Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-05-12
ADDRE SIS
OF SAMUEL D. HASTINGS, G. W.P
The Mission and Responsibilities Of the Order o
Sons of Temperance.

Ot ohmU6L u. k1ASIINOS, u W. T.
The Mission and Responsibilities Of the Order of
Sons Of Temperance
| design to call your attention on the
present occasion to few thoughts and
suggestions touching the mission and res
possibilities of the order of Sons of TEN
perance. The temperance movement has
been a progressive one. Light and knowl-
edge to guide in carrying it forward, to
the great mass, have been gradually de-
veloped. True, there have been great
minds, here and there, which at the out
set of the movement seemed to understand
at a glance the whole subject in all its
bearings, and saw years ago, clearly, the
truths which the many are now but dimly
comprehending. Such men, however, were
exceptions to the general rule, and were
looked upon as wild and fanatical in their
notions, and as advocating views which
could never be generally adopted. The
truth has been discovered and adopted lit
tie by little-the cause has gone on step
by Surprising, advancing and adopting
new instrumentalities, and laboring in diff
ferent directions, as the circumstances of
the times, the exigencies of the case, and
the amount of light and knowledge which
have been seen and appreciated, have de
manded. When the attention of the chris
tian and philanthropist was just called to
the contemplation of the enormous evils
resulting from the use of Intoxicating
drinks, they were almost overwhelmed with
what they saw, although at that time
theyhad but dim and ind istinct views of
the nature and extent of these evils, and
but crude and erroneous notions of the
nature of the remedy that was needed to
meet aud counteract them. Their first
idea was, that these evils could be delay
ed by the adoption of the principle of mod
Grafton in the use of the hurtful article
But the pioneers of this cause did not
long remain under the delusion of this
gross error. They soon learned that there
could be no such thing as moderation in
the use of an article so injurious as were
ardent spirits. An advance step was tax
en-. Holding on firmly to what had already
been gained by arousing to some extent
the public mind to a contemplation of the
evils of intemperance, they boldly pro-
claimed the necessity of entire abstinence
from the use of ardent spirits, and right
earnestly and faithfully did they go to
work to convert the community to
this new doctrine And in conDec-
ton with it, they promulgated another,
of almost, if not quite equal Importance
that to make or sell ardent spirits to be
used as beverage was a moral evil-a
high handed sin against God, and an
outrage upon mankind This announce
ment came like thunder-clap. What
a business in which elders, and deacons
and church members, and hosts of good
and holy men had always been engaged,
sin against God and man Yes, it was
even so The light was shining-the
truth was revealed, and there were good
men and true who dared proclaim it The
cause progressed onward, its velocity in
creasing as more and more of truth was
discovered and incorporated into the ma
chiDery Of this great moral movement
1t was not long before the light shone with
such clearness that they were compelled
to adopt the principle of total abstinence
from all articles of intoxication by what
ever name called. Wine, beer and cider
must all be banished from the abode of
him who would maintain consistent
position as q friend of the cause. This
was an important step in advance of all
others, and IN its results was mighty in
breaking the power of the common foe
Under the influence of this new doctrine
the cause was onward and still onward
with increased and ever increasing power.
In the early days of the temperance
movement it was deemed impossible to re-
claim the drunkard The great effort was
to deter others from following his ruiuous
example But a new and important dis
covery was about to be made. The drunk
ard could be reclaimed-and the evidence
of the fact was presented In such a man
ner as to produce instant conviction of its
truth. The drunkard voluntarily dashed
the destroying cup from his embrace
cheerfully adopted the pledge of total alb
stinence, and then went forth on his mis-
sion of salvation to others. Then was
witnessed one Of the most sublime and
cheering sights upon which men or angels
ever looked Then, were the hearts of
the good of the earth moved within them
to pray and thank God for what their eyes
bebeld Then were men filed with hope
for the race of man, and with cheerful
confidence could they look forward to that
good time coming" when they saw men
voluntarily throwing aside their cups and
arising from their filth and degradation.
clothed and in their right minds, going
I forth in every direction, with their hearts
overfowing with love TO the poor inebriate
and animated with a burning desire To