Litchfield enquirer., 1835-04-02

v clothing of their families; if it can be- proved that they excite to exeriion only by inflaming the iinagination--tl they add strength to the sufficiently fierce tempta- tions of our corrupt nature, while they blunt and Obliteraie the affections and EeeI- ings which distinguishman from the inferis pr creation, if on examination, it is evident that spirit drinking is. closely connected with abuse ofthe Sabbath, and contempt of religious institutions, and that it presents one Of the most serious Instructions 10 the progress of lhe gospef ruth-the Christian who seeks not his own profit merely. will not long hesitate whether he is at liberty to apply tde the usc of these dangerous li- 'quids, the rule of abstinence which a prea. apostle recommends with regard to things tn themselves lawful, and even useful and desirable. but which circumstances render inexpedient as occasions of stumbling or weakness to others. 7 The proposed means of reformation are not doubtful, complex and theoretical; they are harmless aud simple, andshaye proved efficacious beyond expectation.
 Temperance Societies consist of persons of both sexesyahd of all ranks, who are con- vinced that n iy their duty, fur their lieigh- bors' sake as well as their own, to abstain from distilled spirits. They are not per- sons bound by a reNetaRt VOW to abstain from that in which they wish to indulge they simply express. their present convic- tion and determinations. rejoicing to give to others whatever advantage alfd encourage ment may arise from their example: and from happy experience both iir America and in Great Britain, they hope to De pers mitted to diminish one ofthe most effcctuaf obstacles to the general extension of that kingdom which consisteth not in "meae and drink, ,''b but in righteousness, and peace. and joy in tho Holy Ghost. y
 A Society for the sSuppression of yuS temperance" !" had heeu many years labor- ing in the state of Massachusetts to induce moderation in the habit of spirit drinking, wiihoat any apparent general efIecf. Null tiplied individual testimonies to the advan- tage fentire abstinence from distilled spir- its, at length attracted attention and, in 1925, tract was published recommending this principle, as the result of experience among agricultural laborers. And in Feb- ruary, 1926. was held at Boston, Massa- a&sFf1san fhAaaia1s fssPsFa1ce Society, the mem bcrs of which agree to abstain from distil- led spirits, except when prescribedin case of sickness,
 The celebrated discourses of the Rev. Dr.. Lyman Beccher delivered in this same year, "exerted a powerful and extensive influence in aiding its operations,' and fund of 10000 dollars, for the support of permanent agent to the society, was rais- cd by donations more than half that as mount being contributed by few individ- uals in Boston alone.
 The importations of distilled spirits into the United States for the five years ending with 1928, amounted to an average of A. 146, ,894 gallons per year.
 " Im 1929, when Temperance Societies began to exercise some general influence, the quantity imported was only 2 ,462, sos, and in 1880, 1,Oo5, ,488 gallons and this was not to be accounted for by the increas- ed manufacture of spirits at home. for this had also gradually diminished during the
 last four years. In May,. 1881, report was
 made of 22OO societies, embracing more than 17O, ,O0O members and the formation
 of these associations had. become so much matter of course throughout the United
 States, Instantaneous societies were Known to exist, "some embracing large districts of country, of which no returns had been made."
 In May, 1882, the committee of the American Temperance Society state,, that they 1" are led to conclude that more than 1,5O0, ,OOO people in the United States now abstain from the use of ardent spirit, and from the furnishing it for the use of others; that there are more than 4OOO Temperance Societies, embracing more than 5OO. .OO0 members !; that more than 1900 distilleries have been stopped, more than 40OO mer- chants ceased to traffic in the poison, and more than 45OO' drunkards ceased 10 use into xicating drinks. There is also reason to believe that more than 10000 families are now in ease and comfort. with not drunkard in them. or one who is becoming drunkard, who would otherwise have been in poverty, or cursed with drunken in- mate that 5O,OOO children are saved from the blasting influence of drunken parents, and 200, ,OOO from that parental intiuence which tended to make them drunkards. There is also reason to believe, that thou- sands and tens of thousands are members of Christian churches. and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, who, had they continued to drink, had now been without g,.,.,.. .ssskA.,e @ka 70