, No. 4, 10 4 Queensbury, No. 1, 35 15 Queensbury, No. 2, 41 16 Douglas, No. 1, 48 iq Douglas, No. 2, 44 3 Douglas, No. 3 ,.... 36 Stanley, Nos. 1 and 3, 120 20 Stanley, No. 2, ^^,.^, .'.' 41 1 Prince William, No. 1, 21 4 Prince William, No. 2, 65 7 Bright, No. 1, 50 13 Bright, No. 2 13 10 • New Maryland, I9 g Kingsclear, No. 1, 46 25 Kingsclear, No. 2, 34 14 Fiedericton, non-residents, 8 2 Totals, . . . .* 1^226 214 PRO AND CON. 97 Isn't the result glorious? — just as I told you it should be. You see, Harry, when the matter is left with the people themselves they make short work of it." "Well, really. Bob, I don't know what to say. I wasn't prepared for this; I'm put off my guard en- tirely. However, here's a paragraph a friend handed me a few moments ago. It was cut out of the News or Telegraph; perhaps it may cast some light upon the mystery. I'll read it to you : — ' The Temperance Victory. — Much credit for the success of the Permissive Bill is due to such earnest working men in the temperance field as Rev. Joseph McLewl, Prof. Foster, Messrs. Wilson, Lugrin, Claunce, McManus, Freeze, Sheriff Temple, and m^ny others who have driven over bare roads to distant districts of the county to explain the provisions of the bill and urge its adoption. ' Hurrah ! just as I anticipated. I tell you, Bob, the people are fools, and, like Esau, will bitterly repent selling away their birthright. I hear that the 'rup- tion at the polls was about as great as it was the day Paul and his companions visited the famed city of Ephesus. I venture to say that half the folk didn't know what they were voting for. It is too bad that intelligent brings should be 'gulled* by such selfish haranguei-s. They know what they're doing. You will hear of more than one of them being out for Parliament at the next election." "Harry, you don't speak wisely. Did you only read the papers, you would not talk so ignorantly. •6 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: A man of your bearing should be posted in all great questions of the day. Your fi-iend, in culling your 'item,* could not see the reply in the same pa- per. I'll read it to you; it may be interesting: — •The Permissive Bill in York.— St. Marys, Jan. lat, 1879. — Sir : In your issue of the 31 st ult., I noticed that the success of the Permissive Bill in York is attributed to the efforts of such earnest working men as Rev. Joseph McLeod, Prof. Foster, and Messrs. Wilson & Co., who are doubtless worthy men of vonnd temperance principles, but inquiry would show that the largest majorities were given in districts not visited by any of these 'big guns.' No credit is given to those 'earnest working' committees and individuals who visited, personally, every voter in their respective polling districts, or, at least, as many of them as were at home. However important public discussion of all great questions of the day may be, actual work is equally im- portant, and, now that the vote has been taken in this County of York on the 'Canada Temperance Act, 1878,' something more than mere temperance spouting will be re' 123 VERY REV. THEOBALD MATHE^V. Born Oct. 10th, 1798, DiBi) Dec. 8th, 1866. 124 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: notice, and shows the spirit in which the 'Apostle' gained the hearts of all classes: — On presenting the pledge to a Protestant, on one occasion, Father Mathew was told by the party that he was an 'Orangeman,' and replied, 'I don't care, if you are a 'Lemon-man,' I want you to take this pledge, my aim is to do you good/ And on another occasion : — a big, brawny fellow, with rough voice, blood-shot eyes, and tattered clothes, — accompanied by his mother, — while roaring out: *I won't take the pledge. I'll be if I do. Is it me! What occ — occasion have I for it! I won't demane myself by taking it. I always stood a trate, and I'll stand it again. Me take it! Let me go, woman! I tell you lave me go!' And while his mother comforted by saying: 'Oh, Patsy, darlin', don't expose yourself. You know I'm for your good. And what would his riverence say to you if he heard you! Do, Alona, be quiet, an' wait for the holy priest.' 'Well hould off of me, any way. Can't I take care of myself! Can't I do what I like! Who'll dare say I can't.' 'Oh, Patsy, Patsy, darlin', is indeed! Patsy darlin'.' 'Let me go, woman, I say, let me go! Let me go!' And bursting away from the trembling hands of the poor creature, who struggled to hold the drunken fool, was arested by Father Mathew himself, who at a glance knew the nature of the case; and, catching Patsy with a grasp stronger than that from which he had escaped, said, — as if Patsy • • PRO AND CON. ^125 had come of his own frne will, — 'Welcome! welcome! my dear. Delighted to see you. Glad you are come to me. You are doing a good day's work for your- self and your friends. You will have God's bless- ing on your head. Poverty is no crime, my dear child; it is sin alone that lowers as in the eyes of God. Kneel down, my dear — giving a strong pres- sure on Patsy's shoulder, under which Patsy re- hictantly sinks to his knees — and repeat the words of the pledge after nie; and then I will mark you with the sign of the Cross, and pray God to keep you from temptation.' What could poor Patsy do, but yield, as that magnetic hand rested affectionately on his tangled locks? x\.nd so Patsy's name was added to the long muster-roll of 'Father Mathew's Fledge,' which has since become a household word, and has brought comfort and prosperity to many a poor family, not only in the 'Emerald,' but in all parts of the world where an Irishman may be found — and where is he not to be met with? "In America the temperance movement originated in 1804, through the inquiries instituted by the Rev. Dr. Rush into the effects of ardent spirits upon the body and mind. These he published, and they were made the foundation of all subsequent experiments. In 1805 the Rev. Ebenezar Porter preached a sermon on the effects of ardent spirits. In 1808 a society Wius formed which embodied total abstinence prin- ciples. In 181.3 the Rev. Dr. Memphrey published 126 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: a series of publications on the cause, eftects, and remidies of intemperance. The Massachusetts so- ciety, for the suppression of intemperance, was then formed at Boston ; and tho various Ministers of re • ligion were holding up the matter in different circles, as a subject cf inquiry. The next step was or- ganization. In 182G 'The American Society' was formed, having for its object abstinence from dis- tilled liquors. At this time Dr. B^ocher's celebrated sermons were published. His mind had been train- ing and it came out at a ciitical moment. In lcS33 a convention was called which was attended by 440 delegates, and the question was discussed and the principle adopted that the trajffiG in ardent spirits was morally wrong and ought to he abandoned. In 1835 it was found that men were gettinor drunk on wine, beer, &;c., so that total abstinence was taken up, discussed and adopted. For four years it spread until 150,000 drunkards had been reclaimed; but at lencrth the movement flaofofed, owing: to the cauj^e that members had been voted into the council that were not teetotalers." -^^^ > ' : v '!,.i "Bob, I was waiting for this. People soon get sick and tired of legislative interference in such mat- ters. It is hard for a man to hold out long in any enterprise that he has no heart in. What about the * Maine Iiaw? ' Wasn't it in force at this time?" "Harry, you are aware the 'Maine Law' was first proposed by Neal Dow that you have talked so much PRO AND CON. 127 about. He was a citizen of Portland and afterwards mayor thereof After considerable agitation it was first passed in Maine in 184G, the year that the World's Temperance Convention, summoned by the National Society, met in London, August the 4th, composed of three hundred and two delegates, twenty-five of whom were from North America — so called at that time — some from west of the Alle- ghany mountains, and east cf the river Indus — but then proved a miserable failure." " I thought so. I don't see how it could be other- wise in an intelligent country like the States. It never would have been carried had Dow, as I have told you already, not got up an excitement over it." "Harry, it was formed again in 1851 triumph- antly, by a vote of eighteen to ten, and in the House of Representatives eighty-six to forty, and received the approbation of the Governor on the second of June of the same year. Minnesotta followed, also Rhode Island, 'Massachusetts, Vermont, Michigan, Connecticut, New York, and some other states of the Union. But what should interest us most is the spread of the Temperance movement into cur own Dominion." "Yes, Bob, that's what you are no doubt most in- terested in. Man is naturally a selfish creature, and anything he fancies would bring a revenue of glory or comfort to his own bosom, he is willing to hazard his all to obtain." 128 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Of course, Harry, it is our duty to use all lawful endeavours first to preserve our own life and after- wards that of our neighbor. Self-preservation, you know, has justly been styled the first law of nature. Don't wo read somewhere in the Scriptures about the man who kept his neighbor's vineyard, and al- lowed his own to lay in ruins? This conduct was not approved of. However, to proceed. * Howard Division,' No. 1, Sons of Temperance, was organized at St. Stephen on the 8th of March, 1847, or thirty- two years ago. A short time previous to this period, a Temperance Society of anoth(3r order had been established in the village then named Schoodic, but had about ceased to exist. 'Howard' was the first Division of the order in any part of Her Majesty's dominions, and was appointed by the National Divi- sion, their deputy for issuing of charters for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, and Quebec. The following persons were initiated to membership at its organization: — F. H. Todd, G. S. Hill, Thos. Laughlin, Jas. Ci'ossett, Jas. McGibbon, Saml. McElroy, Francis Beek, Thomas Veazey, John Veazey, Harrison Thompson, Simeon McElroy, Thomas Lemon, Matthew Hannah, and Jas. Laughlin — fourteen in all. The order at once took the place of the old temperance society. Its members were very zealous in the cause, and at the close of the fii*st quarter numbered sixty-nine, and at the end of twelve months, one hundred and PRO AND CON. 129 thirty-seven members had been enrolled. The en- thusiasm manifested for the order during the first two years of its existence was without a parallel in the temperance annals. All classes were eagerly seeking admission into the ranks, The drunkard, the moderate drinker, and the strictly temperate, were alike earnest in their efforts to be admitted. Doubtless many were actuated by other motives than the love of temperance. Some came many miles from the surrounding country — including St. David's, Baillie, and the Ridges. But after a time their zeal became cold. The enthusiasm at first manifested gradually died away. Some left by emi- gration, and few remained only those who had joined with a desire really to do good to themselves and others. However, 'Old Howard' is still rally- ing, and, I believe, a few of its charter members are yet its most active friends. And I am pleased to learn that H. Webber, Esq., one of its most honorary members, who might justly be styled a 'thunderer* in the good cause at the 'Border,' has been chosen by the Grand Division, to-day, at its session in Moncton, with Hon. S. L. Tilley, C. B., Hon. Judge Steadman, James Johnston, Charles A. Everett, John March, Rev. D. D. Currie, J. Brait, John D. Robert- son, Edwd. McCarthy, A. Q. Blair, Leonard Gaetz, Alexander A. Stirling, S. D. McPherson, A. P. Mil- ler, C. D. Everett, C. P. Wetmore, John Rankin, C. N. Skinner, A. G. Blakslee, John Richards, W. C. 130 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Whittaker, R. Middlemore, W. P. Dole, J. A. S. Mott, S. C. W. Chapman, D. L. Hanington, A. W. Pater- son, Robt. Bell, S. B. Patterson, S. Tufts, E. W. Gowland, and W. W. Dudley, as representatives to the National Division, to be held at Washington on the 24th of June next. The organization of * Howard' was no sooner accomplished than one of the most energetic members, Alex. Campbell, now Judge Campbell of San Francisco, who is still a boon to the temperance cause in California, manifested a desire to have the order introduced into other parts of the Province. He spared neither time, money, nor comforts, in its advancement. 'York,' No. 2, at Fredericton, was the first charter granted ; ' Wilber- force,' No. 3, at Milltown, immediately followed; then 'Charlotte,' No. 4, at St. Andrews; 'Gurney,' IIo. 5, in this city; 'Chatham,' No. G, at St. George; 'Portland,' No. 7, at Portland; and 'St. David's,' at Oak Bay, were all organized previous to September IGth, 1847. On that day the delegates from the other Divisions met in 'Howard Division' room, and organized the Grand Division of N. B., with Alex. Campbell as the fii-st G. W. Patriarch. By the 1st of March, 1848, thirty Divisions were in operation in this Province, with a membership of nearl}^ two thousand. A year after, forty-three had been estab- lished, including two thousand eight hundred and fifty-six members. In March, 1850, fifty-six Divi- sions were in operation, with two thousand nine PRO AND CON. ->«*< 131 hundred and seventy-five members. In 1851, sixty- four Divisions, numbering three thousand nine hun- dred and seven members. In 1852, sixty-seven Divisions and four thousand three hundred and thirty-four members. In 1853, eighty-four Divi- sions with five thousand three hundred and one members. In 1854, ninety-one Divisions and four thousand seven hundred and twenty members. In 1855, one hundred and twenty Divisions, five thous- and and forty-eight members. In 1856, one hun- dred and twelve Divisions, four thousand two hundred and eighty-seven members. In 1857, one hundred and sixteen Divisions, with a membership of three thousand two hundred and eight. At this time only ninety-three of the one hundred and six- teen which had been established were in working order." "What became of the rest, Bob? Did they 'kick the bucket,' or die of consumption? I heard of a prayer meeting once expiring of the latter disease. It is a fatal malady and often seizes people when they are apparently in perfect health, especially those who have not much * ballast ' about the heart. The only w^ay to keep such meetings in existence is to make them interesting. I am only surprised that so many, hung out, if they had nothing to talk about but temperance. It's a pretty dry subject for a man who likes his * grog ' to discuss, I anticipate." " Yes, Harry, it's a little that way ; but the chief 132 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: cause of decline was owing to tlie * Prohibitory Law ' that came into force in fifty-four. Many thought they could fold their hands and sing AUeluiah, but it was a sad mistake, and exhibits the weakness of human nature when left to itself. Father Chini- quay commenced the good cause in Quebec in 1850, and in lcS57 in the Province of Ontario alone there were three hundred and forty-six Divisions, com- prising a membership of ten thousand, and in British North America or the Dominion as it is now desig- nated, live hundred Divisions had been established retaining twenty thousand members. In due time other associations were formed of different names for the suppiession of the liquor traffic. I should like to interest you by referring to each separately, but it would delay us too long. I have only men- tioned the others to show you what has been going on in your juvenile days, and that * Temperance re- form ' is not of yesterday as you had supposed it to be. Could we only enumerate all the societies of temperance that have been organized throughout the world during the last quarter of a century, it would amaze you Harry. Suffice it to say, that on this continent to-night there are some 4,000,000 men, women and children who are members of dif- ferent total abstinence societies. It is encouraging to know that much has been, and is still being done, to demolish the blood-stained castle of intemperance. Temperance banners have recently been unfurled , PRO AND CON. »,, 133 and thusands have encircled them, hundreds are daily buckling on the armour and filling up the ranks. Public attention is being directed to one grand focus — ToTAL Abstinence. Many are be- ginning to see that nothing short of this can accomp- lish the great principles ive inculcate. That di'unh' enness is caused by drinking, moderate contimums drinking, is now becoming apparent to men's minds. It seems that light has broken through the dark- ness, and that there is a shaking among the leaves, as it were, indicating a sound of coming rain at hand. Governments are beginning to legislate, Moralists to reason, Christians to remonstrate, and we kn/:^w that the issue must be encouraging. New discoveries are being made and promulgated to the world regarding the injurious effects of alcoholic mixtures upon the human system ; discoveries, which, although obvious to us, have been hidden for ages." n . . "Bob, what discoveries have been made ? I should like to know them. I have heard a good deal about rum being poison to the human system; but I never credited the idea for a moment. I have known many who used it daily, for years, without doing them any harm. I should like to know what harm it does a man if he only takes a little occasionally. The only harm I am aware of it does, is, that if people take too much, it puts them out of sorts, for a time, and makes them feel miserable, when getting better — or, as some call it, 'the aftercome.'" •^ rr^ 134 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Harry, I tremble for your safety, and tiiist you may be enabled to investigate the matter seriously for yourself. This you can easily do, being a moderate drinker. If you don't know how to go about it, I will put you on a plan that cannot fail to satisfy: — When you take a few glasses of whis- key, gin, bi^andy or rum, you feel all over, don't you ? Your spirits are elevated, your heart and other or- gans a little excited, arn't they? Arn't your in- tellectual faculties, as well as your feelings of enjoy- ment, for a '.ime lifted above their ordinary level? You see double; cannot walk straight; fancy your- self equal to any othf.-r man upon earth ; and believe you have no cause to fear God, Man or the Devil. Isn't this your experience? Could you not talk more in an hour when in this inood, than you could in a day when sober? Do you not wish to tell all you know? And do you not feel like laughing, crying, praying, preaching, fighting, sw^earing, danc- ing, singing, jumping, hallooing, tearing off clothes, breaking china, glasses, furniture, and having a good time generally, according to your present surround- ings? You have had all these various feelings, havn't you ? And the more elevated they became, and longer continued, did you not feel the more miserable and depressed afterwards?" "Bob, how is it possible that you should enter so minutely into my feelings ? You have described everything to perfection, and I should like to know how you have acquired the knowledge." PRO AND CON. " , 135 "Harry, you see I have been 'through the mill* myself, and as I told you the first evening, *I just know how it is with you.' Although I have drawn the bow at a venture, I fancied I was not far from the mark. It is generally believed that the same cause produces the same effect invarialV; and that the experience of one is the experience of all those who imbibe too freely in the intoxicating cup. If you have ever studied chemistry you are aware that alcohol is a virulent poison, and cannot be intro- duced into the system with impunity. It is nowhere to be found in any product of nature — was never created by God — and is essentially an artificial thing, a stimulant that acts like magic upon every member of the human frame, scorching and inflating the body wherever it goes, infusing the blood, deranging the natural functions of tlic system, producing a morbid condition of the tissues with which it comes in con- tact, and consequently throwing t'le whole fabric into confusion. How more potent and injurious it be- comes after it has been adulterated by a superaddi- tion of nux vomica, sugar of lead, henbane, hajma- toxylon, blue stone, and other well-known poisons. You know you told me, Harry, that it was 'impos- sible to get a glass of good whiskey, and that you often thought it was mixed with poison or something worse,' Only hear what Forbes Winslow, the cele- brated English physician for the insane, once told a committee of Parliament;— that he 'could dip out 136 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: of the brain of any habitual drunkard a fluid so full of alcohol that when put in a spoon and a lamp placed beneath it, the liquid would burn with a blue flame.' Perhaps the two most important physical circumstances that can be pointed out in relation to alcohol are that it hardens all the colloid or glue-like substances in the body, and that it has a local affinity for the brain. Alcohol hardens the white of an egg. If you are doubtful only try it. The brain and much of the matter in the nervous sys- tem is albuminous in chemical composition, as the whifce of an egg is; and as alcohol everywhere else hardens colloid substances, so it does in the brain. The blue flame which Forbes Winslow kindled shows the affinity of alcohol for the brain, and should be kept burning as a pillar of fire before tempted men There is a famous saying of Hyrti ((juoted lately in the Scientific American), that he could tell in the dark whether he was dissecting a drunkard's brain or the brain of a temperate man, for the former would be hard under the scalpel. He used to ex- plain to his pupils that 'the only w^ay to obtain good brains for dissection wjis to harden them by alcohol or to get brains that had been hardened before death. Harry, did people only stop to consider, or desire to find out for themselves, the real cause of the drunk- ard's mysterious conduct while under the influence of liquor, they would no more touch the popular- drinks of the day — so called — than they would go PRO AND CON. 137 down 'Jeffrey's Hill ' to the valley, and put their head upon the rail, allowing the locomotive to pass over it. No, sir! they would shun the wine-cup as they would a she bear robbed of her whelps, or a sei'pent that was hissing in the path. Alcohol acts as a narcotic, and, like opium, spurs its victims on to desire an increased dose from day to day; and, although it seems to give new strength and vigor to the patient, it is only an artificial impetus that lasts for a moment and then dies away, leaving prostration behind. Stimuli of any kind generally produce an artificial genius, as well as vivacity. They left a man's intellectual faculties, as well as his feelings of enjoyment, for a time, above their ordinary level ; and if, by the same means, they could be kept for any length of time in that state of exaltation, it might constitute something like an apology for having recourse to them. But, unfortu- nately, the excitement of the system can, in no in- stance, be urged above its accustomed and natural pitch without this being succeeded by a -correspond- ing degree of depression. Like the fabulous stone of Sisyphus, it invariably begins to fall as soon as it has reached the summit, and the rapidity of its descent is almost invariably in proportion to the degree of its previous elevation. Genius, in this manner, forcibly raised, may be compared to those fire- works, which, after having made a brilliant fire in the sky for a very short time, fall to the ground 9 138 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: and expose a miserable fragment as the only relic of their preceding splendor. The infatuation which in- duces so many, for a momentary and insufficient gratification, to risk the destruction of character, credit, and happiness, and to entail upon themselves and families the extreme of wretchedness and misery, can be viewed as little else than a species of in- sanity ; to control the effects of which is undoubtedly a legitimate subject for legislative interference. Habits of intoxication very often creep on almost imperceptibly, and the individual is lost even before he has passed the limits of moderation. The eleva- tion of spirits and excited state of the heart and other organs, produced by the stimulation of alcohol, in- dulged in to a certain extent, are followed by a cor- responding depression and languor, to relieve which a renewal of stimulation is demanded, until the very cravings and appetites of the system are enlisted in favor of excess. To avoid drunkenness, therefore, the only certain means is to abstain entirely from drinks of an intoxicating quality." "Why, Bob, you must have made a thorough study of the whole theory, to be able to advance so strong arguments against the use of spirits. However, I am not able to contradict anything you have said, having never studied chemistry. No doubt that scientific men are able to find out many things that others are ignorant of; but, after all, I think they of teu go too far with their investigations. The}^ say PRO AND CON. 139 Huxley, Darwin, Tyndall, and other sceptical scien- tists, are about crazy investigating things they have no business with. And I often think it just as well that a man should attend to his own affairs than woriy himself about other people's concerns, and matters for which he gets little or no thanks. As for the poor drunkard, I pity him much, and would almost do anything for his reformation; but I can- not for the world see that it is my duty to give up my comforts because other people abuse their s. A man is very bad in this world if he doesn't pass in the crowd; and it is a question whether the drunk- ard shall not have as good a chance at the 'grand assize,' as those who have been tippling *on the sly,' and are 'like unto whited sepulchres,' or, in plain words, hypocrites." "HaiTy, 'ill deemers are generally ill doers,' and it is not manly trying to cover up our own infirmi- ties by attempting to expose others' shortcomings. I am glad, however, that you have pity for the poor drunkard, for he is certainly an object of pity in- stead of derision; and I often think, was he only taken by the hand and spoken a kindly word to, it would do much good. The great secret of Murphy's success in the States at present is, the adoption of this principle. But we are losing valuable time, and must proceed with our subject in order. We were tracing the outlines of the Temperance Reformation and have now arrived at the present day. '' 140 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: CHAPTER VII. NEW MOVEMENT. "In order that wc may be able, in some measure at least, to understand the present reform, I will read you a few extracts that were taken lately from popular Journals of the day. The first is from the Christian at Work, and will give us a grand idea of how matters now stand on this continent. It is en- titled, 'The Red, White and Blue/ compiled by the Rev. Richard Coreley, a gentleman of high reputa- tion : — * Your readers are all familiar with the great temperance mov^e- ment that has l^een passing across the Continent for a year or more, but perhaps they have not all been familiar with its varying characteristics in different sections. One of the features of the movement is, the many forms it assumes in different localities, suiting itself to local sentiments and conditions. The Howard Crosby Legion in New York is very evidently a part of the great army, and a result of the same great impulse. Another characteristic is the steady movement westward. You could trace it almost as unerringly as the department at Wash- ington traces the storms across the Continent, giving warning in advance of the probability of their coming. Any one familiar with the isothermal lines of public sentiment would have gone ahead of this movement and predicted its coming with at least as good a degree of probability as that which attaches to the storm signals from Washington. There was no concert of action between the different men who led in the work. They seem to have come up each by himself, and by a sort of common impulse each took his own line of progress, without consulting together, and almost without knowing of each other's existence. While Murphy was PRO AND CON. • 141 stirring Western Pennsylvania, and then Ohio, Dr. Reynolds, from another standpoint, and partly on a different basis, was stirring Michigan on about the same parallel. This was nearly a year ago. Both men have since been working east of the Missis- sippi ; but the movement did not stop at that line, but crossed over into Missouri and Iowa last summer, into Kansas and Ne- brask in the autumn, and now is touching Colorado. By spring it will be in full force on the Pacific Coast. Murphy has just gone West, but the movement that bears his name is five hundred miles ahead of where he has heretofore been. Another feature of the movement is that it is largely from the ranks of drinking men themselves. Most of the temperance efforts before this have been the attempts of the friends of tem- perance to reach the drinking classes, or, more commonly, to reach the traffic in liquors and restrict the sale. They have been looked upon, therefore, by both drinkers and sellers as attacks on them, and have been resisted accordingly. This has been one great dis- advantage the reform has labored against ; that it appealed so largely to those already convinced, while the great mass who needed reforming were out of range and mostly hostile. But this new movement is like an insurrection in the enemy's ranks. It is from within the lines of inebriation themselves. A physician in Maine had drank away his fortune, drank away his practice, and drank away his health. Again and again he had resolved to re- form, and again and again he had fallen. He felt that he was a hopeless drunkard, forsaken, almost, of God and of man. In this condition he heard of th^ praying of the women in the crusades. He reasoned if God hears them, perhaps he will hear me. He knelt and prayed for strength to overcome. When he arose it seemed as if a new life and a new purpose had come to him which gave him the victory. Without any thought of a wider work he went to his old associates with his story and with his remedy, and thus commenced the Red Ribbon Movement of Dr. Reynolds. He appeals at once to drinking men as one from their own ranks. The fact that he can say, I know how it is myself boys, is largely the source of his power. 142 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: '.; ... . . Again, a saloon-keeper 18 put in jail for being concerned in a drunken brawl. In jail he forms the resolve to reform, by the help of Almighty God. He begins to work at once among his fellow-prisoners, and persuades them to a like resolve. As soou as he is at liberty he proceeds to a wider work, and the Blue Kibbon Movement of Murphy is the result. A very singular coin- cidence is, that scores of true men who have joined them came to a similar resolve to that of these leaders, before they ever heard of Reynolds or Murphy. This suggests another feature, that this movement is greater and mightier than the instrumentalities on which it seems to de- pend. PJverywhere they find prepared ground. Everywhere there are men waiting for them. Everywhere they find men who have either taken the vows of temperance upon them or else are waiting for their coming in order to do so. Everywhere men come out from the ranks of intemperance at their word as though it were a conspiracy, and their coming was the signal for its develop- ment. None have been more astonished than the old temperance workers themselves. They never saw it after this manner before. Most of them are constrained to cry out, it is the ^x)rd'8 doings, and all of them join the chorus, it is marvellous, in our eyes. Something has been on before preparing the way. The men and the means are not remarkable, but the results are. There have been unseen forces at work preparing the minds of the people. Another very marked feature is the religious element that every- where manifests itself. None of these leaders were praying men before, but they all attribute their victory to the help of God, and insist that nothing less can save a drunkard. While, therefore, this movement emphasizes the declaration that it is unsectarian, unpolitical, and non-legal, it also emphasizes the necessity of de- pendence on God as no other temperance reform has ever done before. Most of the clubs, therefore, though often conducted by men who have not been religious, are opened with religious exer- cises, and seek the counsel and help of religious men. The extent of the work may be dimly hinted at by the state- ment that the Red Ribbon Clubs of Michigan alone number nearly a hundred thousand members, some two-thirds of whom were PRO AND CON. 143 formerly drinking men. The Women's Christian Temperance Unions comprise almost an etjual number of ladies, who co-operate with the Red Ribbon Clubs in all their work. These clubs and unions are maintained in almost every town and village in the State. They maintain reading rooms, courses of lectures, and often libniries, and meetings for prayer, and (iospel Temperance Meetings, are carried on in their name. They have thus far kept clear of all political complications, and every attempt to draw them into any })olitical alliance has failed. What is true of Michigan is true, or is becoming true, of other Western Stat»js. Dr. Reynolds is now passing over Illinois, and Muqihy, I believe, has gone to the Pacific coast, and others in similar ways are working in the States lying between the Missis- sippi and the Rocky Mountains. In extent it fully erpials the most powerful movement of the past, while in the inroads it has made on the ranks of intemperance no movement since the Wash- ingtoniiia reform can compare Mriih it. The red ribbon of Dr. Reynolds, the blue ribbon of Murphy, and the white ribbon which the ladies everywhe choose as their badge, form a combi- nation of strength never before realized. The Red, White and Blue is the symbol of victory. " Harry, in addition, I might just say that, Dutcher, McKenzie, Welch, Rine, and others of the Murphy -Reynold stamp, you are aware, have been following up the cause in the provinces and other parts of Canada with cheering results. And similar echoes are heard daily booming across the Atlantic; and you must also know that Gough, Moody, and other celebrities have been doing a glorious work, on both sides the Atlantic, among their fellow-men for years. When we look at these things, have we not reason to hope that 'the day of small things' is past, and that the little cloud which appeared in 144 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION; the eastern horizon, long, long ago, will yet cover the whole heavens with its shade; and that the latter rain, of which we have only yet had a few drops, will copiously fall upon our parched world." **0h, I suppose we ought to be thankful that things are no worse. Had we got our deserving, we must have been silent long since under a heavy load of guilt. However, things will stiil be some way; and I shouldn't wonder if people get so infatuated as to be led away from the right path by these latter day doctrines. In fact, many serious and far-seeing christians will tell you that the world is getting worse instead of better; and you know — if you're posted in Scripture — that one of the Evangelists pre- dicts, that the time should come when sound doctrine would not be tolerated. I tell you, Bob, ray candid opinion — notwithstanding your modern reformers — is, that many are drifting rapidly into idolatry, in- fidelity, or something worse, through the effects of some of these modernized babblers, rushing around preaching what they call temperance, because it's popular; and instead of showing 'Israel their sins, and Judah her transgressions,' they induce people to join their 'clubs' and afterwards teach them that they have merited heaven. You wonder why I don't come up to 'the hjlp of the Lord against the mighty;' but I tell you as a friend, that I feel miserable enough as it is, without adding hypocrisy to sin. If the ministers of religion would all take hold, l§ave •v. PRO AND CON. .145 off wine-drinking, and act as Father Mathew did in his day, we would soon have a reformation worthy of the name. I never had strong confidence that the majority of lay agencies were ever intended to do much good. In fact, they often degrade the ministry and bring dishonor upon pure and unde- filed religion. The Gospel is to be the great evan- gelizer of the world. Of course, they are only called asistants, or, what some term. Curates; and may do something in the way of breaking up the fallow ground as a preparation to the gospel. If this theory is correct, some of the clergy won't object to their labours; for it is my observation that many of thein prefer having proselytes made to their hands, instead of carving them out of the rough granite themselves. What PuMch said during the Crimean War, after the Russians had been routed at Inkerman: — that 'England would not make can- non, but take them ready-made' — might justly ap- ply to other nations, if not individuals." ''Harry, I'm glad you have unbosomed your con- victions regarding the present reformation; I have been looking into the matter a little myself, and feel confident that the present movement is entirely in keeping with the spirit of the Gospel. Instead of giving my owft comments I will set your mind at rest on that score by giving a few extracts from some of the greatest living evangelists. The first is from Rev. Joseph Cook's Lecture — Wages and 146 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Children's rights — delivered in Tremon': Temple, Boston, on the 16th of December last, and published in The Christian at Work three weeks ago. Hear what he says: — * It is a cheerful sign of the times that nearly all large temper- ance efforts in America have of lato voluntarily put themselves into full sympathy with aggressive Christianity. Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Murphy, and especially the woman's movement, are in sub- stantial accord with the heart of the churches. 1. So far as drunkenness is a vice it is to be reformed, and the treatment of it belongs to the Church. 2. So far as drunkenness is a disease it is to be cured, and the treatment of it belongs to physicians. The same paper, in reporting the Murphy move- ment in New York, gives as the governing principle of the late reformers, the following motto, which ought to silence the flippant cavillings of the sceptics that this work is only of man: — 'Great God of earth and heaven, To us may strength be given The tide to stay ; By Calvary's crimson tide, By him who bled and died, To work and pray.' All o'er our native land, Widows and orphans stand, Disgraced by Rum ; • O man, with tender heart, And maid v. ith winning art, Arise and act your part ; The hour has come. ' And Mr. Murphy himself, in the course of his lecture, statec in a scathing rebuke of those who refase to help men who are honestly trying to re- form : — PRO Aini' 6h's[ 147 *It is kindness and charity only that will win men over from destruction. Nearly all men who live a new life attribute the change to some kind word spoken or deed done at the right time. It is no use to preach hell or the judgments of God, for we experi- ence enough of that here without casting forward to the hereafter for it. When a man is in distress he does not want cast-iron ser- mons which scatter hell-fire around. Not any of that for me! The Gospel is what is needed, and the Gospel means taking men out of the hell in this life and giving them not only comforting words but substantial aid when it is needed. Those men who thank God for the comforts of fine houses, good bank accounts, and who attend fine churches and contribute to the heathen, without trying to help the struggling men at their own doors, will find in the great hereafter that they fall far short of the Gospel.' ... . ' • "Harry, what do you think of this doctrine? Has it not the true ring of Christianity about it?" "Bob, of course it's very good; but I should like more solid proof than the bare statements of either Cook or Murphy. They are both 'new start-ups,' and like other modern preachers, doubtless, say many things to startle the ear. Let us have some of our old substantial home divines, who are known to be reliable." "Harry, this I shall do with pleasure; and if you only listen I will read you an extract from the report of a meeting held in Liverpool three yef^rs ago, as published in the Telegraph, February 4th, 187G. Although only an extract it is as long as the 'Moral Law,' but spicy, and gives a grand idea of the movement in England. It is a*s follows: — ■i 148 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: 'The Temperance Movement in the Church of England. — The people of England are becoming alive to the gigantic evils imposed upon them by intemperance, which, instead of being on the decrease in that country, seems to be more wide-spread in its effects year by year. Great and prosperous as Eng- land is, it is felt that there is a canker at her heart, which saps her of much strength, and, in some re- spects paralyzes her energies. This consideration has been long in forcing its way to the attention of the best minds in that country, but its progress, al- though slow, has been sure, and statesmen are begin- ning to see that much of the pauperism and poverty, which have been a standing reproach against the Mother Countiy for many generations, is in reality caused hy drink alone, and can be removed if proper remedies are applied. A great temperance reform is, therefore, now on foot in England from which the best results may be anticipated. In this new move- ment the Church of England is taking a leading ahd active part. Why the clergy of that Church should ever have held aloof from former temperance movements is not easy to understand, for there seems to be no natural connexion between a Nation- al Church and drunkenness ; but, whatever luke- warmness there has been in the past, there is likely to be none in the future, and the friends of temper- ance may now rejoice to find the clergy of the Church of England with them in the great work of PRO AND CON. , . 149 temperance reform. One of the most active friends of the new movement is the Archbishop of York. On the 13th January, this prelate addressed a largely attended public meeting, which was held in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, under the auspices of the Church of England Temperance Society. On the platform were several hundred clergj^men and laity, including many eminent men, and the chair was occupied by the Bishop of Ches'jer. The meeting was addressed by several clergymen and laymen, in- cluding Sir Harcourt Johnstone, M. P., and Arch- deacon Prest. The Archbishop was, however, the principal speaker, and his remarks were both prac- tical and forcible. We make an extract from his speech, as reported in the Liverpool Journcd, which will show its tone : — He remarked that whem it was said of a man that he drank, they knew well what that meant. It meant that he could not be trusted in his trade or business; it meant that his wife and children had very hard times of it ; that the self-indulgence of the lord and master meant anything but self-indulgence for the better half and the children. It meant that he was never safe from getting into great harm and loss ; it meant that though one day they might have him in his shop or place of business, the next day they might find him in the hands ol the police. (Loud applause). When they could say of a nation that it drank, he did not know that the calamity should be regarded as less, or that they should shut their eyes to the fact that the same kind of consequence ensued. (Hear, hear). However they put it, it meant misery, crime, and wrong to those amongst them, for drink meant ruin. (Applause) He would say to the great people of England that drinking was on the increase. It was a very humiliating confession, but one that 160 •^ THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: they should be prepared to make, that during the time that the temperance organizations had been going on amongst them, during the last six or seven years, the drinking propensities of the nation had been developed in a great degree. They might if they liked taunt them with that, and say what was the good of trying to make the nation sober by fresh Acts of Parliament, and what was the good of Temperance Societies, Bands of Hope, Templars, and the like, seeing the nation only drank all the more, the more it was asked not to drink. He did not think that was a good argii- ment, because he knew that a great many people — young and old, rich and poor — were begimiing to awake to a sense of their duty in that respect. (Applause). So long as they were aware of the fact, they were justified in regarding those organizations with interest; but still there remained the great fact that the nation was very self-indulgent in the matter of strong drink. (Applause). About six years ago a calculation was made, which he had every reason to believe was quite correct, that the nation spent in the article of strong drink somewhere about £108,000,000 or £110,000,000 per annum. In 1869 the Excise and Customs upon articles used for drink amounted to 23^ millions, but in the last financial year, ending the beginning of 1875, they had grown from 23^ millions to 31 millions and upwards. If they made a proportionate sum they would find that the nation was spending at the present time from £140,000,00 to £150,000,000 upon strong drink alone. Now, the nation which spent that large amount in drink spent upon the whole cost of the public government of the country, including the Law Establishment, the Army, the Navy, the Civil Service, and all the rest of it, about half that sum and not more. (Applause). When they grumbled about the taxes, which were no doubt very heavy, they had only to say that they would drink only half of what they drank in the past, and with that half they would be able to pay the whole public expenditure of the country, and leave themselves rather too much to drink after all. (Applause). He thought that it would be agreed that the existing state of things was one that ought to be either justified by some very strong reasons, or be disposed to make some alteration in it. (Hear, PBO AND CON. •» 151 hear). People say that they could not dragoon the British public into their way of thinking in the matter of temperance. They had no idea in their mind of dragooning the public. (Applause). They came there to put themselves on a perfect level with the people, and had to take counsel with them about this thing, and if they could convince them, that would be their gain. (Applause). If they failed, all they could say was that they had made a good attempt and failed therein. (Loud applause). The Pall Mall Gazette said they could not make people sober by legislation. They did not attempt to do so in any coercive sense, but they said that if they could only awaken a soimd and true opinion in the minds of the people of the country, legislation would follow, and they thought that a great deal might be done through legislation ; but then it must be legislation springing from the minds and convic- tions of the people. It was through se minds and convictions they proposed to work. (Loud applause). His Grace then went on to remark on the fact that ah'eady a good deal of futile legislation with respect to drinking was on the statute books; but the fact of the Legislature having before made mis- takes was no argument against an attempt to im- prove mattei's. He commented on the case of Liverpool which was a fearful example of the evil effects of drink. He was informed that 24,000 people had been arrested in Liverpool for drunken- ness during the year, and probably for every arrest made there were five or six cases of drunkenness. He asked his hearers to multiply the horror of one man going home drunk to his wife and family, by these vast numbers, and then to say whether that was a spectacle they liked to have in their midst. ^ reworked pn the f a(?t that in the police retwnis 152 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: of Manchester it appeared that C3 per cent, of the criminals arrested were drunk at the time of their awest. We make another quotation from this part of his speech: — What did that point to? It pointed to this, that crime and drink went hand in hand, and that if they could stop the tap out of which the drink flowed they would at the same time atop the criminal supply. (Applause.) More than that, the human frame broke down in various ways, physically and mentally, and there was a most remarkable unanimity of opinion that a very large proportion of the cases of mental derangement followed directly from the use of drink, so that we had amongst us a plague of the most enormous description. The truth was, that the man who drank was ruining himself — not to speak of the ruin he wos bring- ing on others — was on his way to become a criminal, and perhaps to the madhouse. Were they to go on with these facts before them ? were they to sit down with the nation a roaring spectacle in drink, without endeavoring in some way to stem the tide of drunkenness ? If they were told that their success would be very little ; that they would be opposed at every turn — which they had not been ; and that a deaf ear would be turned to them, he woidd still say that the necessity was laid upon them, and that they must preach the truth against this great vice — if not to make converts to their own way of thinking, at least to discharge their own conscience in the face of the terrible evil afflicting this great country. (Loud applause). The little time that he had observed this movement it had made great strides. He had met on platforms not alone laymen and clergymen like those sitting around him, but workmen who, from their point of view, had, with the ardour of a new-bom conviction, felt that drink kept the laborer down, made him a slave, prevented his doing justice to himself and society, and day by day this conviction was grow- ing and spreading. It was in the growth of that conviction that they placed the foundation of the society amongst them to-night. One word about the nature of the society. It included two very PRO AND CON. „ . 153 f different elements. It included those that were willing to say that they were convinced that temperance was a great duty for themselves and others, and who were determined that they would sa^f ar as in them lay botli by example and influence dispose others to the temperate use of intoxicating drink. It also comprehended those that in the face of the evil and distress of drink had resolved that for their parts they would not even touch intoxicating liquor, and enjoined that on others. The problem was to make those two lines of thought work together, and he did not disguise that there was a difficulty in it. People that came into a society like it were likely to be in earnest about the work they were engaged in. One would say that total abstinence was not by any means necessary, and the other would say regarding the man that was not a total abstainer he wanted to be pulled up by degrees. (Applause and laughter). He did not despair, but was, in fact, full of hope that the practice and theory of the two would gradu- ally draw closer together ; for there were few persons, when they once began to try this way of temperance, that would be disposed to stop short of the narrow limits that they could draw. So it had happened again and again, when a clergyman had begun to practice total abstinence, because he had found it more convenient and intelligible to those about him. On the other hand, he thought that by-and-by their total abstinence friends would say that their neighbors had the cause very much at heart ; that it was not because they wanted their little half glass of sherry, or whatever it was, that they clung to their own principle, but be- cause they thought that a principle like total abstinence was not the proper principle except as a remedy for a disease. Now, with regard to that, he must admit that he was fully couNonced by every mode ot information that when a man had given way to drink he must become a total abstainer as the only chance for his cure. (Applause. ) The demon of drink was a most terrible power, for by-and-by there waked up in the man that gave way to it something not far short of insanity. He could not live without that which he knew was death and a curse to him. He abstained for a little time — even accomplished and cultivated men — and then there came some terrible impulse over him, and he flew^ 10 154 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: back to the thing that he knew was destroying hiin. And so his life was passed in oscillation between abstinence and indulgence — a raore miserable state could not be. The latter part of the Archbishop's appeal 'vw very impressive and was greatly applauded. As large numbers of people were imable to obtain admission at the regular meeting an overflow meet- ing w^as held at Hope Hall where the Archbishop also delivered an address. The same afternoon a a conference of clergy on the subject of temperance was held in the Bold street Savings Bank, at which about three hundred clergymen were present. This meeting was also addressed by the Archbishop of York, in an eloquent and forcible speech. We have only space for the concluding portion of his remarks on that occasion: — He had heard it said, and he had said himself, that the Church of England was a temperance society in itself — that she preached temperance from every page of the Bible. That was not enough, however. She was also a missionary society, but in the Church they had subordinate missionary societies, because they wanted organizations specially devoted to missions. The same remark applied to temperance, and a society was required devoted to the doing of that special work. (Hear, hear). He stood in the midst of one of the most important towns in the empire ; lie stood in the midst of one of the most unfortunate towns in the empire, foi* he believed that this curse of drink did press upon this place with terrible potency and with dire effect. (Hear). He believed that the Legislature was much to blame in this matter. People said they €Ould not make men sober by Act of Parliament. He knew that, but they had been making them dnmk by Act of Parliament. It was not as if they were going to begin now to regulate the liquor traffic for the first time. It was not a question whether tiliey PRO AND CON. 155 were to legislate, but whether, having granted a monopoly, they were to allow that monopoly to be used in the way of a tempta* tion or not. (Hear). And in every great town — and certainly not least in Jjiverpool — there stood rows upon rows of public houses offering not only liquors, but other vile attractions, if haply they got into their claws the sea-faring men, to whom they offered the most varied temptations. (Applause). They should have in view a better legislation ; but before they got a better legislation, they had much more in their power — they could summon the young, who at least had no need to begin the vace of tippling. (Applause). . They were all aware that drinking began now-a-days at a very early age. In that noble work, the Report cf the Committee of the Northern Convocation, more than one witness testified to having seen bands of boys under sixteen drinking and smoking in public houses on the Sunday. They could attack the young, and in every parish there might be a centre of good feeling on the siibject. There was not a thing they could do that ought not to be done to undo the most direful curae of drink. (Applause). If there were any disease with the known name of disease that was destroying as drink was destroying in the country, they should be up in arms and suggesting remedies. The evil destroyed old and young — it obscured their spirits and deprived them of the power of healthy and innocent enjoyment, and entailed upon the wives and children of the poor a state of misery to which the condition of the beast might be favorably compared. (Applause). In every part of the New Testament drunkenness was denounced — it was classed with the foul and evil things that carried men down to hell. It destroyed souls by thousands, and it had increased so very much amongst them that they could no longer sit still, but, as ministers of Christ, must do something to repress it. (Applause). He did not say that they could approve of everjrthiug which the ■ociety might do, but he wanted to see the experiment fairly tried, and he hoped that God in his mercy would bless their effort. (Loud applause). It is evident that some of the best minds in the Church of England are thoroughly aroused as to 156 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: the necessity for temperance reform, and that the new movement will not be allowed to die out for the want of zealous workers in the field.' What do you think of this item, Harry ? " "It is certainly alarming to say the least of it, if true. I had no idea that there were so many fools on the 'Old Sod.' What a time they do make over one of these 'big fellows' when he appears in public. However, there is no doubt that the excitement will soon blow over, and the people settle down upon their 'lees' as formerly. It was only in Liverpool, the Sailors' Mart, and the old 'sea birds' who visit that Babel, are not to be cheated so easily out of their 'grub.'" "Only in Liverpool! Harry. It has been spread- ing like wild-lire over the British Isles, during the last few years; and the masses are all but up in arms over it; and a general uprising is expected immediately that will even surpass the year ' 98.' " "My oh! how could it surpass the year ninety- eight ? Keep within bounds and not speak so iinadvisedly. You know, Bob, nothing that ever hap- pened, in the memory of man, could surpass the year ninety-eight ! No, sir ! sensible people will never tolerate such wild enthusiasm again. Ninety- eight! Ninety-eight! If you only heard Grandfa- ther talk about ninety-eight, you would not believe such nonsensical reports as you have referred to." PRO AND CON. 157 "Harry, I know that 'trouble was great* at that time ; but it is a different cause for which the people are now fighting, from the object they then strug- gled to obtain; they were not then 'united,* as they thought they were. You have surely lived long enough in the 'Green Isle* to learn that Irishmen could not possibly be united while whiskey is sold. I am sorry indeed that I'm compelled to make this statement. Were the Irish only united, and no liquor to be had, they could conquer the world. My dear Harry, you must have heard that in the year you speak of, many were compelled to fight through fear of the dread proclamation that all who refused to take up arms should be 'hanged, headed, and quartered, before their own door, inside of three days.' And you know that when the 'rebels' met in Antrim the morning of the 'turn-out,' in waiting for the enemy, the first thing they did was to make a raid on the taverns and fill themselves with rum! And when the cavalry appeared in the distance with their armour glittering in the sun, their hearts faltered, and many shook more through intemper- ance than fear, and became an easy prey to the 'conquering foe.' You are also aware that 'Joe Fer- guson,' who had command of the two 'guns' the 'united' men possessed, fired one of them and it burst, and he and his men ran like fury to Donegore Hill, four miles distant, before they halted. Ard, at the same time, you have heard it asserted, that 168 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: 'Big Jack Orr' was marching on horseback with the 'hordes of the north' behind; and when he arrived at Bow Lane, and heard the noise up town, put spurs to his steed, after inviting the 'boys' to 'go ahead,' and put for Camamey like a wild deer, leav- ing his men to perish. Hany, if these generals were not then under the influence of liquor, many lies have been told about the 'pike men' of *98.' In Liverpool! Harry. Only allow me to read you another extract that appeared in the Christian Messenger, Halifax, and which was copied into that paper from the Alliance News, December 6th, 1871: ' The Temperance men of Great 'ritain are actively engaged in their work. They believe in a strong financial base for their op- erations. An effort has been made to raise ten thousand pounds sterling. Three persons liave contributed one thousand pounds each, and fifteen persons have given five hundred pounds each. This is to spread over five years if necessary, with the hope that by th^t time a Prohibitory Law will be passed. Public meetings are being held in the principal town^^ and Lecturers are engaged to agitate the public on the matter, and it is expected that public sentiment will be created such as will operate on Parliament, and compel attention to the petitions so often presented.' The same paper also stated that, 'at the late social service congress, the liquor traftic occupied an im- portant position and was discussed in all its most important bearings.'" " Of course there are a few in Parliament of the Jenkin's stamp — the fellow that wrote 'The Devil's Chain' — who may talk over such matters, but you will find none of the 'backbone' of the realm, who v .. PRO AND CON. -.. 159 are willing to stoop so low as to notice such absur- dities. Did you not see the piece in the Pall Mall Gazette some time ago, about Archbishop Manning stating in a public address that no minister dare cope with it ?" "Yes, Harry, I have the paragraph on my file, here it is: 'Archbishop Manning called attention a few days ago, in a speech delivered in London, to the enormous influence which the liquor trade wields over Parliament, actually menacing its sove- reignty, He pointed out that the trade in intoxicating drinks represents six hunui^.^. millions of dollars, and that the inilusnce of distillers, brewers- and publicans was growing more and more dominant over public opinion, over the electors and the elected, and over Parliament itself. His Lordship fears that the time will come when Parliament will be unable to cope with or control this power ; that there was no minister now who would cope with it, and that any government who would venture to touch or try to settle it would be shattered. This is a startling statement coming from one so high in authority as the head of the Catholic hier- archy m England, and all the more startling because it is un- doubtedly true. Beer seems bound to rule in Britain, until the people rise in their might and banish the monster from their midst.' Ha^-ry , what is your opinion of the last sentence ? " "I think it's pretty strong language, still it's the opinion of the editor no doubt who composed it. I am willing to let it go for what it is worth." "My dear sir, it's live years since these words wer^ spoken, and the millions whose ears were then startled by the utterance have not yet forgotten it. You know, HaiTy, when any of these *big fellows* 160 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: come out in public they demand an audience. Per- haps another item from a similar source, only in our own Dominion, might be interesting. It first ap- peared in the Quebec Chronicle, and afterwards was copied by all the leading journals in the world. Just glance at it: — ■ 'E. C. Bishop on Temperance. — In the pastoral of the Archbishop and Bishops of the R. C. Church of Ontario, as adopted by the Provincial Council, and read in all the churches throughout the Prov- ince, at ma^ last Sunday, the following appeared in regard to the temperance reform, which demon- strates a thorough awakening on the part of that sect to the evils of the nefarious trade, and we may expect great good to result from their efforts in behalf of this reform: — 'As the vice of intemperance is the source of incentive of nearly all the evilf; that deluge modern society, in destroying the peace of families, >-roducing the ruin of children, and the eternal death of innumerable souls, we exhort you, dearly beloved pastors, to raise all your best efforts to stop the evil. We strongly encourage the establishment of temperance societies, the giving of lectures, sermons, and, above all, frequent repetition of the sacrament, as remedies against this vice. Great evils are not cured but by great exertions. If the good pastor gives his life for the flock he will not hesitate to sacrifice comfort and ease to save the people con- fided to his care, and for whom he must give account to God.' Harry, I will make free to recite another para- graph I have on file that was published in the Tele- graph not long since. It gives some startling statistics, and is headed The Temperance Question in Britain. PRO AND CON. 161 At what is denominated the Register Soiree, held in Edinburgh on the 12th November, addresses of more than ordinary merit were delivered on temper- ance subjects. Among them was one by Mr. David Lewis, J. P., which presented a number of facts bear- ing on the drinking customs, that cannot fail at least to arrest the attention of the reader. Referring to the condition of Edinburgh itself, and to the religi- ous revival movement which recently attracted so much attention in that city, Mr. Lewis says that notwithstanding that movement, while there has not been one additional church erected this year, there have been twenty additional grog shops opened in a city where there were already eight hundred and seventy-four licensed tap-rooms. Mr. Lewis states that in spite of the efforts of temperance reformers, intemperance is on the increase in the cities of Great Britain. He says : — i Lave been struck with the increasing tide of drunkenness in our cities. Watch the streets, and you observe it ; go into rail- way carriages, and you discover it ; go even into the prayer meet- ings, where you will find assembled hundreds and thousands, and in that long list of petitions from broken-hearted, grief-stricken wives and families asking the people to pray for the restoration of the family happiness, and for the exercising of the drink demon — you have even there evidence of the most conclusive character that drunkenness is on the increase, and that it is the great vice of our day and generation. He describes a scene which he had just witnessed in Edinburgh. We have reason to believe that simi lar scenes might be uncovered in American cities. 162 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: We have had an Act passed for the better education of the people. Is it not a fact that certain of its provisions have been rendered obsolete and nugatory by the drink traffic ? Our School Board have authorized officers to go into the slums, and compel the people to send their children to the school. What is the result? It is simply this, that in many households the officer feels himself helpless as a child, and is compelled to retract before the drink power. It was only this very week that, in company with a Roman Catholic clergyman, I visited a few houses in one of the most destitute parts of the city; and what did we find? We found there dwellings that had been visited by the officers of the School Board — children who ought to have been at school ; but there they were. One of them was a boy who had only a rag upon his shoulders, and was all but literally naked. Another was a victim of the most loathsome disease, and could be sent to no school. We found in one or two hovels — it would be to pros- titute langiiage to call them homes — children huddled together in rags in places where no workman in Edinburgh would allow his dog to remain for one single hour. That is the condition of mat- ters, not only laughing to scorn the revival movement, but making the Education Act an expensive mockery. Why? Because the parents were drunkards, and spent their means on the gratifica- tion of their demoralizing appetite. Mr. Lewis presented some statistics of the vast extent of the liquor traffic, which demonstrated the shocking waste of money that is constantly going on in the Mother Country. His figures are certainly startling enough: — Is drunkenness on the increase? What does the Government say in answer to this question? It says that, in 1871, the British public spent one hundred and twenty millions of money on strong drink, although there are three millions of abstainers in the king- dom. In 1872 there were one hundred and thirty millions spent in strong drink by the British public ; and in 1873 they spent no leas than one hundred and forty millions — double the amount of PRO AND CON. ' • 163 money that goes to maintain and govern the country, support your fleets and armies and keep up the whole of your expensive machinery. Now this brings out that every man, woman and child in this country have spent between four or five pounds a year upon intoxicating liquor, and if you take off all the children, and three millions of abstainers, you see what a terrible bill remains against the drinkers. It is a terrible bill, and that states- man or politician must be blind who does not see what will be the end of all this. Mr. Lewis had something to say in regard to the revenue received by the Imperial Government from the traffic: — The Government are occupying one of the most discreditable of positions in regard to this great evil. They are not only winking at, but they are protecting this traffic. Twenty-six millions they fix as the price for allowing the beggary, criminality, and the irreligion, which are the direct results of the traffic. The trans- action is a most disgraceful one for any civilized community, and I agree with Councillor Durham, that were it not for the pecuniary interest the Government have in this business — were it not for this twenty-six millions of money which is got out of the blood, bones, and sinews of the nation — they would not tolerate the drink curse for one twelvemonth in view of these terrible results. (Applause). Mr. Lewis referred to the fact that, within a few months past, drinking had led to four persons being condemned to death; that, according to police au- thorities, punishment for crime is losing its ieterrent influence among the masses, even in Edinburgh; while the liquor interest throughout Britain has be- come a great political influence, claiming the power to overthrow one Government and set up another. Although he did not quite agree with the Solicitor 164 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: General who asserted that this interest employs 900,000 persons in England, and has capital invested in the business to the extent of $585,000,000, yet as an evidence of the extent of the traffic he stated that the rents from grog shops in Glasgow alone amounted to S645,000. Mr. Lewis wished the po- litical question of the dis-establishment of the Church to stand back until the country had dis-established the grog shop; and he gave some interesting facts to prove that liquor drinking was not necessar}^ in any respect to perfect manhood, comfort or worldly prosperity : — Sir George Campbell in the Literary Institute last week said : *I am satisfied by my Indian experiences that there are races of men — and the finest races of men for strength, agility, and other qualities — who have never tasted intoxicating liquor of one de- scription or another;' and he said it was worthy of the consider- ation of the nation to inquire whether or not it was possible that we could even in this country live without the liquor traffic ; and he recommended that the matter should be probed to the bottom. Let him take up the literature of the movement, and he will find evidence of the most comprehensive and convincing character, proving that men can do without intoxicating liquor in this coun- try. (Applause). That there are three millions of people in all pro- fessions, and in all classes of society, who from year to year never taste intoxicating liquor, and yet they enjoy life as well, and are more comfortable and happy, and are able to do more work, than those who are daily or occasionally indulging in these alcoholic beverages. (Applause.) As to the compatibility of total absti- nence from liquors with perfect health, Mr. Johnson, the secre- tary of the League, last year laid down a fact that settles the question. He pointed out that in London there is an Assurance Society of thirty years' experience which keeps the abstaining PRO AND CON. 165 members in one section, and the non- abstaining members in another section, and after thirty years' experience it is proved that the abstainers on an average live to the age of sixty, while the non-abstainers, on an average, die at the age of fifty. That settles the question — (Applause) — and if you will take the five years' bonuses, you will find that the abstainers receive between twenty and thirty per cent, every five years more as a bonus than is given to the drinking section. If that does not settle the ques- tion I do not know what does. I have here one fact more of vast importance in this agitation. I have a return from the Vicar of Elmmanuel Church, Streatham, that is just as conclusive as the fact I have already given. The Vicar says: 'We have here a Foresters' Lodge. That Lodge in 1869 had one hundred and twenty members ; nmety-eight of these were moderate drinkers and twenty-two were abstainers; and at the end of the year* when we came to balance, we found that ninety-eiglit non-ab- stainers had drawn £95 15/ for sick and funeral money, while the twenty-two abstainers had only drawn 25/. ' (Applause. ) Some may say, Oh, that was just one year, and the result was acci- dental; give us two years, and it will be different. Well, we have two years. In 1870 the Lodge was flourishing, and the members had increased from one hundred and twenty to one hun- dred and thirty-six, of whom one hundred and eleven were non* abstainers, and twenty-five were abstainers: and the one hun- dred and eleven non-abstainers drew £90 6/ for sick and funeral money, and the twenty-five total abstainers drew 14/. (Applause.) What do you say to that? Do you still say. That is an accident — we would require to see three years; there must have been something wrong, and the third year would show a different re - suit. Well, here is a third year. (Laughter.) In 1871 the lodge continued still to prosper. It increased from one hundred and thirty-six to one hundred and fifty members, and there were one hundred and five non-abstainers and forty-five abstainers ; and the one hundred and five non-abstainers drew £68 for sick and funeral money, and the forty-five abstainers did not draw one single copper either for aick or funeral money. (Applause. ) 166 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: I ask, can language add anything like strength to these facts? Can the tongue of man speak more plainly than these tangible results. (Applause.) Mr. Lewis' point in regard to governmental re- sponsibility for the traffic is well taken. There can be little doubt that the time is rapidly approaching when governments w^ill have to regard this traffic from a moral stand point. We notice, for instance, that a native of India, recently lecturing in London, while stating the high regard which the natives have for Englishmen, made it a matter of serious complaint against the Government of India, that it had spread drinking customs amongst the unedu- cated and ignorant classes of Hindoo society. Young magistrates, who succeeded in enhancing the rev- enue of their districts by developing the liquor traffic, obtained speedy promotion, and thus men were advanced, the revenues increased, and the na- tives ruined and demoralized by this liquor traffic. This is putting governmental responsibility in moral and social matters in a striking light, and should suggest to British statesmen the importance of giv- ing the liquor traffic thorough study in all its va- rious phases and with regard to all its far-reaching consequences. What do you say to these items, my dear Harry ? "Well! well! well! Bob. What's coming next? Did ever I hear such stuff! What a 'hirsel' of hearsay you 'hae clinked tae gither' to support your theory. ... ,' PRO AND CON. . 167 Why in the name of goodness don't they put a stop to it at once if liquor selling is such a crime." "That's just what they're trying to do, Harry, and I tell you these men's influence is of no little import and demands recognition. You talk about evidence in support of my argument. Of course I have evi- dence. You'll not catch your humble servant chang- ing his religion without substantial cause. Could you only command one good solid argument in sup- port of your heresy, I should be proud to talk with you till morning. It's always pleasant to meet *a foe worthy of the steel,' instead of havi^g one's 'es- cutcheon stained with the blood of small birds.' How infatuated you must be to hold out in the face of all these evidences that I have advanced." "Bob, I don't think you have SLny just cause to talk in such a manner. You need not cackle over your conflict until the victory is won. I shouldn't won- der to see you 'brought down a peg' before you die. I once heard a Minister say from the pulpit, that 'no man fell so deep into Hell as he who fell from the gates of Heaven.' Of course, it wasn't meant for you; and if a 'shoe doesn't fit, you needn't put it on.' What men of influence have you got? There is more influence in a cask of old brandy, rum or gin, than in the whole 'box and dice' of all the re- formers you have named. Didn't one of your mam- moth speakers say: that 'rum was bound to rule in Britain?" 168 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Influence! Harry. I am aware it has potent in- fluence for evil, and that's what I have been trying to convince you of, and you must be stupid if you can't see it. As for men of influence, I sliould like to know what you mean by influence ? Have you never read what the Book of Books says on this important subject? If not, turn to 1st Corinthians, 1st Chapter, beginning at the twenty-fifth verse: — 'Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, noi many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.' Ponder these truths, Hariy, and do for ever cease talking about your respectable gentlemen of influence. Had the stripling Shep- herd any influence the hour he encountered the great Goliath of Gath? I tell you, Harry, when he struck the 'nine footer' between the eyes with the pebble he had picked from the brook, his influence was not only recognized but /eZ^— and keenly felt. Had Samson any influence when, with his eyes dimmed and locks shorn, he caught the pillars of PRO AND CON. 169 the house, Lowed and cried: 'let mc die with the Philistines?' Had Gideon and his three hundred, with their trumpets, lanterns and empty pitchers any influence when they routed the host of Median? Had Elisha's bones any influence when the dead man was revived that had hurriedly been put in the tomb? Had the * despised Nazarene' any in- fluence when, between two thieves, he hung upon the tree? Had the Primitive Church any influ- ence the day its entire members assembled in a garret, at Jenisalem ? Had the Pilgrim Fathers any influence when they embr.rked in th*.- 'May-flower' for other climes? Had the 'Sons of the Heather' any influence when embracing the scaffold, the gib- bet, the rack and the stake? Had John Bunyan, the tinker, any influence when he penned the 'Pil- grim' in Bedford Jail? Had Billy Martin any in- fluence the day he prevailed upon Father Mathew to sign the pledge in the old School-room? Had your parents any influence when they trained their children to love the social cup? Have christian men and women any influence when, by precept and example, they support and encourage the drinking customs of the day? Harry, these questions are of paramount import and demand our most serious attention. If we examine the records of the past we will find that the race has not always been to the swift nor the battle to the strong. The 'immortal dreamer' has well said that 'many or few are noth- U 170 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: ing to him who has tlie truth on his side.' Although few of the 'Rulers* of the people have as yet be- lieved in our doctrine — and those who are not with us are against us — yet, if the Lord of hosts be upon our side, and the God of Jacob our refuge, we need not fear what flesh can do as an opposing power. In other words: „ i , . * In horses ami chariots in vain we confide, If the Ruler of Nations be not on our side. ' " "Bob, I don't think there is any necessity for so much sermonizing. T should prefer talking upon the chief subject under discussion." "Harry, perhaps X owe an apology for w^andering from the subject; but your influential men stuck in my bosom and turned my thoughts to the scenes of other days. And now let us briefly investigate w^hat side may justly claim the greatest influence in its favor. Have the Archbishops of Canterbury and York no influence in the Episcopal see? Has the Archbishop of Westminster no influence in his juris- diction ? Have Sir Harcourt Johnstone, Archdeacon Prest, Sir W. E. Gladstone, and even the 'Queen of England and Empress of India' — who is now Patron of a temperance association — no influence ? Has the Hon. S. L. Tilley, Sir A. T. Gait, Hon. R. W. Scott,, G. W. Ross, M. P., and other advocates of the cause in Canada, no influence ? Has the Press, which has lately been aroused to action in advocacy of ahsti- Tience principles, not a majestic influence in curbing PRO AND CON. 171 the vice of intemperance? Has the Church of the Living Goci, who is about taking the matter in hand, no influence for good?" "Of course, Bob, some of the champions you've refen-ed to have a pile of influence, and were they really in earnest could accomplish wonders; but I'm afraid when the 'tug' comes they may prove them- selves but human nature. However, if the Church takes hold and does her duty no use for further dis- cussion. I always believed that had wine-drinking been such a sin as you have represented it to be, the CI lurch wouldn't have tolerated — indeed I might say, practiced — it so long." r - ,-.. ''Harry, I must admit that christians comprising the Church of Christ, whom He hath purchased with His own blood, and who should be the 'salt of the earth,' have hitherto been backward in doing their duty in the world; and, on account of this, they have long been left to pine and weep over the desolation realized in our rum-cursed planet through their influence. But there is a time set to favor Zion, and although it has long seemed to tarry, it will come, and not tarry. In due time I hope to show you what the church is now doing to carry forward the cause that is God's own, notwithstand- ing her indifference in the past. Meantime let us gi'asp some of the leading events connected with our subject, within our own observation — around our own doors. . . 172 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION* CHAPTER VIII. THE LATE WAVE. "And first we have the report of a Temperance Meeting in Portland, January 25th, two years ago. I will just read it to you, Harry: 'The regular meeting of the St. Ldke's Church of England Temperance Society was held last evening in the vestry of the church. The room was crowded, over five hundred persons being present. The meeting was opened by Rev. F. H. Almon, the president, with the customary service of scripture reading, prayer and singing. Mr. Almon then made some remarks upon the difficulty of overcoming the indiflference which is so much mani- fested to the furtherance of the temperance cause, and the ne- cessity of great efifort to stay this terrible loss of 60,000 lives, which each year Great Britain is deprived of, as the result of this indulgence in strong drink. And the loss, he said, is not only of the physical man but the soul. He asked them to con- sider the waste of time and money to the country, and the crime and misery which follow. The question c )i.es up strongly, who ought to take up this work — who is to do it but the Church? And by the Church, he meant all Christians who are doing the Master's work in the world. We must influence men by their consciences. Once men of all creeds considered it right and proper to be slave-holders, but by having their consciences awakened, the custom was abolished, and is now looked upon with horror. Such will be the result when the same course is taken in regard to this evil. The speaker then advocated the principles of this society, urging all who were not members to give a helping hand. The choir then sang a temperance anthem, after which Mr. G. F. Smith, jr., the secretary of the .society, read the minutes of the last meeting. Mr A. B. Smallcy was introduced and sang a bass song, Mr. A. Rankine presiding at the organ. mo AND CON. 173 Mr. H. p. Kerr read by request, 'The Railway Chase, 'an exc't- ing temperance tale, which he reads with much spirit. The choir sang 'See ouroara with feathered spray.' His Honor the Lieut. Governor, then came forward and met with a moat hearty reception from the large audience. His addrc ,d, which was listened io with the utmost attention, o^Ay interrupted by applause, proved that he has lost none of hu old vigor and enthusiasm for the cause with which his life has ever been identified. He commenced his remarks by expressing the pleasure it gave him to be present. He said that he had been glad of the opportunity, when the committee had sent him a re- quest to meet witli them, and expressed the satisfaction he felt in saying a few words for the cause. He felt a little embarrassed because his anticipations had been of meeting again with the old familiar faces which he had so long ago known as those of his friends. He had not expected to meet with them in the old room now gone to ashes ; but it was with sadness he must say he could not find among the large audience many of them. Their children were here, but the men whom he knew forty years ago, and they who twenty years ago had signed with him the pledge of the old Total Abstinence Society and worshiped with him in the old church, are no more. Their children do not know their labors nor the sacrifices they made for the cause. To tliose of them who remain, he said, there is still a feeling of responsi.>liity, of duty, yet requiring our attention. To the old members he would give cheery words of encoura^ nent, and to those who have not yet connected themselves with any so- iety, he would urge the need of such to work for their own and their country's aake. He was often asked, 'Mr. Tilley, what is the use of all this labor; what have your forty years of it accomplished?' In reply, he would say if he could carry them back to the time when the first Total Abstinence Society was forr.Aed in the base- ment of tlie Portland Wesleyan Church, and compare the cus- toms and habits of that day with those of to-day, the answer would be plain. Mr. Tilley then gave a lengtl^y review of those customs, and compared them with those of the present day, 174 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: showing that much good had resulted from the labors of the re- formers in educating public sentiment. He paid all honor t3 the memory of the departed workers. Reviewing the labors of the old Total Abstinence S^iety and its successor, the Sons of Tem- perance, he said he had rever occupied any position in life, of which he had felt so proud, as when he was the leader of the five hundred children of tlie Sabbath School who were formed in a temperance association. But now the day he had prayed and longed for had come, when the Church had taken up the cause as her own, and his hope was that it would have great results. To prove that much yet remained to be done, he stated that theie were eighty-eight taverns in the town of Portland, and as the population ib twelve thousand, twenty-five per cent, of these being adult men, it is clear that there it: one taveni for every thirty men in the town, and the amount paid to them is 360,000 per year. This is the contribution of the town of Portland alone to the liquor traffic; is there not something yet to be done? The whole consumption of liquors in the Dominion amounts to $18,000,000 per year — against this put the value of agricultural exports, the fish or cattle export trade for any year, or the whole sale of lumber for sixteen months and the amount would not equal that which is expended for liquor. But the financial result is not to be compared to the physical, moral or social consequences, for who can estimate these? The speaker stated here a novel idea. He had seen with pride the display of Canada at the Centennial, but there was a Cana- dian exhibition he desired much to see, tliat is — a Dominion Ex- hibition of the products and results of the use of intoxicating liquors in the Dominion. Here would require to be shown : — All the grain consumed in its manufacture in order to estimate the waste of bread ; the sixteen millions of gallons of wine and spirits consumed; the $18,000,000 in specie wasted upon it; the widows and orphans made by it, and the victims of the murderous spirits aroused by its us":. A ghastly show, and the horror of it causes a dread to continue, b\it it should strike home to every heart and make men feel what was good for their city. PRO AND CON. 175 His Honor urged the yoiing men and maidens, who are all equally interested, to sign the pledge, and appealed earnestly to mothers to use their influence, M'hich is all-powerful with the young ; and hoped it would not be long before every parish church in the { roviuce had its temperance society. Hard times would soon disappear if those eighteen millions were in circulation here, and the poor, so many of whom are because of this evil, would not require so much aid as you — all honor for the kind hearts who do it — are now obliged to furnish. (Applause). The choir sang 'Hark the lark at heaven's gate sings' and 'Hail smiling mom ' very pleasingly, Mr. A. B. Smalley also sang * The village Smithy,' Rev. G. M. Annstrong, who was present, said he had intended to make some remarks about patience, but from the lateness of the hour would be consistent in not taxing the patience of the audience, but simply and heartily connneud for their earnest consideration the remarks of the speaker. Rev. Mr. Almon closed the meeting.' Again we have echoes from the 'Border' stating that a very deep religious interest seems to pervade Calais and 8t. Stephen, some remarkable changes having taken place; the temperance movement of the 'blue ribbon' order gaining rapidly in strength, and having already done much good in several social circles. And immediately after we have flam- ing telegrams in our city papers, and an elaborate report in the Courier of the general awakening in Charlotte. Hariy, you have no doubt seen some of the items about it." "Bob, do you think I was blind? Seen them! Ay! who could miss seeing them. Why the papers were full every morning — in fact there was little else to read. I never saw such trash. I thought the 176 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: edj/oors must have been infatuated to stuff such non- sense down people's throats who wanted to hear other news." "Harry, I know tliese things must be unpalatable to those who don't like them, and I don't w^ish to annoy you by reviving old sores; but as they bear so closely upon our subject, I should like to read you one or two of them at least." "Bob, although I assure you they are not pleasant, yet I cannot object, as your claims are just. If you read them, however, please be brief as possible, for I never could bea^r long-winded palavers." "I will gratify your wishes, Harry, by merely glancing at them — and here goes for Charlotte as reported by the Daily Telegraph: — St. Stkphen, N. B., Jan. 24, 1878. 'The Temperance Wave. — Mr. Mckenzie's meeting on Thurs- day night was the most enthusiastic one which he has yet held in St. Stephen. His wonderful influence surprises and charms every- body. For nearly an hour and a half he held the attention of the large audience, and when the call was made for more signatures to the pledge, the aisle was crowded with men waiting their turn to take the blue ribbon. R. Watson, Esq., in a short speech, compared the past to the present and looked forward to the future. He spoke of tiia time vv' a small village would contain one school-house, which was a o used for a church, one blacksmith shop, and a store with a big sign over the door, "Liquors sold here. " He then went on to the time when the temperance move- ment began in the State of Maine, thirty years ago ; at first a little cloud the size of a man's hand but now grown to full proportions and burstin ' in abundant showers over the land. Rev. E. Evans spoke of the joy and thankfulness which he felt PRO AND CON. 177 at this moment, and considered that God had sent Mr. McKenzie in answer to the prayers which had been continually ascending to Him. Rev. L. G. Stevens thought it a blessed sight, and said the angels from above were looking on this scene and rejoicing. He urged those who had sigiicd the pledge to take yet another step, and on reaching home to bend the knee and ask strength from abcve to preserve, as no man is strong in himself. Z. Chipman, Esq., said that he had always been a temperate man, but he was awakened to a sense of duty which he had never felt before, and telt that every man in his situation should come forward witli their means and influence and help along the good work. 11(1 had signed his name for $200, and was ready with more if it »va3 needed. The choir responded readily and heartily to the repeated calls for singing, and it seemed as tl^ougli they would never tire singing for this cause. And on the following evening every foot of room was occupied at the meeting in Chipman's Hall. Mr. McKenzie addressed the meeting at some length and then called for signa- tures to the pledge, when a large number came forward and took the blue ribbon. The next call was for money. H. Osbom subscribed $100, C. A. Barton $50, H. F. Todd $75, H. Webber $50, and others $25 and smaller, swelling the list to over $1600.' A few days after this paragraph, the St. Croix Courier appeared with the following item : — St. Stephen, N. B., Jan. 31, 187S. The Temperance Reform. — This movement has received an impetus from the labors of Mr. 1). Banks McKenzie, which few, if any, expected on his first arrival liere. So general has its operation been that it is believed that the sale of liquor is very small at present in the town of St. Stephen. Between three and four hundred have signed the pledge and a Ladios' Society has been formed, which promises to be a very efficient auxiliary to the St. Stephen Temperance Reform Club. Mr. McKenzie also 178 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: organized a club of boys under sixteen years of age, on the princi- ple, we presume, that prevention is better than cure. The little fellows show the same eagerness to don the red ribbon as the older ones do to assume the blue. Mr. McKenzie has been ably assisted in his work by Rev. Messrs. Eaton, Stevens, Evans and Rushton, and by R. Watson, Z. Chipman, Esqs., and others. It is due, how- ever, to Mr. C. N. Vroom, late President of the club, to say, that it was chiefly through his personal exertions that Mr. McKenzie came to this town. An efficient choir, led by Mr. T. Arthur Thompson, did excellent duty at the public meetings, which were very largely attended, the deepest interest being manifested by all classes. Mr. McKenzie's success in organizing Reform Clubs is only equalled by the facility with which he coaxes the money out of people's pockets for the purpose of carrying on those institutions. Several gentlemen have subscribed very liberally for the building of a Club House, and one lad 5% who is laudably enthusiastic in the cause, has contributed a lot of land valued at S300. The amount subscribed to the Club House fund is now in the vicinity of $2000, and there are yet other gentlemen who have intimated their intention to come down handsomely. The officers for the ensuing six months were elected on Friday evening, as follows ; — D. Banks McKenzie, Honorary President ; David Main, President; C. N. Vroom, Dr. Ross, R. S. Nicolson, W. C. Brawley, S. R. (iJilmore, Vice-Presidents; N. T. Grcathead, Treasurer; L. A. Mills, Financial Secretary; George N. Lindsay, Secretary; Duncan Stewart, Assistant Secretai^. After installa- tion the officers each addressed the meeting, and were followed by Messrs. A. G. Beckwith of Fredericton, S. Watts of Wood- stock and A. M. Hill of this town. A vote of thanks, moved by R. Watson, Esq., and seconded by Z. Chipman, Esq., was tendered to Mr. McKenzie — the name of His Honor, Lieutenant Governor Tilley, being associated therewith. Three hearty cheers wore then given for Mr. McKenzie and three for the Lieut. Governor. The St. Stepjien Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized on Tueoday, with a roll of one hundred and thirty- eight members. The following ladies were elected office-bearers : PRO AND CON. 179 Mrs. Dr. Todd, President; Mrs. James King, Mrs. R. Stevenson, Mrs. C. H. Gierke, Mrs. J. Rushton, Mrs. Dr. Ross, Vice-PresidenU ; Mrs. David Main, Secretary ; Mrs. Frank Todd, Trea-ffurer; Mrs. Dr. Deiustadt, CorrespondiiKj Secretary. The following Commit- mittees were also appointed : — Miss Grace Stevens, Mrs. Henry Hill. Mrs. Goclirane, Mrs. T. J. Smith, Mr3. Rutherford, Mrs. J. F. Grant, Mrs. John Robin- son, Mrs. William Vaughan, Mrs. Hugh Stevenson, Visitinfj Com' mittee; Mrs. Blair, Mrs. A. M. Hill, Mrs. J. T. Eaton, Audit and Finance Committee ; Mrs. Broad, Mrs. Clark, Miss Lizzie Gilmore, Miss Nellie Hutton, Miss Victoria Vroom, Miss Ethel Bolton, Miss Alice Owen, Miss Mary Abbot, Mrs. J. Wilson, Mrs. Blair, Mrs. James Mitchell, Mrs, M. McGowan, Miss McGeachy, Miss Alice Porter, Miss Strange, Miss Addio Todd, Mrs. J. F. Grim- mer, Entertainment Committee. Mr. McKenzie is laboring in Calais this week with great suc- cess. The details given by our Calais corresijondent are very interesting. Mr. McKenzie will meet the members of the St. Stephen Reform Club at Chipmau's Hall to-day (Thursday) at two o'clock, p. m., to make arrangements for the grand torch-light i^rocession on Friday evening.' Again we have in the Telegraph a condensed report of this great mov^ement : — St. Stephen, Feb. 1, 1878. 'Reform Club Torch-light Procession. — A grand temperance demonstration took place here this evening. The newly organized Reform Clubs of St. Stephen and Calais turned out in force to celebrate the greatest victory ever gained on the river, and doing honor to the leader of the bloodless war. The St. Stephen club formed in line on King stro^et at six o'clock, and awaited the arrival of the Calais club which then took the lead. The Stephen Comet Band headed the procession in a sleigh drawn by four horses ; next came another four horse team with Mr. McKenzie and friends. In the rear of the Calais club the St. Stephen L. O. L. Band headed the St. Stephen club with a four horse team, 180 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: followed by the officers of the club, and a team from Oak Bay appropriately decorated. Torches were lit and the procession started, making a tour of the principal streets of St. Stephen and Calais. There were over a thousand torches, and transparencies and banners added to the efifect. Nearly every house on the principal streets of the two towns was illuminated, and the celebration was such as was never before witnessed on the river. At Calais, the St. Croix Hall and Pike's Opera House, were both crowded, the Calais club occupying the former and the St. Stephen club the latter. A number of speakers addressed the meeting, Mr. McKenzie speaking in both places. A public meeting is to be held in Chipman's Hall on Sunday evening, after the churches, and Mr. McKenzie goes to St. An- drews on Monday.' Immediately after the following notice came out in the Courier: — 'The organization of the St. Stephen Temperance Reform Club is now completed. The regular business meetings are held every Tuesday evening. We publish the names of the officers and com- mittees of the club for the convenience of members, as follows : — Honorary President, D. B. McKenzie; President, David Main; 1st Vice-President, C. N. Vroom; 2nd Vice-President, Dr. R. K. Ross ; 3rd Vice-President, R. S. Nicolson ; 4th Vice-President, W. C Brawley; 5th Vice-President, S. R. Gilraore; Treasurer, N. T. Greathead; Financial Secretary, L. A. Mills; Secretary, Geo. N, Lindsay; Assistant Secretary, Duncan Stewart. Finance Com- mittee: Robert Watson, Geo. N. Smith, Henry Ross, James Mitchell, Frederick Murchie, Andrew L, Todd. Club House Committee: Z. Chipman, Frank Todd, W. H. Stevens, F. Water- son, Henry Rudge, A. D. Taylor, Frank Blair, Geo. W. Foster, C. H. Gierke, E. G. Vroom, Geo. E. Sands, James Ryder, Leon- ard Markee, Henry Graham, Thos. Corbett. Entertainment Com- mittee: John D. Chipman, Alex. McLeod, Hugh Stevenson, Fred. PRO AND CON. 181 Harmon, Fred Andrews, Howard Connick, M. Arthur Edwards, Julius T. Whitlock, Thos. Curran, Wm. Noble, Isaac McDowell, Thos. Hardy, W. E. Springate, John Lockary, Thoa. C. Stevenson. Visitation Committee : Rev. E. Evans, Rev. Joseph Rushtou, Rev. J. T. Eaton, Rev. L. G. Stevens, Rev. W. E. Vickery, Moses McGowan, Sedge Webber, B. R. Dewolfe, A. M. Hill, H. H. Moore, James L. McKeon, Cyrus Young, John B. Robinson, John Mudge, Robt. Clark, H. C. Laughlin. Vifjilance Committee: D. Sullivan Sr., S. F. Nesbit, Thos. Diffin, Andrew O'Connor, James McCuUough, Hugh Tompson, Henry Hill, John A. Boyd, Geo. Robinson, Jr., Hiram Williams, Jr., Isaiah Bridges, Patrick 0' Shaughnessy, H. H. Reid, J. McWha, Jr., Robert Johnston. Ushers: S. F. Nesbit, Fred. Ross, A. Gregg, S. M. Hyslop, Ed. Waycott, W. A. Lamb, Chas. Dewolfe Fred. Beck, Geo. W. Sloat, R. D. Ross, W. F. Todd, Howard C. Todd. Stewards: Jas. McKenzie, Thos. M. Boyd, John Smith, Joseph K. Laflin, A. Cameron, S. T. Connick. Music Committee: Rev. J. Rushton, W. T. Ross, T. Arthur Thompson, Henry B. Ross. Organist : Wm. F. Vroom. Musical Director: Thos. C. Stevenson. At the meeting on Tuesday evening several propositions were submitted for a hall in which to hold the meetings ; the offer of Watson's Hall for business meetings was accepted. Messrs. John D. Chipman, J. T. Whitlock, and Geo. N. Smith were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions for the Club House. A com- mittee was also appointed, consisting of L. A. Mills, Henry Graham and C. H. Gierke, to take into consideration the obtain- ing of an Act of Incorporation. Several bills were presented and referred to the Finance Committee. Samuel Rideout, Esq., President of the Calais Club, was present and entertained the meeting with a speech which combined a great deal of good humor with much earnestness and enthusiasm. Eleven new members were added to the roll. At the previous meeting a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the St, Stephen Cornet Band and to L. O. L. Band, No. 61, for their kindness in furnishing music gratuitously on the occasion of the torch-light procession. 182 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: We may liere take the opportunity of correcting an error which appeared in our report of the order in which the procession moved from the ])oint of departure. We ought to have stated that the procession waa headed by the St. Stephen Comet Band. The next meeting of the chib will be held in Watson's Hall on Tuesday cA-ening at half-past seven o'clock. The meeting of the Boys' Club will be held in the same jilace on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. The Ijadies' Christian Temperance Union is doing good work. It was organized with a membership of one hundred and thirty- eight and there have been since twenty names added to the roll. We are requested to state that the hour of meeting has been changed to four o'clock, p. m., and that the Union will meet next Tuesday afternoon in Watson's Hall. ^ The impromptu entertainment in Chipman's Hall last Friday evening under the auspices of the Union in honor of Mr. and Mrs. McKonzie was a most successful affair. The music was by some of our best singers, and the hearty encores which greeted some of the solos expressed the unbounded delight of the audi- ence. The readings by Mr. Thomas Corbett, Judge Stevens and Mr. William Murray were well received, while Mr. J. D. Chipman in several clever and comical impersonations fairly 'brought down the house,' The Judge, at the conclusion of his readings, recited some verses of his own composition, addressed to Mr. McKenzie in hearty recognition of the great work in which he is engaged, breathing a thankful spirit for his success and looking to the future for the final triumph of his philanthropic efforts. Mr. McKenzie made a short speech, thanking the people of St. Stephen for all the kindness and encouragement received at their hands. The hall was crowded, and although the admission was only fifteen cents, the sum of $73 was taken at the door, $50 of which the Union donated to Mr. McKenzie in recognition of his earnest and successful labors here. This amount was independent of what the Reform Club had already done in the same behalf. The Boys' Club now numbers one hundred and fifty-five. Its PRO AND CON. 183 ofllcers are as follows : — Patron, Z. Chipman, Esq. ; Honorary Preddenty D. B. McKenzie; President, W. Kelly; l»t Vice-Presi- dent, J. Deacon ; Snd Vice-President, J. Lindsay ; 3rd Vice-Presi- dent, ¥. Johnston ; 4fh Vice- President, E. Grimmer ; 5th Vice- President, K. Stevens ; Treasurer, Walter Grant ; Financial Secretary, E. Thompson; Secretary, (i. Ryder; Assistant Secretary, A. L. McLean. Our Calais correspondent writes: — The temperance excursion to Princeton on Wednesday evening of last week was a grand success. The tickets for the cxcurrfion were made so low that all were enabled to go, and sojue two hundred and fifty availed themselves of the opportunity of being present. Stirring speeches were made by Mr. McKenzie, and other gentlemen, both from Calais and Princeton. At the close of tlie meeting one hundred and twenty-five came forv/ard and signed the pledge, which num- ber, with the addition of the twenty-five who signed immediately after the meeting closed, made in all one hundred and fifty. Princeton is fully aroused to the importance of temperance, and will rally its forces to the assistance of its sister town in striking down intemperance. We are informed that members of the Amateur Dramatic Clnb have expressed willingness to play the Ticket-of -Leave-Man in tliat place at their earliest convenience, the proceeds to be de- voted to the cause of temperance. The above company earned a deserved reputation in the production of that play in Pike's Opera House last winter, and many citizens of St. Stephen who were unable to attend then have since expressed the desire to have it played in that place. The lumbering crews, now in the woods, have all signed the temperance pledge and put on tlic red ribbon. Their horses also wear the badge of temperance ; and it is said, that in visiting the camps the red ribbon is universally seen. The Calais Reform Club is now fully organized, its bye-laws adopted, and with reconciliation and satisfaction established, it has planted itself upon a firm and we trust an enduring basis. Contributions are being added from time to time, and the sum 184 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: required for the obtaining of a new hall will soon be forthcoming. The men who have taken bold mean business ; it is no child's play with them, and whatever is needed for the judicious advance- ment of the cause will be forthcoming whenever needed. The Women's Christian Temperance Union completed its or- ganization on Wednesday afternoon last, with Mrs. Geo. G. King as its President. This society will, no doubt, prove itself a much needed auxiliary to the new Reform Club organized here by Mr. McKenzie, and will see to it that no backward step is taken iu the cause of temperance. The society largely consists of the. first ladies of our city, who are undoubtedly aroused to the evils of intemperance, and are wilbng to aid, so far as within their power in its destruction. The society is to meet monthly, and its officers are to be chosen every three months. It has issued certificates of membership, and adopted a code of bye-laws, and in fact its entire organization is almost identical with that of the men's. Mr. D. Banks McKen/ie addressed a public meeting in Mill- town, on Saturday evening, at which one hunc^red and two per- sons signed the pledge. The Reform Club there was re-organized IfiSt evening, under the same auspices as the other clubs organ- ized by Mr. McKenzie throughout the Maritime Provinces.' Next the following appeared in the News of Jan. 28th, 1878:— 'Perhaps your readers will be interested in the doings of the Shiretown of Charlotte this week. First in order, as a matter of course, come the Iron Clads, under the presidency of Harry Gove, Esq. , M. D. The Reform Club here numbers about one hundred and fifty, I understand, and during this week have had two interesting public meetings, which were largely attended. A goodly number of the County Councillors were on the platform and among the audience at the last meeting, some of them de- livering earnest and forcible addresses on the temperanee question. The result was very satisfactory, as a number of persons were induced to go forward and take the pledge. In connection with this movement, it is pleasing to see how PRO AND CON. 185 widespread the temperance sentiment is. A motion in the County Council, to address a petition to the Dominion Parliament favoring prohibition, u ^s carried unanimously. As these Coun- cillors were elected by the people at large, such action is one of the signs of the times. Such a motion twenty years ago, at a meeting of the Justices in session, would have been treated with contempt ; but the world moves apace, and the good old Justices have passed away, giving place to a new order of things. ' A week afterwards the Telegraph presented the following item from St. Andrews, Feb. 4th, 1878: — 'The Blue Ribbon Enthusiasm. — Mr. Banks McKenzie made a triumphal entry into town at 6 p. m., escorted by a large party from St. Stephen and Calais. They were met at the entrance to the town by the St. Andrew's band and the officers of the Reform Club, who escorted Mr. McKenzie to Dr. Gove's residence. An enthusiastic meeting was held in the Methodist Church, which was literally packed. Besides Mr. McKenzie, Messrs. D. Main, Jack, Chipman, C. N. Vroom and Rev. J. Rushton of St. Stephen, addressed the meeting. A number signed the pledge and donned the blue ribbon, the SheriflF of Charlotte leading. The united choirs of the town rendered some fine selections of music. Mr. McKenzie meets the ladies and children to-morrow, and holds another meeting in the evening.' And three days after another mild epistle ap- peared in the same paper, headed 'Another Town Awakened. — The total abstinence move- ment, as presented by D. Banks McKenzie, who has now visited our town, has taken a deep hold upon the people of St. Andrews, and is likely to spread and become more intensified. How any man, after listening to the appeals made by Mr. Kenzie, and bearing the plain statement of facts made by him, in which the evils commencing with moderate drinking, and culminating in drunkenness, were so viWdly portrayed, and which no man can truthfully gainsay ; how any person can refuse to throw ia his influence in the effort to destroy the monster vice of intemper- 12 186 THE TEMPERANCK QUESTION: ance, which always begins with moderate drinking, is hard to understand, and can to one's mind only be accounted for by their devotion to self, caring not for their fellow man, as long as they themselves escape. What would be thought of the man, who in the midst of a general conflagration, when his neighbor's property was being destroyed by fire, seeing from the direction of the wind or other causes, that his property was safe, said : ' I don't care, what is it to me? My house is all right, let the fire bum. I am not going to run the risk of having my coat torn, or soiled by helping to put the fire out ; it is no business of mine, the fire won't reach me.' This is just what the action of the moderate drinker says— safe they think themselves— they care not for others. Since Mr. McKenzie's advent at St. Andrews, the town has been in a state of excitement, which was intensified by the public meeting of Monday evening. On Tuesday forenoon a meeting of ladies was held in the Methodist Church, which was addressed by Mr. McKenzie, the result of which was that some fifty ladies signed the pledge, and have decided to form a Ladies' Temperance Union, and have sent an invitation to Mrs. Dr. Todd, of Calais, to come and assist in the organization of the same. She is expected on Thursday. In the afternoon Mr. McKenzie held a meeting for the children in the Reform Club Hall, which was largely attended by the little folks. They were most enthusiastic, and the greater number of them signed the pledge. They are to be organized into a juvenile temperance organization. At six o'clock p. m. the members of the Reform Club assembled at the club room, when, with lighted torches, they formed into a procession, and with the St. Andrews Band at their head marched through the streets. They made a fine display. The procession was marshalled by Messrs. Hazen, Grimmer, Campbell, Whitlock and Harry Maloney, who were on horseback. The club first proceeded to the residence of Dr. S. T. Gove, where Mr. McKenzie joined them in a sleigh. They marched through the different stireets. A number of the resi- dents of the front or Water street, illuminated their houses, con- spicuous amongst which were the stores and dwellings of Messrs. John S. Magee, J. M. Hanson, Thomas Black, E. Sanders, G. F. PBO AUD CON. 187 « Stickney, Donald Clarke and others. The streets throngh which the procession passed were crowded with spectators. At seven o'clock the Methodist church was opened, and in a very short time every available seat was filled. Mr. McKenzie spoke for upwards of two hours. No pen picture can do justice to, or adequately describe, the wonderful effect the burning words which fell from liis lips had upon the audience ; they literally were spell-bound, and when, in pathetic terms, he described the miseries inevitably produced by intemperance, the tears trickled from many eyes. At the conclusion of his address he called upon all to come up and sign the pledge. A large number responded to the appeal, and no doubt many a mother's heart was made happy at the sight of a son placing his signature on Mr. McKen- zie's roll of freedom. He then made an appeal for financial aid for the St. Andrews Reform Club, first asking if any one would subscribe one hundred dollars. No response. Then he asked for fifty dollars, with like result ; then for twenty -five, no answer. Then he said, will anybody give ten ? Mr. John S. Magee broke the ice by saying he would give $10. W. D. Hartt, Esq., came next, then Dr. S. T. Gove and Captain John Wren. Several ladies also subscribed, amongst whom were Miss Gove, Mrs. W. D. Hartt, Miss Bessie Gove, Miss Comer, Mrs. Taylor, Miss Haddock and others. The banner subscription was given by the Hon. B. E. Stevenson who gave $25, coupled with an offer to give his interest in the new hotel as a free gift, provided McKenzie could secure its being purchased and com- pleted and used for the inebriates home, proposed to be estab- lished in this Province. Mr. McKenzie thanked Mr. Stevenson for the generous offer, and said that he was delighted with the natural beauty of St. Andrews and its surrouudings, and that the build- ing alluded to he had examined and thought very suitable and that he would use his influence to secure Mr. Stevenson's generous offer. A collection was then taken up. The united choirs on this occasion, as on the previous evening, furnished the music, selections from Moody and Sankey, which were effectively rend- ered and added much to the success of the meeting. Mr. James Vroom was leader and Miss Gove presided at the organ. .188 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: The Rev. Mr. Richardson, Presbyterian minister, made a short speech, in which he explained his position on the temperance question, stated he was a pledged abstainer, and believed in the principle. He wished the work and all good works God speed. The reverend gentleman was listened to with marked respect and attention and had with him the sympathy of the large audi- ence. The proceedings of the evening were concluded by singing the national anthem — previous, however, to which, a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. McKenzie, for which he said — thanks my friends, thanks. While the assemblage was retiring a number came up and heartily shook Mr. McKenzie by the hand and in person thanked him, and asked God's blessing to rest upon him and his noble work. Mr. McKenzie shortly afterwards started for Calais by sleigh, where he would meet Mrs. McKenzie. ' In following up the movement the CouHer re- ports: — • 'The work is going on bravely in the old shire town. Public meetings have been held and many additional names added to the roll of membership. We are credibly informed that at this dat'^ more than one-fourth of the inhabitants of the shire town are pledged abstainers. A correspondent informs us that the children who signed the pledge at Mr. McKenzie's meetings, assembled at the Reform Club Hall at three o'clock, p. m., Saturday last. It was a heart-inspiring sight to see so many happy, innocent faces, assembled in one room, and for such a noble purpose, viz., to dedicate their lives to the principles of total abstinence. What- ever may be their future course, one thing is sure, if they keep their pledge they will never have cause to regret it. The High Sheriff of the County, Alexander T. Paul, Esq. , was present, in response to the request of the Reform Club, to assist in organizing the Juvenile Club. He made a few simple remarks to the chil- dren on the cause which led to their meeting, and promising on his part, while acting as their Superintendent, to do all in his power to make their meetings pleasant and to promote the object they all had in view. He concluded by asking Messrs. Fredenok Towers, and William Ketchum to act as his assistants, and further PRO AND CON. 189 stated that any eraggestions from memhera of the Reform Clab would be considered, and also that they and the parents of the children would always be welcome to their meetings. The sherifif further said to the children that as they v/ere now t6 organize, he would require them all to come up and sign the roll, in books he had provided for that purpose, one for the girls, and one for the boys, and that they would come up as they were called. One hundred and fifteen children answered to their names and signed the roll. The Constitution of the Reform Club was read section by section, and such sections as were suitable for the juvenile organization, were adopted. The club is to be called the 'St. Andrews Juvenile Temperance Reform Club.' All children of either sex, under six- teen years whose parents think old enough, and wish them to take the pledge, are eligible for membership. All members are expected to pay four cents per month or one cent per week dues. Meetings are to be held weekly, each Saturday at half-past two o'clock, p. m. The following office-bearers were elected : — President, Miss Mary Gove ; Vice-Presidents, Master Walter Clark, Miss Bella Robinson, Master Walter Patterson, Miss Amue Bradford, and Master Geo. Grimmer ; Secretary, Master Richard Keay; ^«««^ ^Sccre^ary, Miss Jennie Burton; Financial Secretary ^ Miss Lottie Stevenson ; Steward, Isaac Richardson ; MarehalSf Wm. Johnston, Leo Saunders; Sertjeant-at-Aiins, Arthur Moore. The same paper also says — 'St. George is taking the lead in the Temperance cause and has gotten up a revival of its own, by means of home talent ex* clusively, in which our re . Miss Kertson presided at the organ. The choir are to meet once a week for practice. After the above addresses were made the club proceeded to elect the officers of the club. Mr. Charles . McCoskery was chosen second Vice- Present; Mr. Geo. Milodeau, . third Vice-President; and Mr. W. B. Best, fourth Vice- President. The following gentlemen were appointed as a Vigilant Commit' tee: — Con. O'Regan, Walter Graham, P. O. Byran, Jas. H. Lynch, S. H. Price, Edward I^slie, Michael Berry, Loring Thompson, C. £. Beckwith, S. J. Baker, Napoleon Bois, Edward Johnson, PRO AND CON. 197 and John Molherin. Charles McCloskey then thanked the club for the mark of distinction conferred on him. The meeting then adjourned after singing the National Anthem. Over fifty names were added to the roll. The Court House was filled to its utmost capacity, and the large number assembled testified, by their close attention to the addresses, that they were strong supporters of the temperance cause and were interested in the movement, and would strive to suppress the traffic here, so that in a very short time every rum shop would be ciosetl.' An additional echo, dated Feb. ICth, 1878, speaks for itself: — ■ 'Andover. — Last evening a temperance meeting was held here for the purpose of organizing a Reform Club. There were present at the meeting about four hundred and fifty persons. A special train arrived here froia Grand Falls, bringing about one hundred and fifty persons. After able speeches by Dr. Dow, Rev, Mr. Campbell, Rev. James Crisp, and Messrs. James A. Vanwart and Watts, about two hundred signed the pledge and were decorated with the blue ribbon. After the pledge had been circulated a Reform Club was organ- ized, the following officers being appointed : — Dr. Beveridge, President; S. P. Waite, Vice-President ; Leonard Kelley, Treasurer; R. L. Tibbitts, Secretai'y. The people expressed great enthusiasm in the reform movement, and the club bids fair to be one of the most prosperous in the Province.' While these things are transpiring on the 'Upper St. John/ we step over to Nortliumberland and find that the awakening is there also, and that the Dutcher temperance organization is fast spreading in that section. A note to the Moncton Times, dated Newca,sfcle, Jan. 30, 1878, states: — *Last night a delegation from the Newcastle association organ- ized a branch at North Esk. The Rev. W. McCullagh held a 198 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION* meeting at that place last week and obtained ninety aignatnres to the pledge, and the people were anxious to form a society. The meeting was opened with singing and prayer, and the chair was taken by Mr. Wheelock Willey, who requested Mr. C. F. Bourne, secretary of the Newcastle Keform Club, to explain the manner of organization. After this had been done a committee was ap- pointed to select officers. The following were chosen and unani- mously approved by the meeting: — President, W. Willey; Vice-President, W. Jones; Secretary, G. Rogers; Treasurer, J. Menzies; Chaplain, 0. Travis; Mar- shal, R. Gordon. Executive Committee — Messrs. A. Adams, J. McCuUam, C. Baker, Misses McQueen, Gordon, aiid McCauley. Speeches were made by Messrs. Matthew Russell, J. M. Troy, A. Campbell, C. F. Brown, and S. J. Loggie, of Newcastle, and Messrs. Adams and Jones, of North Esk. There are good pros- pects for a flourishing society. ' The Advocate, Oleaner, and Advance, are all teem- ing with news of the great revival up north. The Times has also a spicy report of a meeting held at * the 'Bend' in January last. It is headea The Tem- perance Kally Last Night. 'Notwithstanding some other attractions, the mass meeting of the Reform Club in the Methodist church last evening was highly successful. The attendance was large, and much enthusiasm and earnestness was evinced by the audience and speakers throughout. The singing was excellent, and was furnished by a choir of eleven selected from the various congregations of the town, Mrs. R. T. ' Taylor presiding at the organ. On the platform were the Presi- dent of the club, Mr. GetcheU, and Vice-Presidents Messrs. McElmon, Cowling, Sutcliffe, Ferguson, and Morton. Rev. Mr. Hogg was the first speaker and made an eloquent ap- peal in behalf of the cause for which they were working. He referred to the necessity of every temperance man in the commu- nity coming up to these meetings and lending a helping hand to the movement. There should be no jealousy between members PRO AND CON. 199 of the different temperance organizations, nor did he believe there was any. They were all working with the one object in view. He believed that the present movement was only a natural out* growth of the constant agitation of the question in the past by the other temperance societies of the town, and should be and was regarded as such by them. £. L. Cowling, Esq., expressed a strong determination to keep his pledge inviolate. It might be said that he had joined the movement in the excHement* of the moment, and that after the novelty had worn off a little, he, like many others, would give way to temptation. This was not so. His decision to sign the pledge had been the result of mature deliberation, and he in- ^ tended to stick to it. A. L. Palmer, EJsq., M. P., of St. John, who was in the audi- * ence, was called on for a speech, and although he was not pre- ■ pared with an address for this audience, he would remind them that he was a Westmoreland boy, and as such he was always pleased to meet a Westmoreland audience. He referred to his suc- cesses in life, and attributed them largely to the fact that he had ahetahied wliolly and altogether from the use of intoxicating liquors. J. Wortman, Esq., stipendiary magistrate, was also called on and spoke at some length. He stated that he was present at the . first temperance lecture ever delivered in New Brunswick — that of Rev. Chas. Tupper (father of Hon. Dr. Tupper), at Dorchester, fifty years ago. Then the speaker was insulted by his audience, and could not get a fair hearing. A very different state of £^airs existed at the present time. He closed by urging on all the great importance of signing the pledge and the necessity of a common . equality on the temperance platform. Earnest and spirited addresses were also delivered by Rev. Messrs. Brown and Currie, and Messrs. C. A. Huestis, D. R. McElmon, Sutcliffe, Alex. Wright, D. R. Lindsay and Morton. Seventy-six addit*' nal names to the pledge book were secured, which, with those previously signed, makes a total of over seven hundred who wear the white ribbon. Altogether the meeting was one of the finest, and most encouraging to the friends of temperance, ever held in Moncton.' 200 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: At the same time flashes are coming from Sussex, that The Blue Ribbon Movement has reached that place. I will just repeat the despatch, Harry: — 'One of the ablest and most practical lectures ever delivered in the Victoria Hall, was given last night, by Professor Foster of Fredericton. The hall was well filied by an attentive and appreciative audience. The Rev. Mr. Gray presided. Mr. Fos- ter's lecture was free from any attempt to create excitement. He aimed at the reason and was very attentively listened to and fre- quently applauded. Rev. John Todd moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by Rev. Mr. North and unanimously carried. In his remarks, Mr. Todd said Sussex had frequently had the best of talent before them; they had lectured, received a vote of thanks, and that was the last of it. He would like to see things assume a more practical shape and have matters done in a true McKenzie style. He called on Mr. Foster to give the mode of procedure. This being done, blue and white ribbon was procured, a pledge drawn up and a list of nearly seventy names, headed by the police magistrate, was in a very short time pledged not to taste or touch intoxicating liquors. The Sussex Reform Club is now a fact. They are to meet again on Saturday evening to organize, when Professor Toster promises to be present. The Rev. Mr. Burgess and Rev. Mr. Philips, also, briefly addressed the audience. In a word, the clergy begin to feel that before they can make men Christians they must first make them sober. God speed them.' And soon after we have an additional echo to the following effect. — 'The Sussex Temperance Reform Club had another meeting last night, in Victoria Hall, which was largely attended. The Rev. Mr. Carey, oi 3t. John, was present and gave one of the most stirring and interesting addresses that has ever been the lot of a Sussex audience to listen to, and for twenty -live minutes the rev. lecturer uttered truths that will long be remembered. PRO AND CON. 201 He is very popular here and deser\'e(Uy so, for he has, by his lectures, (which I believe were always gratuitously given) done much for our institutions. A little son of Mr. T. P. Davies, re- nted in an admi*able manner a piece entitled 'Close the Ale House X ^r, ' and was much applauded for his efforts. Mr. Wm. H. White mo\ ed a vote of thanks to Mr. Carey which was carried unanimously.' Another messenger from Albeit informs us that Hopewell Hill is looming up: — 'The temperance people of Hopewell Hill recently erected a hall for temperance, social and other pleasant gatherings. In order to i-aise funds towards completing its cost, they invited the Eev. Dr. Maclisc to vis't them and give two lectures. He con- sented, and gave them a choice among his lectures. They asked a lecture on 'The Lost Tribes' for the first evening, and one on temperance for the second. The lectures were delivered on Mon- day and Tuesday last, were well attended and much appreciated. Mr. Rogers, M. P. P., presided at the delivery of the first lecture and Mr. G. M. Peck was called to the chair on the second even- ing. The weather was disagreeable on Tuesday ; still the attend- ance was good. One who was present wishes the public to know how much Dr. Maclise's lectures were appreciated at Hopewell Hill.' "Harry, the former lecture was a little out of the ordinary course of things, in keeping with the movement; but it was a splendid affair. I heard it once in Calvin Church, and I tell you the Doctor has mastered his subject. Besides, it was a variety. 'Too much of one thing is good for nothing' you know. But we are getting off the track, and must return at once. Say we have a peep at Fredericton ?" "Hasn't Fredericton 'settled the hash' ; and what's the use of stirring up old scenes again? However. 18 202 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: as you've the floor, I presume you're bound to 'go through.'" "Yes, Harry, I should like to. It's not often I get such an audience, and an important subject, and I will proceed with pleasure with your approbation. Although the question has been settled in York so far as the 'polling' is concerned, yet the people have something still to do, in order that the law may be magnified and made honourable, and it will do them no harm, and may stir them up to more zeal to know that their contendings have been worthy of our notice. As we have so many reports on file of the doings of these wonderful people, it would take us too long to wade through it all. I will only refer to two or three of their 'big times' movement. And first we have as reported by the Daily Tele- graph, Dec. 14th, 1877, A Grand Temperance Meeting at the Capital. — $1,500 Subscribed for A Reform Club House: — *0n Friday night there was another gathering still greater than before, at the Temperance Hall. The service commenced by the choir singing, and prayer by Rev. Mr. Campbell. There was not even standing room. The centre of the hall was re- served for the members of tlic Fredericton Refonn Club. Mr. McKenzie made a few very appropriate remarks, and said he was going to have very little to say, but that the committee appointed at the last meeting to report the names of ofhce^bearers for the club, would make their report. Mr. Charles Sampson then came forward and stated that the committee had attended to tlie duty assigned them, and would submit the names of a number of gentlemen for the several PRO AND CON. 203 offices, which he hoped would meet with the approval of the members of the club. They were as follows : — Sheriff Temple, President; John A. Edwards, 1st Vice-Presi- dent; Capt. McKenzie, 2nd Vice-President; John Wiley, 3rd Vice-President; Timothy Shannon, 4th Vice-President; Moses Smith, 5th Vice-President; Henry Chestnut, Treasurer; A. A. Sterling, Secretary; Henry Chitty, Assistant-Secretary; Wesley Vanwart, FinPvncial Secretary. The names were put to the meeting and received the unani- mous vote of the club, with three rousing cheers. After this Mr. McKenzie warmed up and spoke eloquently and well. He said that he was glad he came to Fredericton, glad for his vn.iea sake, and glad for his own. In Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island he had felt perfectly at home, but when he got to St. John he thought there must be something wrong in the New Brunswick soil. Everybody appeared to be too busy with other matters to give their attention to the morality of the place. He felt as if he could have left the place and never put his foot in New Bruns- wick again, but he made up his mind to accept Bro. McLeod's invitation to come to Fredericton, and he was glad he did so. It had taken the chill out of his heart ; he was in love with the beautiful place ; was in love with the people, and so was his wife. The vasit was doing them both good. The gentleman said many more very pleasant things and then introduced the President of the Fredericton Reform Club, Sheriff Temple. The Sheriff in coming forward received a perfect ovation, such a reception as he had never before received in this city, and probably never will again. The Sheriff was in a very happy mood, and made a sound practical speech. He said if they stuck together and worked well, that in three months there would not be a bar-room in Fredericton. He urged upon the members to hold fast to their pledge. Mr. John A. Edwards as 1st Vice-President, was next intro- duced. Mr. E. was also well received by the audience. He said that he was completely taken by surprise. He knew nothing about temperance, (laughter) but he knew the other side pretty well. He thanked the members very cordially for the honor 204 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: they had conferred upon him and would eud-avor to do his duty to the best of his ability. Mr. Edwards had the he&rty sym- pathy of every member of the organization. Next was Capt. McKenzie. He also spoke well and to the point. The Captain received a warm welcome. Mr. John Wiley, the 3rd Vice-President, in coming forward, was received with loud cheers and waving of handkerchiefs by the ladies. Mr. Wiley spoke exceedingly w Jl. He would en- deavor to do his duty in the honorable position the club had assigned him. The next was Mr. Timothy Simnnon, 4th Vice-President, he was also well received by the whole house. He said it was the first time he was ever on a public platform, but he would stick to the blue and do his duty like a man. He was loudly cheered on taking his seat. Mr. Chitty the Assistant Secretary was then introduced and we can only say that the club made au excellent choice when they gave Mr. Chitty this oflSce. He made a sensible and witty speech, had the whole audience shaking their sides with laughter. He said that one evening going home, being somewhat on a bender, he was met by the Rev. Mr. McLeod who took him to his house and made him have a cup of coffee. By some means Mr. McLeod detected a half pint flask of whiskey he had in his pocke*; ; says Chitty I guarded that flask like a mother would her infant, but Mr. McLeod got hold of it, but promising to give it back to him. He had no fears of losing it. The flask was laid on the floor. After taking the coflfee he departed hugging the flask, getting home after the wife and family were to bed, thought he would have a nip or a nightcap. He got some sugar and water and mixed it all up nicely then poured in some whiskey. In drinking he could get none of the taste of the old rye, and he thought perhaps he had watered it too much, so he concluded to take it raw, and lo and behold says Chitty it was nothing but water. He cautioned every fellow on a bender to give Rev. Mr. McLeod a wide berth. The other officers did not put in appearance on the platform. Then Mr. McK^n/ie commenced to speak of the financial part of >mO AND CON. 205 the business and said they must have rooms and must be well taken care of. They must buiM themselves a club house, and, says he, I propose to take up subscriptions to-night for the benefit of the club. Said he, 'I don't want you to be mean about it.' The first gentleman to rise was A. F. Randolph, Esq., who said, put me down for |1()0. Such a shout as went up from the audi- ence was never before heard in that hall. Mr. Randolph never goes half way when he does things. Books were passed around for smaller subscriptions, and the whole amount subscribed was in the vicinity of $1,500. Such a night's work was never known in Fredericton before. There was also u constant stream coming to the table to sign the pledge. The club now numbers live hundred members. No wonder the liquor dealers look on in terrible amazement. There was &d audience of one thousand five hundred or one thousand eight hundred persons in the building. They were literally wedged in. Thevti was no confusion, no improper conduct, but a wonderful excitement. Two days after we are startled by the following telegram from the same source: — 'The Temperance Crusade. — The Temperance Reform Club torch -light procession last night was the grandest sight ever wit- nessed in Fredericton. One thousand persons marched in the lines, accompanied by a large number of double and single teams. Alexander Gibson sent a four-in-hand for Mr. McKenzie, who was surrounded by a bevy of beautiful ladies. Bryson's band headed the procession, the band of the Tlst Bat- talion bringing up the rear. Sheriff Temple, President of the club, supported by several Vice-Presidents, rode in a barouche at the head of the procession. The Gibson temperance delegation had a locomotive head light, and the new hook and ladder truck was furnished with seats for the Mayor, Aldermen and Press representatives. The Mayor was, however, unavoidably absent. The truck also carried a locomotive head light, and was drawn by four horses driven by Mr. Beverley Gaunce. A number of clergy- men joined in the procession carrying torches. 206 the'' TEMPERANCE QUESTION: The procession started at 7. 15 o'clock, and marched down Queen to St. John street, through St. John to King street, up King to York street, through York to Queen street, up Queen to Northum- berland street, through Northumberland to King and up King to Government House. Itetuming the procession filed down Bruns- wick street to York and through York street to the City Hall. Many buildings along the route were beautifully illuminated ; notably the residences of Dr. Band and F. B. Coleman, Esq. Edgecombe & Son's sleigh and carriage factory on York street was literally covered with Chinese lanterns and other illumin- ators; the Brayley House shone like a blaze of fire; Davis & Dibblce's drug store displayed over one hundred lights, while numbers of private residences were more or less brilliantly lighted. The best of order prevailed all along the line of march, though the streets were thronged with thousands of spectators. The display was the grandest seen in Fredericton since the visit of the Priuce of Wales in 1860. The public meeting in the City Hall was the most enthusiastic of the series, the large edifice being crowded to the outer door and thousands being turned away unable to obtain admittance. Over three hundred reform men took out certificates during the afternoon, and contributions toward establishing the Club House poured in from all quarters. Addresses were delivered by Mayor Fenety, Rev. Mr. Brewer, His Honor Governor Tilley. who made an eloquent speech, the Hon. J. J. Eraser, Provincial Secretary, and Sheriff Temple, President of the Club. Bryson's and the 7l8t Battalion Bands were on the platform and gave some excel- lent music ; the latter playing a number o Moody and Sankey tunes with wonderful effect. At the conclusion of Mayor Fenety's address, he subscribed the handsome sum of $100 to the fund. Sheriff Temple raised his subscription to $100; the Lieutenant Governor added $50; and Mr. Wesley Vanwart supplemented his donation by $50. The list soon showed : Dr. Brown $25 John Richards $25 James Tibbet 22 Dr. Atherton 25 I. G. McNally 25 Alex. Thompson 25 PRO AND CON. 207 Mr. Yerxa f 10 George Miles $10 George Miles, 2n(l 10 Dr. Black. 10 Elijah KstabrookH 10 liev. Mr. Brewer 25 Miss Hodge 25 Miss Wilbur 10 Mrs. Coleman 25 Samuel Dayton 10 A. (r. Keckwith 10 James Fox 15 James Doherty 10 S. E. Macphersou 25 At this point, it was announced that $101)5 liad been subscribed, when Mr. McKenzie rose and called for the other ^. In response were cries from all parts of the Hall ' put me down for $5, ' and Mr. Gaunce, the Secretary, was kept busy for some time taking down the names. The amount is now considerably over .$2000, irrespective of the sums received for membership certificates and small collections. It is rumoured that a wealthy resident of York will give $5000 towards establishing Reform Clubs in every Parish in the County. The Rib>>on Boys have started the to^^m, and if it is possible to keep up the spirit, the traffic 's doomed in Fredericton. ' And in tlie following issue we have another satis- factory report dated Fredericton, Monday, December 17th, 1878:— •The Temperance Crusade. — The all absorbing topic here is the great temperance reform. Another great mass meeting was held Sunday evening, at eight o'clock, and again waa the City Hall crowded to its utmost capacity, and many were obliged to leave, being unable to obtain admittance. The City Hall when closely packed will hold about 1500 persons, so an idea may be formed of the movement when it is stated that every available spot has bten occupied since Monday night last. At tlie meeting last night Mr. McKenzie delivered an eloquent and powerful appeal. He had notes before him on the occasion, and took for his text, 'I will make you fishers of men.' This man has won his wt^y into the hearts of the people of Fredericton in a surprising manner and will take his departure to-morrow (Tuesday) morning, with one thousand 'God bless yous' following him. 208 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: The following is a complete list of suhscriptions to the Reform Club, every dollar of which will be paid : — A. F. Randolph $100 Sheriff Temple 100 George F. Gregory, 60 McFarlane, Thompson and Anderson 50 A, G. Blair 50 Provincial Secretary 50 Captain Cyphers 25 D. W. Estabrooks 25 Rev. J. McLood 25 Judge Steadman 25 Aid. Beek 25 George F. Atherton 25 J. A. Vanwart 25 Henry Chestnut 25 Dr. Atherton 25 Alex. Thompson, (Douglas). 25 John Richards 25 Rev. Mr. Brewer 25 S. D. Macpherson 25 James Tibbits, jr. 22 John Babbitt 20 Thomas Logan 20 Benj. Stickney 10 Mrs. E. C. Freeze 10 J. G. Gill • . 10 A. F. Morehouse 10 G. A. Purdie 10 Jos. Colter 10 James Miichum 10 Samuel Owens 10 Geo. Miles (Gibson) 10 Dr. Black 10 Miss Wilbur 10 A. G. Beckwith 10 Jos. Doherty 10 James Mamie 5 W. H. Vanwart 5 Herbt. Winter 5 James Carr 5 Miss Nellie Richards 5 Miss Annie Babbitt 5 George A. Cliff. 6 Mayor Fenety $100 C. H. B. Fisher 50 T. B. Coleuuui 50 Lieut. Governor 50 Wesley Vanwart 50 Thos. W. Smith 25 Prof. Foster 25 Rev. J. H. Porter 25 Dr. EDis 25 James Hodgo 25 G. T. Whelpley 25 S. W. Babbitt 25 A. D. Yerxa 25 J. G. McNally 25 Dr. Brown 25 Miss Hodge 25 Mrs. F. B. Coleman 25 Timothy Shannon 20 Miller & Edgecombe 20 R. Sutherland, jr 20 Capt. McKenzie 10 Jackson Adams 10 Mrs. Cyphers 10 John Black 10 R. A. Esty 10 Aid. Dykeman 10 George N. Babbitt 10 Alfred Yerxa (Gibson) 10 Geo. Miles, jr. " 10 Elijah Estabrook 10 Sam. Dayton (St. Marys). . 10 James Fox 10 Dr. Atherton (additional). . . 10 W. G. Gaunce 5 Alf. Whitehead...*. 5 A Friend (gold) 5 Mrs. Wm. Lemont, 5 Miss Prudie Hartt 5 William "Wilwon 5 Jos. Estabrooks 5 T. Shannon (additional) .... G Samuel Hughey 5 Robert Belyea 5 PAO AND CON. 209 Mr. Haines (St. Marya) .... $5 Richard Carvel $5 James Wintilow 5 Mrs. H. Hamilton 5 Miss Estey (Douglas) 5 John Allen 6 Geo. Johnston '• 6 T. W. Smith (additional) ... 5 A.Fleming " 6 Mrs. G. N. Babbitt 5 Chs. King 5 G. W. Fenwick 3 G. C. Freeze (additional) ... i) Harry Williamson. , 5 Andrew W. Lipsett 5 Book collections $127 50 Other collections ' 32 (JO The above foots up the handsome sum of $2,025.10. The col- lection at the City Hall meeting of Sunday night amounted to $43.34, making the total Reform Club fund $2,068.44. Mr. Gibaou did not send the four-borse team ; it was Gibson Lotlge of Templars, and it was filled with ladies. And again on Friday following we have the last scene of the gi*eat campaign for the present in the Celestial City : — 'The Reform Club meeting at the City Hall last evening was more enthusiastic than ever. The members of the Tlst Battalion Band have formed themselves into a Reform Club Band, under the leadership of Mr. Herbert Winter. They occupied the plat- form last evening in place of the singers, and their music was first class. At one time they played Hold the Fort, and the whole audience of fifteen hundred people rose and joined in the chorus. It was a grand sight and grand sound ; every man, woman and child in the audience shouted out the chorus to the full extent of their lungs. President Temple took the platform at eight o'clock and called up his brother officers, and announced that there were now seven hundred pledged members, and not one had gone back on it yet. While he was speaking, Alex, Gibson, Esq., E. R. Burpee, Esq., C. E., Benjamin Close and a dozen or two others walked down the aisle to the platform amid the most deafening cheers. The enthusiasm at this period was perhaps greater than at any of Mr. McKenzie's meetings. After Mr. Temple had quieted them down a little, he called upon Rev. Mr. Brewer, who promptly responded 210 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: to the call and made a wonderfully happy speech. He said he had been called a McKenzieite. 'Well,' he says, *I don't care what they call me ; I am proud to be enrolled under the banners of such a man, and if I had a dozen children, I would name them all after D. Banks McKenzie,' This brought down the house, as it was known that the re\erend gentleman was not blessed with a family. Following Mr. Brewer, the President called for Hugh O'Brien, commonly known as 'Waddaui.' He also responded, and if the audience thought Waddam couldn't speak they were soon de- ceived. Poor Waddam had been what is generally termed a 'hard ticket,' and the way he pitched into the dram drinking took the audience completely by suri)rise. He told some amusing anec- dotes and retired amidst great applause. A. G. Blair, Esq., followed Mr. O'Brien and made a sound practical speech. Mr. Alfred Yerxa was then called to the platform. This young gentleman is one of the reformers ar.vl he had a sad experience to relate, but his heart is in the right place and he made a powerful and telling speech. He is well educated and spoke fluently and with great energy ; his speech had a grand effect ui)on the audi- ence and he retired amidst prolonged cheering. r James Ryan, Esq,, M. P. P., (Albert) being observed in the audience, was obliged to take the stand on the invitation of Mr. Temple. Mr. Ryan was taken by surprise but made a few re- marks and wished the cause God speed. At the close of the meeting the roll footed up seven hundred and twenty-three names. There will be one thousand good men and true before Saturday night. The Telegraph is doing a good work in the rural districts by reporting these interesting meetings. Many are coming to the city to find out what it all means and they invariably go home with the blue ribbon. It is understood that the club have obtained the whole of the stone barracks and grounds and will proceed at once to put the building in good order, making a front entrance and other im- provements. The Ladiea' Temperan«e Union have commenced preparatiQns PRO AND CON. 211 for their grand Chriatmas supper ; they will occupy the whole of the County Court House above and below.' " Harry, are you surprised that the bill was carried in York triumphantly after all these demonstrations? And are you still skeptical that the question of tem- perance is the great question of the da}^ ?" " Bob, I don't wish to reply at present. Better get through with your manuscript. One thing I would say, however, is, that Boyd ought to have been at the hustings with his * crop that never fails.' It's just what they wanted to complete the pro- gramme. But I'll say no more on the subject. It's easier thinking than talking upon such matters. Let us hear what's next ?" " Harry, although I might go on at any length re- citing similar reports from Halifax, Charlotte town, and other sectioj s of the Provinces, as well as from every part of Canada and the States, yet I think it better to ' haul up ' at our own city and see whether McKenzie was altogether justified in his 'flattering' remarks regarding our esteemed citizens. And here ' I have got a clue * as friend Marshall says, or a paragraph ratherly ; but it has got neither date nor credit attached so that I am unable to trace its ori- gin to any particular source. I presume it's an item from one of our city papei's, however. At any rate, it's a fdct and I'll vouch for its authenticity. It is headed The Temperance Horizon, and reads thusly : •St. John KEFORUki Club.— A spirited temperance meeting under the aup lices of the St. John Eeform Club, was held in the Insti- 212 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION! tute on Saturday evening. Col. C. R. Ray, President of the club, occupied the chair. Music was furnished by the club choir, Mr. I. J. D. Landry presiding at the organ. Every seat in the large building was occupied. The meeting was opened by singing, and prayer by the Rev. Wm, Armstrong. The Rev. Howard Sprague, who was the first speaker, made an impressive address, in which he brought a strong battery of facts to bear against moderate drinking. He dwelt at some length on the relative effects of war and intemperance, holding that the latter had been the greater curse to the British nation and to the world. While dilating on the evils of war, the speaker touched on the threatening aspect of affairs in the East, and expressed his firm belief in the ability of England to again triumph over Russia. In this connexion the reverend gentleman, amid great applause, recited several lines of the naval song, 'The Jackets of Blue,' and the following, from 'The Charge of the Light Brigade:' — • , ^ Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, , All in the valley of Death ; ' Rode the six hundred. t * * * » * * ■ ..... Cannon to right of them, , . , . Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them i VoUey'd and thunder'd ; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell " . Rode the six hundred. The choir sang 'Pull for the Shore,' after which the Rev. W. P. Everett addressed the meeting, urging the necessity of instruct- ing the young in this reform, so that the next generation would be total abstainers. *I will never drink again' was then sung by the whole choir. The Rev. Wm. Armstrong, who was the next speaker, referred at some length to the earnest efforts now being made by the Church of England through their denominational temperance societies not only in Great Britain but throughout Canada. He PRO AND CON. 213 had great pleasure in stating that Her Majesty the Queen was Patron of the C. of E. Temperance Society. (Applause). In consequence of a petition presented to Parliament, signed by more than fourteen thousand clergymen of the Church of England, an enquiry was held at which, on the best medical authority, it was clearly shown that alcohol was in no way, not even as a medicine, conducive to the benefit of man. The choir sang 'Ring the Bells of Heaven,' during which, at the invitation of Colonel Kay, a large number came forward and signed the pledge. Mr. J. R. Pidgeon then made an earnest address, in which he showed that the annual saving effected by one thousand five hun- dred persons signing the pledge would amount to, at eight cents per day each, the handsome sum of $43,800. He also referred to the progress of the Reform movement at Campbellton, Fredericton and other places in the Pro\'ince, and closed with a fervent tribute to the consistent career of Governor Tilley as a temperance ad- vocate. '■ '■ ' ' J ■ The President here announced the total membership to be one thousand three hundred and eighty : forty-two names having been added during the evening. This was received with great applause. The choir then sang 'Crystal Spring,' after which Mr. John E. Irvine made a short address. The meeting closed by singing the National Anthem.' Again we have the formation of the Ladies' Temperance Union, an association that is doing much good in a quiet way in the city. I will just read you an early report of the arrangement of its officers as given by the Telegraph of December 12th, 1877:— - ' <--^ - ' - ^ - ... -.i....-.: ■., 'Mrs. -Jackson presided at a meeting in the Committee-room of the Y. M. C. A. yesterday afternoon, of the St, John Ladies' Temperance Union, while Mrs. J. March acted as Secretary. After some routine business the following ladies were elected as officers for the ensuing quarter:— President, Mrs. S. T. King; Vice- 214 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Presidents, Mrs. A. L. Palmer. Mrs. J. F. Marsters, Mrs. T. B. Barker, Mrs. Bamhill, Mrs. Dr. Waters, Mrs. Henry Robertson and Mrs. E. L. Jewett ; Secretary, Mrs. John March ; Assistant Secretaries, Mrs. J. Rogers and Mrs. H. R. Smith ; Treasurer, Mrs. Kennedy ; Assistant Treasurer, Miss A. Lockhart ; Execu- tive Committee, two ladies from each Church in the City proper, Carleton, Portland and Fairville.' Although their number on paper may not for a moment compare with that of St. Stephen, Frederic- ton, or other * go ahead ' places, yet the influence they each wield in their own sphere, is all powerful and cannot fail ultimately to manifest itself through- out the entire community. Harry, I should like to dwell at length upon the influence of the ladies in helping forward this great cause ; but it would in- terfere with our present arrangement, and as the subject will no doubt come up in order, we will drop it at present and introduce the Professor from the Capital, who will give some idea of what may be expected as the result of woman's co-operation in this and every other good work. Harry, I might just state that this discourse was delivered Febru- ary 1st, a year ago, and presented to the world through the proper channel : — 'For the first time since its formation, the Ladies Christian Temperance Union had a public meeting, last night, when Prof. Foster, of Fredericton, delivered a lecture occupying more than an hour. There was an audience of about four hundred persons present. The subject treated by the lecturer was the past work of those laboring in the temperance cause ; what its advocates are doing now, and what should be accomplished in the future. Woman's influence was first adverted to and the speaker said PRO AND CON. 215 that when the history of the present century should l>e written, nothing would be found to have l>een of greater importance than what had been done by women. The apathy among a great many people concerning this movement was regretted, for the work was common to all. But what had caused this temperance awakening here and across the border? There were two causes, and the first was owing to the good seed that had been sown in the past by men engaged in it. He paid a high tribute to the zeal displayed by the E,ev. Theobald Mathew, that earnest advo- cate of temperance, and his success in obtaining signatures to the pledge of total abstinence. About the time of his death, in 1856, other societies were formed but it was felt that something else was wanted. In 1873, women in the West began a crusade and by prayer and faith rescued men from the jaws of death. The red, the blue and the white ribboii followed, and thousands were awakened from their apathy. The lecturer said that men who placed a trap for others, gen- erally fell into it themselves, and it was so in this case. People began to see the growth of the liquor traffic, and its attendant dcingers, and rose in their indignation ; this was the second cause. It had been asked by some whether sentiment or principle actu- ated them in thus rising to put down this evil. He spoke of those who had fought in the past for freedom — that was a prin- ciple. Mental freedom was another battle ground ; moral or re- ligious freedom still another. What they were fighting for now was of far greater importance — it was for personal liberty and personal freedom, and he wanted to know if that was sentiment? He advised them to go a step higher in their work, and frown down the liquor seller, and told the audience how this was to be done. If they did as he directed, the liquor stores would soon be closed and the liquor traffic would cease. But their work would not be completed until the Statute book had the most stringent liquor law on its pages. The contest had not begun yet ; those who were engaged in the temperance movement had only been skirmishing, and they must prepare to meet the enemy. He counselled them to fight on, and they would soon have this black evil removed from their midst. 216 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: C. H. Fairweather, Esq., who presided, thanked the lecturer for his able address, and then an opportunity was given to those who desired to sign the pledge, and the meeting soon closed. The Reform Club Choir, which was present, sang some of the hymns very acceptably.' • f ^^ About the same time we also learn from the same source that this Union is doing their work in a most praiseworthy manner, visiting in all quarters of the city, hunting up and relieving the sick and distress- ed ; having already furnished a considerable quan- tity of fuel, food and clothing. Harry, had your mother only been one of these ladies our contest to-night should necessarily have been brief." " God forbid, that ever my mother should be seen going around preaching such doctrines. I wonder where they find Scripture for what they're doing. Paul said that a woman shouldn't speak in public, or usurp authority over a man, but keep silence, marry, remain at home, attend to their own child- ren, love their husbands, and look after domestic affairs generally. These may not just be the words the Apostle uses, but it is evidently the meaning we should derive from his reasoning." " Harry, we will look into this matter by-and-by. Meantime let us cross the ferry and see how the Temperance cause is progi'essing on the western side of the harbour. And here we find by the Telegraph of the 31st Jan. last, that Carleton's Temperance Reform Club was organized. Over two hundred PRO AND CON. 217 take the pledge. Stirring speeches made by Clergy- men and others: — 'Carleton City Hall was well filled last nigfit. when the forma- tion of a Reform Club, to be called the 'Carleton Temperance Reform Club,' wan advocated. Mr. James A. Clark acted as chairman. Rev. Mr. Hartley was the first speaker. Mr. Hartley had been speaking a short time before our reporter arrived. He thought that, if people could be got into such a state that they did not want rum, there would be little trouble in putting down the rum traffic. Every rum shop was a public insult, because it was a trap for our young men. He would wish that every liquor dealer in Carleton should close up shop for want of custom, and that they should become better citizens. He held that if they had as great success there as in other places they would not have any drunkards. In closing, Mr. Hartley admonished the andi- ence to be sober, temperate men, and thus they would know what they were doing, and he hoped that the movement would be crowned with success. Mr. James A. S. Mott said there had been no period in the history of the whole Province in which the temperance question had excited so much interest as it was now doing. He was con- vinced that the interest manifested in Carleton would not be second to that shown elsewhere. He gave an account of the work done by the Reform Club on this side of the harbor. The Rev. Mr. Ackman stiid that he was prepared, i^egardless of creed or color, to lend a helping hand to a brother who had be- come a victim of intemperance. We are living in an age when Christian philanthropy seems to be the great power. He said Shakspeare was a temperance man, for he had said, 'Oh! that a man should put an enemy in his mouth to steal away his brains ;* and what, the speaker asked, would more quickly steal away a man'u brains than alcohol? He illustrated this point at some length, and pointed to the example of Christ in saving men as an incentive to temperance reform. He hoped that soon the white banner of temperance would wave in every land. 14 218 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Mr. Adams read the by-laws of the 'Carleton Temperance Reform Chib.' He also made a few remarks, stating that he believed that if the cause was properly sustained there would not be a single rriin shop in Carleton by the first of May next. The success of the St. John Reform Club he considered, was greatly due to the establishment of the reading-room in connexion with a restaurant. Many men would not have been able to have kept their pledge if it had not been for the reading-room, for if they had not had it, they would have gone to the bar-room. Rev. Mr. Hartley called for those ladies who were interested in the formation of a Ladies' Christian Temperance Union to stand up, and nearly every lady in the hall arose. He then called for those persons who were interested in Carleton Temperance Reform Club, to stand up, and almost every person in the hall stood up amidst loud applause. During the meeting pledge-books were opened and notice given that all who desired to sign the pledge could have an opportunity of doing so. A general rush took place and more than two hun- dred and twenty signed the i>ledge. The meeting was greatly enlivened and assisted by the singing of the choir, which took place at intervals.' , , . ,. A few days after another soothing item says: 'There are now nearly five hundred members in the Carleton Temperance Reform Club, it having received a great addition at the meeting on last Friday evening. One liquor dealer has dis- posed of his stock and joined the ranks of the workers. The club has secured the largo room in Carleton City Hall as a club- room, and it vnll be opened from eight a. m. till ten p. m. for the benefit of members who may desire to visit it. * Harry, are these things not cheering? And after calmly considering the whole matter, is there not abundant cause for rejoicing and thankfulness?" "Bob, it's our duty to be thankful and rejoice at all times and under all circumstances— for why PRO AND CON. 219 should 'a living man complain?* but our weakness is to be ungrateful for unmerited favors, and too easily elated over mere phantoms. This excitif ment will not last. Many a big time they've had over the liquor question; but drink is still sold never- theless, and I guess will be sold as long as man remains a fallen being." - CHAPTER IX. '''""' PROGRESSION. "Harry, I acknowledge that some chaff may, for a season, remain among the wheat; and that legal convictions are not always productive of lasting spiritual good. Notwithstanding, this refoi-m must go on ; and I think we ought to feel satisfied that intemperance is not a mere local affair, but a thing that strikes at the very vitals of the nation; and that the liquor traffic is the grand fruitful source of tax- ation, pauperism, woe, crime, misery, death and eternal desolation. We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the streets of our cities echo to the shouts and oaths of drunken revellers, from whom society seeks protection through its legitimate channel — Prohibition. I am aware there are many who say that the temperance movement is a sentimental affair, and that the reform will soon flag. But, Harr^ , the reform will go on. Could you point me ^0 THE TEUPKRANOE QUESTION: to a reform which ever stopped ? My dear sir, you Bxe aware that reform is motion, and motion cease- lessly acted upon by the impulse of acceleration; and so it is with the temperance movement. Look at it from whatever standpoint you will, it will be seen to be in exact harmony with the age: nay, it is* a part of the age itself. The Almighty has blessed the efforts of its friends, many of whom have long laboured in comparative obscurity; and like That man, who, bearing precious seed, , In goin^ forth doth mourn, * • He, doubtless, bringing back his sheaves, Kejoicing shall return.' It has now taken a strong hold on the popular heart, It's champions are not fanatics; they are- not sentimentalists ; — only terribly in earnest. Be- hind them are memories which will not let thenv p^use. Broken circles, ruined altars, crushed hopes, . fallen greatness, and cold, sodden ashes of once, genial fires, urge them on. With the help of God, no fear of such men and women faltering, until ' painful recollection can be taken out of the human mind; until the children can be made to forget the- follies and vices of the parents, over which they i mounted to usefulness and to honor; until the mem-, ory will surrender from its custody the oaths of drunken blasphemy and the pains of brutal violence; until these things can be done, no men, no combi- nation of men, however strong, can stop this glori- ous reform. It^a cftuse lies deep as human feeling FRO AND CON. 22r itself. It draws its current from sources embedded in the verv fastnesses of man's nature. It will, it mvst go on, because its principles are correct and its progress beneficent. The wave which has been gathering force and volume for centuries will con- tinue to roll, because He who hath divided the sea in ages past that His ransomed chosen might pass over, is supporting the cause, and the denunci- ations of its opponents, and the bribed eloquence of the unprincipled, cannot check, — no, nor retard, — the onward movement of its flow. Upon its white crest thousands will be lifted to virtue and honor, and all who put themselves in front of it will be submerged and swept away. The crisis through which this reform is passing, will, and must do good. It will make known its friends, and unmask its foes. The concussions above and around us will purify the atmosphere; and v/hen the clouds have parted and melted away, we shall have purer air to breathe and sunnier skies tc behold. Harry, you may as well attempt to stop Fundy's tide with a pitchfork at Partridge Island while the Atlantic rolls behind, as stop the temperance movement now in progress." "Bob, your hope regarding future results of the cause is evidently very strong indeed ; and your faith is partly supported by an abiding confidence in your fellow reformers ; but you may yet find to your sor- row that human nature is a wonderful thing, and often says, 'peace, peace, when there is no peace.'" 222 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "I confess, Harry, we know not what is ahead; what desertion apparent friends may occur ; what temporary defeat we may have to bear ; nor against what intrigues we may be called upon to guard. I assure you that I for one count on the opposition of many parties ; and anticipate the double-dealing of political leaders. The cause, I am aware, has often been and may again be betrayed into the hands of its foes ; more than once be deserted by those who owe whatever prominence they may have to it. Man is no better now than he was when our Redeemer him- self was betrayed by one of his disciples and for- saken by the rest. But these reflections do not move me. They stir no ripple of fear on the sur- face of my hope. The temperance cause is a laud- able cause, approved by God, sanctioned by the laws of His moral government, established upon the principles of truth, equity and justice; and hence it can never be lost by the faithlessness of the unfaith- ful. The progress of its march can never be stayed by any human agency by which it may be assailed. No, Harry, according to the established order of Providence, no true principle of government can ever be overthrown by the opposition of its enemies; nor can the progress of any reform, sanctioned by Heaven and promotive of human weal, be long retarded by any force or combination which may be marshalled against it. Christianity has marched — notwithstanding the opposition of man's nature and PRO AND CON. 223 the wiles of the Spirit of darkness — over thrones and proud empires, treading bayonets, banners and em- blems of royalty proudly under its feet ; and as sure as there is a God that judge th righteously, so sure will the Gospel ultimately triumph — and the tem- perance cause is a puii, of that Gospel. * From Green- land's icy mountain to India's coral strand' there is a cry — and a cry that must be heard — of deliverance from the curse entailed through the traffic in intoxi- cating liquors. Harry, according to your own asser- tion, that 'truth is mighty and must ultimately prevail,' the temperance cause must advance. I am aware, my dear friend, that you have used strong and unwarranted language against those who are assisting forward this great reform. You have said that temperance men have been bumming around since you could remember, without getting any nearer the mark. Let us look for a moment whether or not this is so. I acknowledge the time was — I remember it well — when pastor and people (excep- tions of course) vied each other in the produc- tion of the best sherry, and other brandies, which were held as orthodox drinks, and served on all occa- sions to company, while many there were, and, no doubt, good men too, who, as a preparation for their nightly rest, as regularly took their whiskey punch as they offered up their devotions. I will illustrate this by repeating a sermon that was supposed to have been delivered in North Britain many years 224 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: aago, and which I heard repeated once in Nassag- weya : — 'My friends I'm noo to preach to you. In common exhortation, About y'er faith, y'er future stctc, Or ony ither station. I'll I'reach to you, ay, an' preach richt loud, A heavier temptation, Thau a' the ills that e'er came doon. To vax the Highland nation, — Ah ! the M'hiskey. But a Highland dram be very gude, When took in moderation ; , . But like the tree in Adam's yard, 'Tis just a vile temptation. v., Ah ! then refrain sae well's ye could, ^ An' no be ruination ; For ye'll na get ae' drap to drink The day o' tribulation, Ah ! the whiskey. , My frien's when ye get up in the inornin ye may tak a dram, ay, an' ye may gie ye'r wife a dram ; an' before ye go up to the iiill ye may tak a dram ; an' when ye hae come doon frae the hill ye may tak a dram ; an' before ye hae ye'r breakfast ye may tak a dram ; an' before ye hae ye'r dinner ye may tak a dram ; an' be- fore ye hae ye'r suj:per yo may tak a dram ; ay, an' before ye gan^ to bed by a' means ye maun hae a glass o' hot toddy. But ye'll remember my frien's that ye'r nae to be dram, dram, dram- ing a' the time. Sic mercies are gude, an' ye'r hi'e to use them, an' no abuse them. An' noo my frien's I'll tell to you, An' no be hesitation, Ye'r na to drink till ye be fu' For fear the lamentation : For if ye do, tlie whisk<;y'a blaze Will fire the indignation ; An' then ye'll mind the preacher's words, An' curse ye'r destination — Ah ! the whiskey. PRO AND CON. 225 In conclusion friesi's tak iny advice, an' no be toxicatiou ; for what the duce would ye be like in the ither warl were ye to dee we' ye'r brains filled fu' o' Highland whiskey ? It wad 1)6 better for ye never to dee ava — far better ray frien's. ' "Bob, that's sound doctrine, and if people would only practice it now-a-days, there would not be so much fighting around our streets. Indeed we would have no drunkenness at all, and honest people could have their home comforts and enjoy life, without having the finger of scorn pointed at them by those whose fathers they would disdain to set with the dogs of their flock." "Harry, I am aware that such doctrine was not only once preached but practiced by the majority of Christian ministers throughout the world ; and the man who was at all able — and the man who was not able — who neglected to provide intoxicating liquor for gala days, weddings, or friend's funeral, was accounted, if not a denier of the faith, at least, less provident than an infidel. Harry, I confess with shame and self-reproach, that I had wine at my own father's funeral, notwithstanding the remonstrance of my esteemed pastor, who was a total abstainer, and whose counsel I would have endeavoured to fol- low in any other matter at that time. And why? Because it was not only fashionable to have it, but considered mean to dispense with this token of respect for the dead ; and I could not bear to have the finger of scorn pointed at me. But the current has changed, blessed be God. We live in a pro- 226 THE TEMPEBANCE QVESTION : gressive age, as I have already attempted to show, and the minister of religion who should dare to utter such language from the pulpit or platform at the present day as the sermon I have referred to unfolds, or the Chiistian who would dispense strong drink at the obsequies of his friend, would justly be hooted and held up to public ridicule by all right minded persons in the community. And how has this change taken place? It has been gradually brought about through the indefatigable exertions and influence chiefly of those you have impeached with hypocrisy and fanaticism — those very men and women whom the world was not worthy of in the estimation of many. My dear Harry, you are aware there was a time when our forefathers owned slaves — yes, Britain once owned slaves and engaged in the slave trade without compunction. Now the thought of this fills us with amazement. So I ven- ture to predict that the time will come — and is not far distant — when Christian men and women ; nay, bare professors of religion, will wonder how it was possible that rum, gin, brandy and other alcoholic mixtures, were not only tolerated but also held in esteem by the wise and good as well as by the ignorant and vile. The long night of such intem- perate darkness, we trust, is past and the morning dawned that shall yet brighten into noonday reful- gence. When we consider the mighty changes which have recently taken place in the temperance reform, PRO AND CON. 227 have we not good cause to feet animated and en- couraged to unfurl our banner to every breeze, and hope that the future may be our's? Harry, only fancy what a world would this be, was intemper- ance banished from its shores; what joy, happiness and comfort would be restored to the hearts and the homes of the poor inebriate's family ! The eye, as it glances onward through the vista of futurity, would behold the bright and joyous scenes of pro- gressive men+al and moral improvement, until it reaches and rests on the predicted visions of Mil- lenial glory and blessedness, instead of viewing, as it now does, poverty, crime, decay, desolation and death in almost every corner of our ruTn blighted planet. Harry, is it not lamentable to think that men with minds susceptible of reflecting their Maker's image — yea. even created anew in that very likeness which consists of righteousness and true holiness ; men with powers to control the elements of nature to their service ; to traverse the immensity of space ; to explore the bowels of the earth and the subteraneous caverns of the mighty deep — men with im'inortal souls that must spend an eternity of happiness or misery according to the governing principle by which they are actuated in the present life — souls capable of expanding in knowledge, improvement and felicity ; of not only holding communion with the spirits of just men made perfect, but with the pure angelic host, and 228 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: even with Deity itself. Is it not lamentable, I say, that men with such glorious endowments and privi- leges, should have their Creators image defaced, those principles of happiness, love, purity and hope, dwarfed through the infatuation of intoxicating beverage ? Was man only the creature of a day, and did his existence cease at the end of his earthly career, when his corporal frame is for a season re- duced into its primitive elements, it would be of no little importance how his time and his talents were spent, not only for the promotion of his own peace and happiness in this world, but for the benefit of his fellow creatures. But man is a being made for a higher and nobler purpose. 'To glorify God and enjoy Him forever,* is the chief end of his very existence ; and how can that glory be promoted by those whose minds are grovelling in the filth of sensuality and intemperance ? I ask you, my dear Harry, in the spirit of Christianity, whether the man who is placing a stumblingblock, or an occa- sion to fall, in his brother's way through the influ- ence and example of his social glass, is fulfilling the end of his creation ? I feel terribly in earnest in this inquiry and wish a candid reply. If our eter- nal interest ,is at stake owing to the formation of our present character ; if we shall never cease to be the very same living, moving, intellectual beings that we now are — though placed in different circum- stances ; and if we are to be the subjects of reward PRO AND CON. 229 or punishment, as the case may be, in another sphere, what manner of pei-sons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" " Bob, what a pity they had'nt made a methodist preacher of you. I think we have enough sermon- izing on Sabbaths without having one s mind dis- tracted during the week by such serious things. I know we have a duty to perform to our Creator, our fellow creatures, and to ourselves ; but do you think is the fulfilling our duty going to merit Heaven for us ? You know many of the preachers tell us, — and the Bible backs them up pretty strongly in what they say — that we can do nothing of ourselves; and that after we have done our very best we are still unprofitable servants. Suppose your theory was carried out, wouldn't it destroy the Decrees of God ? You surely know enough about the Bible to know that it teaches that there is a remnant ac- cording to the election of grace, and that the salva- tion of the sinner is not of works but of grace, that no man might have anything to glory of." " Harry, the mysteries of Providence are not for us to pry too much into. Our daty is to attend to Peter's admonition, which says : ' Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' This is our duty, and if we do it God will look after His own pui-poses. And you know that Paul says: * They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lust^.' And again, * The works of 230 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: the flesh are manifest which are these : adultery, fornication, uncleanness, laciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders. Drunk- enness, revellings, and such like : of they which I tell you before, as I have also told you in times past, that they which do these things shall not in- herit tlce Kingdom of God! And in contrast, he says : ' But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsufFering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, Temperance : against such things there is no law.' Now Harry, as one deeply concerned for your pres- ent and your everlasting welfare, I earnestly ask you to study these verses ; they will do you good. If we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must take up our Grose and follow Him through good and through bad report. If we lo"f^e Him we ipfinst keep His commandments — and His command is, that *ye love one another, as I have loved you.' And how can we love our brother if we are en- deavouring, by precept or example, to destroy him for whom Christ died ? The Apostles' motto should be our motto: 'If meat make my brother to offend I wUl eat no flesh while the ivorld standeth! (1 Cor. 8: 13.) 'It is good neither to eat flesh, NOR TO DRINK WINE, nor any thing whereby thy BROTHER STUMBLETH, OR IS OFFENDED, OR IS MADE WEAK.' (Romans 14: 21.) Just read these items at your leisure, and pray God to instruct you in their PRO AND CON. 231 right meaning. I assure you, Harry, I don't wish to sermonize, or wander from our subject so often ; but it is hard to do otherwise as you are so stub- born to obey the principles of the Gospel." "Bob, this is all very good to talk about, and I will look over the paragraph you have referred to at the earliest convenience, as it seems one of your strong forts in the support of your argument. But is there not a little liberty granted even by the Gospel for some indulgence in the enjoyment of the life that now is ? You know Boyd says in his lecture that ye'r to 'Go it while ye'r young,' and doesn't Bennet in his 'Wisdom of the King' say something like this : 'Rejoice young man in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes?" '■ ^' "Perhaps so, but let us hear what the King him- self says in finishing up the subject: 'But know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.* Yes, Harry, you and I must give an account of ourselves to God. You have, no doubt, read what Watt says regarding this matter: — 'There's not a sin tliat we commit Nor wicked word we say, But in God's awful lx)ok it's writ Against the Judgment day; So must the crimes that I have done Be read and published there ; Be all exposed before the Son, While men and angels hear.' 282 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: But I will not trouble you further by referring to such serious matters, although important. To return to our subject, hear what John B. Gough, the greatest living monument of the Grace of God, in rescuing the drunkard from his merited retribution, says, regarding the great reform we have been contem- plating, and whicli I have confidently asserted, must go on: — * Our enteipriBe is in advance of the public sentiment, and those who carry it on are glorious iconoclasts, who are going to break down the drunken Dagon worshipped by their fathers. Count me over the chosen heroes of this earth, and I will show you men that stood alone — ay, alone, while those they toiled, and labored^ / and agonized for, hurled at them contumely, scorn, and contempt. They stood alone ; they looked into the future calmly and with • faith ; they saw the golden beam inclining to the side of perfect justice ; and they fought on amidst the storm of persecution. In * Great Biitain they tell me when I go to see such a prison : — There is such a dungeon in which such a one was confined:^ Here, among the ruins of an old castle we will show you where such a one had his ears cut off, and where another was murdered. Then they will show me monuments towering up to the heavens i — ^There is a moniunent to such a one : there is a monument ixyf another. And what do I find? That the one generation perae* cuted and howled at these men, crying. Crucify them! crucify them! and dancing around the blazing fagots that consumed them ; and the next generation busied itself in gathering up the scattered ashes of the martyred heroes and depositing them in the golden urn of a nation's history. Oh, yes ! the men that fight for a great enterprise are the men that bear the brunt of the battle, and He who seeth in secret — seeth the desire of His chil- dren, their steady purpose, their firm self-denial — will reward them openly, though they may die and see no sign of the triumph» of their enterprise. PRO AND CON. 233 Our cause is a progressive one. I have reatl the first constiiu^ tion of the first temperance society forme«l in the State of New York in 1809, and one of the by-laws stated — Any member of this association who shall be convicted of intoxication shall be fineer8ecution scorched some men so that they left the work. Others worked on, and Ood blessed tliem. Some are living to-day ; and I should like to stand where they stand now, and see the mighty enterprise as it rises before them. They worked hard. They lifted the first turf — prepared the bed in which to lay the comer-stone. They laid it amid persecution and storm. They worked under the surface ; and men almost forgot that there were busy hands laying the solid foundation far down beneath. i By and by they got the foundation above the surface, and then began another storm of persecution. Now we see the superstruc- ture — i)illar after pillar, tower after tower, column after column, with the capitals emblazoned with love, truth, sympathy, and good will to men. Old men gaze upon it as it grows up before them. They will not live to see it completed ; but they see in faith the crowning cope-stone set upon it. Meek-eyed women weep as it grows in beauty ; children strew the pathway of the workmen with flowers. ;.•■«„ . - : . ; i. i i . j . We do not see its beauty yet — we do not see the magnificence of its superstructure yet — because it Is in course of erection. Scaf- folding, ropes, ladders, workmen ascending and descending, mar the beauty of the building : but by and by, when the hosts who have labored shall come up over a thousand battle-fields waving with bright grain never again to be crushed in the distillery — through vineyards, under trellised vines, with grapes hanging in all their purple glory, never again to be pressed into that which 15 234 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: can debase and degrade mankind — when they shall come through orchards, under trees hanging thick with golden, pulpy fruit, never to be turned into that which can injure and debase — when they shall come up to the last distillery and destroy it ; to the last stream of liquid death and dry it up ; to the last weeping wife and wipe her tears gently away ; to the last child and lift him up to stand where (rod meant that child and man should stand ; to the last drunkard and nerve him to burst the burning fetters and make a glorious accompaniment to the song of freedom by the clanking of his broken chains — then, ah ! then will the cope-stone be set upon it, the scaffolding will fall with a crash, and the building will stand in its wondrous beauty before an astonished world. I^oud shouts of rejoicing shall then be heard, and there will be joy in heaven, when the triumphs of a great enterprise usher in the day of the triumphs of the Cross of Christ.'" " Bob, that's just Gough ' to a parliament,' I heard him in the Institute three years ago, and it's just him. No doubt but he's a Millerite and thinks the Mil- lenium will soon be here. But it will take some time yet before the sanctuary is cleansed, I should like to see or hear about Church Courts taking hold and helping the thing along ; and I'm surprised they don't do something in that way, if wine diinking is of so much importance as some of the clergy on the platform report it is. You know Dr. Guthrie says: 'Strange that Ministers will meet in General Assem- blies and discuss this thing and that thing, nor address themselves aright and with self-denial to this spring -and-ivell-head of miseries and murders; the davmation of souls and the ruin of our land.*" > '' Thanks, Harry, thanks. Isn't ' truth mighty and PKO AND CON. 235 must ultimately prevail ?' I fancied Guthrie's story would caiTy conviction. He was a great man all through; the more I read his Autobiography the more convinced I am that he was one of the excel- lent of the earth. Newman Hall, LL. B., in dedi- cating his 'Scripture Claims of Total Abstinence' to Dr. Guthrie, says that 'his name suggests more than any w^ords of the author could express.' And in reply the Doctor writes from Edinburgh, 19th of January, 18G1 : — *My dear Mr. Hall, — I will consider it an honor to have your tract dedicated to me. I hope that it will be scattered over Eng- land thick as snow-flakes. The cause is one in which I feel not only a deep but a deei)ening interest, and I am astonished that so many Ministers of the (rospel, and good Christian people, can turn aside from the fight as they do. When, as one of the parochial ministers of this city, I labored among the lower, and indeed lowest classes of society, I was met at every comer by the demon of drink. I found it utterly useless to attempt to evan- gelize the heathen and raise the lapsed masses without the aid of Total Abstinence. With all my trust in the promises of God, and blessings of the Holy Spirit, I felt that I must be able, as a worthy leader, to sajr to the people, not Forward, but Follow! This, (and the Irish Car-driver's rebuke) first induced me to become a total abstainer, and I am convinced that it is the duty of every man who would do his utmost for the glory of God, and the good of his fellow-creatures, to discountenance by his example the use of intoxicating stimulants. They are the cause of almost all the poverty and crime — they are the great fountain of domestic dis- cord and misery — and the lives they destroy, and the souls they ruin year by year, in our country, are to be numbered, not by thousands, but by tens of thousands. Ever believe me, yours with much esteem, Thomas Guthbie.' 236 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Harry, isn't this a wonderful letter? And it agrees so well with your theology about the Eccle- siastics. But everything he wrote or said was won- derful. 'The City, its Sins and Sorrows,' a pamphlet he wrote some time ago, and which has been blessed to thousands is a wonderful production. Only let me read an extract from it as a supplement to that we have just heard: — 'Can you, as a Christian man, as a man at all, justify yourself before God and your own conscience, for lending the influence of your example to an indulgence so ruinous to the world, and so opposed to the objects for which the Saviour hung on Calvary ? * * * I have tried both ways ; I speak from experience. I am hale, because I use no ale ; I take no antidote in the form of drugs, because I take no poison in the form of drinks. Thus, though in the first instance, I sought only the public good, I have found my own also, since I became a total abstainer. I have these four reasons for continuing to be one : Ist. My health is stronger; 2nd, My head is clearer; 3rd, My he. t is lighter; 4th. My purse is heavier. Go thou, and do likewise ; and be like- wise. ♦ * * How kind-hearted, and especially Christian people, can lend their countenance to the use of stimulants that make such frightful havoc on the virtue, happiness, present and eternal well-being of their fellow-creatures, astonish me. It looks as if they loved their glass and tumbler better than their Saviour — than those for whom Christ died. I should be sorry to entertain such thoughts of many whom I love and revere. I do not. But it looks so, and can only bo explained by those words of Hood' : — . „ , , ' It never was in my soul, to play so ill a part, . ' But evil is wrought by want of thought, as well as want of heart.' J Harry, these paragraphs ought to convince, being couched in the spirit of Him who came to seek and to save that which was lost, and who only can have PRO ai;d con. 237 compassion upon those who are out of the way. No doubt many drink through ignorance of the conse- quences, or want of thought ; and could they only be instructed and brought to consider, their cars would be startled by the invitation of Mercy — 'Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways ; for why will ye die?* Harry, if people would only hear His voice and obey instead of soothing their miseries in the wine cup, how much better it would be for them- selves and others." "Ay, that's just where the mystery comes in. Bob. Well I suppose they can't very well help it, unless assisted by the Spirit of all Grace." "Yes, Harry, that's the power that's lacking in too many cases. Instead of, like Peter, trusting to our own hearts like fools, in contending with this and every other evil, we should never forget wherein our great strength lies. Our motto must be, if we ever gain the victory, *By the Grace of God'; and be it ours, first of all, to seek and obtain a saving interest in Him who gave himself a sacrifice for sin, and then let the same mind that was in Christ be in us, and, as with an overwhelming and everlasting love Christ loved us, let us in like manner love the brethren." "Bob, I suppose the reason the present movement surpasses anything of the kind formerly, is, that some of the leaders recognize this principle." "No doubt of it at all, Harry, and the more they 238 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: realize this glorious principle, the more powerful will their efforts be felt. Whatever excuses people may have framed in the past for giving their coun- tenance and support to the source of intemperance, there can be no laudable excuse framed to-day. Many are running to and fro and knowledge is being increased; and whatever ignorance or indiffer- ence may have been winked at in the past, men are now everywhere commanded, not only to repent but to bring forth fruit meet for repentance — re- pentance or destruction being one of the great prin- ciples of the moral government of our world. But to return to our theme, Harry, I would ask you candidly, if you think it possible, in the face of all the arguments I have advanced, for the temperance cause to decrease or return to its former channel?" "Bob, you have certainly been zealous in its ad- vocacy, and seemed as if you meant all you have said; but after all, man is a wonderfully constituted creature, and I am not prepared to risk much on his faithfulness to support any measure that would clash with his terrestrial gratification." CHAPTER X. r ::;■•, ,,,;• . rir^f^' woman's INFLUENCE. "Harry, let us turn for a moment from mankind and converse with the 'better half of creation, and PRO AND CON. .i 239 see whether they have any influence in supporting this noble cause." "Bob, is it woman you mean? What has she got to say?" •■ ' ' "Harry, T believe the time has come when it is her privilege and duty to speak ; and you may rest satisfied that if she takes the floor and means busi- ness, she will soon demand an audience. After all the pufhng we have had about man's doings, I hazard the opinion that if ever intemperance dies a natural death it shall be by the influence of ivo- man. She has been the greatest sufferer and shall undoubtedly have honours heaped upon her head in the temperance reformation. Has not her afiiic- tion appealed to every fibre of our manhood for sympathy and succor, and to our legislators for ade- quate relief? How long have our wives, mothei-s, sisters, daughters, been deprived of that protection which governments were organized to afford ? Al- though woman seems to have had no champion — save the late 'Billy Needham,' whose name should be held in everlastinc; remembrance— ainonc: the immortal heroes of our New Dominion, yet some Philanthropist of her own sex may soon arise and set forth the wrongs of her race, in a manner to stir the Angjo-Saxon blood and save mankind from the horrid tortures of a law sheltered rum traffic. An amaranthine wreath awaits such a benefactress, and I feel assured that its leaves of endless green 240 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: and flowers of fadeless beauty, shall yet be clutched by the hand of some chivalrous heroine." "Bob, I should like to differ with you in this mat- ter. I cannot see how it's woman's duty to dictate to men what to do, even in wine drinking. We would soon have a pretty world was it governed exclusively by the ladies. However, they say it's coming rapidly to this in the States. Old mother Stewart, and others of her stamp, have been making a big time lately on both sides of the Atlantic, and I shouldn't be surprised if they would give trouble in Canada. I think they ought to be kept in their own place — and that's at home with the children. Of course it woVild please many of the ladies could they only be Mrs. Caudles, but it wont suit in a free country." "Harry, you must be hen-pecked, or you would not talk in this manner about w^omen. I am aware there are many of the masculine gender — we wont prostitute language by calling them men — who glory in the lictitious title of 'lords of creation,' and, who speak and even act as if woman was a being of an inferior nature to that of man. But, Harry, since you have slighted her at the outset, I mean to unbosom a little of my mind in this matter, for I could never bear to let any creature pass with impunity, who was so mean as to take a lady's name in vain And now I beg your attention for a period imtil we loc'^ into her history. I always like to advance facts in support of any argument I under- PRO AND CON. 241 take as they are stubborn things and hard to deny. Woman has too often been celebrated in deathless song, for the noble deeds she has achieved, for us to doubt her abilit}' to destroy the monster of intem- perance. Full well I know the calumny that has often been cast at her character — that by woman came the apostacy of Adam ; but I also know — and it is a glorious truth — that by woman came the recovery through Jesus. It was a woman that im- bued the mind and formed the character of Moses, Israel's deliverer, whose life was also saved from a watery tomb by a King's daughter. It was a woman that led the choir, and gave back the response, of that triumphal procession which went forth, on the banks of the red sea, to celebrate with timbrels the overthrow of Pharoah. It was a woman that put Sisera to flight, that composed the song of Deborah and Barak, and judged in righteousness for years the tribes of Israel, and of whom it was said : 'Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenito b<>J, It was a woman that defeated the wicked coun- sels of Haman, del /ered righteous Mordecai, and sa^'^ed a whole nation from utter destruction. It was a wciman — tender woman — that dared to embark upon the foaming and angry billows with her little skift", when man's — stern man's — heart had failed to ven- ture, in the tempestuous midnight darkness, on the craggy and treacherous shoals of England, that a shipwrecked crew might be saved from a watery 242 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: grave. Her exploit was victorious, and the name of Grace Darling shall be remembered to all time. It were women that forsook their friends and their homes for a season, to minister consolation and sue • cor to the wounded and dying soldiers at Inkerman, Balaclava, Delhi, and many other blood-stained bat- tle fields, as well as throughout the great American conflict and other recent campaigns, among whom the philanthopist and heroic Florence Nightengale shall never be forgotten. Miss Rye, also, whom you have seen, Harry, and who brought a cargo of orphans to this city only a few years ago, is a model of philanthropy." "Oh, that wasn't much of a job; she got a free passage and enough praise to make up for all the trouble she was put to picking up the urchins." "Harry, I think it is not manly to talk so dis- paragingly about those who are devoting their time, talents and means, to the welfare of society; but I suppose human nature must develop itself in some way, othertv^ise it would stagnate. However, we will speak of others. It is a woman that has swayed the British Sceptre for the last forty-two years, under whose peaceful reign the kingdom has extended, that the sun now never sets upon her wide domain. 'Victoria's banners are v^aving over the battlements of nature;' and her race numbering some three hun- dred millions of souls, enjoy all the political if not religious liberties of the nineteenth Century." PRO AND CON. 243 "Bob, that's pretty stout talking, but they say it's a fact, and I feel proud to belong to such a sovereign. Many think we're the 'Ten lost tribes,' and this no doubt accounts in some measure, for our summing up such an army. The Israelites were always great to multiply ; even when in Egypt they spread so fast that Pharoah put the baby boys into the Nile, but it was no use, they were bound to grow, and I shouldn't wonder if they would yet fill the whole earth. Victoria is certainly an exception, and I wish that she may long live as a woman and a Christian ; although I fancy Prince Albert would have made just about as good a king as she. I think you have missed some fine ladies of the past. What about Joan D'Arc ? Wasn't she a conspicuous character and figured high in politics some centuries ago?" ■ "Harry, I haven't got her on my list; but we might as well look at her as we pass. She was a General once in the French Army and believed her- self commissioned by Heaven to free her country ; and no doubt was in earnest, and although finally defeated in her object, like many another true woman, lost her life in attempting to save that of others. I am aware that the sceptre of empire is not the sceptre that best befits the hand of woman; nor is the field of carnage her field of glory. Home, sweet home, is her theatre of action, her pedestal of beauty and throne of power, or, if seen abroad, she 244 THE TEliPERANCE QUESTION: is seen to the best advantage when on errands of love and wearing her robe of mercy. Still she has a Heaven appointed mission. It is hers to give sup- port and energy to every benevolent enterprise and association calculated to benefit the human family. Only contrast her faithfulness with that of the sterner sex in the case of our Saviour: It was not woman that slept during the agonies of Gethsemane — it was not woman that deserted His Cross on Calvary; but it was woman that dared to testify her respect for His corpse, that produced spices for embalming it, and that was found last at night and first in the morning at the sepulchre. Time has neither i.npaired her kindness, shaken her constancy, nor changed her character. Now, as formerly, she is most ready to enter, and most reluctant to leave, the abode of misery. Now, as formerly, it is her office, and well it has been sustained, to stay the fainting head, wipe from the dim eye the tear of anguish, and from the cold forehead the dew of death. This is not flattery or unmerited praise. Woman has signalized herself in the past. She is occupying some of the most noble positions in the present, and it is an undeniable fact, that to her is committed the destiny of the coming generations of our world. 'If this world,' says Mr. Flint in his Western Review, *is ever to become a better and happier world, woman, properly educated and truly benevolent, sensible of her influence, and wise ■PM PRO AND CON. 245 enough to exert it aright, must he the original mover in the great work.' Thatcher, in his remarks to woman, says: *It rests with woman, in a pre- eminent degree, to give tone and elevation to th(3 moral character of the age, by deciding the degrees of virtue that shall be necessary to afford a passport to her society.' The remarks which Cato has also made respecting the influence of the Roman women, is as true in every land to-day as it was in the an- cient Republic. *The Romans,' said he, 'govern the world ; but it is women that govern the Romans/ *Give me a host of educated, pious mothers and sisters,' says a renowned writer (Thomas S. Grimke) 'and I will do more to revolutionize a country in moral and religious taste, in manners, and in social virtue and intellectual cultivation, than I can possi- bly do in double or treble the time with a similar host of educated men.' The same writer says, 'I cannot but think that the miserable condition of the great body of the people in all ancient communities, is to be ascribed in a very great degree to the degra- dation of women.' But, Harry, it is unnecessary referring to any authority of the past to prove that the influence of woman is great, and that to her keeping is entrusted the general purity, taste and manners of society. If we turn our eyes to any community where the females, as a general rule, are ignorant and debased, we will find that virtue and purity are discarded in that community, and we can 246 THE TEMPERANCE (QUESTION: there form a very correct general estimate of the character of the women by the customs and habits prevailing among the inhabitants generally ; and in a land where the women are intelligent and virtu- ous, we invariably find that the people are every- thing but corrupt and dissolute. The influence of woman, therefore, is seen and felt, and should be acknowledged by all. In refined communities, where the religion of the Gospel has shed its divine light, and difiused its elevating hopes, and where educa- tion has developed the mind and polished the man- ners, woman has attained her highest rank, and exercises an influence the most deep and extensive. But even among the uncivilized and barbarous nations of the earth, we shall not find the female entirely divested of influence. It is no trivial spur to the ambition and the couraojeous daringf of our western Indian to be able, on returning with the war- party, to chant the song of victory, and recount his deeds of valor in the hearing of the females of his tribe, and display before them the spoils of conquest. The Creator has so framed our constitution, that it is an inherent desire in man — unless destroyed by some vice or potent drug — to cause his deportment to be of a character calculated to please 'the better half of our race. A large proportion of man's actions are performed in express reference to this end. Remove this honourable disposition — take away from man's heart all desire to gain the appro- PRO AND (ON. ^ 247 bation and good-will of the wife, the betrothed, the mother, the sister or daughter, and one-half, at least, of the laudable ambition and enterprise of the world would be lost. Alas 1 such a rlesire has often been removed by intemperance. Who will not confess the influence of a mother in forming the heart of a child? What man is there who cannot trace the origin of many of the best maxims of his life to the lips of her who gave him birth ? How wide, how lasting, how sacred, is that part of woman's influence ! Who that thinks of it, who that believes that any good may be pro- duced or any evil prevented l>y it, can need any arguments to prove the importance of the character and capacity of her who gives its earliest bias to the infant mind? 'Holy, thrice holy, is the part through life to thee that's given ; Well might the poet say thou art the link 'twixt earth and heaven, Such art thou, Woman, when thy mind cjuals thy loving fonn,~ When not thy deatUiest foe can find one trace of passion's stonn.' . , Harry, I would I could speak to every mother and daughter in the world to-night. I would not, if I could, persuade them to become the public, clam- orous advocates of even temperance. It is the in- fluence of their declared approbation; of their open, willing, visible example, enforced by that soft, per- suasive, colloquial eloquence which, in some hallowed retirement and chosen moments, exerts such con- trolling influence over the hard, cold heart of man, especially over a husband's, a son's, or a brother s 248 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: heart. It is this influence we require and must have, before the end of our mission shall have been obtained. What could woman not do was she only determined? Did ever she undertake anything that was not accomplished, and a perfect success too? Look at her pic-nics, bazaars, parties, etc. Are they not all grand in the extreme? What could our be- loved Queen, Princess Louise, and other ladies occu- pying high positions in society, not do at the present day in the temperance reform, were they only united and decided? Why, sir, they could change the cur- rent opinions of the entire community of our world ; they could remove, at once and forever, temptation from the saloon, the drawing room, the dining table. This is woman's empire; the empire over which God and the usages of mankind have given her dominion. She has but to speak the word, and one chief source of the mother's, the wife's, and the widow's sorrow will, throughout the circle in which she moves, be dried up forever. My dear Harry, you may perhaps think I am speaking too much upon the influence of woman, but I am speaking from years of observation, from the opinions of the great and good in every age, as well as from my own experience. Under God, I owe my present position to the influence of a woman, my beloved tvife. It was her monitory voice that taught this heart what it was once slow to learn: that the drunkard's downward course was naturally progressive; that no man became a sot PRO AND CON. 249 merely from choice, and that drunkenness was only produced by drinking — limited drinking. These facts I am now more than fully convinced of. And being indebted to the kind of influence in question, . can more fully realize how decisively it bears upon the destinies of others. There is not a young lady of refinement, I am satisfied in the world to night, who could not make one proselyte to total absti- nence. Only let her take the proper steps, and her object is obtained. He will promise anything, ay, and keep his promise too, if he has any honor — I mean before the ' fixings,' for afterwards, if he loves the social cup, he is not likely to promise anything but a bad husband, wretched father and miserable citi- zen. HaiTy, perhaps I should ask to be excused for holding the floor so long; but I could not but' speak tlie things I know to be true; and I trust you will weigh this matter more fully than you have ever yet done, and pray God to forgive your past ingratitude to the weaker sex, and try to ele- vate those within your influence to that position, our Creator designed they should occupy. Only think on the tinie that any sacrifice you could have made would have been considered less than nothing and vanity to gratify the wishes, and add comfort and happiness to her whom you have sworn at the bridal altar, to love and cherish as your own dear self. I don't wish to pry into your private history, but I should like to enquire whether your social 16 250 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: glass lias strengthened you in the perfonnance of . that solemn engagement and other domestic duties. With all earnestness I ask you again to think on the happy days when reposing on the bosom of her whose sweet name you then lisped and now call 'Mother.' Only recall that blessed past and other pleasing moments in your early days, and try if you can, to talk lightly of those whom we call Woman? "Harry, I am indeed sorry to wound your man- hood, by recalling memories of days gone by; but I feel in duty bound to touch some tender chord, in order that you may be brought to feel that you ought to be a 7)ian, and, as such, strive to obey the divine injunction: 'Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also hath loved the Church, and gave him- self for it. * * * * So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself;' and in conjunction, 'the wife see that she reverence her husband.' My dear Harry, * you see I am not bias. My aim is to put you on the right track. One of the greatest mysteries of man's happiness in this life is fulfilling to the letter this gem of Heaven's command. If you ti*ace the whole narrative with care, and believe the Gospel, you will no longer doubt that crur wives are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, designed by God for our helpmeet, and that a virtuous woman is a crown of glory unto her husband. The Gospel is adapted to the requirements of humanity, and its acquies- PRO AND CON. 251 cence invariably brings its own reward. It is as true to day as it was six thousand years ago, that 'it is not good for man to be alone/ and that his Creator in His infinite wisdom hath provided for his comfort; and that flowers as sweet as ever Eden bore bloom at our feet, if we'd but stoop to lift them. Oh, Harry, I entreat you to leave off your social glass, if not for your wife's sake — the worth of whom I trust you may be led to form higher estimates — for your own sake and the sake of the children that God in His mercy hath given you, lest at some day you may be left to feel the bitter experience of the following lines, although it may not be with such pleasing results :—- * Twas in the flow'ry month of June, The sun was in tne west, ' * When a merry, blithesome company Met at a public feast. \ i\ Around the room rich banners spreadf, And garlands fresh and gay ; . v'??? Friend greeted friend right joyously ^ i Upon that festal day. ' •' The board was filled with choicest fare; The guests sat down to dine; Some called for 'bitter,' some for 'stout,* And some for rosy wine. Among this joyful company, A modest youth appeared ; ' ^> »• Scarce sixteen summers had he seen, No spacious snare he feared. An empty glass before the youth Soon atew the waiter near. 'What will you take, sir?' he inquired, 'Stout, bitter, mild, or clear?' 252 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: . f , * We've rich supplies of foreign port, We'v(; first-class wine and cakes.' The youth with guileles" 'ook replied, . ' \;,. Til take what father takes.' • -' , > ..i, ,; , '/■.:^*'-: Swift as an arrow went the words Into his father's ears, ■ i. -■■ ... And soon a conflict deep and strong ' , , ' Awoke terrific fears. , , , The father looked upon his son, Then gazed upon the wine, '• ■ . . Oh God ! he thought, were he to taste, ' ; . ', , Who could the end divine ? . , ,. , Have I not seen the strongest fall, The fairest led astray ? 1 , And shall I on my only son Bestow a curse this day? No; heaven forbid ! 'Here, waiter, bring Bright water unto me. My son will take what father takes : My drink shall water be. '" "Bob, I trust that such may never be the ex- perience of my greatest enemy. I don't think there's much danger of any of my children turning out drunkards. I caution them pretty strongly , against taking too much, and indeed their mother is always watching them like thieves, lest they get at the decanter. She has also lately got some kink into her head, and has been doing her best to keep liquor out of the house altogether. In fact I have . got so pestered with her entreaties that I almost prefer any place before home. It is hard to expose family matters, but the neighbours are beginning to talk as if they anticipated something wrong, for the children ar;, cross and cut up all kind of shines. PRO AND CON. 2J3 This I only tell you in confidence as a friend and don't wish it to go further." "Harry, you may depend that such matters can- not but come to light. Your wife feels, no dcnbt, that she has been wronged, and perhaps fancies her- self your slave; and if she has the principles of true womanhood in her nature, she cannot tolerate such absurdity without seeking redress in some way or other. As she has formerly been in the habit of using a little wine or beer to keep up her spirits, under the pressure of domestic ec(5nomy, and has left it off, no doubt such is one of the causes of her peevishness. You remember I have already explained the whole theory. However, a little while may set all right if she only pei'severes in the proper course. It is your duty to go home sober in good season, talk pleasantly in the family, especially when dining; give your wife to understand, without Any mask, that she is still the same, if not higher in your estimation, she was the day you mutually pledged fidelity to each other, and that you love her still far better than any other creature in the world. If you adopt this maxim, and listen to her admoni- tions for a few months, I will pledge my honor that your present dwelling will soon be a happy home. Harry, I am not inclined to puff or talk about family matters, but I should like to have you go home with me some evening to tea, to see my wife and children. Why, sir, the baby is watching for my arrival, and 254 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: the moment I enter cries out 'papa,' and in less than no time, half a dozen happy faces are showering kisses on my lips, mamma is pleased, everything is in order, and all goes like a marriage bell. People may talk as they like, but I tell you, Harry, if this is not true happiness I don't know where it can be found upon earth. You may smile at what appears to you softness in my nature, but you evidently know nothing about such bliss. Was I to go home under the influence of liquor, I fancy my company would be any thing bat pieasing to my family. However, we will talk no more about domeetic affairs at present but proceed with our narrative; and, as an illustration of what triue women can do when sincere, and sensible of her influence, I will just recite an extract that I have on file. It speaks for itself, and I trust will do good: — 'Pledge with wine — pledge with wine ! ' cried the young and thoughtless Harry Wood. 'Pledge with wine,' ran through the brilliant assembly.' The beautiful bride grew pale — the decisive hour had come, she pressed her white hands together, and the leaves of her bridal wreath trembled on her pure brow ; her breath came quicker, ^er heart beat wilder. 'Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for this once' said the Judge, in a low tone, going towards his daughter, 'the company expect it, do not so seriously infringe upon the rules of etiquette ; — in your own house act as you please ; but in mine, for this once please me. Every eye was turned towards the bridal pair. Marion's prin- ciples were well known. Henry had been a convivialist, but of late his friends noticed the change in his manners, the difiference PRO AND CON. 255 in his habits— aiid to-night they watched him to see, as they Bueeringly said, if he was tied down to a woman's opinion so soon. Pouring a brimming beaker, they held it with tempting smiles toward Marion. She was very pale, though more composed, and her hand shook not, as smiling back, she gratefully accepted the crystal tempter and raised it to her lips. But scarcely had she done so, when every hand was arrested by her piercing exclama- tion of 'Oh, how terrible!' 'What is it?' cried one and all, thronging together, for she had slowly carried the glass at arm's length, ami was fixedly regarding it as though it were some hide- ous object. ■ ^ ■ 'Wait,' she answered, while an inspired light shone from her dark eyes, 'wait and I will tell you. I see,' she added, slowly pointing one jewelled finger at the sparkling ruby liquid, 'a sight that beggars all description ; and yet listen ; I will paint it for you if I can : It is a lonely spot ; tall mountains, crowned with verdure, rise in awful sublimity around ; a river runs tbrov ^h, and bright flowers grow to the water's edge. There is a thick, warm mist that the sun seeks vainly to pierce ; trees, lofty and beautiful, wave to the airy motion of the birds ; but there, a group of Indians gather ; they flit to and fro with something like sorrow upon their dark brow ; and in their midst lies u manly form, but his cheek, how deathly ; his eye wild with the fitful fire of fever. One friend stands beside him, nay, I sliould say kneels, for he is pillowing that poor head upon his breast. •Genius in ruins. Oh ! the high, holy looking brow I Why should death mark it, and he so young? Look how he throws the damp curls ! see him clasp his hands ! hear his thrilling shrieks for life ! mark how he clutches at the form of his com- panion, imploring to be saved. Oh ! hear him call jiiteously his father's name ; see him twine his fingers together as ho shrieks for his sister — his only sister — the twin of his soul — weeping for him in his distant native land. 'See !' she exclaimed, while the bridal party shrank back, the untasted wine trembling in their faltering grasp, and the Judge fell, overpowered, upon his seat ; 'see ! his arms are lifted to 256 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: heaven ; he prays, how wildly, for mercy ! hot fever mshes through his veins. The friend beside him is weeping ; awe- stricken, the dark men move silently, and leave the living and dying together. ' There was a hush in that princely parlor, broken only by what seemed a smothered sob, from some manly bosom. The bride stood yet upright, with quivering lip, and tears stealing to the outward edge of her lashes. Her beautiful arm had lost its ten- sion, and the glass, with its little troubled red waves, came slowly towards the range of her vision. She spoke again ; every lip was mute. Her voice was low, faint, yet awfully distinct : she still fixed her sorrowful glance upon the wine-cup. *It is evening now ; the great white moon is commg up, and her beams lay gently on his forehead. He moves not ; his eyes are set in their sockets ; dim are their piercing glances ; in vain his friend whispers the name of father and sister — death is there. Death ! and no soft hand, no gentle voice to bless and soothe him. His head sinks back ! one convulsive shudder ! he is dead!' ^^ '>' . A groan ran through the assembly, so vivid was her descrip- tion, so unearthly her look, so inspired her manner, that what she described seemed actually to have taken place then and there. They noticed also, that the bridegroom hid his face in his hands and was w .•e}nng. 'Dead !' she repeated again, her lips quivering faster and faster, and her voice more and more broken ; * and there they scoop him a grave ; and there without a shroud, they lay him down in the damj) reeking earth. The only son of a proud father, the only idolized brother of a fond sister. And he sleeps to-day in that distant country with no stone to mark the spot. There he lies — my father's son — my own twin brother ! a victim to this deadly poison. 'Father,' she exclaimed, turning suddenly, while the tears rained down her beautiful cheeks, 'father, shall I drink it now Tlie form of the old Judge was convulsed with agony. He raised his head, but in a smothered voice he faltered- * No, no, my child, in God's name, no,' PRO AND CON. 257 She lifted the glittering goblet, and letting it suddenly fall to the floor it was dashed into a thousand pieces. Many a tearfnl eye watched her movements, and instantaneously every wine glass was transferred to the marble table on which it had been prepared. Then, as she looked at the fragments of crystal, she turned to the company, saying : — 'Let no friend, hereafter, who loves me, tempt me to peril my soul to wine. Not firmer the everlasting hills than my resolve, God helping me, never to touch or tastb that terrible poison. And he to whom I have given my hand ; who watched over my brother's dying form in that last solemn hour, and buried the dear wanderer there by the river in that land of gold, will, I trust, sustain me in that resolve. Will you not, my husband?' His glistening eyes, his sad, sweet smile was her answer. The Judge left the room, and when an hour later he returned, and with a more subdued manner took part in the entertainment of the bridal guests, no one could fail to read that he, too, had determined to dash the enemy at once and forever from his princely rooms. Those who were present at that wedding, can never forget the impression so solemnly made. Many from that hour iorswore the social glass.'" "Bob, this is a wonderful piece, and I shouldn't wonder if it's true. The Judge must have been a rich old knob, and doubtless gave his daughter a large fortune. The husband was no doubt rich also. Such people are different from common folk, and when anything happens amongst them it is pub- lished all over. Had it been a poor man's son that died so far from home, nobody Y.ould ever have heard of it." "Harry, you are pretty straight in your conjecture, and it just strengthens the remarks I have made regarding the baneful influence of those in high life 258 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: indulging in their social glass. But it is now get- ting late and we must hurry up. It's really too bad to keep our wives in suspense at home. I didn't tell mine that I might not return at the usual hour as I had no idea of the labor we had to go through. By the by .I'm afraid my watqh is stopped. Harry, what time is it?" "Half past eleven." "Possible! Let us go at once and finish up some other time. It's preposterous to keep our wives so long waiting. The best of our subject is yet to come. There are some pretty strong points yet un- touched. When could we meet again, Harry?" "Bob, I don't think I could attend inside of four or five weeks. Will that be too late? I want to leave the city on business, and may not be back sooner." " It's a long time, HaiTy, but I have plenty of other things to attend to, and we may be able to grasp some new ideas by that time. If you have returned and call, you will find me here at half-past seven o'clock on Monday evening, tenth of February. Good bye — I must run. It's too bad to be out so late — too bad really." "Good bye, Bob." ■ ^^^a .-,.-.,,_.. - • " '-'-^^ '.;. t.- PRO AND CON. 259 •V CHAPTER XL PREPARING FOJi ACTION. *• Halloo ! Harry, how correct you are ; glad to meet again. I anticipate you have joined the 'fanatics* so that we will have no debate to-night." ' "Not a bit of it, Bob. I haven't as yet been able to see my way clear to that step, although I have thought a good deal over what you said, anji if my wife doesn't improve I may be forced to go with the crowd some day. It's almost impossible to 'hang out' in the face of so much opposition." "Harry, I guess you'll have greater opposition to contend with before long. Major Welch has been here for some time, and has been doing wonders. He has got about all the Printers in the city to join his ranks. They marched in file three Saturday nights ago to the Reform Club new Hall — that big brick building you know, on the corner of Princess and Germain streets you fancied one night was a Jewish Synagogue. The whole thing appeared in print the following Monday, and here's a condensed report I got hold of and kept so that you might see what was going on in your absence : — 'Major Welch's Address to the Printers of St. John, January 13th, 1879: — On Saturday night last Major Add. T. Welch lectured in the Reform Club Hall to the printers of St. John. The room was closely packed with an audience of eager listeners. The speaker appealed to the printers to be worthy of 260 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: their responsible position. The majority of the newspaper men of to-day have graduated from the printing office, and he cited a number of names in proof of his assertion. He called attention to the undeveloped state that the Province of New Brunswick was in when he left it some twenty-five years ago. At that time there was not a foot of railroad, and there was only one telegraph line. A side-wheel steamer was unknown ; and when the first steam- boat whistle was heard on the St. John river, the people of St. John charged the people of Fredericton with being frightened out of their wits, and with praying earnestly that some power would intervene to save them from becoming a prey to Indian devils. New Brunswick was then an isolated Province ; the soldiers of the old land did duty on h'^** soil and stood sentinels over her inter- ests. The voice of a native Governor had never been heard in her Council Chamber. But what a revolution has occurred within those twenty-five years. To-day New Brunswick is pai-t of a Dominion whicli will be a great nation, with railroads, telegraph lines and steamboat communication with all parts of the world ; independent in government, with laws and customs of her own. Her own soldiers are sufficient to meet any emergency ; her own sons represent her interests and she holds her own place among the nations of the earth. The greatest agency in this march of progressive development was the press. Its voice has been heard and its power has been felt, and the craftsmen of to-day owe it to the men who battled for us in the weakness of our infancy to fit themselves to occupy the places vacated by those pioneers of Pro- vincial progress. This they can do by practising the virtues of sobriety, tlirift and industry. Mr. Welch then stated that the industries of the Province had been paralyzed through the agency of drink to a larger extent than from any other cause. He ap- pealed to his hearers generally to sign the pledge, and the appeal was responded to by the signature of seventy-nine names. The meeting was a most successful one. The lecture committee of the club stated that over five hundred people were turned away from the door after the hall was filled. The platform was occu- pied by the Rev. Messrs. Almon, Pope and Knight, and Silas Alward, Esq.' r'v.<> PRO AND CON. , 261 "Bob, that's really wonderful, seventy-nine of our city printers total abstainers ! Is it possible ? The Major must be a 'hairpin' to get hold of so many of these fellows to join his club. He must have a pow- erful influence in some way. McKenzie never could make one convert, I understand, among the 'typos.' I wonder if any of the editors or reporters were there?" "Harry, I couldn't say; but I was introduced to the Major in the Post Office last Tuesday by friend FiNLAY, one of the Boss Printers, and also Editor of The Printer's Miscellany, a paper got up in the in- terests of the 'craft' and very widely circulated. I anticipated by his looks that he was on pretty good terms with the reformer at any rate. Of course he never takes any thing stronger than a cigar; but his inflence is great, and I shouldn't wonder if his name was enrolled on the Major's list. Harry, the Major has doubtless a potent influence. He is a Celes- tialite, was never imported, has travelled a good deal, a printer by trade, thoroughly posted in the art of fencing, and just knows where to strike to hurt He doesn't sit on the platform awaiting his audience, but hunts them up. I saw him cornering a printer one day in the Telegraph Job Office, and I am not jesting, Harry, when I say that he was handling him without gloves. This is the kind of men we want for the brunt of the battle in the coming crisis, and there are many of them in the 262 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: field, and their numbers are rapidly increasing. There is some talk that Lieutenant Ewing, Captains Armstrong and Kane are preparing their batteries for action. They have got new helmets; and you are aware that Colonel Ray has had full command of the recruits who are now on drill; and also, that large reinforcements are daily forming at Indiantown and the suburbs. Our High Sheriff also talks as if he meant to do something. But it's better perhaps omitting names, lest some worthy persons should be overlooked. One thing is evident, however, that thousands in our city and county are in harness, awaiting command to *Go ahead' from the Evan- gelical Alliance, an association similar to the War Department at Washington. I heard to-day that one of our wine-merchants was for Boston, and that several others were preparing to close up. I saw one on Saturday at York Point who had got the shakes or some other nervous disease. Harry, it's not a thing to be laughed at; but it's a pity they hadn't had sense enough before taking out their last license to know that the time would come when society would look after its own interest. The following report of a Mass Temperance Meeting, held Januaiy 18th, will give some idea of how the public pulse beats in St. John: — *By all odds, the greatest Saturday njght mass meeting ever held by the Reform Club was that on last Saturday, when the club hall was packed to its utmost capacity before eight o'clock. Chairs were placed in the aisles, and the stairs were blocked, but • 't pro and con, • - 263 still the accommodation was not sufficient for all who desired admittance. Mr. W. D. A. Kennedy, one of the vice-presidenta of the Reform Club, presided. In opening the meeting lie paid a tribute to Mr. Welch, and said that as a result of the meetings addrensed by that gentleman about four hundred had been led to sign the pledge. Mr. Kennedy expressed a hope that those who had signed would stick to it and that the membership of the club would continue to increase. An opening hymn was then sung, followed by prayer. . As usual, Mr. Welch'ei appearence was the signal for an out- burst of applause. It was his twenty-second address in this city, since this, the second, temperance crusade began. In his opening remarks, the speaker complimented the press of St. John which, he said, had done more good for him and tbe cause since he came here than many of the clubs which he had succeeded in organizing. It was greatly to the credit of the paj^ers and he thanked them for their aid. He then called upon men to accept the responsi' bility of their own actions in this work, and pleaded with those who drank intoxicants to forsake drink — 1st, because it affected their purse; 2nd, because it injured their health, and 3rd, for the reason that it destroyed their usefulness in the community. After reasoning on these points he called the attention of the audience to the extremes to which a man would go to gratify his appetite, citing the case of a man who confessed that he had taken the wedding ring from his dead wife's finger to pawn it for liquor. The temperance workers and those associated with reform clubs had demanded much of the clergy, but he inquired of those who made the demand : What have yon done that you have a right to demand this ? When you forsook drink and the bar did you go to church ? When you gave up the vice of swearing did you take up the hymn book and the Bible ? Unless they had done something for the church they had no right to exact help from the church. He then picked up the statement of the man who had said if the Permissive Bill was adopted here it would upset everything, and criticized it severely. Major Welch declared himself an uncom- promising prohibitionist although working for moral reform. He took up the point that the men who are 'pooh-poohing' this move- 264 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: ment arc those whom the drink custom has by the throat, and begged of them to throw off the power that held them. The house rang with applause aa the speaker resumed his seat. Rev. G. M. W. Carey next took the platform and after congrat- ulating himself on hearing what had been said by the previous speaker, made a short address in which he urged each individual tc do his best in this movement. Two songs were rendered by Mr. Joseph Duftell. Mr. S. B. Patterson spoke and said he considered that the churches were not doing what they might in promoting the cause of temperance. A few personal reminiscences were related by Sheriff Harding, who defended the justice of the Permissive Bill, and pleaded at length for the necessity of its adoption. He pledged himself to be worthy of his record as a temperance man, and promised to appear at a future da^ j when he would tell the club what he knew about 'the ether side.' The meeting did not close until 10.30, having been open for two and a half hours. It was the most harmonious and pleasant gathering ever held. There were eighty-seven new names added to those who liad previously taken the pledge.' A week after we are greeted with the pleasing intelligence that Indian town is awakened — that place that was considered frozen up in the absence of up river navigation: — 'Court's Hall, Indiantown, was packed with people last evening, it being the occasion of the first night for Major Welch, under the auspices of the Reform Club at that place. The passage leading into the room where the meeting was held was occupied by a crowd of persons who could not gain admission. Seated on the platform were the Rev. S. T. Teed, Mr. John Collins (better known as 'John in the wilderness'), and a number of other gentle- men who identify themselves with temperance work. Mr. John ' Ferris, President of the Indiantown Reform Club, took the chair, and, after prayer by Mr. Collins, introduced the speaker, who PRO AND CON. 265 exhibited, to a marked degree, his remarkable jwwcr of putting his audience in sympathy with himself. He expressed his opinion that there was no difference between the respect due the two men who stood one on each side of a bar — the one as a buyer, the other as a seller, of home, of respect, of prosperity, and of social posi- tion. The influence of the bar-room in promoting corruption in election cases was cited, and the speaker declared that rather than let a glass of liquor purchase his ballot, he would bear to be trampled so thin that sixteen thicknesses of his body would bo required to make one shadow. He offeree! $I^CO to the j^erson who would prove to him that the drinking of liquor does not in- jure mentally, morally and physically, the person who indulges in its use. 'Ihe man does not live on the face of the earth, he said, who is not hurt by indulging in liquor. He said he had made the same offer iu every place which lie spoke, and was not challenged but once, when a man took his offer of a gold watch, but after being six weeks a teetotaller retracted his clain\ on the time piece, saying that when he was three months free from rum drinking, he would be able to buy himself a watch. There is no man but might own a watch if he had kept the money which was spent upon liquor. The rumsellers and their victims in most cases are at the two extremes of prosperity — and there are plenty of such in and about St. John. No man can afford to support a rum shop. At the rate on the cost of the liquor paid for by the drinking man, a coat valued at $20 would cost $117, and a barrel of flour costing $6 would bring a price of nearly ^6. The bent diseased bodies and prematurely old appearance gave evidence of the effect of the beverage upon the mind and physical being of the victim of strong drink, unii the speaker challenged his hearers to instance him a person who had been benefitted, socially, mentally and morally through its use by himself. Major Welch closed his address by repeating the Lord's prayer, with comments in the same beauti- ful manner as was given at the St. John Reform Club meeting, with much effect. Brief and interesting addresses were next delivered by Mr. W. D. H. Kennedy, one of the Vice-Presidents of the St. John Reform V ..'-;■ .17 -■ • -'• 266 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Club, and Mr. Collins, after which the meeting was brought to a conclusion by singing the National Anthem. ' • Pitt Street Church, St. Malachi's, Fairville, Milford and other conspicuous places in the city and suburbs are all on the move and mean business. Enthusi- astic and influential meetings were held in connec- tion with various associations Saturday evening last at which Major Welch, A. H. Hanington, E. T. C. Knowles, Frank Duffy, R. J. Ritchie, M. P. P., J. R. Pidgeon, A. C. A. Wells, and many others gave stirring addresses relative to the agitation of the Permissive Bill and other important matters con- nected with the temperancv^- movement. The Ladies' Christian Union have reported that they have been in existence over fourteen months with marked success, and that though their work has been done quietly, it has been felt in the homes of the poor, in lifting up the fallen, and in aiding very materially other organizr^ions. On the first January they removed to their own room in the Reform Club building on Germain street, where they have been holding their meetings every Tues- day at three o'clock, p.m. On each alternate Tuesday they have a very interesting Bible reading by Mrs. H. B. Jackson, of Brooklyn, New York, to which meeting all who are interested in the good work are cordially invited to attend. The officers for 1879 are: — Mrs. John F. Marsters, President; Mrs. W. W. PRO AND CON. 267 Tumbull, Mrs. Henry Robertson, Mrs. A. L. Palmer, Mrs. T. B. Barker, and Mrs. Barbarie, Vice-Presi- dents; Mrs. John March, Secretary; Miss Jane Lock- hart, Treasurer; Mrs. Hunt, Financial Secretary. Reports have also been pouring in from Yarmouth, Windsor, Truro, Pictou, New Glasgow, Antigonish, River John, Liverpool, Londonderry, Sackville, Dor- chester, Amherst, Chatham, Nauwigewauk, Petit- codiac, Shubenacadie, Halifax, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Guelph, Hamilton, Niagara, and many other places of note in Canada. Intelligence has also been received from the Great North West, and indeed, I might say, Hong Kong, and all parts of the world. Here's an item I cut from the Chills- tian at Work, and speaks volumes in support of my anticipations: — . 'It is stated that within the last three months upward of 70,000 persons throughout Northern New York have signed the temper* ance pledge. The estimate includes about 30,000 in Troy and adjacent \rillages, where Murphy t ' his colleagues labored; 15,- 000 in the Hudson Valley ; 1.3,0C0 in the k ohawk Valley, and 12,000 throughout Washington, Rensselaer and Warren counties, and among the principal villages between Troy and North Adams. The work is yet going on and increa-^es in enthusiasm da,ily. The liquor traffic has V/ecome unprofitable, and no less than three hundred saloons are luiown to be closed up from the direct influence of these meetmgs. The Frost Brothers make the following showing: Two thousand signatures at Hudson, 1,800 at Kinderhook, 5,000 at Gloversville, 3,8CK) at Glemi's Falls, 1,800 at Sandy Hill, 2,000 at Cohoes, 2,000 at Schenectady. They are now engaged at Fort Edward, where they have secured 2,000 in seven nights.' 268 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: The Troy Times also reports, in an article copied by many leading Journals in Canada, that — * One of the first converts of Francis Murphy in the southern tier was William H. Maxwell, of the Elmira Advertiser. Since his reformation he has lectured almost every night, and has re- claimed over eight thousand drinking men in this region. It was through his efforts that not a drunken man was seen in Homells- ville at the time of this Erie strike. His lectures are the wittiest, most eloquent and effective of any of the Murphy speakers in this part of the State.' * I made $10,000 by rum-selling in five years,' said a well known resident of Schuyler County, a reformed liquor-seller, at a Max- well meeting a few nights ago. * During the past five months I have returned that and $5,000 besides, to the families of men I knew were wronged by the place I kept. In helping forw^ard the Murphy cause I will use all I have if necessary. ' "Harry, is not this glad tidings, and should strengthen us in the faith of a general reformation from the evils of intemperance at no distant day ? But the uprising against the traffic has actually commenced in many places, and is marching with marked earnestness. Just look at this epistle from John McMorran, Esq., of Heightstown, N. Jersey: — *We are happy to report a most triumphant victory over rum in this place, yesterday. We voted a fair and square ticket, rum or no rum, license or no license. The women of all denominations met in the Y. M. C. A. rooms, and held a concert of United Prayer to Almighty God ; while the people were engaged in a mighty struggle against intemperance. The liquor dealers arrayed all their forces ; the wholesale dealers and brewers furnished moiicy to overthrow the temperance party. But all in vain. . In the evening, one hour after the close of the poll, the anu^uncement was made the temperance ticket was twenty-five votes ahead! Cheer after cheer arose from the large crowd. Then they united, PRO AND CON. 269 and sang praise to God from whom all blessings flow. While the song of praise arose the church bells rang a merry peal of joy. The institutes caught the inspiration, and their bells rang for joy. This is a most glorious victory for Heightstown. Twelve towns in New Jersey have carried the vote against license, and the Army of Temperance is n\oving on. Glory be to God!' "Harry, talk about temperance reform waning after such results. I tell you if you're spared, you'll see such an overturning in this city as you never saw in your life. The storming of 'Van Pelt's' saloon by the ladies, or the Fenian scare, when Indian Island was taken, shall be nothing in comparison." "Bob, I have been listening with patience. In fact, I had no chance to get in a word, even side- ways, your reports were so closely connected and so well to the point of your argument. How did you possibly get hold of them ? I guess you must have been busy in my absence. As I have been in the country and had no chance to pick up news, I am not prepared to refute any of your points so far as reports are concerned." "HaiTy, I presume had you been in the city you would not have been qualified for this undertaking. Facts are pretty rough things to handle, and it is my hobby always to place them in the front ranks. They are like life-preservers in a shipwreck, and help to keep one's head above water. Harry, had you only a few facts at command, how nice it would be." 270 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: " Bob, I fancy you think you are all right because you have got public opinion on your side ; but it's not long since it was on mine. However, I never look much to public opinion for guidance ? It's so fickle. Public opinion is only the opinion of the masses ; public opinion crucified Jesus of Nazareth; public opinion has longer patronized the rum shops than it has lifted a testimony against them." "I am satisfied of these facts, Hairy; but my dear sir, we may risk our life on public opinion when it stands the test of the 'touch-stone' of truth; and pub- lic opinion in the temperance movement is in keeping with the spirit and harmony of the Gospel. Harry, you need have no trouble of conscience about join- ing the crusade on that score." "Indeed I'm not much troubled about whether rum is sold or not. I fancy I'll get all I want some- where, unless the people are all converted, and then I must give in. Is that another report you have got ? What in the world is it about ? You surely don't mean to wade through all that sheet ? " "Bob, keep cool. It's only a few lines that friend Main of the Gmtr'er sent the day after our last meeting. It's abo ^ '" Tilley's return from England. You know after he . ift New Brunswick and arrived at Ottawa, he went to England to negotiate about a loan of three millions that he secured at four per cent., which was considered a 'capital' bargain. He arrived home on Christmas Eve, and the following PRO AND CON. 271 evening he was presented with an address by the temperance bodies of Ottawa in the Dominion Methodist Church of that city. There was a-n im- mense assemblage present. The address was of a highly complimentary character, referring to Mr. Tilley's consistent course as a temperance man, his eminent abilities as a temperance orator, the great services he had rendered to the cause, both by pre- cept and example, and closing with the hope that his abilities would be used in perfecting the Tem- perance Act of 1878 and making its provisions generally effective throughout the Dominion. I will not trouble you with the address in full, but here is the reply and unfolds the principles of our worthy. Financial Minister: — ,,.... - . . 'It has been many years since I first appeared on a Temperance platform in Ottawa. I have had experience of a somewhat varied character, but in all my experience I have never felt as much em- barrassed as on this, to me, most interesting occasion. Stolid and unemotional indeed would I be, were I not deeply touched by the expressions contained in that address, and by the large congregation of all classes assembled here to welcome me back to the City of Ottawa. ' ' ' ' • "" ' ' "'"''■ During my six years residence in Ottawa I made many warm personal friends, and among the warmest and best were those with whom I have, at some time or other, been connected in Tem- perance work, and from whom I parted with very great regret. When I accepted the position of Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick I did not expect to come back to Ottawa as a public man, but had looked forward to an occasional visit as a private individual ; but in the course of Providence I am here again in a public capacity, and I trust to help in the good cause and for the propagation of the work which is dear to th;^ hearts of my friends 272 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: here to-night. I feel that I am far from entitled to the kind words in which this address is couched, and the compliment is largely enhanced by the presence of such an influential gathering as I see before me. I feel sure there are many whom I have never met before and while they liave come here because they de- sire to express their approval of my forty years of temperance work, I hope they have also come to take new courage for the noble battle they are fighting. And I tell them they have reason to hope for the trumph of the principles which they espouse. The honorable gentleman proceeded to refer to the time when he first signed the pledge, which was forty years ago this month. He had enjoyed a fair share of prosperity, which he felt he owed largely to total abstinence. He had witnessed a great revolution in public feeling on this question of total abstinence. When he first enlisted in the cause, forty years ago, the finger of scorn was pointed at anyone who was instrumental in making a man sign a temperance pledge. They were looked upon as having no influence ; but now the most influential men of the land are en- rolled in the great army. When the movement was first inaugu- rated the members of the church appeared to think they would be taking too much upon their hands by entering upon this woik, but now they saw the bishops and clergy of the church both in the old and new world, coming out boldly in favor of total absti- nence and doing a glorious work. He felt that the isentiments expressed in the address were far beyond his merit. He had the happiness of knowing that he had been instrumental in saving several young men from their down- ward course, but he had been rewarded with the heartfelt thanks of mothers anO fathers who had almost l)egun to despair. Then, again, he had had an honor conferred upon him which he valued as highly as the appointment conferred upon him by his Sovereign. When that assemblage of the leading temjjerance men met in St. John, including some of the best minds of the day, they elected him to the distinguished position of President of their body. That was a great honor, and he felt that he was not entitled to it. In the address they had been pleased to acknowledge his ser- vices in the Legislature of his native Pro\'incc. He could take HONORABLE S. L. TILLET, K. 0. B. ,„ , , .^.. ■k- - • i'l PRO AND CON. 273 credit for having assisted in forming and presenting a bill for the prohibition of the traffic in that Province, and he claimed that it was the best bill ever introduced ; but they had gone in advance of public sentiment, the measure was defeated, and as a result they lost instead of gaining ground. He would counsel them not to act prematurely, but to wait until public opinion was ripe for it before making any move. He had read with pleasure of the passage of the bill introduced last session and if he had been in the House at that time ho would have given it his hearty support. By its provisions the will of the people could be consulted, and they could, by its aid, go on step by step until they hatl carried their principles to victory. He would strongly advise them to wait for the proper moment before attempting to carry this measure, and warned them against risking defeat, as every defeat would greatly retard the object they had in view. Reference had been made to the course he had adopted with regard to social affairs on assuming the Lieutenant Governorship of New Brunswick. There had been great doubt as to the result of such a course, but as in every other case the results had been as it ever is where a man adheres to his principles. He could not have taken any other course from that which he advocated for so many years. Referring to the Scott Act, the hon. gentleman said he was sorry Mr. Scott was not present. His (Scott's) name was associated with that excellent measure, and he had reason to be proud of it. He ascribed the remarkable Temperance wave which swept over Fredericton nearly a year ago, to the meetings having been kept up nightly for six weeks ; at the end of that time there were not four hundred male adults in the city who had not signed the i-oU of the club formed on that occasion. He asked them was it sur- prising, under these circumstances that Fredericton should be the first to adopt the new Temperance Act ? He advised his hearers, while they were advocating Legislation to remedy the great evil of intemperance, not to forget another and more potent influence which each individual possessed, that of personal efforts to lead his friends and acquaintances from the course of destruction. 274 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: He referred to the fact that a similar question had been asked at the host session of Parliament here and in the old country, as to what course the Government intended to take with reference to the question of temperance. Could not the Liberals and Con- servatives, both in the old and new world, unite in this instance and bring about that legislation which is so much needed ? If they could only have the assistance of all those who could exercise influence over others, they could soon wipe this monster curse from the land. Referring to that part of the address which spoke of Mrs. Tilley, he said if she would pardon him he would say she was a better temperance speaker than himself. She would atldresi audiences larger than the one before him, but always took them one by one. From this time whether in public or private life, they would have two homes, one in Ottawa and the other in New Brunswick, and he could assure his friends that they would continue to take an active part in temperance and kindred good works. As an old politican and an old man he would say to the young men l)efore him, whatever course in the world they might choose they had nothing to lose and everything to gain by joining a temperance organization. That was his experience after forty years of total abstinence. He concluded by expressing his hearty thanks, and assuring his many friends who had extended him such a warm welcome, that he would never forget this interesting occurrence as long as life was spared to him. The hon. gentleman was repeatedly interrupted by cheers, and resumed his seat amid a perfect ovation.' After this address Hon. Dr. Tapper was next called upon, and said he felt deeply gratified at having an opportunity of taking part in the demon- stration, and paid a compliment to the ability of his worthy and eloquent friend, Hon. Mr. Tilley. He thought there was a fitness in his being invited to speak on the platform this evening, inasmuch as his PRO AND CON. 276 father was one of the founder.? of the first Temper- ance Lodges in New Brunswick, where Hon. Mr. Tilley had himself become a teetotaller. It was not necessary to decant on the evil of intemperance, for there was not a man, woman or child in the country who had not directly or indirectly been affected by its baneful influence. The only wonder was that society, knowing this, still remained under its thral- dom. He referred to the fact that a few years ago great excitement had been created throughout Canada by the perilous position in which a man had been placed in the immediate vicinity of Niagara Falls ; his life was in imminent danger, and he was prevented from being hurled into the abyss below by a limb of a tree to which he held. The news flashed throughout the country and people were greatly excited over it ; despatches were received hourly, prayers were offered up for his safe deliver- ance, but soon news flashed along the telegraph wires that the struggle was over, that the man had been precipitated into the abyss below and had lost his life. The people sobbed, sympathy was created from one end of the country to the other. Through intemperance there are thousands of people hanging over just such a dreadful abyss, people who are near and dear to us, people who have it in their own power by a little self-denial to free themselves from their perilous position and become ornaments of society and a benefit to the country. ,. ^ e'v 276 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: After referring to the many brilliant men, such as his friend Hon. Mr. Tilley, Sir A. T. Gait and others, who had closely indentified themselves with the temperance cause for many years, he said that with all their ability they were unable to grapple with the great question. There was another and a more important element which must be brought in and whose sympathies must be secured ; he referred to the clergy of all creeds, whose people looked to them as their teachers not only for precepts in morals but examples. He paid a high compliment to Father Mathew and, through him, illustrated how one man could accomplish great results by concen- trating his energy and ability on the work of temperance. He again returned thanks for the opportunity of being present, and retired amidst loud applause. Aid. Henry, Vice-President of the Saint Patrick's Temperance Society, Rev. A. A. Cameron and J. Johnson delivered short addresses, and a most en- thusiastic demonstration was brought to a close." " Bob, was that the man who fell off the slack-rope while trying to walk across above the Falls ?" " I presume so, Hariy." " What a fool he must have been to venture his life over such a precipice; he might have known that nothing could save him were he to drop into the river." >..•-*; i.^s^.. . a " Harry, he was no doubt foolish, but daring, and PRO AND CON. . 277 like many othei's, fancied he could imitate those who had previously passed the same way without meet- ing any apparent defeat. The moderate drinker just places himself in a similar position; he thinks because some that he may have known or heard of, indulged in the vice of intemperance, and survived until old age, he is justified in risking his life and reputation also by following their example, without stopping to think of how few survive compared with the number that are lost in the attempt. But, Harry, although we might ponder over this tragedy for days to advantage, our time is limited, and we must proceed with our investigation. It is evident that some great change is drawing near, and that much of whatever good may result therefrom, shall be attributed directly or indirectly to the influence of woman. I tell you, Harry, all the Philistines in Gaza couldn't have cap- tured Samson without the aid of Delilah. People may talk as they like about woman's influence, but I'm convinced that it's almost omnipotent, either for good or evil." "Bob, there is no question about that, and I am sorry I spoke so harshly about her; but I didn't think that you were prepared to bolster her up so handsomely ; neither had I any idea that she had such a pedigree or contiibution of good deeds to her credit. I am always willing to acknowledge defeat when justly overcome." ^ '• 278 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Harry, that's the spirit every Christian ought to manifest, and I trust you may yet be enabled even in your declining years to rejoice again with the wife of your youth." "Thanks, Bob, I mean to go home sober to-night at all events, and I presume you'll say that, that is a step in the right direction. I have no doubt you have my good at heart, and I should be pleased to follow your example was I only convinced that total abstinence was taught in the Bible." CHAPTER XII, BIBLE THEORY. "Harry, let us see what the Bible says on the subject. It is our duty io search the Scriptures in support of any doctrine we may propound; for without investigation by this unerring rule, we may think we have eternal life abiding in us, while the Scriptures testify to the contrary. In advocating the piinciple of total ahstinence, I assure you I don't wish to substantiate opinions contrary to the divine announcements of the Bible. Although we may err in our interpretation of the language of that holy Book, yet the Bible itself never errs. Truth — as you have testified, is mighty and must ultimately prevail. There is no greater delusion, I hold, than the idea that the Bible grants a license for the PRO AND CON. 279 moderate use of intoxicating beverage either in ancient or modern times. This fatal error is the rock upon which so much shipwreck has been made of men's souls." "That's rather strong, Bob, and I should like to have you define or withdraw the statement. I have read the Bible a good deal, and feel satisfied that total abstinence is not clearly taught therein. It says : 'Let your moderation be known to all men'; but not a word can I find from Genesis to Revelation giving a direct command to wholly abstain from the use of wine." "My dear Hany, I thought so once myself, but as I have told you, I was led to see that it was a mis- take; and I hope to satisfy your mind that the Bible is a total abstinence Book, and teaches its true principles on almost every page. Only let me ask you one or two questions before proceeding with our investigation. Harry, you have confessed it was drink that caused drunkenness; and are you still prepared to admit of this theory ?" "Of course, I am. Who could deny it?" "All right, my friend. Are you also satisfied that drunkenness is an evil of the most glaring nature ? "Certainly I am; this I have never pretended to deny ! Everybody admits this fact." » "Are you convinced that moderate drinking leads to drunkenness in many cases ?" "I'm prepared to believe that it leads to this result 280 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: in the case of those who cannot govern their appe- tites." " Harry, do you think should people never take the first glass would there be any danger of them becoming drunkards ?" fi^^ **Bob, how could they become drunkards if they never drank any liquor ?" "Harry, this is logic, and just brings us to the margin of our theme. You candidly admit that the danger to any evil lies in taking the first step?" "Bob, this principle I have always held to be true." " Now, Harry, let us turn to 1st Thessalonians, 5th chapter and 22nd verse, and see what Paul says on this subject: 'Abstain from all appearance of EVIL.' If this is not a conclusive argument in favor of Total Abstinence from intoxicating liquors, the Apostle's injunction has no meaning." " Bob, do you really think that this passage refers to the use of strong drinks ? " " Harry, only read the whole chapter with care, and you must be convinced of this truth. I read it often when I was at Magherabeg school ; it was one of our Scripture Lessons for Saturday reading, but I never looked much into its true meaning until lately; and the more I examine it in the spirit of meekness, seeking the Divine guidance, the more I am convinced of its real import. If we closely follow the drift of the Apostle's reasoning in the context, we will find that intemperance is one of the PRO AND CON. Mt 281 leading evils he cautions us to guard against. In the ()th verse he says : 'Let us not sleep as do others ; but let us watch and be sober ; foi* they that sleep sleep in the night and they that be drunken are (Irunlen in the night'— teaching us that dmnkenyiesa was not only an evil, but an evil of which people were then ashamed — something to be classed among the works of darkness. This idea is also strenjrth- ened by Peter's address on the day of Penticost: 'These are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.' And again at the 14th verse of the chapter under consideration, Paul exhorts christians to 'Warn them that are unruly; comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man ; but ever follow that which is good, both among youi-selves and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every- thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.' And as a cliniax to the whole he adds: 'Abstain from all appearance OF EVIL ; and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly. And I pray God, your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.' HaiTy, could we only obtain Divine illumination, so that we mio-ht be able to comprehend the true meaning of this in- spired portion of God's Word, we could no longer doubt that while it speaks to us in words of admo- 18 282 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: nition and coinfort it also thunders in our ears the Divine command to, shun the cup — the fatal cup. You have admitted, and we have had abundant evidence that the leading step to ruin is through the first glass ; and this very appearance of evil we are here warranted to abstain from, as being the only safe course to persue. My dear sir, when we hear men advance scripture in support of any doctrine that is evidently tilling our world with lamentation, woe and death, and sending many souls to perdition, we may feel satisfied that they are in error. The design of the Gospel is to free men from the bond- age of sin and misery and eternal death ; and any theory that clashes with this glorious design, is not of God, but of the Evil One. Although the Divine Lawgiver has all power in heaven and earth, and doth as He pleases ; yet, He cannot do anything that implies a contradiction and continue to be God. Harry, instead of concocting a theory, or perhaps receiving one by tradition from our fathers, and bringing it to the Bible to try and find something there to support our ideas of what it ought to be ; instead of reading and studying that inspired volume so that we may be able to sit in judgment on it-s precepts ; instead of pretending to know beforehand, what will be its counsel, or, prescribing what it ought to be ; our duty is to approach that holy word, in the spirit of humility and filial trust adopting the language of the Seer of old : * Speak, Lord ; for PRO AND CON. 283 thy servant heareth,' or the petition of the Royal Psalmist: — . • ' 'Open mine eyes, that of thy Law , The wonders I may see. *> '.';"• I am a strancer on this earth, Hide not thy laws from me.' " "Bob, could we only come in this frame, it would no doubt be better for us ; but it's harcj bringing one's mind to believe new and mysteiious doctrines contrary to those we have been taught to revere as infallible." '•Harry, there is much weakness of human nature lying here, which can only be strengthened by an enlightened faith in the great and precioas admoni- tion and promise that: *If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, who giveth to all men willingly; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering ; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.* Could we only adopt this principle, how soon should we be led to see the error of many of our ways, and that the Scriptures alone are the only rule to direct us in the right path." "Bob, I am aware that the Scriptures are not to be trifled with, and that the New Testament closes in language of which there is no fooling about — no trouble to understand ; so that we ought to beware lest our names be erased from the Lamb's Book of Life. I assure you, Bob, I only wish to be guided by the instructions of the unerring Word of Life.'-, 284 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: "Harry, I am pleased to hear you express this desire, for I anticipated you were something like the man who got up a sermon, and after failing to find a suitable text in the Bible, newspaper or magazine, was compelled to call it 'The Shaver.' And now let us see what the Scripture saith upon the subject of our present discussion. And here I would just say that much research and caution are neces- sary, and all connecting circumstances must be taken into account if we would arrive at the true result. If the ultimate appeal for the decision of the ques- tion is to the Bible, as it appears to the mind of the casual reader in this matter, it is no longer to be considered an open question; for in that case there is no room even for debate. No man who pretends to know any thing about the Scriptures could deny for a moment that ^vine is spoken of in the Bible in terms of commendation ; that it is employed as a symbol of mercy ; that it was offered in sacrifice ; that it was actually made by our Saviour and dis- tributed to the guests at the marriage of Cana of Galilee, and that Paul recommended wine for medic- inal purposes in the case of Timothy. Hany, I confess this is not to be denied. On the other hand, however, it cannot he denied, that wine is also spoken of in the Bible in terms of reprobation ; that it is employed as a symbol of wrath, forbidden to Nazarites, forbidden to kings ; that to look upon it even is forbidden, and that it is declared that they PRO AND CON. 285 who are deceived thereby are not wise. How are we going to harmonize these teachings of Divine Truth, Harry?" "I really don't know, Bob; I think you have got into a fix. Better let deep matters alone ; there's enough plain talk in the Bible for he who runs to read. I always thought it dangerous meddling too much with sacred things. However, you'll manage to creep out some way, I presume." "Harry, there's a right and a wrong way about everything. It is not our duty to let such mattera escape our observation. When we meet portions that appear of a contradictory nature, we should seek wisdom from on high so that we may be able to understand these deep things. 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.' Those holy men of God who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, put on record nothing that will not harmonize when rightly interpreted. Scripture is its own interpreter. Hence those por- tions in the sacred volume condemning and approv- ing the use of what is called wine, must meet in perfect harmony with each other. And we can only grasp the truth by a careful inquiry whether the same thing in the same state can be good and had, a thing to be sought after, and a thing to be avoided? 286 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Is this possible ? Certainly not. And is the Bible then inconsistent with itself ? No, it is not, for this seeming inconsistency will vanish, and the Bible will not only be, but will appear to be, in harmony with itself, with science, and with the providence of God, if on examination it shall be found that the kinds or states of vinous beverage referred to under the name of wine, were as unlike in their nature or effects, as were those mercies and judgments for which the same were respectively indicated. We are told by students of the original that no less than nine words are employed in the Hebrew Bible to express the different kinds of vinous substance or beverage formerly in use ; all of which preparation are expressed in our English version by the single term, wine ; or by that term in connection with some other word expressive of quality. The term wine, therefore, as used in our English Bible, is to be regarded as a geneiic term ; comprehending dif- ferent kinds of beverage, and of very different quality ; some of which were good, some bad ; some to be used frequently and freely, some seldom and sparingly ; and some to be utterly and at all times avoided. By a mere comparison of the passages in which wine occurs, this will be rendered probable. It would be rather difficult to believe that the wine by which Noah was dishonoured, by which Lot was disgraced ; the wine which caused prophets to err in PRO AND CON. 287 judgment, and priests to stumble and fall ; the wine which occasions woe and sorrow, and wounds without cause ; wine which deceives ; wine which Solomon styles a mocker, and which is used by one who is greater than Solomon, as a symbol of wrath; is it not dirticult, I say, to believe that this wine, — the wine mingled by harlots, and sought by liber- tines — WAS THE VERY WINE which wisdom mingles; to which wisdom invites ; wine which priests offered in sacrifice ; evangelists dispensed at the communion tables, and which, making glad the heart of man, was a fit emblem of the mercy of God ? In view of all the texts in which wine is men- tioned, though ignorant of the fact that different kinds of wine exists now, who could doubt of their existence formerly ? or believe that wines presented in such frequent and fearful contrast, were, after all, one and the same article in the name state ? Here then, on this broad distinction between good and bad wine, recognized in the sacred wntings, we take our present position." "That's holiest, Bob, I like to hear a man speak out boldly Wi^dt he thinks. Then you don't con- demn good wine ? I always thought you were honest enough to acknowledge that the Bible gave some liberty to have a little wine occasionally." '* Harry, I don't desire to be wise above what is written, neither do I wish to call common what God hath cleansed. At this point of our argument, I am 288 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: free in saying, that, it is only wine, abjured by the Bible, abjured by reason that I condemn ; wine^ which in the use as a beverage enervates and diseases the body, depraves and crazes the mind ; in a word, wine containing not only Poison, hut containing it in 8uffi.cient quantity, luhen used as a beverage, to disturb the healthy act ion of tJie system ; and have we not positive proof that such are the wines generally in use in our country ? And, Harry, it is not material to the question now at issue, whether that poison be generated by fcnnen- tation, or supei'added by drugging, such wines will be found to receive as little advocacy from revela- tion, nor will the drinker thereof — as the light of truth and science advances — be able ultimately to find protection under the mere shelter of a name. Against the use of such w4nes, God hath not left himself without a witness in his Providence. From the cup that contains it, is audibly breathed out the serpent's hiss, and visibly darted forth the adder's sting. Around this chalice ruins are strewed — strewed by the 'mocker' — in which ruins there is a voice which speaks, and speaks for God — Touch not, taste not, handle not. Here there can be no mistake. That sin and sorrow, crime and disease, flow from this inebriating chalice, none can deny ; nor can any sophistry shelter its bewildering crime — producing contents from deserved reprobation, or bring its use as a beverage within the sanction of the sanctuary, PRO AND CON. 289 while the book of nature and revelation stand forth to testify that they were both written by the same unerring hand and, vjhen rightly interpreted will ever bo found, to be in perfect harmony with each other. That Patriarchs and Prophets drank wine, and that wine was among the blessings promised to Jacob ; and that that wine was the fruit of the vine in its unfennented state, there can be no doubt." "Bob, this gives a new phase to the argument, and it is V'.ry important that we should know, whether or not, tlie assertion could be established either by Scripture or reason. I have always believed, myself, and have also heard some pretty smart men advance the same idea, that wine was wine, and that it never could be called such until after fermentation had taken place. I should like to hear your proof in support of what you have stated," "Harry, my principles are not to ask any man to receive any doctrine without satisfactory evidence of its correctness. And now let us examine whether I am justified in the unqualified statement I have made. The juice of the grape in its natural state is either wine before fermentation, or it is not. This is the pivot upon which our argument evi- dently revolves; and in order to draw a just verdict let us carefully compare all the passages in which wine is spoken of with approval, either expressly or by implication, with those in which wine is spoken of with disapprobation. By doing this we will be 290 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: at)le to ascertain whether He who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, transgression and sin, ever sanctioned, much less commanded, the use of intoxi- cating beverage. Harrj^, I challenge the world to produce one instance recorded in the sacred volume in which God ever pronounced a blessing upon the use of that which He has styled a 'mocker,' and on the other hand, a curse upon that which He hath given as a blessing. As these references are so numerous, and our time limited, a sample of each should suffice. In the mouth of two or three wit- nesses every word 'w as to be established in olden time, and the same rule ought to hold good still. Turn to Jeremiah 48th and 32nd : *I have caused ivlne to fail from the v/ine presses ; none shall tread with shout- ing.' And fcgain at Isaiah Goth and 8th we find: ' Thus saith ihhe Lord, as the neiv ivine is found in the cluster, and one saith, destroy it not, for a bless- ing is in it.' Moreover, we have it stated in Psalm 104th and 14th, that, 'He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man ; that he ma,y bring forth food out of the earth ; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man.' And in Joel 1st and 16th, we read: ' The field is wasted, the land mourneth, for the corn is wasted ; the new tvine is DRIED UP.' Haggai also delivers God's message to Zerubbabel, governor of Judea, and Joshua the high priest, in the following language, which may be found at the 11th verse of the 1st chapter of his PRO AND CON. 291 prophecy : 'And I will call for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the com, and upon the neiu wine' And if we examine 2nd Chronicles, 31st and 5th, we will find that 'the chil- dren of Israel brought in abundance of the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field,' as a tithe offering. Harry, suppose you never had read these passages previously, what inference would you draw from them ? Would you naturally suppose that the ivine mentioned here was a substance produced by a pro- cess of putrefaction? or, would you not rather feel inclined to believe that it was something the earth brought forth similar to the other ingredients mentioned in connection ? Would you not think it absurd to classify raw corn and other natural in- crease of the field with an artificial substance ? What would you think nciu ivine in the cluster, in which there was a blessing, meant ? Could you believe it a liquid produced through decomposition from a substance that once had life?" "Bob, these are rather difiicult questions to an- swer and yet they are plain." "Yes, Harry, they are rather difficult to get over by those whose minds are biased through ignorance or preconceiver' opinions. But we will scan the other side of the picture for a moment ; and first, we have it stated in Deuteronomy 32nd and 33rd: 'Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom 292 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: of asps.' Next in Proverbs, 20th and 1st, it is said: 'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging ; and who- soever is deceived thereby is not wise.' And again, at the 23rd chapter, beginning at the 29th verse, it is recorded : * Who hath woe ? who hath sorrow ? who hath contentions ? who hath babbling ? who hath wounds without cause ? who hath redness of eyes ? They that tarry long at the ivine ; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the ^uine when it red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, ^vhen it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.' Harry, isn't it hard to believe that these wines set forth in such emblems of joy and sorrow in the Word of Life were one and the same thing ? Is it not plain that in the passages we have referred to, wines are distinguished according to their qualities, among which are good and bad ; wine a blessing, and wine a curse ; wine occasioning joy and glad- ness, and wine producing woe and sorrow; wine, of which guests were to drink abundantly, and wine not to be drank at all ? In view of texts like these, though ignorant of the fact that different kinds of wines exists now, who could doubt of their existence formerly? Undoubtedly the pure blood of the grape unfermented is good wine, and it, and it alone, was the wiao approved of God, and classed with milk, honey, and other valuable products of the Holy Land. But after all, it does not follow that even PRO AND CON. 293 the pure blood of the grape should now be used by us as a beverage. The circumstances of society, since th) grant to Jacob, have cbans^ed; distillation has been discovered ; chemistry has mingled new poisons in the wine cup ; and to save the Church and the world from ruin, it becomes absolutely neces- sary, and it is therefore incumbent on us in the spirit of the great law of Christian love, wholly to abstain from the use of vinous beverage, lest by its moderate use we cast a stumbling block in our brother's way. Even as medicine, intoxicating liquors will seldom be required ; for it is well known that other and safer remedies exist. As an element at the Lord's Supper the use of good ivine will, without doubt, be perpetual." "Bob, how many kinds of wine do you fancy there are mentionevd in the Bible ? I should like to know whether they had any 'Old Port' or 'Sherry' in the Patriarch's days." "Harry, if you turn to Nfehemiah, 5th chapter and 18th verse, you will find all the information in four words, I could possibly give you on this subject were I to talk till morning, viz: 'All sorts of wine.' However, one thing we are certain of, that they were all classed under two heads — good, and had.'' "What do you think constitutes bad wine ?" "Fermentation, by which the original healthy elements are transfonned into an unhealthy com- pound. Wine unfermented is natural — good wine ; 294 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION! wine fermented is artificial — BAD wine, developing the intoxicating principle, after which it becomes unfit for use." "Bob, what do you mean by the intoxicating principle ? Does new wine in the cluster as you call it, contain the principles of intoxication ?" "Harry, we cannot dispute the fact, that the fruit of the vine only requires fluidity and the conditions of time and temperature, to enable it to move itself aright, bite like a serpent, sting like an adder, and bring many a stout heart down with sorrow to the grave. In this state it is forbidden to he even looJced v/pon. Notwithstanding, it is contrary to the result of all chemistry to suppose that the elements of decomposition are imbedded in the constitution of anything comprising the animal and vegetable king- doms of our world, while the vital process remains in force. It is only after death when a change in color and consistency is perceived, that vinous fermentation sets in through decomposition, pro- ducing ALCOHOL, which is the intoxicating principle. After this principle has developed itself, the most healthy and nutritious substance is unfit for human sustenance. Who would think for a moment of eating the choicest animal food after it had become decomposed, or the finest bread when it had become mouldy ? And if these things are carefully avoided by intelligent beings, why should they persist in devouring a substance infinitely more hurtful and PRO AND CON. 295 ruinous to the human constitution ? Man is a rationa^i creature, and God treats him as such. The great store-house of nature is flung open before him, and permission is given him to slay or gather, and eat; not inconsiderately and indiscriminately, but of such things only as are suited to his nature and good for food. How often, in the coui'se of events, have herbs, or meat, or ovtin milk, proved poisonous, and produced disease or death ? In cases of this sort, how unavail- ing to declare that these articles, because included in the original grant, were not poisonous, vrhen God had declared in his providence that they luerel Herbs, and meat, and milk, stand on the same foot- ing as wine, and we only insist that the same discrim- ination should be exercised in relation to the latter that is exercised in regard to the former. Harry, I trust you thoroughly understand this subject, and feel satisfied that total abstinence from all intoxicat- ing beverage is clearly taught by the unerring Word of Truth." "Bob, if all you have said be true, and it is hard to say that it is not, it certainly becomes us to give the subject a careful investigation. However, I think it's rather strange that learned men didn't find it out long ago. I should like to know whether the wine our Saviour made at the marriage feast was intoxicating or not." "Hariy, that the wine created by our Saviour was 296 THE TEMPERANCE (QUESTION: intoxicating has never been proved, and never can ; the Scripture testifies that it was good vnne, and therefore we must receive it as such ; and we have abundant evidence throughout the Bible that goodj ivine was not intoxicating. Harry, you express sur- prise that such had not been discovered long ago. In reply to this, I would just say that, it has been proclaimed to the world many years ago, and had people only searched the Scriptures to find out for themselves, instead of taking for granted that * wine was wine,' and that all wine was intoxicating, the matter would have been finally settled long since. Some people have even had the presumption to say it was no^ wine that Jesus made ; but, that only ' the conscious water saw its God and blushed.' How infatuated mankind becomes when wanderinof from the right path." "Bob, this is all very good, no doubt, but where is there a command given for total abstinence from the use of good wine ? This is the point I want you to explain." "Harry, on this subject the Bible is not altogether silent ; it speaks to us by precept and example. When carefully examined it is remarkable how many great men and distinguished communities of the Bible will be found total ahstainers from all kinds of vinous beverage. It is recorded in the 29th chapter of Deuteronomy that for the space of forty years the whole nation of Israel ' drank neither wine PRO AND CON. 297 nor strong drink,' and the reason assigned is : that they might know that the Lord 'was their God. This is certainly a wonderful circumstance, and speaks volumes in favor of 2^'ohibitio7i. Here are several millions of people governed by the imme- diate direction and administration of God — a theoc- racy — assembled to enter into a national covenant and oath with the Lord God of their fathers, that they and their posterity might be established for a people to serve the Lord. Happy had it been for this people had they continued to obey the voice of the Lord their God; for we gather from their future history that their children erred chiefly through strong drink, forsook the covenant of their fathers, by which they were virtually bound, and were punished severely for their unfaithfulness. We also find the Rechabites total abstainers. They were a com- munity especially devoted to God; a temperance society, united by a family pledge to drink no wine, neither they nor their sons forever, to which they adhered with intelligent fidelity ; and for doing so, are commended of God. If we turn to Numbers, 6th chapter, and read at the beginning, we learn that ' The Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them : When either man or woman separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord : He shall separ- ate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall 19 . .* 208 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.' We might point to the case of Samson, who was appointed by God, through total abstinence, to a grand patriotic physical achievement; of Samuel also, who was similarly chosen of God in his early years to the prophetic office ; who judged Israel through a long period of his history, and who was honoured as its reformer till he descended to the grave in a good old age, beloved and lamented by his weeping country ; of Daniel and his three friends, who would not dciile themselves with the king's meat in the royal palace ; of John the Baptist, whose birth the angel Gabriel foretold, stating that : He should drink neither wine nor strong drink ; who was honoured to herald the Messiah's advent ; and of whom it was said by Jesus himself: 'Among those born of woman, there has not arisen a greater than John.' Harry, should these references fail to satisfy that total abstinence is expressly taught in the Bible, I should like to have you explain what their real meaning is." " Bob, they undoubtedly mean something. I have read them all several times with other portions of the Word of God; but it never occurred to my mind for a moment, that any of them w^as intended to convey the idea that man was prohibited by the Gos- pel from enjoying the good things of this life, among PRO AND CON. 299 J I which wine was included. Your elucidation cer- tainly overturns much of the doctrines on this sub- ject hitherto expounded." » i < ■• "Harry, my assertions are not made on the spur of the moment, but are the result of careful inquiry as to 'What saith the Scriptures.* Before and since I became a total abstainer, I have heard the Bible so often persistently quoted in support of moderate wine drinking, that I was led to examine the matter for myself, and have given you the result of i-hat investigation. The proofs I have advanced, I be- lieve, are unanswerable arguments in support of the doctrine of entire total abstinence, from the use of all intoxicating drinks, as viewed from a Scriptural and rational stand point. My dear HaiTy, I don't ask you to compromise your conscience by becom- ing a total abstainer; but I do with all sincerity ask you to investigate the matter for yourself, in the light of Divine Revelation, and may you be preserved from mistaking where the error may be infinitely fatal. That you may be satisfied that the v)ine included in the promise to Jacob was good wine, you have only to turn to Deuteronomy 32nd chapter, and read Moses' prophetic song in contem- plation of what these blessings really were. At the 14th verse he exclaims: 'Butter of kine and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of 300 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: THE GRAPE.' Allow me just to say that these bless- ings, although referred to as of the past, had never been realized — Israel being then in the Wilderness. But perhaps it's better to say no more upon this subject at present, as other important items are yet to be attended to. Harry, didn't you wish to know whether the Church had been doing any- thing in a legislative capacity to assist this great movement ? " CHAPTER XIII. CHURCH ADMONITION. "Yes, Bob, I was anxious to know why they didn't put their hand to the plough and advise in their strongholds instead of coming out one by one, like pickets to battle, single handed wth the enemy. I should think it as much, if not more, the duty of Ecclesiastical corporations to sit in judgment upon evils as it is for State legislations to take action thereon. You are no doubt posted and will be able to give us some information in the matter." "Harry, this is doubtless a tender but important subject for us to touch upon, for you know the Scrip- tures say : 'He who toucheth one of these little ones (meaning Christians I presume) toucheth the apple of mine eye.' However, I think, by searching the records of the legislative proceedings of each evan- PRO A.*iD CON. 301 gelical tienomination we will be able to find that since Dr. Guthrie gave the hint, there has been a shaking among the dry bones, and you may rest satisfied, that whatever misunderstanding may have been in the ecclesiastical horizon in the past the time is rapidly approaching when the Church shall appear ' fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terri- ble as an army with banners.* Although we cannot frame any plausible excuse for their past conduct further than this : that 'All men are fallible ' ; and also that there is still to he seen in the Shulamite, as it were the company of two armies — 'Tlie flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spiiit against the flesh : and these being contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.*" "Bob, this is capital for an apology, and it is Scripture language ; but do you think will it prove satisfatory in the Great Day of final accounts ? I have seen greater wonders than to hear of some respectable crews who think themselves pretty snug in the Barque of Safety drifting into port without the rigging — having any thing but what Peter calls 'an abundant entrance;* And perhaps its as well they should, as their tangled gear might not en- hance their future comfort could they only save it from the wreck.** * • "Harry, in all our deliberations and criticism of others, we should never forget that charity we owe fellow-christians — as being ourselves also in the 302 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: body. However, it's comfoi*ting to know that our Great High Priest who wears our nature, is faithfvl^ and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear." "Yes, indeed, it's cheering to know that there is one who can have compassion on the ignorant and those that are out of the way; but what about the promise to that servant who knew his Master's will and did it not? Is it not said that he shall be beaten with many stripes?" * ' ' "Harry, it might be as well to drop this strain of reasoning; we are getting too orthodox, and med- dling with matters that belong to a higher Court to- arrange. Our present purpose is to inquire what the 'Seven Churches' are now doing in connection with the great Temperance Reformation. In look- ing over their legislative proceedings during the last- few years, we are furnished with pleasing, satisfac- tory and conclusive evidence, that the cause of tem- perance has become a subject of the deepest interest in their public deliberations ; and, that the time is rapidly approaching, when the Watchmen on Zion's walls shall see eye to eye, and — although they may continue to differ in other matters — in harmony lift up their united voices, like a trumpet, against this serpentile flood that has long deluged our earth with untold woe. As far back as 1834, we find the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in the Prov- ince of Ulster, Ireland, in reply to a question from PRO AND CON. 303 the Northern Presbytery, declare that they con- sidered it highly inexpedient that any of the people under their care should engage in the traffic of ardent spirits. The year after the same Synod adopted and published another Resolution, stating that they highly approved of the great principle embodied in the Constitution of Temperance Socie- ties ; recommended ministers, elders and people to bring this grand principle forward in their respective spheres, and encourage it by precept and example ; and also that Sessions take an opportunity of treat- ing with such of the people under their care as may be found to engage in the traffic of ardent spirits, in order that they may be persuaded to abandon this demoralizing employment. Again, in 1849 the same Synod gave another deliverauc. on the subject, stating that they unanimously disapprove of the traffic in in »xicating drinks ; and also declare that XXO member of the Church who should open a house for carrying on this trade, should be entitled to Church privileges. Harry, you no doubt remember Doctor Dick of Kellswater, who has for many years been one of the Professors in Belfast College. He was one of the leading ministers of the R. P. Church, and is vet alive, and — like Dr. Guthrie in the Free Kirk — an ornament of religion; He was a champion in the cause of temperance, and organized total absti- nence societies in Ballymena, with good results. He also brought the matter before his congregation in 304 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: such a manner as to alarm some of the old fellow who believed in moderation, one of whom lost his watch in Craig-Billy Fair while taking a glass of wine with a friend. After the lapj^e of ten years, Synod once more unanimously raised its protest against the whole drink system in the following terms : — 'Considering the alarming extent to which the traffic in intoxi- cating drinks is carried on, with at least the permissive saucton of the Christian Church, and the fact that there are still found persons in connection with some congregations who continue to engage in it ; and, whereas, the production of these drinks is attended with the systematic and extensive violation of the Lord's day ; also, causing the destruction of a large portion of those sub- stances which God designed for food of man, and is nowhere warranted in the Word of God ; and, whereas, the common sale of these drinks is not required to meet any necessary want or law- ful demand of society, but is the principal cause of, and incentive to, the sin of drunkness, with its terrible accompaniments of pro- fanity, degradation, and crime, and is the standing source of an innumerable amount of misery and waste, destitution and death, to the community .at large ; and, whereas, this Synod has re- peatedly recorded its disapproval of this traffic as being 'highly inexpedient' and 'demoralizing,' and its earnest desire that church members should abandon all connection with it — which, however, has not yet been fully carried into effect ; therefore the Synod feels called upon solemnly to renew its testimony and warning against this traffic for the aforesaid reasons, and also because it prevents a powerful obstacle to the revival of true religion, and would hereby affectionately entreat all who are engaged in it at once to abandon so dangerous and indefensible an employment, and earnestly warn the members of the Church, as they value the interest of religion and the well-being of the community, to abstain from affordinKj to it any measure of encouragement or support. Moreover, the ministers of the Church are hereby enjoi^ied to ... PRO AND CQJ^. 30&, «mbrace every fitting opportunity of testifying against the evils, of intemperance, and against the practices and customs which contribute thereto ; and as a practical testimony against this prevailing vice, and a preservative from its seductive inHuence, they are recommended to promote the establislmient of Congrega- tional Total Abstinence Associations. ' Again, in 1868 we find by a report on tempei w^r-e got up, we believe, by a committee of the Alliai^ce, Assciation of Belfast that, this Synod had been giving considerable attention to the subject of tem- perance, and that most of the members of the Southern Presbytery had formed themselves into a Total Abstinence Society, and that that fact had touched a cord in the hearts of other members of Synod, who at once enrolled themselves as members, feelinor that a larger organization, stimulating and combining in one uniform effort all the Presbyteries and congregations of the Church, was urgently needed, and calculated to render no little service to the cause of Christ. In connection with this report we find the following Resolution, proposed by Dr. Houston, seconded by Rev. W. Toland, and cordially sustained by other members of Court, passed on the subject : — 'That, having regard to the extent and power of the drinking customs of the land, and the'enormous evils flowing from prevail- ing intemperance, a Voluntary Total Abstinence Association be formed at the present meeting under the sancton of Synod ; and that, at its subsequent annual meeting, the association be required to present, through its President and Secretary, an Aunu :\1 report of proceedings ; and that Synod, moreover, offer to brethren who may unite in this important undertaking all the 306 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: countenance and encouragement in the efforts which they may make to promote the cause of temperance throughout the Church and the community ; Also that an ordinary collection be contri- buted by each congregation in the year to enable this association to promote the cause by deputations, the publication of Tracts or otherwise, as may seem most expedient ; and that, if possible, during the present year, a Total Abstinence Association be orga- nized in every congregation of the Church.' The same report goes on to say that, in several congregations Total Abstinence Associations had already been formed, and were in good working order, and also that the Professors united in address- ing a public meeting in the Belfast congregation, and that similar addresses had been delivered by the Secretary and others in Creevagh, Knockbracken and Ballylane, in some instances to veiy large and deeply interested assemblies; and, moreover, that, this Temperance Association had presented a copy of the recently published 'Temperance Bible Com-^ mentary* to all tho ministers of the Church, and that it was hoped, all the ministers, probationers, students and ruling elders in connection should in a short time be found enrolled in the Association. This report moreover stated that, a goodly array of ministers of all denominations could then be reckoned on as the pledged supporters of the tem- perance cause. That, in the Established Church of England and Ireland there were one thousand ; Methodists furnished seven hundred and seventy- three ; Welch Calvinists, three hundred and forty ; PRO AND CON. 307 the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, above six hun- dred; the Irish Presbyterians, one hundred and fifty; the Congregationalists, five hundred and thirty- two ; ] the Baptists, and other smaller bodies, six hundred ; making in all about four thousand inini.^. ^ers, and about three millions of persons, then connected with the various Total Abstinence Associations in the United Kingdom. This address concludes with the closing words of the Report on Temperance, pre- sented to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland during the same year as follows, and gives at least some idea of the interest taken by the Churches in promoting the cause of temperance from which it has stood so long aloof : — *The eyes of many in the land are turned to the Church, look- ing to receive some unmistakable sight of interest in our country's deliverance. The people are prepared to fight the battle. Let us be to them for guides and leaders. Let no mere worldly or carnal interests stand in the way of, or hinder our faithfulness to, the higher and spiritual interests of the nation. It needs but that we give the stem, unselfish energies of our character and faith unfettered play, to show a rapid advance towards national sobriety. When the cattle plague reached our shores, virulently assaulting our flock and our herds, the cry was 'Stamp it out,' and by God's help the work was done. Here is another more virulent plague, assaulting and ravaging humanity, and how much is a man better than an ox ! The work is before us. It is practicable ! And for faithfully accomplishing her legitimate portion of it the Church must answer.' The same Synod also at its annual Session in Bel- fast, June, 1878, lifts its voice in the following strain: 'The time has come when the alarmed and enlightened portion 308 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: of the community must take measures to guard their own safety and substance, and to rescue whomsoever they can from tlie rapids and the whirlpools of a rushing and resistless vice that has been gradually deepened and widened by legislation into the dimen- sions and strength of a great national institution. Every Church of the living God should be formed into a vigilance committee to oppose the evil and reclaim its hapless victims. Every minister should be the acknowledged champion and leader of the people in their crusade against it. Every father and mother should stand forth the avowed examples and protectors of their own offspring against its deadly ai)proaches. Every child should be trained up with a heart-hatred of a traffic that is producing such devastation, and with an instinctive dread and horror of the courtesies and fascinations by which it maintains and extends its terrible ascend- ancy in all ranks of society. Who is wise, and he shall under- stand these things ? prudent, and he shall know them ? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them ; but the transgressors shall fall therein.' The following report may be found in the minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, that met in St. Louis on the 21st May, 1874: — " ' " ' ' ^- "'■' ' Whereas : The use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and the traffic in them, are two of the main fountains of the woea and miseries that affect humanity, being e\Til and only evil ; and, Whereas : The spirit of the Lord has so recently aroused, in our country, new agencies of opposition to these evils, and inspired Christian men and v/omen to contend mightily for their complete banishment from the land ; and, whereas: The conflict is now going on among and around us, its magnitude and imi)ortance being seen and felt by all, and the attention of the whole country being directed to it : Therefore, this Assembly, realizing the urgency of the moment, in the need of emphatic and unambiguous testimony on the side of righteousness, temperance, and judgment feels called upon to reiterate its former deliverances on the subject PRO AND CON. 309 of temperance ; and further, to resolve, first, that all friends of morality, much more, all who profess love and loyalty to Jesus Christ, should abstain from the use of and the tmffic in intoxicat- ing liquors as beverages ; should discontinue and oppose such use and sale in others ; and should endeavor, in every practical way, to overcome their influence and remove their existence. Second, That it is inconsistent with Christian principles to vote for men to make, to execute the laws of land, who are known to favor the licensing or protecting of a destructive and sinful traffic. Third, That we render thanks to God for the new and wonderful illu stra- in tion of the power of earnest importunate prayer and of faithful labor, which we have recently received in connection with the woman's prayer movement. It was moved to postpone these resolutions in order to take up the following substitute : Resolved, That, in view of the prevalence of the terrible sin of intemperance, this Assembly cordially approves and earnestly recommends the practice of Total Abstinence from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and rejoices in the recent progress made in abating the use, manufacture, and sale of the same, and exhorts all to persevere in earnest effort to diminish and extirpate this crying evil.' Another pleasing memorial appears in the Acts and proceedings of the fourth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, held in Hamilton, Ontario, June 1878, and reads as follows: — ' 'The clerk submitted a memorial which he had received on the {J. subject of temperance, on motion of Dr. James, duly seconded ; it 'was in terms of its suggestions resolved as follows, viz : First, The ' Greneral Assembly is devoutly thankful to God for the advance ' made in the direction of temperance reform in this and other countries, and commends the practice of total aljstinence to the prayerful consideration of all connected with its congregations, ' especially the office-bearers thereof. Second, The Assembly ex- presses its desire to co-operate in all well-directed efforts to mitigate or remove, if possible, the evils of intemperance, and 310 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: prays the Great Head of the Church to bless and prosper all such eflforts.' The year previous the same Assembly in Session at Halifax, recorded in its minutes a similar motion, which was proposed by Dr. Burns and seconded by Rev G. M. Grant, and passed unanimously that : — 'The Asaembly reiterates its testimony :as to the enormous evils entailed by intemperance on the Church and the world. The Assembly expresses satisfaction of the progress of legislation for the suppression of these evils, and at the growth of a healthful temperance sentiment throughout the community. Further, the Assembly instructs Sessions to have continual regard to the causes and care of intemperance within their respective bounds, and recommends to the office-bearers and members of our Church generally to cultivate and exemplify the principles of Bible Temperance.' Minutes of the Eighteenth Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Eastern British America, taken at Halifax, N. S., July 1872, gives report as follows : — 'The Conference, deeply impressed with the conviction that intemperance is a sin against God, and most destnictive to the best interests of our race, and that the use of alcoholic liquors, even in moderation, tends to the increase and perpetuation of drunkenness, — Eesolves, (1) That in view of this great evil, we would reiterate and earnestly enjoin upon all our people the most careful and conscientious observance of that rule given by the Rev. John Wesley to the societies under his care, respecting the use of intoxicating drinks, viz : ' Neither buying or selling spirit- uous liquors, nor drinking them, unless in cases of extreme neces- sity.' (2) That we hail with delight all well-directed efiforts of individuals and organizations to proraoLe the cause of temperance, and, so far as practicable, will heartily co-operate in those lauda. ble efforts. (3) That as a Church of Christ should be the most PRO AND CON. 311 effectual promoter of moral reform, we pledge ourselves to renewed efforts to purify and preserve her from reproach by discounte- nancing all complicity of her members with the great evil of intemperance, whether by drinking, manufacturing, selling, sign- ing petitions for license, or furnishing or renting places for the sale of intoxicating liquors.' . The Methodist Church of Canada at its New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Conference, held at Sackville, June and July 1878. enjoined the following upon the members of that denomination: — -, 'During the year the cause of temperance has been greatly revived in many places, and our desire is that Bands of Hope, and Congregational Organizations, should be at once formed for the purpose of abating the drinking usages, and of sweeping from our land this curse of intemperance. We have no word of com- mendation, however, for the frivolous sports and pastimes which in some localities have got linked on the late temperance revival ; and our prayer is that from the Club there may soon be separated all that is calculated to enervate the man, destroy health, or beget in the rudimental history of our youth, a wish for the higher forma of gambling, with other debasing and sinful courses. Take the religious element from the temperance movement and it is power- less for good ; try, therefore, in all places where your influence is felt, to make temperance the avenue of a higher, a better, a religious life.' The Journal of the seventh Session of the Dioce- isan Synod of Fredericton, assembled in that city July 4th, 1877, comprises a report on temperance presented by Rev. F. H. Almon, in these words : — 'The Committee of Synod formed for the purpose of increasing • Hhe number of Church of England Temperance Societies in the Diocese, of reporting on their work, and the best way of organiz- ing a Diocesan Church Temperance Society, in order to concen- 'irate the efforts of the members of the Church of England, for the 312 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: promotion of habits of temperance, the reformation of the intem- perate, and the removal of the causes which lead to intemperance, report : — Ist. That circulars have been sent to all the clergy who had not formed Church TemperMice Societies, offering them assistance towards their formation, and that twelve answers have been receive.■} When Sunday's come, and there's no rum, 'Twill be a doleful day— ' I Not a bit of fight from morn till night To pass the time away. I surely think the dhrop of dhrink, Was all a poor man had ; But the've taken that away from Pat, And to lose it dhrives me mad. PRO AND CON. 343 t ' Twas but a dhrop I iver took, 'Twas all I did request ; For how to stop 'fore he spins like a top, Shure ivery man knows best. But the terrible law, has laid its paw, On the comfort of us all ; And I'm worried to think, without the dhrink How I'll live at all, at all. I'm as dhry as a tish, and I only wish , Ivery man wid vote again it ; I hiv'nt been as dhroathy for a hundred year, ^.. And I'm thundhreu dhry this minute. Not a bit of row can we have now, Nor any kind of play ; For who'll be bould his shillalah to hould, Whin the whiskey goes that way. (Billy McCabe smpathizea.) Ah then dear Pat, if we've come to that, It's me self that feels that same ; I'm dhreadful sober and dhry all over. And me throat bums like a flame. Where will we find the comfort now, That we used to get before ; When we lay'd all night in the broad moon-light. In the gutter before Tim's door? • And shure we was'nt at all, at all dhrunk, Or we could'nt see the moon, ' • And the stars all dancing round and round, To that same delightful tune. They say a man lives up in Maine, Who made this dhreadful law ; ' ' • And shure I am he's the manest man, An Irishman iver saw. (Mrs. Murphy, Pat's wife, expresses a diflferent opinion.) Och, Pathrick dear, what's that I hear ? Is it greaving for the dhrink ? And well ye know the spirits below That very same they think. 344 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: They know they'll loose, a mineys the won, Committin' mortal sin, In doing things, they'd niver have done, If the whiskey was'nt in. But the Saints in glory they'll rejoice, And sthrive with harps of gould ; For your lavin' a curse a th' -isand times worse, Than iver can be tould. When we were wed, a liklier lad Nor you could not be seen ; And it's only the dhrop of whiskey bad, That's made us what we've been. It's brought us down to lay wid the pig ; It's taken the childre's bread. Till wid sorrow my heart grows hot and big, And I wished that I was dead. But now dear Pat, your kind indade, And sober all the day ; And the Virgin be praised that the law was made That stoped the dhrink I say. (Pat's children briefly unite in the same sentiment. ) Ah ! Daddy dear, we'ir wid you here ; We'ir as happy as we can ; Ye niver bate us any more, Ye'r a jewel of a man. We've dacent clothes to wear again, And the Praste last Sunday said : I We've to thank the man that lives up in Maine, That we can liould up our head. And little Pat's got a brawn new hat. And the Baby s got new shoes ; And mammy says, you did all that, Wid the money you used to loose. And she says 'twas a law the people made. That makes us all so happy. And we're so glad the people did, And aran't you glad too Papa ? PRO AND CON. " 345 (Patrick repents and l)etween laughing and crying concludes. ) Ah ! whist my wife and childliren dear, , I'm sorry and I'm glad, I'll uiver touch of the whiskey more, And I wish I-iiiver had.' Harry, do we need further proof than this that prohibition has been sustained and proved a blessing to many. There is no trouble enforcing the law. We are creditably informed that it is impossible to get any kind of intoxicating drinks in Manitoba, and the country 1)eyond. The Hudson's Bay Company are credited by endeavouring to prevent the red men from getting lirjuor; and the Dominion Parliament have adopted the company's policy in the matter, and have organized a body of mounted police to enforce the law in that region. In reply to your last and most important question, as to how a substitute for the present revenue real- ized from the drink traffic is to be obtained, it is useless wasting words or time. It is the 'price of Blood, and ought never to have been put into the Public Treasury. It is not even fit to erect a 'Slaughter House' with. And if the Chief Priests and Elders comprising the Rabbinical Council who crucified our glorious Redeemer, concluded, that money derived from such a source was unlawful for any other purpose than the purchase of a stranger's Cemetery, how docs it become our ( 'hristian Council- lors to see to this matter, least our city in due time become an 'Aceldama' — 'a hissing and a byeword 22 346 THK TEMPERANCE QUESTION: among the nations.' However, to gratify your curiosity I would ask you to carefully sum up, if possible to do so, the criminal expense, loss of mus- cle, brain, time, home comforts, property, character, life and immortal interests, resulting — as a natural consequence — from the 'liquor traffic,' in our city for the last few years ; and also, to grasp the entire revenue obtained from the same source during this time, placing them, not in the balance of the Sanc- tuary, but that of Political Economy. Having done this you will be able to form, at least, some idea of the absurdity of your inquiry. My dear Harry, if our Council Chambers don't investigate this matter at no distant day, it might not be altogether pre- sumption to say that the very stones will yet cry out. As it is, the 'Queen of the South ' has arisen in judg- ment against our present generation; and I'm not sur- prised that some of those who have named the name of Christ are manifesting a desire to depart from iniquity. Hear this woman who declines to accept for her government a revenue from intoxicating liquors signalizing her opposition to the drink traffic by issuing the following edict : — *I Ranovalomanjaka, by the grace of God and Will of my People, Queen of Madagascar and Defender of the Laws of my kingdom : And this is what I say to you, my subjects : God has given me this land and kingdom ; and conceniing the rum, my subjects : you and I have agreed that it shall not be sold in Antananarivo or in the district in which it was agreed it should not be sold [Imerina, the central Proviace], Therefore I remind you of this again, because the rum does harm to your persons, PRO AND CON. 347 spends your possessions in vain, harms your wives and children, makes foolish the wise, makes more foolish the foolish, (literally, gives heart to the foolish), and causes people not to fear the laws of the kingdom, and especially makes then guilty before God. All this shows the rum to be a bad thing to have at Antananarivo ; for at night — under its influence — people go about with clubs to fight, and they fight each other without cause, and stone each other ; therefore why do we have it, my people ? 'But I tell you that trade in good things, by which you can earn money, makes me very glad indeed, O my people ! If you trade in rum, or employ people to trade in it, here in Antananarivo, or in the district spoken of above, then, according to the laws which were made formerly, I consider you guilty, because I am not ashamed to make laws in my kingdom which shall do you good. Therefore I tell you that if there are people who break my laws, then I must punUh them. Is not this so, O my people ? Says Eanovalomanjaka, Queen of Madagascar. August 8, 1876.' CHAPTER XV. CLOSING APPEAL. "Bob, you don't surely say that the Queen of Madagascar, that black daughter of Ham, is a teetotaler?" "HaiTy, her proclamation sounds very much like it, I assure you ; and I trust that our white Chris- tians may be led to follow her example ; and that we also may be enabled to weigh the matter more fully than ever yet we have done, and try to see hope dawning in the distant horizon. My dear ■348 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: Harry, let us feel in earnest, time is short, eternity is sure. Whatever our hand finds to do in this and everv other ^ood work let us do it with our whole might. As one who is more than ever concerned for your present and your everlasting welfare, I entreat you to leave off your social cup, and use your influence to induce your friends and neighbours to come with us and help in the great work of temper- ance reformation, and the tyrant of rum shall soon be expelled from our borders, and if we cannot have a sinless community, we shall at least have sobriety and decorum about our streets; and the now de- ofraded rumseller shall be restored to his true position in society, and instead of eating the bread of idleness and death, moistened with the tears of widows and of orphans, will rejoice that his Creator has endowed him with strength to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow ; and instead of sowing firebrands and arrows of death among the people, he shall have become a true citizen and lover of mankind. Harry, a few words and I have done. You and I may never meet again until eternity shall have disclosed the mysteries of time ; but be assured, wherever our lot in this world may be cast, the eye of Omniscience will rest upon us, and bring us to account. The eyes of the world will look to us for example and judge the cause by us. In all sincerity I ask you to consider this matter, and, having decided on the side of truth let us be PRO AND CON. 349 faithful to our obligations ; and may we be en- abled fully to realize the honour and safety of the high position we occupy, and never cease to work until the end of our mission shall have been obtained. When we review the past have we not reason to ask, ' Our father's where arc they, and the prophets do they live for ever?' May we who take their stand be more faithful than they have been, rememV)ering that a great reward is provided for those who over- come. May we ever be found at our post fighting in the glorious cause, the emancipation of mankind from the shackles of sin and misery. Let our watch- word be Onward ! Work ! -s-^rork ! Onward, to vic- tory ! Harry, I would here say that we should not be satisfied by having our names enrolled among the champions of temperance. We must work and that with energy. Our representatives upon the Legisla- tive platforms must be temperance men who will do their duty, and with courage take their stand upon the high places of the field. The Church, the Semin- ary, the Platform, the Press, the Sabbath- School, and above all else, the Home Circle, must co-operate, for without these agencies all our eflforts are in vain, and the coming generation shall never be able to divide the spoil. Yes, Harry, the moderate drinker must be convinced that his practice is morally wrong and has an unlimited tendency to evil. Those who occupy high positions in society must abandon the wine-cup, or the triumph of temperance shall never 350 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: be complete. The reformation of either contributes to the reformation of all. Every dram-shop closed narrows the sphere of temptation ; every total ab- stainer gained contributes to the shutting up of a dram-shop. And they must all be shut up, and temperate drinking relinquished, or drunkenness can never be prevented, society purified from crime, re- lieved from pauperism, freed from disease, and human life extended to its alloted limits. My dear Harry, as a last request I again entreat you to con- sider and turn, and may Infinite Wisdom direct in the decision. If at this late hour you are not prepared to change your mode of life, allow me to ask whether you are prepared to encourage your children to change their s ? to support your wife in her decision ? Act as you may yourself, do you not desire that your family should take the path of safety ? Can you tell them that our manner of life is attended with less peril than your own ? Can you not tell them, and truly tell them, that however innocent wine may be in the estimation of those who use it, its use in health is never necessary ; that excess is always injurious, and that in the habitual use of even light wine there is always danger of excess ; that of the brandied and otherwise adulterated wines in use, it can be said in no quantity are they inno- cent ; and that entire safety is to be found only in total abstinence ? Will you not tell them this ? And having told them, should they in obedience to your PRO AND CON. 351 counsel relinquish at once the use of intoxicating liquors, would their present condition be less secure, or their future prospect-s less full of promise ? or would the remembrance that the stand they took was at your bidding, either awaken in your basom misgivings now, or regrets hereafter ? Especially, would it do this as life declines, and you approach your final dissolution and last account ? Then,- when standing on the verge of that narrow isthmus which separates the future from the past, and con- nects eternity with time, when casting the last lingering look back upon that world to which you are about to bid adieu for ever, will the thought that you are to leave behind you a family pledged to abstinence, will that thought plant one thorn in the pillow of sickness, or add one pang to the agonies of death ? My dear Harry, it is not this thought, but the thought of leaving behind a family of profli- gate children to nurture other children no less profligate, — thus transmitting guilt and misery to a remote posterity ; it is this thought, and thoughts like this, that will give to life's last act a sadder colouring, and to man's last hour a denser darkness! Harry, time is on the wing ; death is at hand ; act now, therefore, the part that you will in that hour approve, and reprobate the conduct you will then condemn. To-day if ye will hear His voice harden not your heart ? To morrow may be too late. The promises are all for the present. 352 THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION: ' Life is real ! Life is earnest ! . ' And the grave is not its goal ; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. In the world's broad field of ])attle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle ! Be a hero in the strife ! Tnist no Future, howe'er pleasant ! Let the dead Past bury its dead ! Act — act in the livint' rresent I Heart within, and (iod o'erhead ! ' And then, when tlie sands of life shall have run their rounds, and the hnmortal f^pirit is about to wing its flight to regions unknown, to receive the reward of the deeds done in the body, you can look with pleasure upon the past, and anticipate the millenial glory of the future. May Ke whose name is Omnipotence, keep us from falling again into the snare of the tempter, and may the happy time speedily come, when men shall see eye to eye, and when intemperance and all iniquity shall be known no more, to earth's remotest bounds. To watch and pray victorious Let Christians onward go. And join a work more glorious Than slavery's overthrow. Come old, come young, there's work for all — The temperance vine's yet low ; King Alcohol's the same he was One hundred years ago." FINIS. APPENDIX. Canada Temperance Act oe i*^8. (As published by Order of the Executive Committee oj the Quebec Branch of the Dominion Alliance. ) The following Synopsis of the Canada TEMrERANCE Act, with instructions and suggestions as to how to proceed to secure its adoption, has been prepared for the use of those who desire a concise statement of the Provisions of the Act. Whilst all that is of practical value for general use is given, there are many details omitted. Persons needing more definite information are referred to the Aci itself, Chap. 16, 41, Victoria, which can be seen by api^^ing to any Justice of Peace. PREAMBLE. Whereas it is very desirable to promote Temperance in the Dominion, and that there should be uniform legislation in all the Provinces respecting the Traffic in Intoxicating Liquors ; Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada enacts, &c. explanatory, a y^ Sections 1, 2, 3 of the Act, and 98 are explanatHj;^jXnd may be summarized as follows : — Tlie Act may be cited as "The Canada Temperance Act, 1878." The expression "Intoxicating Liquors" means and comprehends any and every combination of liquors or drinks that are intoxicating. A "County" includes every town, township, parish and other division or municipality, except a city, within the territorial limits of the County, and also a union of Counties where united for municipal purjwses. The Act repeals the first ten sections of tlie Dunkin Act, except in municipali- ties where the Dunkin Act B>-Law was in force when the Act became law (May 10, 1878). Dunkin Ry-Laws may be rejiealed, either as provided under the Dunkin Act, or by the provisions of this Aot. (Section 98.) If the Dunkin By-Law is rciwaled \\\ any municipality it cannot again be sub- mitted. The Dunkin By-Law in force in any city or County is rei)ealed ipgo facto by the adoption of' this Act, but no such repeal affects proceeding! commenced under such Dunkin By-Law, or any jienalty inflictetl by it. *J*J*. 53 APPENDIX. FIRST J'ART, Proceedings for bringing the Second Part of the Act into force. Sections 4 and 5 jtrovides a form of petition to the Govenior-Gencral, with notice to the Secretary of State, and is as follows :— To the Honorable the Secretary of State for Canada : Sir,— Wo, the undersigned, electors of the County {or city) of request you to take notice that we projwse iires-enting the following petition to His Excellency the Govenior-Oeneral, namely : To His Excellency the Governor-General oj Canada in Council: The petition of the electors of the County (or city) of , qualified and com- petent to vote at the election of a member of the House of Conunmons in the said County (or city, ResiiectfuUy showeth that your Petitioners are desirous that the second part of " The Canada Temperance Act of 187H, ' should be in force, and take effect in the said County (or city ; Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray that Your Excellency will be pleased, by an Order in Council under the ninety-sixth section of the said Act, to declare that the second part of the said Act shall be in force and take effect in the said County (or city.) And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c. And that we desire that the votes of all the electors of the said County (or city) be taken for and a^inst the adojition of the said |)ctition. Secti(m 6, provides for presentuig the petition to the Secretary of State, with evidence that forms required have been comidicd with. In acting under the above-named sectit>ns, 4, 5, 6, the following order of pro- ceedings should be observed ;— 1. Call a Convention of Delegates from different municipalities in a County, or from different wards in a city, to consider the propriety of aubmitting the Act to the vote of the Electors. (Alliance Auxiliaries formed for the special purpose of uniting and concentrat- ing the efforts of citizens with a view to the suppression of the Liquor Traffic, are appropriate mediums for calUn^ these Conventions and carrying on the agitation ; if there are not such auxiliaries in a city or County, a Temi)erance Organization or a Joint Committee of different organizations should act.) If the Convention decides to proceed, 2. Organize a Central Committee to direct the campaign. 3. Appoint canvassers for each polling district. 4. Obtain from the person having control thereof, a list of the duly qualified Electors in the city or County, with a declaration certifying the number of Electors, and the correctness of the list furnished, as follows : Count}' of To wit, I, , of the of of the County of , make oalh and say that the list of persons ciualificd and comi)etent to vote at Elections for members of the House of Commons, in the County of , is in my care, and contains names. Registrar. Sworn before me, at in the ^ County of this dav of A. D. 187 One of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace. APPENDIX. 354 5. Supply each Canvasucr with a Hat of the Electors in the district awigiitiil tu him. (3. Instruct each Canvasser (1). To canvass every Elector duly qualified to sign, and to refuse the signatures of all other persons. (2). To return to the Secretary of the County Committee the petition duly Higned, and with the following declarations attached : I hereby certify that the abontinued to remain on file in said Oflice until the day of 187 . Dated this day of 187 . Sheriff (or Registrar of Deeds) for the city or County of n. Dominion of Canada, Province of To wit, I, , of the of in the County of and Province of , make oath and say, 1. I am well acquainted with the handwriting of Esq. , Registrar of Deeds, (or Sheriff), in and for the 2. That the signature subscribed to the certificate, endorsed on the hereto annexed Petition marked A, is the propj^r handwriting of him, the said , (Registrar or Sheriff ) of the said Swon> before me, at in the^ County of this day of A. D. 187 One of Her Majesty's Justices of I the Peace. ) III. Dominion of Canada, Province of City {or County) of I, , of , and Province of , make oath and say, 1. That the following signatures subscribed to the annexed Petition, marked A, are in the proper handwriting of them, the said the same having been written by them, the said Petitioners, in my presence. 2. That the name of each of them, the said Petitioners, mentioned in the first paragraph of this affidavit, is in the list of cjualified Electors in the city (or County) of , and are the persons therein named, and are qualified Electors in said city {or County.) 3. Tliat the signature subscribed to the said petition is the proper hand- wTiting of this Devwnent, and I am a qualified Elector in said city {or County.) Sworn before me, at in the ^ County of this day of I , A. D. 187 I One of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace. J 365 APPENDIX. 7. Hold public meetings, aiid enter upon a vigorous campaign in all parts o the city or County. When tlie canvass is complete and the Petition duly signed and returned to the Secretary of the Committee, 8. The Coniuuttee must satisfy themselves that, at last, one-fourth of all the duly qualified Electors have signed the Petition. 0. Give notice in two newB]>apers published in or nearest to the County or city, and by at least two insertions in each pu)>er, that the petition will be de- posited in the otticc of the Sheriff or Registrar of Deeds of, or in the County or city, for public examination for ten days. The flrst notice must be two full weeks previous to day of deposit. 10. Deposit the Petition in the Office of the Sheriff or Registrar of Deeds of the County or city office for public examination, allowing it to remain ten full days, exclusive of day of deposit and of day of withdrawal 11. Forward the Petition, with declarations before named, and copies of news- papers containing notice, to the Secretary of State. Proclamation of the Oovemor-General. • Sectioii 7, provides in case it appears by evidence to the satisfaction of the Governor-General in Council that the requirements of the law have been com- plied with, His Excellency in Council may issue a proclamation under this part of the Act. Section 8, provides tbat such proclamation shall be inserted at least three times in the Canada ( tzette, and three times, at least, in the Official Gazette of the Province in whic' the County or city is situated. Section 9, gives the particulars to be set forth, in the proclamation, which are as follows : — The notice with the Petition embodied in it ; the number of signatures ; the day of polling, the hours being from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. ; the mode of voting by ballot ; the name of the Sheriff, Registrar, or other person appointed Returning Officer ; the power of the Returning Officer to appouit a Deputy at each polling place ; the place where, and the day and hour when, the votes of Electors will be summed up, and the result of polling declared, and the day on which the prohibitory clauses of the Act will go into force in the County or city, if such Petition is adopted. Sections 24, 60 inclusive, provide for taking the vote in much the same way as that in the case of an Election for members for the House of Commons. Sections 61, 76, provides for scrutiny of Ballots for penalties for violation of Election laws, and the preservation of the peace. Sections 77, 80, are aENBRAL FROVISIONB providing that no person shall supply drink or other refreshments at his own expense to any Elector at any polling, or furnish or supply any ensign, standard, or set of colors, with inient that *he same be carried or used, within eight days previous, or at the time of polling, as a party flag to distinguish the bearer thereof, and those who may follow the same, aa the supporters of the opinions entertained by such person, in either interest, under penalty of a fine not exceed- ing $100, or imprisonment not exceeding three months. APPENDIX. 356 No spirltous liouora or drinks shall be sold or i^ivcn at any hotel, tavern or shop within the limits of any |>olling district, durinj; the whole of any day on which any ix>l! is held, under a penalty of $100 for every offence, in dofault, six months impriaonment. Sections 81, 00, -provide for the PRBVBNTION OK CORRIPT PRACTICKS. Sections 91, 94, provides for i>enalties and punishments generally, to the fol- lowing effect :— Any Ileturning Officer or Deputy, who refuses or neglects to do hu duty, shall forfeit the sum of $"200. All penalities and forfeitures other than fines sliall be recoverable, with full cost of suit, by any |>erson who will sue for the same by action of debt ; and in default of pajinunt the offender shall be imprisoned in the Common Ooal for a term of not less than two years. Every prosecution and action must be commenced within six months of the offence. TUB EPFBCT OF DRCISIOSS BY VOTES OK ELKCT0R8 are included in Sections 95, 97. When one-half or more of the votes lulled are against the Petition, no similar Petition can be submitted for three years from the day of taking such vote. When the Petition is adopted by a majority, the Governor-General, by pro- clamation may declare the second part of this Act in force, to take effect in auch County or city frouj and after th.) day on which the annual or semi-uniiual licenses then ni force shall expire, provided such day be not less than ninety days from the day of tlie date of the order in Council, and if it be less, then on the like day in the then following year. The Act when once adopted connot be rei>ealed until after three years, and then only after one-fourth or more of the (jualified Electors petition therefore, and after the submission of such petition and its ailoption by a majority of the Electors, with all the forms and proceedings and manner of voting required for the submission and adoption of the original Petition in favor of Prohibition. Section 93, provides for repeal of Bj'-Laws passed under provisions of the Dunkin Act, by the same proceedings as are required for bringing this Act into force. Scctio.A 99 comprises the SECOND PART of the Act, and provides for the PROHIBITION OF THE SALE OF INTOX GATING LIQUORS, except 1. The sale of Wine for Sacramental purposes by druggi.sts and other ven- dors, as provided, and only on certificate of a clergyman that the wine is re- quired for Sacramental purposes. (Sub. Sect. 3, Sect. 99). 2. The sale of Intoxicating Liquors for exclusively medicinal purposes, or for bona fide use in some art, trade or manufacture, by some druggist or ven- dor, licensed by the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province ; the num! er not to exceed one in a township or parish ; two in a town, one for every four thousand inhabitants in a city. 357 APPENDIX. For medicinal purposcij, not less than one pint tu bo sold at one time, a cer- tificate from a niedic^l man, ha-.in^- no Interest in the sale by the druggist or vendi>r, affirming that such liquor has been prescribed for the person named, is necessary. For art, trade or mannfactiu'e, a certificate signed by two Justices of the Peace, of the bi»ia jides of the ajjplication tliat tlie liquor is only to be used for the |)articular pun)oscs sot forth in the attirniation is required. Druj,'gi3t9 and vendors nmst file certificates, keep a register of such sales with the names of purchasers and the quantity of liquor sold, and make an anmial return of all such sales to Collector of Inland Revenue. (Section 99, Snb. Sect. 4). 'A. In wholesale (jiiaiitUiex, not less than ten gallons, or in case of ale or beer, not less than eight gallons. The j)er8ons allowed to sell in wholesale quantities are : — (a). The producers of cider in the County. (Section 99. Sub. Sect. 5). (b). Licensed distillers and brewers in the city or County. (Section 99, Sub. •Sect. 5). (c^. Incorporated eomi)anies authorized by law to carry on the business of cultivating and growing vines, and of making and selling wine and other licjuors produced from gnipes, having the manufactory within the city or County. (Section 99, Sub. Sect. 6). (d). Manufacturers of pure native wines made from grapes, grown and pnj- duced by them in Canada, when authorized to do so by license from the Muni- cipal Council, or other authority, having jurisdiction where such manufactory is carried on. (Section 99, Sub. Sect. 7). (e). Merchants or traders duly licensed, but only to druggists and other ven- dors licensed, or to such person as they have reason to believe will carry the same beyond the limits of County or city, or of any adjoining city or County in which the Act is in force, to be wholly removed or taken away at one time. Section 99, Sub. Sect. 8). It is incumbent on producers of cider distillers, brewers, manufacturers, merchants or traders, to furnish satisfactory evidence of having good reason to believe that liquor sold by them in wholesale quantities would be removed beyond the limits of the County or city, and of any adjoining County or city iu which the act is in force. (Section 99, Sub. Sect. 9). TllIRU PAKT. Penalties and Prosecutions. Section 100. — Any person who sells in violation of the above provisions is liable to a penalty on conviction of not less than .^50 for the first offence, and nt)t less than $100 for the second offence, and for each subsequent one imprison- ment for a term not exceeding two months. ( By Chaj). ;U, Sect. 02, Statutes of Canada, 1809, if the fine cannot be levied, the party may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three months). An Agent or Clerk is held equally guilty with the principal. Liquor and vessels containing thesauie to be forfeited. Sections 101, 102 make it the duty of the Collector of Inland Revenue to bring the prosecutions. It is also the privilege of any person. APPENDIX. 358 Sections 103, 104, lOf), lOfi state l^efore whom prosecutionfl may l)e brought, and make sundry provisions. Section 107. Fivery oflfencc aj^iinst this Act may iHi prosecuted as directetl by the Act respectiuf; the duties of Justices (jf the Peace out of Sessions, in re- lation to summary conviction.'^ and orders. Section 108. Authorizes Ma!,n.strate3 to grant warrant to search for liquor on reccivin,!^ cert;iii\ infonnatio i on oatlj. Section 100. Lirniorr^ (twenty |,'allond) and vessels containing the same may be utterly destroyed. Section 110. Heavy penalties loi t;un|Hjrin^ with witnesses. Section 111. No aiijieal or certiorari in certain cases. Sections 112, 113. Imprisonment for attempt to compromise. Section 114. Penalties for tanipeiing with witnesses. Section 115. What is necessary in deacrihiny oflFences. Section 110. Convictions may be obtained for various offences. Section 117. Convictions not invalid for informality of procedure. Section 118. Ai)plication to quash convictio;: to be decided on its merits. Section 119. The keeping of liquor for sale shall be inferred for under cer- tain circumstances. Sections 120, 121. Not necessary to prove money paid or Hqnor drank to se- cure conviction. Sections 122 to 124. Sundry provisions. • ' • I* "I ••••• • • R. A. H, MORROW PUBLISHER, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN nh and Matiwn^rg, YOUNC MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIMION BUILDING, 28 CHARLOTTE STREET, ST. JOXin^, 2:T. B. Temperance Literature, SalJktli Soliool Litoaries, Standard PuWications. SCHOOL BOOKS/BIBLES, OFF»CE Ar4D SCH.COL 8TAT50NERY, Ledgers Da- BooW, ' JpiiUnfito. "Blank B00V3, «Si,f?., in stock and fui-nibiied to order at the lowest rates. aWSiifdal (lisi'OHiitH to S. Schools, CUvgy and Teaehers.'m, For Subscription Books & Pictorial Family Bibles. CirculaTS mJi toma sent free by mail to any address on application. « *