The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-06-29
NEW TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.


The movement among the intemperate, which
began at Baltimore a few months ago, is really
among the most remarkable phenomena of the
times. The work goes on with increasing heart
mess and success from week To week; and the
course pursued seems to have vitality and thor
oughness enough 10 1t, to secure countless pei
manent reformation. The Incorporate do the
work themselves, and only need little occasion
al aid In the way of funds. And they make the
power OF the reformation felt in the grog-shops
and in the police courts-The establishment Of
an asylum Tor the Incorporate has been frequently
urged; but here we have an agency that more
than answers the purposes for which an asylum
has been suggested, and al almost no expense
An asylum al The best would seem TO the drunk
ard formal and almost repuIsve charity; but
here are open arms and warm hearts TO welcome
the poor wretch as soon as he ca be picked up
IN the' streets-to sympathise with him in his
thoughts OF the past and his hopes for the future
to lead him on step by step-to watch over and
help him like brother.
The movement in Boston has given birth 10
daily paper devoted to the cause, from which the
Congregational Observer furnishes tie following
sketch of the stale Of things:
The Washington Temperance Society Of
Boston have taken hold of the cause in good
earnest. They have an efficient President and
l7O0 members, who are moving the city of Bos-
ton and most of the towns in the vicinity. They
have an office al the Marlboro Chapel which
they call their Head Quarters. To this place
they bring all the dTunkards that they can lay
hold of whether drunk or sober. If sober they
induce him readily to sign the pledge. If man
is drunk they lay HIM out upon the settee till he
becomes sober and then they beset him 10 inin
the society. From that moment he becomes one
Of them-a friend and brother. II his nerves are
unsettled they give him something TO keep them
steady. 1.-The or his family need provisions or
clothing they supplied. If he is in danger
his brethren watch over him, and if he has no
settled home, or Is peculiarly exposed TO tempta-
ton, they keep him at house provided for
the purpose. As soon as he is able to labor, he
is supplied with work. He feels no longer de-
graded and cast out, but an object of interest to
all He no longer regards every man as his foe
but finds friends in all whom he meets. When
it is known that an individual confined in the
House of Correction is 10 be released, on the
expiration ofhis term some one is commissioned
to wait for him with carriage, to drive him TO
the Head Quarters, induce him 10 join the So
ciety, and 10 become man.
They rarely fail to secure any man on whom
they lay their hands, and they have new cases 10
attend to every day.
The enthusiasm which pervades the city and
animates all the meetings is amazing. The
leading men Of the city, as DrS. Warren and
Charming, Rev. Mr.. Pierpont and John Tappan
cordially engage in the enterprise, and are not
ashamed TO take strong hold of the good cause
Money is furnished TO defray the expenses, and
the degraded and lost are made To believe and
feel that the rich and elevated classes anxious
for their good. Their uniform testimony is that
kindness has won their hearts, and that nothing
but kindness should ever have secured their refor.
maticn. IL is in vain theysay 10 attempt to re.
form men by shutting them up in the House of
Correction. You must come and take US by the
hand, and show that you care for our good.
1t is worth while to notice the religious charac-
ter Of this reformation. Most OF these reformed
drunkards speak of the help and blessing of God
as their only hope and seem TO feel a sense of
their dependence on him for their final success.
Many of them begin to reform.
One consequence OF these movements, is the
decrease of crime in the city as indicated by the
Police Court. The business of this court has
fallen off, and many retailers are giving up their
trade, and one man has opened his bar room as
receptacle for the reformed who have no lodging
place or shelter.
These movements are not confined 10 Boston.
In all the towns in the vicinity, temperance
meetings are held by reformed drunkards from
Boston, and it not unfrequentIy happens, that as
benevolent individual enters house, the in.
mates Of which have been relieved from suffer
ing and want, he is pleased 10 hear as repIv as
he asks for the master ofthe house, he has gone
TO Lynn or Salem 10 lecture to night
"Washngton Temperance Societies '(such was
the name Of that organized by the reformed at
Baltimore, and others have adopted the same
designation } have been formed in Philadelphia.
New York, Boston, Hartford, and many other
places. Where ever they exist, the members
enter heartily and with great success into the
work ofreclaiming others, by means similar to
those used in Boston. Mr.. Hawkins, one of the
orig nal Baltimore members, is employed by the
Massachusetts Temperance Union, and is ex-
pected we believe, 10 continue in its service for
a vear-Vermont Chronicle.
Correspondence ofthe Madisonian.
RICHMOND, Aab. June /.