THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY 178 V28t The person charging this material is re¬ sponsible for its return on or before the Latest Date stamped below. Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from the University. University of Illinois Library LIBRARY OF THE The True Path ; OR, THE Murphy Movement ""*"*“* *’ " 1 ————a—————— ——— —— am AND GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. A Complete History of the Rise, Progress and Wonderful Effects of the Great Reformatory Wave now Deluging our Land; TOGETHER WITH THE Biography, Addresses, Incidents and Anecdotes of FRANCIS MURPHY, THE GREAT TEMPERANCE APOSTLE. The Most Telling Speeches and Appeals of Prominent Leaders and Helpers in Various Parts, with the Intensely Interesting Experiences of the Most Remarkable of the Reformed Men. By Rev. J. Saml. Vandersloot, Author of “Comprehensive Bible Encyclopedia;” “Explanatory Bibls Dictionary;” “ Bible History and Analysis;” “Book of Bib¬ lical Antiquities;” “New and Improved Dictionary of Bible Names;” Etc., Etc., Etc. “ O send out thy light and thy truth : let them lead me.”—Ps. xliii. 3. “ I have chosen the way of truth.”—Ps. cxix. 30. PUBLISHED BY L. T. PALMER & CO ., CHICAGO, ILLS. 1878. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1877, by J. SAML. VANDERSLOOT, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. \U y ztt CYRUS STURDIVANT, THE MODEST Hero and Christian Reformer, WHOSE WORTH AND SACRIFICES—THOUGH ALMOST LOST SIGHT OF IN THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PRESENT STRUGGLE—HAVE BROUGHT, UNDER GOD, FRANCIS MURPHY FROM THE POWER OF RUM TO TEMPERANCE, AND OF SIN TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, THIS WORK IS DEDICATED, AS AN ACT OF JUSTICE' AND KINDLY ACKNOWLEDGMENT, BY THE AUTHOR. 1 I cr- 679793 PREFACE. Great movements have their literature. It has in¬ variably been so. And it would be strange if, in our civilization, the Murphy Temperance Reform should prove an exception. It is not enough that books should be published in support of the holy cause. The popular mind will not rest here. Its special and wonderful achievements must be recorded. The needed truths must be heralded and preserved. In deference to these reflections this book is sent forth. It has only been prepared, however, in the spirit that should be dominant in every work of life — that of doing good. We have had nothing narrower to inspire us. The thought that what. Francis Murphy has done, in particular places, both of himself and « through his followers, might not be ineffectual in its saving influence among the quiet villages and humble homes throughout our beloved borders, has nerved the writer to his task along many weary hours before daylight and after nightfall. For, let it be remembered, that 11 The True Path ” was written, arranged and completed inside the remarkably shprl period of thirty days. (3) 4 PUEFAOE. After considering this last statement, it will sur¬ prise us if errors and defects do not appear. And it will further surprise us if the clear-headed critics and - reviewers, at any time, exceed the proper bounds of a commensurate charity in pointing out our shortcomings. We have had something of difficulty, and expended somewhat of our limited time and means, in obtaining the necessary information. Letters have been written to, and papers received from, various parts, that all the facts of our subject might appear. And not a few gentlemen, who have been most intimate with Mr. Murphy, and other leaders in the recent moral conflict, have favored us to the extent of their ability ; but the success we have attained is mainly due to the assiduous aid of our publisher, and the persistent labors and sacrifices we have confronted. To all we freely make obeisance. In the writing out of Part I, entitled u The Subject as Presented To-day,” we did not yet have in our posses¬ sion the required events for the biography following it. On this account we were urged to consider intro¬ ductory such incidental, and more or less important matters, as “ Mr. Murphy’s Influence,” u His Success,” u Ilis Difficulties,” etc. We assented, to some extent, under the protest of our calm judgment. Nevertheless, as our sole aim is to confer, in our weak way, blessings on our fellow-man, we are willing to fall under any merited condemnation. There are those who may PREFACE. 5 meekly arch their brows and say they “ could have done better.” Very likely they could. But let them . be harnessed up, for one month , under a like burden, and try. Many facts furnished in this volume have been gath¬ ered from Mr. Murphy’s lips, by a reporter specially employed, and have never heretofore found their way into print. They have also, in different instances, been properly clothed by ourselves, in such a way as not to mislead—either by undue exaltation or any attempt at their abasement. Thus they are peculiar, and indi¬ vidual property. The speeches we present have been, in cases, solely procured through personal pains¬ taking and expense. They can be found nowhere else. Not a few of the reformed men, being familiar with Mr. Murphy’s reticence upon things relating to his career, have, in looking over some of the advance sheets, been amazed at the fulness and evident completeness of our history of the Apostle’s life. They have conce¬ ded that it gives every indication of a connected narra¬ tion of all the circumstances most important to the general reader. And such we believe to be the fact. Certainly we have done all that Mr. Murphy can or will look for, everything considered. We have at¬ tempted, at every turn, to hold up the hands of the prophet; and, although not a famous Aaron, we have assumed the role of an unpretending Hur. Our mind has been no little encouraged by the report 6 PREFACE. that not a few of Mr. Murphy’s friends have ordered many copies of the work, and that they are unreserved in their avowed purpose to regard it as a vade mecum in this gigantic campaign. Finally, we have not written for compensation. This concerns only one—a grain in the desert of life—a drop in the ocean of time. But we have fitted up what we would modestly regard as a “little labor of love.” Had our spiritual desires and advantages not appeared, we would never have begun it. We have looked out upon the hundreds of thousands going along in the deep current of sin to the yawning and seething cataract of destruction, and we have thrown out this life-line to them—not without many anxious prayers and tears— in the hope that some, yea, many, might grasp it and be saved. And we have lifted up our eyes and heart “unto the hills, from whence cometh our help,” and seen the golden wreaths of eternal royalty waving above them ; and have heard the words, so prophetically scin¬ tillating through the swift rolling centuries, “ They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.” J. Saml. Y. I TABLE OF CONTENTS. PART I. THE SUBJECT AS PRESENTED TO-DAY. CHAPTER I. page Mr. Murphy’s Influence.—His Success.—Leading Characteristics, 13 CHAPTER II. Mr. Murphy’s Difficulties.—Influences Against Him.—A Warning, 21 CHAPTER III. Previous Temperance Movements.—Different Opinions Current. —At the Roots, . . . . . • . . . .30 CHAPTER IV. Gospel Temperance.—Opposition of Christians.—The Term as Used by Mr. Murphy.—Example and Teaching of Christ.— Christ’s Wine not Intoxicating.—Mr. Murphy Consistent.— Necessity for Gospel Temperance,.41 PART II. THE BIOGRAPHY OF FRANCIS MURPHY. CHAPTER V. Mr. Murphy’s Early Life.—His Parents’ Religion.—Struggles with Poverty.—Peculiar Hospitality.—Youngsters Huddled into the Kitchen.— Wrong Treatment.— Irish Custom of using Liquor.—Appetite for Liquor First Formed.—A Way that is not the “True Path.”—Limited Educational Advan- 0 ) s CONTENTS PAGE tages. — A “ Piggy-back” Flogging. — Outrageously Dealt with.—Effect of Unkindness and Injustice.—“ An Act most Difficult to Forgive.”—Longing for a Freer Air.—An Im¬ movable Purpose.—Employed at a Castle.—A Difficult Task, 53 CHAPTER VI. Coming to America.—The Decision.—A Self-sacrificing Woman. —Circumstances of the Event.—Last Week in Ireland.—The Last Night.—The Mother’s Blessing.—The Separation.— The Voyage, ..68 CHAPTER VII. On the Sea and in the New World.—Drinking and Treating.— Turned out Upon the World.—Everything Gone.—A Situa¬ tion Secured.—Off to Canada.—At Farm Work.—Gets Mar¬ ried.—A Christian Wife.—Arrival of a Brother, . . 7S CHAPTER VIII. Removed to. Portland.—A New Business.—His Wife Opposed to it.-—Acting Alone.— Bradley House Rented. — Will Sell Liquor “ Respectably.”—Promised Her not to Drink.—At Home m the Hotel.—A Genuine Convert.—Business Suc¬ cessful.—A Wreck at Last.—Manner of his Ruin.—A Man’s Neck Broken.—Continuous Dissipation, . . . .86 CHAPTER IX. The arm of the Law to be Invoked.—Everything Lost, and With¬ out a Friend.—Arrested.— A Confiding Man.—Thrust into Jail.—Deserted.—An Erroneous Opinion.—A Faulty Sys¬ tem.—Wrong in Practice.—Must go the Fountain Head.— Auxiliaries.—A Suffering Family, . . . . . 95 CHAPTER X. Captain Cyrus Sturdivant.—Religious Services in the Jail.—Mr. Murphy Attends the Meeting.—A True Friend.—Valuable Men.—There is Hope for You.—Power of Kindness.— Little-Things.—Noble Feelings.—“God Bless You!” . . 106 CHAPTER XI. A Week of Suffering.—The Words Put into his Mouth.—Influ¬ ences of the Spirit Essential.—Plan to be Adhered to.—A Notable Day.—Great Religious Meeting in Jail.—Espied his Wife.—A Bouquet and a Fond Meeting.—Sought Out by a Loving Company,.115 CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER XII. page Prayer-meeting in the Dark Dungeon.—Mr. Murphy’s Conver¬ sion.— The New Birth.—A Subject Worthy Attention.— Loose Religion.—Days of Miracles.—A Transformation.— Light Hearts.—Kept in Prison.—Asks to Conduct a Prayer¬ meeting.—Seventy-five Prisoners Converted.—Divine Na¬ ture of the Work, . . . . . . . .124 CHAPTER XIII. His Imprisonment a School.—No Help for His Wife.—Denied Herself Bread.—No Meals that Day.—Mrs. Murphy’s Sad Letter.—A Bitter Night.—Released.—A Complete Wreck.— The Meeting.—An Earnest Prayer.—Erects a Family Altar. — Fruit and Garments Brought.—New Duties and Trials.—Mrs. Murphy’s Death.—A Sad Family.—The Most Important of Events.—Cannot but Work.—A Complete Preparation for it, 133 CHAPTER XIV. First Appearance as a Lecturer.—Surprised at the Result.—His Influence Extending.—Rallies the People at Freeport.—-A Sanguinary Struggle.—Dio Lewis Astonished.—Arranges to Go to Pittsburg.—Discouraged.—An Unexampled Success.— Prominent Circumstances.—Incidents, . . . . , 144 CHAPTER XV. Mr. Murphy’s Services Secured for Philadelphia.—Philanthropists Take Hold.—Wonderful Success in a Short Time.—Means of Spreading the Cause.—Frauds.—Movement Free from Bad Men.—No Exaggeration.—At Once Convinced.— No Abuse.—A Labor of Love.—But One Inspiration.—No Prejudices,..154 CHAPTER XVI. Facts About a Sunday Breakfast.—Capt. Sturdivant Present.— What a Group Thought.—Stopped by a Young Lady.—How the Thing Works.—In the Breakfast Room.—Could’nt Re¬ sist.—The Worship.—Pleasant Things.—All Happy.—A Tippler’s Rebellion.—Murphy, the True Leader.—The Leaven of Religion.—How it Used to be.—How the Change Began.—The Result.—A Slight Instrument.—The Reports from All Parts,.161 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVII. page Ribbon-wearing.—Different Colors.—The Red Ribbon Pledge.— Good Purposes.—The Struggle.—Murphy, the Leader.—All are Murphy’s Followers.—People Demanding to Sign.— Firebrands.—“ Do They Stick,” ...... 171 CHAPTER XVIII. Mr. Murphy’s Compensation.—Urged to Lecture.—Consents, but Cancels Engagements.—A Pauper.—Making a Mistake.—A Fact not Understood.—Strictures.—The Laborer Worthy.— Could Earn More in Other Directions.—Mr. Murphy’s Words Substantiated, .176 CHAPTER XIX. Mr. Murphy’s Children.—The Lecturer Himself.—When Before an Audience—A Superior Character.—“ Bother their Blar¬ ney.”—Is not Unsocial.—“That Hat.”—It Rambles About.— Mr. Murphy not Artificially Reserved.—Scrupulously Tidy, . 182 PART III. INTERESTING ADDRESSES AND EXTRACTS. CHAPTER XX. Speech of Mr. Murphy at Columbus, ...... 189 CHAPTER XXI. Selections from Mr. Murphy’s Speeches, . . . . .216 CHAPTER XXII. Remarks by Capt. Sturdivant.—Speech of Capt. W. B. Claney.— Speech of Alderman Harry B. Smithson, .... 228 CHAPTER XXIII. Address of John King.—Speech of Gen. Joe Geiger.—Speech and Song of Elijah Delaney.—Remarks of Thomas O’Neil.— Extract from Speech of Thos. H. Leabourn.—An Important Departure,.246 CONTENTS. 11 CHAPTER XXIV. page Sketch of Miss Frances E. Willard.—Address of Miss Willard.— Closing of a Speech by Miss Willard.—Remarks of Miss Willard at Boston.—Extracts from Speeches of Miss Willard, .......... 260 CHAPTER XXV. Important Extracts from Speeches by Col. Drew, D. L. Moody, Samuel P. Godwin, William Moran, and Extract from an Address by Bishop W. B. Stevens, ..... 282 CHAPTER XXVI. A Famous Lecturer Heard from.—John B. Gough’s Latest Gos¬ pel Temperance Lecture, . . . . . . .297 PART IV. IMPORTANT FACTS, INCIDENTS AND EXPERI¬ ENCES OF REFORMED MEN. CHAPTER XXVII. Storming the Devil’s Den.—Frank Murphy in Ramcat Alley.— Marriage.—Among the Barrel Houses.—Dispatch.—Flowers. —Mr. John L. Linton.—“The Floggers Flogged.”—Results of the Murphy Movement.—“The Hardest Drinker.”— “ Mr. Murphy’s Pocket-book Converted.”—“ Success by the Law of Love.”—Murphy and the “Fire-sharps.”—“Re¬ formers Recognized.”—“A Mother’s Love.”—“ Slow Pro¬ gress,” .323 CHAPTER XXVIII. A Charitable Gift.—How an Irishman Quit Selling Liquor.— “Rum Killed Them.”—“The Right About Face.”— “Going to Satan’s Domains.”—How the Women were “ Started.”—“ Then Shake !”—“ I’m Unraveling!”—“ Won and Saved.”—“ I Made Him what He was.”—Rum-mad¬ ness, . , . 33 6 CHAPTER XXIX. “ What Rum will Do.”—Thrilling Story.—A True Irishman.— “ A Cripple for Life.”—“ From the Top of the Ladder to the Foot.”—“ Caught in a Murphy Net,” .... 348 ' 12 CO NT ENTS CHAPTER XXX. page The Way to Master the Appetite—“ Wouldn’t Return to it for $100 Per Day.”—A Pathetic Story.—“Out of Six, the Only One.”—A Wonderful Deliverance, ..... .358 CHAPTER XXXI. “Boys Kidnapped” by Intemperance.—“ Drank up a Barrel of Money.”—The Only Sure Help.—Ran the GauntLet of the Rum Shops in Chicago.—“ Four Times in Prison.”—“ God did All for Him.”—That Undertow of Temperance.—“ Pre¬ paration to Commit Suicide.”—“Thirty Years of Intemper¬ ance.”—Money Brokers Used to Get All my Clothes.”— “ From Forty to Fifty Glasses of Liquor a Day.”—“ One of the Worst of Drinking Men.”—“Twenty-live Years” of Slavery, .......... 367 CHAPTER XXXII. Down to “ Bummer-poison.”—“ Tho Only True Pledge.”—“ Not too Much Religion.”—“A Drug Store Tippler.”—“Sold $16,000 Worth in One Day.”—Promising Before an Audi¬ ence.—“A Professional Pledge-taker.”—“Came Two Hun¬ dred Miles to be Redeemed.”—“ Saved Through a Wife’s Prayers.—“ Beaten by One Glass of Whiskey.”—“ Cost Him $100,000.”—“ Rather Have the Red in His Button-hole.”— “ A Dollar in His Pocket.”—“ A Richer Man.”—“ Gash in tee Bank.”—The Prayer of Faith.—“The Happiest Two Months.”—-“ Far Happier than for Fourteen Years.”— “ Pleaded at the Bar,” ....... 379 CPIAPTER XXXIII. Dr. Henry A. Reynolds.—Biographical Facts, .... 387 CHAPTER XXXIV. Alcohol has no Medicinal Value.—Physicians Trained to the De¬ lusion.—What Distinguished Men Say.—The Medical Fra¬ ternity not Innocent.—How to Succeed more Speedily.—Two more Witnesses, ......... 396 CHAPTER XXXV. Alcohol in the Light of Science—“ Is it Strange?”—What Lamb Said of It—An Appeal.—Closing Words to the Reformed Men,.- 404 THE TRUE PATH; * OR, THE MURPHY MOVEMENT AND GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. PART I—THE SUBJECT AS PRESENTED TO-DAY. CHAPTER I. MR. MURPHY’S INFLUENCE. Francis Murphy is a surprise. Within a com¬ paratively short time he has astonished the whole country. He has effectually gained the popular ear, and almost as readily won its heart. Certainly, his success is unequalled in the annals of reform. Ho other man has risen so high as a public benefactor, and a real friend of the most degraded and wretched among men. Thus, already, his influence is wonderful. It is of a most commanding character. Not only do lead¬ ing men, among ministers, merchants and others— of both great mental culture, and wealth—subscribe ( 13 ) 14 THE TRUE PATH. to his plans and conform to all his most reasonable wishes; but his influence extends to every grade and character of our people. It brings thousands of eager and devoted disciples to his feet. It goes beyond the bold and impertinent stare of the public eye, and enters into the privacy and sanctity of the most humble homes. It finds firm anchorage in the shadow-land of family trials, and carries with it the needful balm that issues only from Divine Truth and its association with human effort. It rests compla¬ cently in chambers where once sadness, fear and squalid misery held carnival. It establishes the true human helper and friend—though but a pliant in¬ strument m the Omnipotent hand—in the hearts of countless thousands of innocent and dependent ones, far outnumbering the fathers, husbands and bro¬ thers redeemed. The reason for all this is plain. It is in the fact that through his remarkable exertions there has been lifted from priceless souls the suffering of lives more intolerable than any death, and instead thereof the unbounded happiness dispensed that only those long denied it can fully experience. And it is further in the fact that the number of souls so reclaimed and freed are known to be legion. The speediest and most effective way to the interests, sympathies and affections of an intelligent people, is the salvation of its unfortunates. Great men have often become so by saving the lives of a few hundred or thousand persons. But here is an instance of a man, under God, saving thousands GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 15 upon thousands of lives—both for time and eternity. People see and feel this, and are awakened to a sense of what is due such an one. Nor is this appreciation limited to the immediate fields of Mr. Murphy’s labor. Ilis influence is almost equally powerful and far reaching in every community. His name—with his words of kind¬ ness and wisdom, and deeds of love—has been well heralded throughout our borders. It seems as if the whole nation of Intemperance and Vice is beginning to fret and heave from the enormous load his skill and struggles have put upon it. And it is .plain that Christianity and Morality have been stirred up to the importance of a hearty co-operation with a plan that human wisdom can in no way condemn. All feel the magnitude of the work now fairly in¬ augurated. Every atmosphere is full of the move¬ ment our hero has championed. The millions are only waiting—and anxiously—to know who, and what, he really is who has been able to so trouble the pools throughout our great social system. HIS SUCCESS. As already intimated, Mr. Murphy is a new star in the canopy of our era—a brilliant gladiator in the arena of American life. He is both a leader of great promise, and a general of prodigious victories. Ilis success is assured for the time to come. He has taken firm root in the soil of the whole people. Even now the plant fills the air with the perfume of 16 THE TRUE PATH. its blossoms and fruit. All concede the fact that neither tongue nor pen can do justice to either the worker or his work. It is evident that more than one million persons have signed the Murphy pledge. Among these is a large proportion of men and women who were slaves to their appetites for strong drink. Hot a few were confirmed drunkards and outcasts. This is a glori¬ ous record—one that should cause the people in the true path—they of the Gates of Zion—to be filled with pleasure and songs of thanksgiving. Through this unprecedented success—we may say, this extraordinary share of Divine blessing—the people are largely aglow with earnestness and en¬ thusiasm. There is a disposition on the part of many to yield personal tastes and convictions, and subscribe to anything that will add to the general result. The tendency of the Church is toward more of prayer and labor and faith. And what may we not expect when the hearts of the Christian public are turned, from day to day, toward God— He who redeems more willingly than men receive his inestimable blessings. LEADING CHARACTERISTICS. One of the things constantly developed in Mr. Murphy's labors is his unfaltering faith. He clearly has his convictions fixed upon the willingness of the Divine Spirit to aid every noble enterprise—especially that having for its purpose purely the elevation into GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 17 spiritual life and activity of his unfortunate fellow- men. He also has confidence in the fact that some¬ thing of good, however small or flickering, exists down somewhere in every soul—something which can be fanned into a flame sufficient to light up the whole being and fill it with righteousness and truth. He has faith that, hard by the refreshing and en¬ kindling power of the Almighty, on the one hand, and the feeble desires and latent sympathies of the fallen, on the other, there flows a continual stream of salvation ; and that a brotherly hand, warmed by a loving heart, may lift into useful manhood hosts of men who have long ceased to look for real friend¬ ship upon the earth. He has faith also that even one man, leaning heavily upon Christ, can accom¬ plish more against evil than regiments of men de¬ pending solely upon themselves. Another important feature is his peculiar aptitude at persuasiveness. By this none are harmed by him, in his approaches, or addresses, whilst many are either surprised and impressed, or speedily won to him. The former method of badgering with inuendos, or even epithets, is disdained. Even the first show of unkindness is studiously avoided. Ho hostility is awakened in the breast of any one. Threatening is not so much as thought of alongside the better and more potent principle of Kindness—the child of Love—that divine grace and attribute which moves worlds, and heaven itself. 2 18 THE TRUE PATH. Persuasion is at once carefully and thoroughly employed, adhered to, and held, as the central motive power. Men are taken by the hand. This is the easy and sure way to the heart. And well might religion profit by this, in all its various eccle¬ siastical methods, while striving for the glory of the Master. There is more hope for the reclamation of thousands in this way than in perhaps most of the denunciatory efforts of the pulpit and rostrum. There is much more of Christianity in the friendly shake of the hand than in many prayers offered. Mr. Murphy not only understands this, but seems to consider that a long and hearty shake of the hand and a short prayer is at no disadvantage over against a long prayer and a short and feeble act of fellowship. He moves toward the erring with a soul running over with a tenderness and persuasive¬ ness that melts them down as effectually as are bat¬ talions and brigades decimated before the well- delivered leaden hail of an entrenched enemy. Thus, where there has been no desire for reforma¬ tion he excites it. No matter how mean in appear¬ ance the man may be, he, the champion, grasps his hand and says, “ My brother, come and assert your manhood 1 Come ! You shall be saved 1” And he comes—for a ray of hope, for the first time, touches the darkened soul. There is also presented to us in the man the very essential elements of personality—giving shape and even solidity to a sweeping popular enthusiasm. There can be no doubt as to the possession of this GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 19 in a most extraordinary degree. He is at once cap¬ tivating through his gilt of eloquence, his most- ad rnirable earnestness, his impressive manner, his delicacy of feeling, his robust and enduring physical organism, and, withal, his singularly magnetic pres¬ ence. All regard his personal appeals as irresistible, and calculated to thoroughly imbue his hearers with the same spirit by which he is himself moved. Thoroughness is seen, too, in all Mr. Murphy does. His mind not only expands, in proportion to the de¬ mands of his soul, in the great movement, but his plans and their fulfilment are distinguished for pre¬ cision and effectiveness. Nothing is done loosely or carelessly ; not a man is allowed to escape him, if in any way adapted to the work. Is one a good speaker ; has he an important and telling experience; has he been distinguished among the intemperate, or frequenters of the drinking saloon, or grogery ! At once he is pushed to the front, constrained to tell his sad story and its rejoiceful sequel to the thou¬ sands, and then sent into the field to imitate the great leader in urging the necessity for, and value of, Gospel temperance. Often men have signed the pledge, and then walked away from philanthropic workers, as if all was done that it was possible for them to do. That act ended, the signer was left to himself, and a world of snares and false friends. No interest was taken in them, and they were not encouraged to keep their solemn pledge by subsequent words or efforts. 20 THE TRUE PATH. Not so, is Mr. Murphy’s work done. Men are clothed, fed, employed, encouraged, and drilled to faithfulness. Thus appeal after appeal has been made to the public. The leader himself has gone to private homes soliciting apparel for his converts. His self-sacrificing devotion has driven home to the great public heart the fact of his genuine humani- tarianism; and the community of rum-venders and rum-drinkers have silently bowed their heads before him. One other peculiarity requires, at our hands, a few reflections. It is that of a deep, personal experience. This has made Mr. Murphy bold, strong and shrewd. It is the band that encircles his soul, and whatever of gifts and graces he possesses. He was saved from a terrible end. His redemption released him from the worst of foes. His tender nature and sympa¬ thies were caught up by the power of the Holy Spirit. His prayers carried him from a familiar degradation to peace and happiness in believing* His very cruelties to others, especially the objects of his love, brought to him a more persistent interest and affection in their behalf. Through this last characteristic, Mr. Murphy stepped out not only upon the broad platform, and into the pure air of universal manhood, but—as by an unseen impetus—began to ascend the heights by which he might more perfectly measure his privileges and opportunities, and from which he might call to him those of like perils and misfor¬ tunes. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 21 CHAPTER II. MR. murphy’s DIFFICULTIES. It is well that the world has its generous and noble natures which press beyond the narrow con¬ fines of the cynics and fault-finders—a class seldom pleased with anything unless they do it themselves, although eager to enjoy the good opinions of others. It is well that there are men who consider and re- inember their duty to God and humanity; who are willing to be held up to the contempt of some so that others may be profited, and who are ready to endure as good soldiers, for the honor of the name of Christ. It even seems well, also, that there are at times difficulties before such valiant defenders of truth, by the overcoming of which we are led to know that the wisdom of man is as foolishness before Plim who gives to all their talents, and whose spiritual gifts and blessings are greatly above the highest advantages of a carnal nature. Thus are we brought to ourselves. Thus does God humble the lofty and instruct the despised. And thus, while we see hundreds of the most learned and skilled from distinguished “ Alma Maters ” pass through lives full of golden opportu¬ nities, without acquiring a name beyond the slender fields of their professional or business engagements, we are now and then amazed at the splendid acts of such as have risen from obscurity and disadvan- 22 THE TRUE PATH. tages—as have asked no mercy of the proud wave above the surface, and yet transcended them all. Few persons, having such obstacles before them as had Francis Murphy, ever conceive of, or attempt, great popular movements. Fewer still meet with any respectable success in the attempts made. They who succeed, however—and especially who do so signally and continuously—must he great, iind them what and where you will. God reigns among men, and no one can accomplish such results, unless he is a chosen vessel—having the peculiar characteristics of mind and soul most essential, however they may be hidden from human ken. It is neither an easy nor common thing for men, having the advantages of influence and education, to rise to prominence in our large communities. But for men to come from the depths of debauchery and the prison house, and without so much as an ordinary mental outfit, and then hew their way up to a place alongside the ablest and most distin¬ guished of our citizens, is truly marvellous, and demands our attention and respect. It may be objected by some, that such men are only great, because they meet the tastes, views, feelings and training of the crowd. Be it so. The most distinguished of our countrymen, generally, in ail departments of usefulness, have become so by con¬ sulting the requirements of the masses. Great minds must bend to those around and beneath them, or their very greatness becomes a source of reproach. Truly popular men are more surely great than those GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 23 who despise the opinions of the world, simply be¬ cause of a consciousness of their superior personal attainments. There is a greatness that the schools cannot give —that the most exquisite preparation cannot pro¬ cure—and that rises in intrinsic merit and import¬ ance above all mind culture. It is born, and is somewhat of a rare production. It has to do with the soul. Education might have raised a mind and soul like Mr. Murphy’s high up among the people with but little effort. But then his usefulness might have been thwarted. Difficulties make some men all the greater—often much more useful. His strength is seen more prominently in the indifference with which he treats the very qualification held to be so essential. He doubtless knows of his misfor¬ tune—if such it be—perhaps, feels it for the moment; but then led, as by a superhuman impulse, and a keen appreciation of his duty in behalf of suffering and erring humanity, he springs forward, appeals pointedly to men, catches their ears, wins their hearts, and holds them till he slays the enemy of their souls; and then anoints and bandages them for their new existence. The questions have been recently asked, “ Whether men, having little more than dissolute lives to com¬ mend them to the public, are the proper persons to be recognized as leaders in important public move¬ ments? ”—“ Whether wickedness should be made a vestibule to popularity ?”—“ Whether those of often- 24 THE TRUE PATH. sive antecedents should not be kept upon the stool of repentance for a goodly season, and held at a dis¬ count in matters of general interest?” In answer £o such inquiries, we scarcely know what to say. We would not utter anything having the appearance of unkindness in it. And yet we feel a deep sense of indignation in an attempt at their consideration. We regard them as an im¬ peachment of the common-sense of our people gener¬ ally. Yea, more!—they seem to be an arraignment of the government of God among men ! When our Lord called Saul, the “chief of sin¬ ners,” He did no more than He is doing to-day, both in the Church and out of it. And when lie does so call, shall men shake their heads impiously and de¬ clare that wickedness with Jehovah is at a pre¬ mium ? We will use a homely illustration, and urge, that there are very many tame crows sitting cozily and lazily upon the fence, which are only innocent of the decaying carcass of sin because it did not lie within easy range of their flight. Perhaps if they had tasted it, they would enjoy more of active useful¬ ness ; would desert their complacent and self-import¬ ant habits ; would entertain more charitable opinions of the world around them ; and would more actively and truthfully engage in the great conflict of life. The worst sinners have been made so by the very soul qualities that—once subjected to the light and heat of God’s Spirit—make them the best and most noble Christians. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 25 Again, we think it is no reflection upon the edu¬ cational interests of our day to say that sound, prac¬ tical sense flourishes most outside the range of our more prominent schools of learning. Nor do we violate the sentiments of the most experienced of intelligent Christians, when we say that about the worst men in the Church are those who sit in judg¬ ment over others—following simply their own un¬ charitable opinions, and seeking to punish accord¬ ingly—taking the whole business out of the hands of Him who hath said, “ I will repay.” INFLUENCES AGAINST HIM. These have evidently escaped the attention of Mr. Murphy. From remarks recently made by him, it is certain that, in his hurried and resistless labors, he has not seen the indifference and obstacles set up by various influences, the moral support of which he should have had. We would first direct attention, under this cap¬ tion, to the secular press—that most notable power in the direction of either interesting and arousing the people, or checking and neutralizing public movements. It has to a considerable extent exer¬ cised remarkable caution in this entire temperance warfare. The reasons for this we can well under¬ stand. Its interests have often been at stake. It has perhaps done all we could reasonably expect. But we are quite sure it might have done abun¬ dantly more, had it assumed the independence char- 26 THE TRUE PATH. acteristic of its course upon many other subjects. In numerous instances in the Middle, as also in the Eastern and Western States, it has yielded its favor grudgingly, and as if from the merest compulsion. To these, of course, there have been not a few honorable exceptions. We know of none which have been outspoken in their opposition ; yet many have failed in any moral support. Mr. Murphy has not given this his attention as others have done. And he has been sincere, doubt¬ less, in his declarations that the newspapers were able to render him helpless at any time. But we cannot for a moment believe, that Francis Murphy, in the hands of the Blessed Spirit of God, could be made helpless, although the combined efforts of newspaperdom were levelled squarely against him. At second thought, he will agree with us in this particular. But Mr. Murphy is kind. He hits at no one except to favor. He knows the power of the press, and is even grateful for its silence, where it has avoided support. But there are thousands through¬ out our nation who will hear of the kind w T ords of the orator in regard to the press, and then con¬ clude that he said all. he could say from the kindly swellings ot his soul, and could risk little or nothing more. There are able and noble men in the great editorial fraternity of our country ; those who are eager to support every good enterprise ; who have re¬ joiced down in their hearts at Mr.Murphy’s success; and who doubtless have sympathetically watched the GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 2T tide of general favor, as it rose up wave after wave around the champion, and then dashed from the centres and strongholds of the movement and washed over the suburban, and more remote districts, con¬ trolling- and converting- thousands. Some of them have given full reports at times, and uttered no word of disfavor. But in numerous instances, it is commonly reported and accepted among the people, their influence has not been what might and should have been. In addition to this, some influential religious news¬ papers, in various parts, have thus far largely failed in their support of Mr. Murphy. What shall we say of these, after the foregoing remarks ? If the secular press has been at fault, what have the Church papers not done, which, by their silence or covert thrusts, have been in the way of the good work ? They seem to have forgotten that Temperance and Christianity are ot the same household—having the same Author, and Father, and divine relationship ; that they live and labor together ; that they are united by indis¬ soluble ties, upon which their lives equally depend; that unitedly they go out upon the great mission of alleviating human misery; that they are heaven- appointed, and Jehovah-instructed, for the lifting up and sundering of the network of sin ; and that with the trials and misfortunes of one, come suffer¬ ing and confusion to the other. They are both as needful to the success of every Christian Church, of whatever name, as air and water are to the susten¬ ance of the human body. •28 THE TRUE PATH. The Ministry in oar cities has done good service by taking Mr. Murphy and his converts by the hand, and giving them countenance and support. The leader has invoked the help of the watchmen in Zion, and has received it. Ilis gratitude therefor has been unbounded. Yet there are those who have antago¬ nized him in his great work. What their reasons for such a course have been, we cannot understand. Evidently they have seen that the power of the Almighty is freely on the side of a weak vessel—one heretofore full of ignorance and sin. Because, perhaps they are unable to shut their eyes to this last feature, they forsooth resist Him by whom all victory is as¬ sured. They appear to turn away from every true and just impulse of a religious nature, and shield themselves behind the false dispositions and tastes of a depraved and flimsy social world. A WARNING. A few sentences may well be employed here as notes ot warning to such of the ministry as hold in disfavor the Murphy enterprise. For years, not a few o£ our churches have become cold and negligent of the more responsible duties resting upon them. Thus, in our large cities and throughout the land, the Standard of Christ has frequently been lowered under a system of theological training, recognizing more the doctrines of men—and the need of a suc¬ cessful defence of views, involving the peculiar tenets of certain religious systems—than the high i GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 29' and holy doctrines of God. We have watched the conflict for some time between human philosophy, and the wisdom of the Divine Spirit. Logic, con¬ troversy and schemes have resulted freely from our late methods of seminary training, while the unction from above—so all-essential to true Christianity— has been neglected Under such circumstances, God calls from the ranks of the debauched and uneducated, the men who, through His power, accomplish as much in a few short months, as professedly able ministers do in a life-time. Evangelists, brought up under the raya of the eternal sun, are suddenly sent out. They charm and electrify the people, and reflect the truths of the gospel abroad into their hearts. They become the whips in the hands of God, by which the Churches are punished,—or, rather, the goads by which the organized and regular means of salvation are incited to better and greater efforts. Therefore, it is not becoming or wise for those in the pulpit to question, criticise and deny the correctness and expediency of such labors as have recently startled us We recognize all good as from God, and especially the kind that carries the Gospel to the crowds, and Christ to the hearts of the people. The feeble and foolish declaration so frequently put forth, that there is no permanence to such efforts as have dis¬ tinguished Mr. Murphy and his co-laborers is not only erroneous and evil in effect, but contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. It is ours to do all we can for the common good—to preach all of the truth—to 30 THE TRUE PATH. lose no opportunity of conferring blessing upon every condition and degree of sinners. Even the method is, we apprehend, of minor consequence—so that we violate no plain law of Scripture. God will take care of the balance. If we, in good faith, save men for a season from sin, it will secure us as much re¬ ward, as if the dews of God’s grace, and the Sun of the inner heavens had watered and warmed them all through life. It is not ours to consider the perma¬ nence of the thing, or to sit in judgment over times and circumstances which have not transpired, any more than it is right for the farmer to refuse to put his crops into the earth because he believes there will be a plague or a drought. We" are commanded to plough, sow and water. We are to leave the in¬ crease with God. The duty—the labor—belongs to man ; the result belongs solely to Him who knoweth all things, and whose wisdom in not given to another. CHAPTER III. PREVIOUS TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS. Before considering the Gospel Temperance Plan of Mr. Murphy, it may be well—for the information of the reader—at this point, to consider, as succinctly as possible, the history of the various temperance movements in our own country. In the year 1651, by direction of a public meeting, the town of East Hampton, L. I., arranged itself GOSPEL TEMPERANCE, 31 against drunkenness, and a little later limited the amount of liquor to be sold. In 1676 the Legislature of the State of Virginia passed a prohibitory act. In 1700-steps were taken at different points against the use of liquor at funerals. In 1777 the Conti¬ nental Congress urged upon the State Governments the prevention of “ the pernicious practice of distill¬ ing grain.” In 1789 the first temperance society was formed in Litchfield Co., Conn. In 1794 Dr. Rush advocated total abstinence. In 1797 a relig¬ ious opposition to the use of liquors made its appearance among the Methodists, Presbyterians and other sects. In 1805 the Philadelphia paper makers formed a temperance association. In 1808, on ac¬ count of the alarming increase of drunkenness, a Union Temperance Organization was effected in New York. In 1811 reform began in Philadelphia. In 1813 was organized the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Intemperance. In 1825, the ad¬ vocacy of total abstinence again became somewhat formidable. In 1826 the American Temperance Society of Boston was organized ; shortly after which societies sprung up everywhere throughout the country. In 1827 medical societies declared against liquors ; religious assemblies declaimed against them ; and prominent advocates of total abstinence appeared. Before the close of 1827 two hundred and twenty-two societies were formed, having thirty thousand members. In 1829 one thousand societies existed, and one hundred thou¬ sand men were pledged against liquors. In 1831 32 THE TRUE PATH. there were twenty-two hundred local societies and one hundred and seventy thousand members, and the question of license was pressed to the ballot. In 1832 the Secretaries of War and the Navy of the United States substituted coffee and sugar for liquors in the forts, camps, garrisons, navy yards and ves¬ sels. In 1833 meetings were general ; the first regular total abstinence society was formed ; a Con¬ gressional Society was organized, with General Cass as president; and the number of societies had in¬ creased to five thousand having a membership of one and a quarter million. In this year, also, the first National Temperance Society meeting was held at Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. In 1834 the General Government sanctioned prohibition. In 1837 a prohibitory law was offered and defeated in Maine, and Neal Dow began to be conspicuous. In 1838 several States passed stringent liquor laws. In 1839 Mississippi passed a 44 one gallon law,” and Illi¬ nois a local option bill. This year news of the work of Father Mathew in Ireland, reached our country and caused great rejoicing among temper¬ ance people. On July 4th, Boston held a Cold Water Jubilee. In 1840 six inebriates inaugurated 44 The Washingtonians ” in Baltimore. The effect of this society was marvellous. Reformed men arose every¬ where. Two of these visited various States and obtained thirty-four thousand signatures. The sup¬ position is that one hundred and fifty thousand pledges were obtained from this movement. A great work began in 1842, in the organization GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 33 of the Sons of Temperance, the influence and power of which has continued until the present. In addi¬ tion to this the Order of Rechabites was introduced Irom England, and gained considerable favor. John B. Gough, the eloquent, began his labors of reform also during this year. In 1845 the Templar Society began its existence. In 1846 Maine secured a pro¬ hibitory law. During this year the Order of Cadets of Temperance was originated, and was followed by the Good Samaritans in New York. In 1848 New Hampshire and other States obtained prohibi¬ tion. In 1849 Father Mathew landed in New York, through whom was founded the present Total Abstinence Brotherhood. In 1852 the Maine law had its birth. In 1853, a World’s Temperance Con¬ vention was held in New York. In 1856 the American Juvenile Temperance Society was formed. In 1859, the total abstinence society, called the u Dashaways,” was organized by four young men in San Francisco. In 1860 the Temperance Flying Artillery was instituted in Chicago. In 1865 the National Temperance Society was begun, with Hon. W. E. Dodge as president. In the same year, the Cali¬ fornia Temperance Legion, and Maryland Absti¬ nence League appeared, and Congress excluded liquor from the capitol and grounds. In 1866 the Pennsylvania State Temperance Union was started. In 1868 the Friends of Temperance was begun in Virginia. During the same year the Young Men’s Christian Association became first identified with the temperance movement. In 1869 the Ladies 3 84 THE TRUE PATH. Reform was organized in Ohio. In 1871 Total Ab¬ stinence Catholic Societies were formed. In 1873 the Women’s Crusade in the West came into promi¬ nence, and soon developed into the Women’s Chris¬ tian Temperance Union. In 1875 two National Temperance Conventions met and effected consid¬ erable legislation. In 1876, at Independence Hall, a grand International Temperance Convention was held. Since this, and especially during the present year, much has been done through the evangelistic efforts of D. L. Moody and others. But nothing approximating to the present movement has ever transpired in this, or, perhaps, any other country. DIFFERENT OPINIONS CURRENT. The Murphy plan is a new one—not theoretically, or even, perhaps, practically, but—in its arrange¬ ment, methods and scope. Heretofore, the alarming increase of intemperance, debauchery and crime has given rise to much of serious thought and effort on the part of prominent Christians and Philanthropists. No stone has been left unturned in the search for a remedy ; no expenditure of treasure spared in at¬ tempts to shield the weak and helpless ; no influences withheld from the devotee of the poisoned chalice looking to his liberation from the fangs of the ser¬ pent within it. There has been much of anxiety, counselling, and debate, as well as labor. And, as any one would readily conclude, there has been an GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 35 endless variety of opinions as to the most proper and effectual course to pursue. On the part of a great number of persons, legal enactments are the only hope for any permanent or thorough success. The infliction of severe penalties upon all who become intoxicated is esteemed by them the sure way to an abandonment of the evil. Having failed to overcome the great combinations formed by men who traffic in alcoholic and malt liquors—and in wretched, undone souls—and fear¬ ing any further attempts against those of the a first cause/' in this national evil, as fruitless, on account of the support and protection secured by legislation —they have turned upon the poor creature of his appetite, and would add inhumanity to misery; in other words, using the legal phrase, they would liberate “ the party of the first part," on account of his strength of purse, and his hold upon the good¬ will of the crowd, and visit his act upon one who is scarcely a “ particeps criminis ”—but little more than a poor dupe. In a word, they would kill the tree by lopping oft' its outer twigs. Many others would go further and deeper, in their onslaughts upon the evil, and would cut at the trunk of the tree, and, if possible, sever it from its roots. They would war against the tavern and saloon keepers, and, through ceaseless struggling at the ballot-box, and with our law makers—securing most stringent limitations and barriers, or, further still, a prohibitory law—would annihilate the u middle¬ man.Their purposes transpired in the Murphy 36 THE TRUE PATH. awakening, and have fairly come to the surface at this stage of the movement. They denounce the seller, as a blot upon society’s face, a moral leper in the community, a disgrace to our age, and as one of the worst, and most to be despised of men. Between these warriors in the cause of prohibi¬ tion, and Mr. Murphy, there is considerable vari¬ ance, if not dissension. Mr. Murphy claims—and he speaks from his own experience—that there are thousands of men in the liquor business who have engaged in it because of a seeming necessity ; that they have good heads and hearts ; that they are capable of becoming ornaments among men ; that they are not degraded down in their souls ; and that they are no little sinned against in having hurled at them the opprobrious epithets of prohibitionists. Therefore, while the one side would resort to un¬ relenting and vigilant legal means, the other would take the purest and broadest spirit of our Christian religion, and aim at the convictions. The prohibi¬ tionists carry in their hands the law. Mr. Murphy— disgusted with the moral faithlessness and pusil¬ lanimity of law makers—has seized upon the Gospel. Of course, our sympathies are with Mr. Murphy. We believe—yea, we know, from no little of association with Christians—that when the law fails, the Gospel most effectually triumphs. We cannot agree to the assertion that all who traffic in liquors, are the worst and most despicable of men. Their business is enormously wicked, doubtlessly, on account of many things belong- GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 37 ing to, and growing out of it. But the dealer does not so regard it, and is often blind to the injury he does to the cause of God and of humanity. He often does not see the terrors of drunkenness, as they appear in the lives and the families of his customers, and even in the prison- homes of his victims—unless, indeed, he becomes the victim himself. This was the case with Mr. Murphy. Then, when he accidentally awakens to his true situation, he is appalled ; his soul is stirred; he abhors the life consequent upon his nefarious pursuit; he catches at new desires ; he seeks the only guidance known to man, and humbly falls dpwn before God. Thus it was, also, with Mr. Mur¬ phy. And before the orohibition school can fasten upon the average Christian heart its views and claims, and make believe that the liquor venders are a worthless, God-forsaken body, they must hide away the double character of Francis Murphy, the liquor-seller, drunkard, and prisoner, and Francis Murphy, the hero and champion of the grandest tem¬ perance reform that has ever visited the centuries. Far be it from us to attempt to elevate the busi¬ ness of the men who contribute more than all others to the misery of our race. We could not do it, and would flee the very thought. But it is always God¬ like to elevate men. It is well to degrade the thing that is evil; it is error to degrade the men that do evil. Lift up Christ in all things ; and in obedience to Ilis plain teachings, do good to all men. Never hate, despise or condemn, while the blood of the 88 THE TRUE PATH. atonement is sufficient to make as pure as wool the crimson-dyed sinner. AT THE ROOTS. There is yet one other class of temperance men. They maintain that it is necessary for us to go be¬ yond both twigs and branches and trunk, and dig: out the whole tree—roots and all. They object not only to the license system in toto , but are opposed to the distillation and brewing of liquors, and would have severe measures against their manufacture. That this is striking at the roots of the evil, none will question. But effort in this direction, under our present system of government, would seem like endeavoring to dry up the sea by drainage. Our legislators are. to a considerable extent, not only patrons of the tavern-keepers, but dependent upon their favor for a continuance in office. They know— many of them—that if it were not for the interests of rum they would never be allowed to fill their positions ; that it is by the way of the bar, and the toddy, they have come—and that everything aimed at these is, to them, a deeply personal affair. How can they break faith with their only friends? We can understand how this would be suicide with them, although they fail to see how the suicide would be a great blessing to the public. In this connection, we cannot but remark that the present method of holding elections, in many of our cities and populous districts, at hotels, tav- GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 39 erns and little groggeries, is an outrage upon Chris¬ tianity and morality. We care little for the plea that our laws require such places to be closed on election day. The compromise is perhaps an im¬ provement upon the old system, but is only a slight concession on the side of the evil. What was done publicly is now only done privately. No amount of excuse can justify it in a single instance. It would be more profitable to the tax-payer either to have small buildings erected for the purpose, or to remun¬ erate families, having reputation for temperance, for the use of their homes, than to continue a means by which the friends of intemperance obtain domi¬ nance in local government. Tor we remember that these make fifty per cent, of our insane—sixty-five per cent, of our paupers—seventv-five per cent, of our murders—eighty per cent, of our criminals— ninety-five per cent, of our vicious youth—and send one every six minutes into a drunkard’s grave, or nearly one hundred thousand precious souls a year! How shameful, then, that our ballot-boxes— designed to be kept sacredly pure—are frequently placed in the houses whence vice, corruption and drunkenness proceed—where the fiery fluid that steals away reason is freely dispensed—where the most profligate and malicious in the community spend their hours—and where there is every incite¬ ment to fraud, riot and murder. And to such points Christian Ministers, and all honest and good citizens are compelled to go, if they would exercise the right and duty of franchise! Compelled to 40 THE TRUE PATH. breathe an air vitiated by the peculiar odor of the still product, as well as by the many hot breaths, alike poisoned by rum, cheap tobacco and profanity. We fancy it would be prudent for the intelligent, women of our land to operate loudly and boldly against this evil, in view of its possible effect upon their fathers, husbands and brothers—before seeking to tread themselves—with ballot in hand—the mis¬ erable purlieus of the spots where revelry is most unblushing and degenerate. How can it be otherwise than that liquor dealers and their friends should feel themselves to be the true custodians of the voice and will of the people, ■while such things are permitted to continue ? How can we be surprised at the power of rum in our midst, and the inability of men to overcome the influence of organized distillers, when our highest privileges as citizens are at the mercy of the retailers of the fiery stuff ? How can we expect anything else than legislators, councilmen, and aldermen and magistrates of corrupt and bacchanalian sympathies and tendencies ? By all means, then, let the influential classes who are opposed, both to the license system and the manufacture of liquors, go consistently to work, and strive for a divorce of rum and the ballot-box, before looking to the offspring of these—our legis¬ lators—for a destruction of the foundation of the whole fabric of King Alcohol. They have been try¬ ing to legislate against the distiller and dealer for over half a century and have steadily failed. More 41 GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. rum is consumed in our country now than ever before. Perhaps, if these extremists had pursued the course referred to, their cause might have been victo¬ rious long since. All parties holding to the various opinions consid¬ ered have done something of good—must have con¬ tributed somewhat to the success of sobriety among us. But they have fallen short, doubtless, of their ability in the premises. Not a few, of our wisest and clearest thinkers, have admitted that none have proven themselves equal to the demands of our times. CHAPTER IV. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. Mr. Murphy has been thoroughly convinced of the weakness and ineffectualness of the methods heretofore resorted to. Another must be sought. He, himself, had failed of reformation before in¬ voking the aid of Divine power. Herein was the successful way. It was the true path to him, and would surely be to everyone. He had not the strength of himself, but God gave him freely of grace, and he was thoroughly brought to hate the beastly liquid he once loved. This must be made plain to others. His way was not open to the pulpit, but he could go upon the rostrum and ap- 42 THE TRUE PATH. peal to his fellow-man. He could take his own simple narrative of wretchedness and crime, and of his final salvation at the foot of the Cross. This he would do. The Gospel of the Son of God had brought him to temperance and peace, and now he would lift up a banner that he well knew would save to the uttermost—that of Gospel Temperance. Counselling the erring—appealing to whatever of manhood remained, inducing them to sign the pledge, assuring them of all needful support from Jehovah, pointing them to the wide mercies of a present Saviour, and turning their attention to a life of prayer and faith—would be the effort of his life, and would necessarily have triumph. God would thus not only enable the individual convert to stand above his appetite, but would also give encouragement and power to every means put forth for the rescue of others—in a word, would fill the cause with His presence and blessing. Thus he might become an instrument of great good ; per¬ haps, be made a power against evil; might gather into a new plan of reform the masses in the com¬ munity ; and might make, through love and kind¬ ness, to the living, active souls within the grasp of Satan, their wicked practices and avocation more unpopular and offensive than ever. The resolution was taken. His family were in¬ formed of it. He plainly and in brief sentences re¬ vealed to them the thoughts of his mind and desires of his soul; and they could not but acquiesce in the generous and noble purposes, so new and strange GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 43 were they to all they had previously experieDced. His soul was evidently on fire—for his language had become thoroughly warmed—and his tones and earnestness reached their hearts. They fell in freely with his sentences of irresistible eloquence. The giant was rising to his task. Thus the temperance of Mr. Murphy was of the Spirit. When a man becomes a sincere Christian, he is alive to the importance of having others accept his Saviour; he has a huno;erin£ for souls. The reformation of this man was complete, being accom¬ plished through the Gospel. The Lord had revealed Himself to him in this way. He desired to know or teach no other method. And Mr. Murphy has been consistent throughout. He has encountered strong and able advocates of other methods, but he has successfully withstood all their views, prejudices and influences. He ad¬ heres to the one plan. He will follow it against all opposition. He regards it as the true path—the Lord’s way—and it were violence and crime to leave it. More than this, he is conscious that he has the Divine help, while faithful to it, and believes that his success would cease were he to forsake it. In this he is wise, as the history of all other plans abundantly shows. When the Washingtonians came into existence, in 1840, multitudes gathered around them. In a short time they numbered two hundred and fifty thousand. The country was largely influenced by the movement. Christians were deeply interested in its 44 THE TRUE PATH. behalf, and the aisles and vestibules of Houses of Worship, as well as the street corners and all gathering places, were the scenes of animated con¬ verse and jubilant demonstrations. The Spirit of the Almighty was plainly seen in the work. The effect upon the whole public mind was unmistak¬ able. The Church approached the great work. But, at this juncture, the members of the organ¬ ization became narrowed through regarding man, and his extended labors, and forgetting God. Thus, speedily the Gospel was separated from the. move¬ ment, in deference to those who were unchristian in their views. The Bible, the Cross and Prayer were ignored. Then came a sudden and inglorious fail¬ ure. This result has attended a similar proceedure in a lesser degree, in various other attempts. And we believe that discomfiture must quickly come in all instances in which the power is other than of God. The will of man is weak in itself. His pledge is not sure. If he fails to look up to the only Helper, he will surely be brought to shame, if not to the complete power of the enemy. OPPOSITION OF CHRISTIANS. There is a circumstance in connection with Gospel Temperance to which we believe it necessary to allude. It is in the fact that it is opposed by some who are confessedly Christians, and members of orthodox churches. This appears to us, at a glance, as unaccountably strange. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 45 It is evident that the G-ospel is of God; that it reveals the mind and will of our Creator; and that it is good and true, though everything else be false. What objection, then, can a consistent believer offer to Gospel Temperance? If Gospel teachings are right, why not its Temperance ? THE TERM AS USED BY MR. MURPHY. “ But,” says the objector, “ we do not object to Gospel Temperance—only to the term as used by the Murphy school. In their hands it is a mis¬ nomer. We believe the Gospel way to be the True Path—but we cannot accept the Murphy abstinence way as such.” How, let us frankly look at these objections. The Gospel of Christ enjoins temperance. Here none will dissent. Temperance in all things is needful. But it goes further than this. It enforces, at times, abstinence. It requires of us that we be absolutely separated from anything by which we cause a brother to offend. When we, therefore, do that which leads another to sin, we are far from ex¬ cusable. In such case, if we simply taste, we are intemperate. The Gospel shows us that not only is the excess or abuse of many things intemperance, but also the very use by which w T e cause stumbling. For this reason Paul declares that if the use of meat causes his brother to offend, then will he never eat it. Therefore, we affirm that the sin is not in the thing itself, it is simply in its injury to ourselves and others. 46 THE TRUE PATH. We are morally and religiously bound to conform to the things that are most expedient, both for our¬ selves and others. To nothing will this question of expediency more fully and potently apply than to temperance. Strong drink is the bane of our country ; is carrying our young men of best promise by thousands into the ranks of sin, that they may be hurried beyond the reach of truth as effectually as was Uriah put away at the command of his un¬ faithful king. All believers are especially subject to the restraint imposed by the Gospel—which but reflects the safeguards enjoined in even the Old Dis¬ pensation. The whole law is clear authority for a total separation from intoxicating beverages, and re¬ veals to us the important truth that there is greater need of special efforts against intemperance than nearly all other sins. Individual rights cease to be such the moment they ignore the rights of others. The net-work of society is as thoroughly interwoven and identical as that of a great seine, which, when there is a single rent anywhere, is more or less impaired; or, is as sympathetic in its structure as the human body, which, when injured in any part, is made to suffer as a whole. Therefore the entire body of society, in view of the blighting effects of intemperance, and the highly inebriating properties of modern drinks, has the highest and most sacred reasons for requir¬ ing a strict enforcement of the abstinence features of Mr. Murphy’s Gospel Temperance. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 47 EXAMPLE AND TEACHING OF CHRIST. “But,” says the objector, “ our Saviour doubtless used wine, permitted others to use it, and even turned water into good wine,”—emphasizing with an air of satisfaction the word “good.” We will not attempt, at this particular juncture, an argument as to the kind of wine used under the cognizance of Christ. We will, to gratify those of opposite views, just for a few moments, allow what they claim— that it was alcoholic, or fermented wine. What does that prove? Our Lord was hunted and watched throughout His ministry by His enemies, who failed at any time to detect a flaw in His acts or character. Had He shown the least fondness, or favor, for wine, beyond what prudence or unim¬ peachable sobriety admitted, He would have been quickly assailed therefor, and the circumstances have been put upon record. Had He done anything contrary to the temperance principles set forth throughout His Gospel, He would have lost His hold upon those who thronged His sacred person, and would have caused their hearts to be filled with doubt and unbelief. On the other hand, where can we find more pro¬ nounced declarations against intemperance than in the New Dispensation ? By drunkenness we become guilty of the whole law; by it we are shut out of the kingdom of His glory; and by it we are shut out—by the concurrent action of the universal 48 THE TRUE PATH. Christian Church in the ages—of the assemblies of His saints upon the earth. Certainly, no evil has ever resulted from what Christ did in relation to this entire subject. We have every reason to believe that no drunkenness, or wickedness came from the festivities of Cana; that their effects on those who hung upon the lips and steps of the Master, were harmless; and that the surroundings, the custom of the times, and the wine itself were all such as to forbid anything baneful. Any other conclusion is at variance with the known character and word of Christ. We know, as is often urged, that the juice of the grape is u the creature of God.” We do not regard it as any more so than the gold and silver and cop¬ per. He has not intended their use in such a way as to create evil desires in the human heart. If such juice is taken into our bodies simply from the love of it, and because of an evil appetite—which means because of its alcoholic effects, and without some purely sanitary, otherwise, good and important pur¬ pose ; especially in full knowledge of its evil influ¬ ence upon ourselves and others—then, we offend. The Gospel is clearly and broadly against every¬ thing—whether food or drink—that especially con¬ duces to intemperance in any direction. Our ap¬ petites must both be conquered and held under subjection. We must habituate them to denial, whenever the interests of the soul are jeopardized. The objections to Gospel Temperance, based upon the acts of our Lord, are trifling in their character. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 49 and wicked in fact. Pure grape juice—fermented, or otherwise—is not in the question at issue. It is seized upon to cloak and protect the miserable and powerful distillations and decoctions that alone are found in our public drinking places. Men argue, for effect,and from narrow and improper motives, as well as in ignorance of the real facts, when they urge that because wine was used with the knowledge and con¬ sent of our Lord, therefore the Gospel allows stimu¬ lating drinks. A comparison of even the pure alcoholic wine, of our own times, with the villainous compounds of nineteen-twentieths or ninety-nine one-hundredths of our bar-rooms, should bring the blush of shame to the cheeks of such persons. In all this we have felt unwilling to admit any¬ thing favorable to wine. We apprehend that—in these times of high chemical advancement, and apti¬ tude at imitation, when it is known that there is a surplusage of poison and deception in the “ vile stuff” so innocently advertised upon bottles, barrels, and signs—the use of wine, or even colored water* publicly, is an abuse. Christ’s wine not intoxicating. It may be well for us here to adduce the testi¬ mony of one of the most learned students of the Bible our country has produced,—a man who bat¬ tled against both wine and strong drink of all kinds while he lived,—and one of the most effective of that class who believed that the wine of our Lord 4 50 THE TRUE PATH. was unalcoholie. He says: 44 The Bible speaks with approbation thirty-six times of substances called Tirosh in Hebrew, Oinos in Greek, Vinum in Latin, and wine in English, and nine times of similar sub¬ stances called by other names ; and fifty times of Yayin (Heb.), Oinos , Vinum and wine, and in every instance meaning either grapes, fresh grape juice, or grape juice boiled to a syrup, so as to prevent fer¬ mentation, and often 4 mingled 7 with from three to twelve times its volume of water, forming a deli¬ cious drink. In nearly all these cases the substances named would not intoxicate, though freely used as food or drink, and they would not create a morbid craving, which increased as it was gratified until its victims were consumed. On the other hand, Yayin, Oinos , Vinum , wine, or strong drink, and in other words, are named with disapprobation over one hundred times, meaning fermented wines for liquors, or those liquors 4 mingled 7 with drugs. Though in extreme agony, and almost exhausted, Christ re¬ jected the wine 4 mingled 7 with myrrh, which was offered to Him on the cross, though He had often used the unintoxicating wines of Palestine, and even worked his first miracle to turn the water into this harmless wine. Christ’s wine at Cana was not intoxi¬ cating, for it was better than what they had used until they had 4 well drunk, 7 or drank nearly enough; and Philo, a Jew, Plato, a Greek, and Pliny, a Homan, and other eminent ancients, expressly say that 4 the best wine would not intoxicate. 7 At the passover, when Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper, GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 51 no fermented bread or wine could be used by any Jew.” MR. MURPHY CONSISTENT. Thus, we believe that the temperance advocated to-day by Mr. Murphy is consistent with the Gospel; that in its prohibitory features it does not transcend, in one iota, the Divine instructions; and that the moral power he invokes in behalf of the cause is the highest and most thorough, as well as the only per¬ fect way. When men have broken resolution after resolution ; when they have become miserably .be¬ sotted and profane; when they have fallen to the depths of intolerable pests; when streams of obscenity and vice flow from their mouths as streams of filth from the public sewers; and when they have nothing of confidence and hope left,—the Gospel is able to redeem, raise up and employ. None, among the worst, are despised by it. Its principles and power are extended to all. There is but one difficulty in the way of most thorough success, in the advocacy of Gospel Tem¬ perance, which Mr. Murphy recognizes as no one before him has so fully done. Men must be con¬ sistent. They must not regard caste. The acts of temperance people are closely criticised by the sub¬ ject of reformation, as well as by the reformed drunkard. And the existence of the “ I-am-better- than-thou” principle has sent many a good-meaning reformed man back to the haunts of intemperance. 52 THE TRUE RATH. It is not only needful that men lift their fallen brethren up, but that they help to steady them when upon their feet. The humility and kindness, that enable individuals to help others out of the gutter, must not desert them when they happen to catch the eye of a proud and uncharitable world behind them. Faithfulness to the first act only makes the work admirable, successful and noble. Otherwise insult is added to misery, and offence to sin. NECESSITY FOR GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. Before leaving this branch of our subject it may be well to add a few words in recognition of the vast importance to the public and the world at large of Gospel Temperance. By statistics of the most reliable nature we are assured that various nations of the earth expend annually between one and two billions of money for intoxicating beverages—an amount which would feed and clothe every creature of poverty, educate every young person, furnish a home to every family, provide a Bible for every fireside, and send the tidings of salvation to every part of heathendom. We know, also, by statistics equally authentic, that there are one hundred and fifty thousand drinking saloons in the United States, and five hundred thousand habitual drunkards— of whom fifty thousand die annually. GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 53 PART II.—THE BIOGRAPHY OF FRANCIS MURPHY. CHAPTER V. MR. MURPHY J S EARLY LIFE. The great Apostle of Temperance was born on the 24th day of April, 1836, in Wexford county of Wexford, Ireland. His mother was an humble Irish peasant widow, in rather empoverished circumstan¬ ces. His father, after a brief illness, died a short time previous to his birth. Often has he made the somewhat pathetic remark that, “ he never knew a father’s lace or a father’s smile.” His home belonged to an estate. It was a small, thatched cottage, such as is usually met with among the poorer people of the Green Isle, and as is occasion¬ ally seen in our own country, in rural districts, somewhat remote from business centres. This home overlooked the sea, being upon the Harbor of Wex¬ ford, not very distant from St. George’s Channel, which connects the Irish Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. 54 THE TRUE PATH. On the brow of a small hill, rising from the har¬ bor, was nestled the little cottage, having every appearance of humbleness and quiet. About it was the little garden of the household, in which were grown the most necessary vegetables, together with some beautiful dowers—combining the useful and ornamental—whilst, a little beyond, the golden grain lifted its myriad heads, as if watching the great expanse of water at its feet, and ever and anon bowing and swelling in imitation of its restless motion. Above it was the majestically curved canopy, which nowhere upon the earth has ever looked brighter and bluer than over Erin’s hills and slopes, as they descend toward the turbulent sea. Beyond it, and not very distant, running out to¬ ward the Channel, appeared the rocky sides which have resisted successfully the tides and waves for centuries, and hurled back their angry and helpless foam. And, more prominently than all these, there loomed up the world of water upon the one side, and the clearly defined hills reposing lazily against the clouds, upon the other. Everything, at once, beautifully conspired together to give character to the scene, and make the home seem most lowly. Here, in youth, did Mr. Murphy catch the im¬ pressions and feelings that have greatly contributed to his effectiveness as a public speaker and worker; here were formed the aspirations and desires that could never be satisfied with mere individual sue cess in life; and here, too, were nourished the soul faculties that have enabled him to look through the GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 55 X mists of misfortune and the gloom of prison-life, and to rise above the meanness of confirmed dissipation. Certainly, few persons, raised amidst the charms of such natural surroundings, and having aught of spiritual discernment, could fail eventually to step out freely into the majesty of the Divine Spirit. his parents’ religion. Mr. Murphy’s parents were of the Roman Catholic persuasion. His mother was a devoted member of the Church, and carried her views and feelings into the family. She was ever ready to call her children to her side in the hour of prayer. “ Well do I re¬ member,” said the lecturer, on one occasion, “ how, when I was a youth, and was kneeling with my mother in silent prayer, she asked God to watch over ray helplessness, and guide my riper years into the way of peace.” She realized that there was One to whom she should go for direction, in the arduous and responsible duties of her household, and to Him she often went, leading her children by their hands. STRUGGLES WITH POVERTY. The lives of the Murphys in Ireland were a con¬ nected series of struggles with poverty. The order of each day successively was work—quiet, heavy, steady toil. The children were required to take their share in whatever was to be done. In certain THE TRUE PATH. 56 r ** seasons they had little of substantial rest. And their labors were attended, also, with considerable of inconvenience. At one time, in an address bearing upon these remarks, Mr. Murphy said,—“There is such a thing as decent poverty, but I know, from personal encounter, that it is very inconvenient. I remember of going into the harvest-field, and glean¬ ing, and then taking the grain into the house, pushing away the furniture, and thrashing it out at night.” PECULIAR HOSPITALITY. Although trials of this kind would indicate to the people in our favored land an extreme condition of poverty ; yet, it may be well to remember that the Murphy family, like thousands of others in Ireland, were not the subjects of want. Otherwise, they found occasional opportunity of engaging in a species of hospitality peculiar to the people of that far-off island,—a hospitality occasionally referred to by travellers and tourists in terms of warmest com¬ mendation. In reference to this Mr. Murphy spoke as follows in one of his public addresses: “ Public dinners were popular in the old country; and, though we could not afford them, our friends would be invited sometimes, because my mother thought that it would be considered mean if she did not invite them. I enjoyed those days on which the friends would come to be feasted at the little home. And the table might groan beneath GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 57 % the luxuries, unless there was liquor upon it some thing seemed needed for the occasion. ‘‘ It has been the fashion in my country, from time immemorial, to have liquor on the tableland it is thus that a great many young men have been brought into the habit of drinking, resulting, in the course of time, in their disgrace and shame. “I remember, when the table was spread, and all the arrangements made, how I was allowed to come into the room and see it. The white Irish linen cover and the little china tea cups, with a gilt rim around the edge, looked beautiful upon it. I re¬ member, that when I only touched one of the cups it would seem to sing like a bird. I could see all the large raisins in the cake; and it was with diffi¬ culty I could keep my fingers from them. Of course, I knew that if I touched them my mother would stir me up. YOUNGSTERS HUDDLED INTO THE KITCHEN. u When you have a feast in this country the chil¬ dren are brought into the room and are introduced to the friends. In my country the youngsters are huddled into the kitchen. This was a part of our entertainments I did not like. My mother, when everything was ready, would call me aside and say, ; Come here, be a good boy, keep perfectly still, go straight out of this, and make no noise.’ Thus, I remember being turned out into the kitchen, and how my hand doubled in perfect indignation. I can yet feel the scalding tears as I paced back and forth. 58 THE TRUE PATH. WRONG TREATMENT. “There is no pleasant remembrance about this treatment. Don’t ask your friends to come to your bouse at the expense of your children. If there are no chairs, so that they can be seated at the table,, I suggest, that the old folks go out and wait until the children have eaten. “ On the occasion referred to I kept walking back and forth in great restlessness. Often I came to the door and put my ear to it that I might in some way enjoy the laughter and talking. There was a little latch across, and it would open if it was touched. Finally patience ceased to be a virtue, and the latch was touched, whereupon the door opened. At this, some of the friends noticed me, and beckoned to me to come into the room. I entered very cautiously, for if my dear mother had caught me she would have sent me back. The friends had gotten through eating and were quite merry over their drink. IRISH CUSTOM OF USING LIQUOR. “ Much has been said about the Irish people drinking intoxicating liquor; but, if you were ac¬ customed to the ways in old Ireland, you would say very little about it. If half a dozen friends met together they had to have a drop of the crater, of course ; they couldn’t get along without it. A man would be considered mean unless he had it on special 59 GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. occasions upon his table; and no man likes to be called stingy. There is something fascinating to an Irishman in the thought that he is a liberal man, and that his friends will say of him : 4 1 would like to repeat my visit to his house; what beautiful whiskev ; what splendid wine ; it was glorious/ APPETITE FOR LIQUOR FIRST FORMED. M My friend would take his glass in his hand ; he was a dear friend of our family ; and, adding a little water to the whiskey, would place it in my hand as I stood by his side. I remember of my looking up in his face and sipping it from a tea¬ spoon. Thus I first learned to love the taste of liquor. It was there the appetite was first formed. It was there the seeds of intemperance were sown which cursed and made a wreck of, me thousands of miles from my native land. A WAY THAT IS NOT THE “ TRUE PATH.” “In justice to the memory of my beloved mother—* who loved me as affectionately as your parents have loved you—I will say, there is a way that seemeth right to many of us. but the end thereof is death.’' LIMITED EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. The family was to a considerable extent deprived of educational advantages. On account of its reli- O 60 THE TRUE PATH. gion, the doors of the national schools were closed against the children ; and there was no remedy, ex¬ cept in the somewhat indifferent arrangements pro¬ vided, at times, in the parishes, by the priesthood. In these, the authority of the school-master was often unrestrained—which means that the method and extent of the instruction depended largely on his taste, temperament and caprice. And, to these, the Murphys had recourse. A “ PIGGY-BACK ” FLOGGING. On one occasion, young Francis greatly offended, in some way, the austere man of the birch, and was made to feel the extent of his anger. In violent tone he was ordered from his seat, and astraddle the back of one of the larger boys in the school. In this, what is known among most American children as u piggy-back ” position, having his legs held firmly about the body on which he was mounted, he was most mercilessly walloped and welted. The quick and willowy rod cut through the air, until it seemed well-filled with low, crisp whistles; and it fell with visible effect upon the tightly covered rump of Francis, who straggled and fretted terribly under the infliction. This was an event and scene that could not fail of a lasting impression upon the youth. Aside from his corporeal suffering, his mind was filled with thoughts of the great public disgrace that had be- GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 6i fallen him. The words of Addison were true to the letter, and commended themselves most perfectly to the situation : “ When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honor is a private station.” OUTRAGEOUSLY DEALT WITH. He was not accustomed to severity of this kind in the little cottage at the hill. There, he was also a subject of discipline, at times, but had not to con¬ tend with the two-fold punishment of physical pain and public exposure. There, he knew that, what¬ ever of castigation was administered, and however severe in its character, behind it were only purposes of kindness and love. While he continued at school he carried with him constantly the conviction that he had been out¬ rageously dealt with, and often appeared to worry under an uncontrollable longing to resent, at some time or other, the gross inhumanity. Not long since, in a speech, in which Mr. Murphy took occasion to refer to the power of kindness, he not only recited this incident, but made the declara¬ tion that, of all the wrong he had ever endured at the hands of any one, this seemed the greatest, and hardest to forget, and that, notwithstanding the flight of time, and change in his experience, he found it “an act most difficult to forgive.” 62 THE TRUE PATH. EFFECT OF UNKINDNESS AND INJUSTICE. And the illustration he thus employed, we may well heartily commend to the attention of our readers. It merits something of serious thought. There is often much of injury done the dependent creatures of households through want of careful judgment in the exercise of authority. When chil¬ dren have advanced to years not only of consider¬ able discretion, but have also become imbued with a sense of honor and manhood—the very qualities that should be most sacredly guarded and trained— the first show of injustice and attempt at degrada¬ tion should be abhorred. To maltreat and deal with }muth as if they were little in advance of the brute, is to dwarf their natures, and disqualify them more for an honorable place in life. Unkindness and in¬ justice, steadily practiced upon tender people, soon fasten themselves upon the whole being as a disease— one of an aggravated and despicable kind. In the words of Milton : “ The soul grows clotted by contagion; Imbodies and imbrutes, till she quite lose The divine property of her first being.” There is another phase of this subject. The un¬ kindnesses of youthhood are not apt to be forgotten. They may never find expression in the after life, but far back in the secret and sacred vaults of the mem¬ ory they are kept. Often in the hour of solitude,— GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 63 and after the perpetrators are buried forever from human sight, however near to us by consanguinity— we thumb over, in our thoughts, the various circum¬ stances, until we shrink at the sudden truth that our love for their memories is becoming chilled; then, hurriedly, we put back the little biographical scraps, and sigh and grow sad. “ AN ACT MOST DIFFICULT TO FORGIVE.” How worthy the attention, also, the thoughts fur¬ nished us in the statement of Mr. Murphy that, even now , he found it “ an act most difficult to forgive.” After all these years—at least twenty-five—and all his chequered experience; after the change of heart, bv which the things that he once loved he now hates, and vice versa ; after the full development of the faculties of his soul into an exhibition of kind¬ ness and humanitarianism that invites universal ap¬ plause,—after all this, in the fullness of his soul, he is forced to the confession that the prominent atrocity we have referred to, as part of his school-boy expe¬ rience, is “ an act most difficult to forgive.” LONGING FOR A FREER AIR. Everything in young Murphy’s experience in¬ fluenced him toward a broader, and different life. He was now rapidly on his way to maturity. His mind was taking a new shape. A particular wish had been forming, and was pressing quite heavily \ 64 THE TRUE PATH. upon him. Often, standing in the door of the cot¬ tage at eventide, and drinking in the fragrance of the flowers his own hands had planted, did he con¬ template the grandeur of the world before him ; and often, too, yearn for a larger experience in the battle of life than his home could possibly afford him. As the great vessels, with their valuable freights— both of life and property—passed and repassed, he longed for a freer air than that about him. He had heard of the wonderful country more than three thousand miles away, in which vast numbers of the sons and daughters of Ireland had found a pros¬ perous and happy home, and fancied that every ship passing out toward the channel carried men and women from a land of oppression to one of almost unlimited freedom. When once the chains of slavery, however neatly and humanely fashioned, enwrap a people, the very children contract an inordinate desire to escape in some way their condition. And the more they are denied, through poverty, or any other cause, their ardent wishes, the more will they aspire to the very highest and most unrestrained kind of personal liberty. AN IMMOVABLE PURPOSE. Far out upon the water the silken sails were fre¬ quently seen, and never failed to secure the atten¬ tion of our embryo lecturer. The well-known desti¬ nation of many of them excited anxious thoughts GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 65 within him, and their easeful and graceful motion lulled his whole nature into an immovable purpose. Ilis home had great attractions to one so tender in his attachments; his mother had a deep and firm hold upon his affections; and the remnant of the family were dear to him. Yet, his soul was, as a caged bird, looking away from its confinement into an atmosphere better suited to its requirements and nature. EMPLOYED AT A CASTLE. After a little time, a position was obtained by our subject, with his mother’s landlord, in a neighbor¬ ing castle, in which he was able to earn something for himself. His compensation was small, and his place one that did not satisfy either his own am¬ bition, or the judgment of his mother. Neverthe¬ less, upon the very sensible and popular axiom that “ half a loaf is better than no bread,” he was induced to engage in the service of others. In his position he was subjected to duties and treatment not in harmony by any means with his views. He was but a servant, and as such felt it his lot to endure patiently something of indignity. When his master was upon his best behavior, and free from the effects of his favorite stimulant, the lad knew well the importance of remaining within the narrow limits of his position and round of duties; and was ever conscious of the necessity for a regard for the manners peculiar to the air of 5 66 THE TRUE PATH. landed property in bis country. But, when his master had imbibed pretty freely, and entered upon what he considered a canty time, then the bright- eyed young servant became the companion and equal, and shared in the heating potions of his liege, until both were beyond their boundaries, con¬ siderably. Thus, being near his home, and enabled to put in an appearance occasionally at the little cottage, where alone he met with a hearty reception, and substantial feelings of interest, his family learned of the temptations and trials by which he was sur¬ rounded, and felt keenly his danger. Nor were they unnecessarily suspicious, as the result fully proves. For, since the advent of Mr. Murphy in America, the landed owner alluded to has become disposessed of all his valuable estates, and been reduced to absolute penury and wandering, all through persistent inebriety. While the lord of the castle has fallen from a high place, on account of yielding to a debased appetite, his servant has risen to even a loftier and infinitely more honorable one, by breaking away from the same slavery, and fighting to enfranchise others. This is but the old story. It has ever been so. When will men learn wisdom ? When will the lives that have been wrecked all along the by-ways of time, and dotting the most dangerous paths, as the suspended icicles do the eaves of our roofs, serve as sufficient warnings to others? Why will men knowingly press on to destruction—sure, and GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 67 speedy ? There is no exception to the rule, that they who adhere to the cup must be bitten, be poisoned, and eventually destroyed. While holding his position at the castle, young Murphy continued, as occasion offered—and often at twilight—his meditations in front of the cottage. He gazed long and fondly upon the far-stretching billows, until there would rise within him the irre¬ pressible desires that seemed to be feeding upon his very vitals. Surely his drudgery must soon end. A DIFFICULT TASK. Early had he learned to confide his plans and pur¬ poses to his mother. He knew full well of her trust in God, and her love for her children. Therefore his very thoughts were ever impulsively, and with¬ out timerity, poured into the maternal ear, and thus his secrets confided to his best of earthly friends. And she, on the other hand, had ever encouraged this. Beiug full of concern for the welfare of her boy, she gladly reasoned and counselled with him in all things—striving to point out for him the most dangerous thickets and by-ways in the path of life, as she, in her circumscribed way, was best able to discern them. But now, all this was somewhat changed. He had less disposition to unbosom himself to his mother than ever before. Never, within the range of his experience, had he felt so much of misgiving. He had already conversed with her, in a general way, 68 THE TRUE PATH. upon the subject of emigrating to tbfe New World; but now there was something decisive near at hand —the great, and particular event, he believed, of his whole life. He was scarcely equal to his task. Could he. even by an act of justice and seeming necessity, bring tears to the eyes, and aches to the heart, and shadows to the life of that mother, who had been to him the dearest of all human substance and bless¬ ing ? Could he stretch the greatest and holiest of all human ties to their fullest capacity of endurance ? We shall see! CHAPTER VI. COMING TO AMERICA. Young Murphy had already crossed the thresh- hold of his sixteenth year. His ambitious resolves had expanded to their utmost tension. The golden dreams of many months, if not of some years, he felt would, at least, ere long be realized. He was now only awaiting a suitable time when, with the consent of his mother, he could plant his feet upon one of the many vessels steering out toward the setting sun. The days were growing more and more weari¬ some, as he failed to solve the wish and will of her whom he loved. He could endure the suspense no further. More than this, an excellent opportunity GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 69 presented itself—one that to him seemed especially desirable. Permission mast be sought at once, and obtained, if possible. Nerving himself to the task, he stepped before his mother, and looking up into her face, with an anxiety she could not but readily discern, said,—“ I should like to be permitted to go to America.” THE DECISION. It was the work of a moment. But, then, it was also the work of a life. To the son, that moment was freighted with the highest of worldly interests. To the mother, it was a struggle scarcely second to any other in her history. Yet, it was but the work of a moment on the part of both. The boy saw only the fair shores, beauteous homes, and free hills and vales of the far-off land to which his soul was leaping as a hart. The mother saw her boy—his somewhat gloomy prospects at home—her increasing years and cares—the heel of what seemed to her to be the oppressor;—and then, her great heart, widen¬ ing to the occasion, ready to endure every sacrifice for his good;—then, though it crushed her, she de. cided for him. It was done. A SELF-SACRIFICING WOMAN. Noble mother! Our heart goes out to her even now. It matters not what her disadvantages or difficulties in life, we have both admiration and love for such matrons, wherever found. 70 THE TRUE RATH. Men have appended the words, “ a demi-god ” to the names of many who were good and great in the annals of both public and private history. But such women are above our demi-gods. They near abso¬ lute divinity. They will allow the chords about their hearts to snap one after another rather than sacrifice a morsel of the real interests of those who have drunk the life-blood from their own veins. Noble mother 1 They who have not had such, are miserably poor, in comparison, however fortune has otherwise smiled upon them. The memory of such a mother is dearer and sweeter far, though she has passed into the heavens, than all the most mel¬ lowing effects of the subsequent years, filled with kindness and attention. We may speak of the sublime natures of wives and daughters, whose lives have been prolific in sacrifices and exalted devotion ; but, it is not until they rise to the high and holy place of faithful Christian mothers, that they attain to their highest distinction. “ There’s no love like a mother’s love,” greets us often in the household; and while, from the love we bear the companions of our bosoms, we cannot, perhaps, at the moment, repeat the words ; yet, we bow humbly our heads, and wipe away the tear of memory. Nor can our dear companions, but honor our emotion, as they behold their children around their forms lovingly calling them “ mother ! ” Noble mother, we must exclaim, yet again 1 Would that we could place on record a more fitting tribute to the divine action. Surely, just where men GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 71 are too feeble to give proper expression to the over¬ flowing impulses of their souls, when kindled into activity by such beings, there does the recording angel take up his pen, open the great book of eter¬ nity, and begin to indite the record of their worth. How could men other than of great hearts—of almost boundless sympathies—-but descend from such a woman ? How could the offspring of such, ever, under the guiding eye of God, be allowed to fall into the pit of destruction ? CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE EVENT. But, it may be well here to employ the words of Mr. Murphy in relation to the event referred to:-^. U I shall never forget,” said he, “ my mother’s coun¬ tenance, when I looked into her face, and presented my request. Dear soul, she could hardly speak to me. Her eyes quickly filled up, and her lips parted so strangely. She said, ‘ Yes, I think it will be best * for you to go, my boy.’ ” As has already been shown, there was little or no hope for the Murphy children. The position of the family, and the condition of the country, almost totally shut them from anything like a fair prospect in life. The merest servitude was before them, and that was even not to be depended upon at all times. The mother, in her great disquietude of mind, shortly after the foregoing interview, called at the castle about which her son was employed, and ear¬ nestly conversed with him. She appeared greatly 72 THE TRUE PATH. moved, and her conversation betrayed the depth of the current of feeling that was stirred. After a slight pause, she said, in a somewhat subdued, but firm tone, “ I would like to have you come home, and spend the last week with me.” Of course, to this request Francis yielded. He could not do otherwise. And, when the last hour of his toil closed, he eagerly set his face toward the old home. It was evident, however, that the real nature of the step he was taking now began to ap¬ pear to him—doubtless, for the first time. He thought of his mother—of her faithfulness to all that concerned him, of her many exhibitions of deep love, of the possibility that he should never see her again, and many similar things—until his heart grew heavy, and the well-known voice greeted him at the cottage door. We will not, of ourselves, attempt to invade t f he privacy of the following week. That is a task that belongs alone to the only remaining witness, and he has freely and eloquently opened his heart to the public, in the premises. We will now advert to his own story:— LAST WEEK IN IRELAND. “ I never shall forget that week. I can see my mother going backward and forward through the house. Her time was chiefly spent in making the needful preparations, and packing up for me. And when she would lift up the clothes and look at them, GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 73 I could see the tears running down her cheeks. Sh& would look at me awhile, as if in deep thought and solicitude, and then silently walk away. I thank Giod for the memory of that week at home. It has been a great blessing to me. I was only sixteen years of age; yet, blessed be God, the memory of that home, that face and that voice, is still fresh and sweet in my heart. THE LAST NIGHT. “ And then, the last night came, before I was to leave. It was the custom in old Ireland, when a man was passing his last night at home, to send for his friends. But mother said, 4 My son, I should like to be alone with you this last night.’ There was no person invited. My trunk was partly packed and there were some clothes placed upon the bureau alongside of mj T trunk. My mother said to me, 4 get your chair and sit with me here to-night.’ And she took her seat by the table with her head resting upon her hand. Sometimes she would lift up her head and look into my face, and then drop it down upon her bosom and place her hands across her breast. I could see her struggle to control her A TRUE FRIEND. “After the meeting I desired to hurriedly get away. I wanted to get into the little dark room, out of sight, so that I could, in some way, give ex¬ pression to the grief that was almost consuming me. I was walking along the corridor, when a step came after me, followed quickly with a tap on my shoul¬ der. My hand was instantly seized, and Captain Sturdivant stood "before me.'’ It is but proper, we think, that this interesting narrative should be interrupted here with a view to the offering of a few sentences of comment. In just such a way does every true friend of our Lord Jesus work. Not for self; not for appearance or reputa¬ tion. But, tearing away from his surroundings; leaving his friends and helpers to care for themselves; he springs in the direction of the perishing. The recital of the good man’s course reminds us, greatly, of the bravery and sacrifice that attaches to the noble creature who leaps into the sea to save a human life. True, there is not the same risk; but there is the «ame impulse, and a Christian courage —that highest development of all that is good in man—that always endures the test more than any¬ thing of the natural mind. Such men deserve the love and esteem of all Christians, and will assuredly receive even a more glorious recompense at the hands of the righteous judge, when he shall come. 110 THE TRUE PATH. VALUABLE MEN. Nowhere can better, firmer friends of all mankind be found, than among those who labor down in the ranks of the poor and fallen ; who go out into the alleys, lanes and by-ways, and down into the huts, sheds and cellars, or out into the market places and prisons, after souls. We honor them, in our hearts, whatever their creed, or position, or education, or previous life. We look up to the pulpit, and say from force of circumstances—sometimes quite chari¬ tably—they are men, and friends, of God. But we look out upon the humble evangelists and missiona¬ ries of the Cross and say, from impulse, they are friends of God and man. Such persons should never be allowed to hide themselves away from us. The world is in want of all their friendship, actively exercised. To under¬ value them appears to be tantamount to wickedness. To disregard their worth is to refuse to gather the gold that lies about our pathways. A single one of such men is more than all earthly treasures, from the cattle upon a thousand hills to the great metal¬ lic veins that course the geological eras of the globe. Is there cause for dislike, or envy among such as hold higher places? Speedily remove it. Rather, pray God to heal your heart, than that you should use indifference or coldness toward them. Good men—those who are deeply such, in the work of their lives—are always scarce. They merit recogni- GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. Ill tion, encouragement and universal respect. There is much of kindness among men, and no bounds to the vast amount of individual friendships. But the genuine friends of our common humanity are like finest-carat diamonds—very rare ami worthful. THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU. We will now return to Mr. Murphy’s story : 44 The first words of Captain Sturdivant to me were,— ‘“lam sorry to see you here. Would you not like to be sober, as you once were, and stop the business of selling liquor, and be at home with your wife and children ? ’ 444 Yes, I would like to be respected. I do not want to be in the business of selling liquor. But,’ after a slight pause, I continued, 4 hardly a hope remains for me.’ “Upon this reply, the good hearted man immedi¬ ately pulled me close to his side, and said: 44 4 There is hope for you; and, if you will only make an effort to help yourself, we will help you; and God will help you.’ 44 Oh, how sweetly these words came to my heart. I shall never forget them. And as I looked up, and into his face, I saw the tears coursing thick and fast down his cheeks. Then I said to myself , 4 God help¬ ing me, I will make an effort to become a sober man.’ And, I can say, I secured the victory over the terrible evil of intemperance through the kindly touch and words of this Christian.” 112 THE TRUE PATH. POWER OF KINDNESS. It may be well here to indulge in a passing reflec¬ tion upon the power of kindness. A single word., and even look, rightly and timely given, has not only brought light and salvation to a soul, but been the means, in the end, of lifting hundreds and thou - sands from the sloughs of sin to the Rock of right- eousness—from deep depravity to true manhood. The brief work of Capt. Sturdivant, and its re-, suits, calls to mind another instance of the glorious consequences of a few kind words: On a certain Sabbath evening, many years ago,— perhaps twenty-five or thirty—a reckless young man w’as idly lounging under the elm trees in the public square of Worcester, Massachusetts. He had become a wretched waif on the current of sin. His days were spent in the waking remorse oft he drunkard ; his nights were passed in the buffooneries of an ale¬ house. As he sauntered along, out of humor with himself and with all mankind, a kind voice saluted him. A stranger laid his hand on his shoulder, and said in cordial tones, u Mr. Gough, go down to our meeting at the town-hall to-night.” A brief con¬ versation followed, so winning in its character, that the reckless youth consented to go. He went; he heard the appeals there made. With trembling hand he signed the pledge of total abstinence. By God’s help he kept it, and keeps it yet. The poor boot-crimper who tapped him on the GOSPEL TEMPERANCE. 113 shoulder, good Joel Stratton, has gone to heaven. But the youth he saved is to-day the foremost of re¬ formers on the face of the globe. Methinks, when we listen to the thunders of ap¬ plause that greet John B. Gough on the platform, we are hearing the echoes of that tap on the shoulder, and of that kind invitation under the ancient elms of Worcester. LITTLE THINGS. Thus, also, when we see the crowds of drinking men walk from their slavery, with even the chains clanking about their feet, into the moral air and freedom of gospel temperance, we seem to hear from the corridor of the Portland jail the kindly fall of Capt. Sturdivant’s hand upon the shoulder of the coming reformer. And the conclusion imposed upon us is, that we would rather have the reward, that comes of that little act, than enjoy the highest place, with all its best honors and emoluments, in the gift of any nation or age. Little things! How the thoughts of them crowd our mind. They, the means usually employed by Jehovah in the production of the most wonderful events. They rise up along side the honored and well-heralded things of life, and throw their mightier shadows across them. They have often their origin in the brain of childhood, and eventually wind their slender threads about households, social systems and nations, until the whole world of hearts are all 8 114 THE TRUE PATH. haunted by their memories. In truth, we are prone to believe that all things truly great are but grown up little things. Shall we not regard them, then ? Shall we not tap a poor fallen man on the shoulder in behalf of a great suffering humanity ? Shall we not offer a tear on the side of devoted mothers and loved ones in heaven ? Is it, finally, not better that we should engage at every possible opportunity in doing some little thing for Christ, and for souls, than that we should idle away our lives in failures at so-called big things ? NOBLE FEELINGS. Again, taking up our narrative, do we not see how noble feelings are aroused under heavenly influ¬ ences—how graces, which do not thrive and bloom in the hot blaze of the world, can be brought into full play, down about the grates and bars of even prison life. For, as Capt. Sturdivant was about to leave Mr. Murphy, after the very limited interview described, the latter imploringly asked: