The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-08-30

MEanB0.
ten, and more ably than ! can write, on the
subject Oflihc now popular plan Tor promo
ting temperance. But will you permit me to |
speak through your paper few words to
those temperate men, who are convinced that
abstinence among temperate men, and the
.,xample of il is the only effectual way tO stop
the growing progress of drunkenness. Most
OF the temperate part OF the community seem
now to be so far convinced. But there is a
strange hesitation on the part Of many. who
are temperate men, and Christians too we
trust, in coming up 10 this abstinence and this
example, and their ears must be dinned from
every quarter till they will come. Now am
a plain man, and accustomed to speak right
out. and this humOur must be INDUCED in
what / have to say. I must say that doubt
the sincerity of these temperate men, who
profess to weep over the evils of intempe-
rance, and rejoice in the exertions that are
made to suppress it, but who will not lift
finger to help; and that while nothing more
is required Of them, than to take stand on
the ground of entire abstinence. should en-
terrain grievous suspicious of him, who could
stand at distance and see an alarmed popu-
lation toiling in doubtful attempt to stop
spreading fire, and do nothing but applaud
these laudable exertions. But the two cases
are parallel And | am free to declare my
suspicious, that if man cares not enough
about this growing evil, to be willing to deny
himself to prevent it, he would choose on the
whole not to have the subject agitated by the
exertions of his neighbours.
But now chiefly address those, who feel it
necessary for temperate men to abstain from
the use Of spirits, and are willing to do it them
selves, but are not willing to give public
pledge and join temperate societies. You feel
it right that all should avoid the appearance
of this sin. But you say your influence will
go as far, without joining societies. as with.
Here is the error. think it can be shown,
that in two towns of the same temperate hab-
its, and in every speech in the same circum-
stances. if temperate society if formed in
one, and not in the other, there will in the
course of two years be two in the CORNER who
will be gained to the practice of abstinence,
where there is one in the latter. We may
safely say that every man who joins socie-
ty, is the means of influencing another to alb
stain from spirits, who otherwise would not.
If it is anything then to augment the numbers
of temperate men, it is the duty of all to give
their names to these societies.
But further, union is strength. The same
number can exert greater influence when
associated, than individual capacity. The
scattered influence of individual example, is
in degree unfelt. The combined influence
of society, is like the confluence of many
streams which forms the resistless current.
If union does not augment our power, why
form your Bible Societies | can give my dol
lar year to supply the destitute with the
word of life, without all your machinery of
societies. can give my twenty cents to dis
tribute Tracts, without the aid of society.
Now if such language as this had been held
by all Christians, can it be imagined that one
tenth part as much would have been done in
= any Of the great benevolent enterprises, as has
now been done? Now why should this en-
terprise be made an exception? Certainly, if
any requires the strength of union, it is this.
Besides, who knows that you do abstain,
unless you publicly declare it ! Many man
keeps private bottle; and If temperate So
ciety invites your name and you withhold it,
will it not be suspected that you acish to keep
the aVay open to Visit private bottle occasional
ly? 1t is safe to conclude, that where an eff
Gent temperate society exists the man that
stands aloof from it gets no credit for his alb
stinence, and his example is lost. will go
farther, temperate man standing aloof wea-
kens the influence of the society, gives coun-
, tenance to those that are opposed to it, and
gives them the advantage of ranking tempe
rate man with themselves, which is more
strength to them than ten drunkards. Where
a society exists, one cannot stand in every re-
spect neuter. And though all who are not
for it may not be against it in their feelings,
yet in their influence they must be, to some
extent. Drunkards will derive encourage
ment from the neutrals; and the respectable
ity Oftheir names will be attached to the prac-
tice of drinking. Drunkards will tell us that
they have as temperate and respectable men
on their side, and less superstitious than can
be found in the cold water societies and what
shall we answer them ? That you may not
exert an influence against us then, we invite
you to give us your names. If you rejoice in
our exertions, come forward and prove it. If
you merely say to us, be ye warmed and fill
ed, and help us not, how dwelleth the love of
1 temperance in you?
There is the same kind of reason for form
ing societies and combining influence to stop
this sin of drunkenness. that there is for pro-
Tossing religion. You might as well say, you
can be as good christian without telling the
world of it as with, and do as much good in
the world. But God has decided that the
light of your example will shine further by
your becoming city set on a hill. Now If
the Christians example shines farther in OPP
position to all sin by combination and pub
" profession, will it not against one particular
SIN, by the same means
But you are already divorced from your
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