The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-11
THE COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN.
THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. IL, ls45.
THE JUNIOR COLD WATER ARMY OF
WASHINGTON.

"a
One of the greatest among the innumer-
able benefits accruing to the human family
from the progressive march of Temperance
principles, although at present comparatively
unfelt, and, therefore, unappreciated, is the
influence they are exerting upon the youth
full community, Of our own and neighboring
and distant states throughout our country.
The seeds Of Temperance, thus early
sown in life's young day, when the mind is
most susceptible, and impressions received
sink deepest, will yield a harvest Of future
blessings, so rich, SO abundant, SO extern
sive, that Judging from the results already
achieved, it will be impossible to realise
their extent or to estimate their amount.
We propose, briefly, to consider some Of
the happy influences resulting from an early
appreciation Of, and dedication to the cause
Of Temperance.
First.-The human mind is SO consti-
tuted that it is continually receiving impress
sions for good or evil-it cannot be entirely
inert. The youthful member of the Cold
Water Army, not having acquired an appe-
tite for stimulating drinks, unpolluted and
uncontaminated by its influence, will escape
the snares and avoid the temptations which
might otherwise induce him to become a
loiterer around the tavern, an attendant at
haunts of dissipation, and listener and a
participator in the disgraceful scenes and
Improbable and disreputable conversation
of the bar-room. His evenings will be
spent in more profitable pursuits-his mind
must have employment; and free from all
debasing influences, it will prompt him to
attend regularly his Temperance meetings.
Here, he will be sure to hear something
information on various subjects will
thus be presented to him; and gradually,
and almost imperceptibly, he will find his
desire for knowledge increase. In order to
satisfy this laudable thirst he will be driven
to books. Here fresh pleasures, and in
creased delights await him-his mind ex-
pands-the Book Of Nature lies open be-
fore him-works of science, of literature,
and of art, are at communicative shall
say to the march Of mind, g thus far shalt
thou 90 and no farther" Thus, he avoids
the temptations by which many have fallen,
and is an illustration of that beautiful
prayer, aLead us not into temptation"
Second.-Physically considered, the ad-
vantages arising from an early espousal of
cold water principles, are as great as when
viewed in any other sense. He is in no
danger of forfeiting the respectability to-
which he must attain-he avoids the disas-
ters, diseases and accidents to which the in
ebriate is continually exposed; and he is
enabled to lay by that portion Of his earn
ings which would invariably be squandered
for an article which never yet added one
iota to the sustenance of the human system,
the cost and effects of which have beggared
SO many families, and brought ruin, dis
grace, and death, into the dwelling places Of
happiness and contentment.
Let us contemplate its effects mentally.
In order to this, we must be permitted to
take peep into futurity. The present is
too limited sphere to take in all the glo-
rious effects which are to result from the
combined influence and example of the
Junior Cold Water armies Of the present
day. Ten or twenty years hence, all the
members composing these junior associa-
tons will have arrived at manhood They
will be scattered all over the country; but,
wherever they go, they will carry with them
the Temperance Pledge; and by their ex-
ample and influence, other junior and adult
associations will be formed--these again
will be scattered over the earth and so on,
until the influence is multiplied beyond the
power Of figures to estimate, and an amount
of good accomplished of which we cannot
now have conception. The time is ap-
preaching, when, in the course of nature,
they who now compose the Juniors of the
community will take the places Of their