Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-03-24
From the Christian investigator
REVIEW OF THE PAST.


From the Christian Investigator.
REVIEW OF THE PAST.
It is now about fifteen years since the
Temperance Reformation began 10 arrest
the public attention.
Peace Societies are of an older date
Efforts for the suppression of Lotteries
were as early as those for the entire aban.
donment of arden. spirits, Teetolalisn,
or the entire disuse of fefmented wine,
beer, and cider, began to gain the ascen-
dency (afer severe struggled in our
temperance societies, about the year 1884,
and has continued to gain ground, among
active re.ormers, ever since. From 1880
10 1886 the late John R. M'Dowall ex-
erted himself, with varied success, in
calliog attention to the sin of Licentions-
ness, especially in our principal cities
Since his death, the work has been car
ried on, chiefly by ladies. and Moral Re-
form Societies have been extensively
formed, and their publications widely cir
culated. Anti.Slayery Societies, on the
principle of immediate emancipation, were
FIRST organized 10 1882. The Liberator.
advocating the same sentiment was COM
menced by VIM. Lloyd Garrison, in Bos-
ton, year or two previous. The Amer
lean Slavery Society was organized
by National Anti.Slavery Convention,
al Philadelphia, in December 1888. The
first united effort to carry anti-slavery
principles to the polls, has been made
during the past year
These and kindred efforts have intro.
duced a new era. The commonly &C
knowledged principles of Christian moral
itv have received a specific and tangible
application. Particular and prominent
vices have been singled out, one after
another. and dragged from their lurking
places into day light. The connection
between moral causes and effects has been
traced. and the principles of reformation
,souoht after. and insisted upon. The
power Of organized effort has been tested
Popular lectures, periodical publications
hooks. and tracts, have been pressed into
the service. Obstacles have been met and
crapoled with, and in some cases remov-
ed. In other instances they are still
grinding under the wheels of REFORM
Earnest discussions and Inspirations have
been held. Much light has been ELECTED
and diffused-sufficient, at least, TO render
visible portion of The darkness that re
mains. Conservatism and radicalism haV,
become terms of stirring import, each en-
listing It's able advocates, and each point
inc to opposite sources of danger, real o.
unreal. Human nature has been testec
and tried in a great variety OF aspects
Startling and unexpected developments
have been made. The locker on, as wei
as the combatant has bad an oppoFtunlt,
20 learn something. Errors have beer
committed. on the right hand and on th'
left. IF mere innovation has sometime:
been mistaken for reform, it must be &C
know lodged that the community, on tn
whole. ale reaping rich harvests OF sub
stantial improvement, in many cases
where the repu,edy wise and pruden
have predicted nothing but subyerslon ant
ruin.
his a high privilege to live at such
singular period; and still higher to par
ticipate 10 wise and honest measures 10
giving shape aud direction to its salutar,
reforms. Even those who sit still; nay
ihose who oppose. and who resolutely shu
their eyes against the light, can not bel
receiving il, 10 some extent, whether the
will or no. The midnigh, wanderer vair
Az resolves that he will not see the day
ligbt when il comes, nor use it, at all. i
planting his footsteps. Equally vain
the attempt the great mass OF this n;
tion 10 pretend 10 know no more abo'
temperance and abolition than they d
ten years ago. They do know more
They can NOT open their mouths wIt 7
betraying the fact. And if they shut the
liDs. their very silence becomes the ell
ouent witness Of their having a6andont
the crude subterfuges in which they on'
loudly gloried.
II IS time. now. for reformers 60 revle
their past efforts. and learn, it they cal
what obstacles have mainly prevents
their more complete and extensive success
Il would require a volume to DO justice
sush a resiew. All We shall attempt