Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-17

Delivered before Martha Washington" Lodge No. 1856
Of o. Of g. I. at Campto,rn, Bradford County.

BY very commendable resolution of our
Lodge, it is made the duty of our chief officers
to appoint some member to address it, on the
next succeeding meeting. | therefore, in ODE
dience to my appointment, appear before you
and while | attempt to say few words, let me
hope you will look charitably upon my effort
to make myself both interesting and instruc-
tive.
In choosing subject upon which to address
you, is matter not SO easily settled; and too,
it would seem perhaps to some, a very easy task
But when we view the whole subject of intem-
perance in its relative connexion with the innu-
merable evils under which the world is now
groaning, we must come to no other conclusion
than that intemperance is the procuring cause
of all the misery, of all the crime, and of all
the unhappness which have, or does now, dis
turb the peace of society. And, in viewing it
in this light, there are many points through
which an attack upon this monster, "Alcohol,n -
can be made; and as each attack requires diff
ferent arguments, of course, equally numerous
will be the subject matter upon which those ar
guments may be based.
will not weary your patience or waste time,
in introducing facts to show that intemperance
| is direful, deadly, and destructive plague to
human happiness. There is no vice that carries
| greater shame and Odium in it than drunken
ness. There is no spectacle we behold with
greater aversion and contempt 1t sinks man
infinitely below the beasts that perish This
shameful vice throws the mind into universal
confusion and uproar-lays the understanding
and reason in sad and deplorable ruin-effaces
everything that can be called the image of G cd.
Extinguishes the mind-infames the passions,
and dethrones the judgment. The world has
not in it Il more detestable sight, than ration
al creature in the condition of drunkard
Contemplate the danger to which we are ex-
posed, the sorrow and dishonor which accom-
pany excessive drinking. There is scarcely any
vice which entails more complicated misery up
on the unhappy wretch that is a slave to it,
than drunkenness. 1t gradually undermines
the strength and vigor of both body and mind
How often we see the most deplorabe effects
of this shameless vice in the ruined health, con-
stitution, and fortunes of vast numbers of our
fellow-citzens. How nyingenious and indus
trious persons has this curse rendered useless
and worthless! How many happy families doth
it reduce to indulgence and beggary? How ma
ny innocent sufferers doth it involve in its ter.
rible consequences? How many have ruined
/
the evils, there is none so incurable as this
when it is once contracted
This subject, intemperance, was q banefu
vice as early as the Deluge, and even before,
for we have abundance of evidence that it eX-
isted prior to that event; and if we may ven
ture an opinion, there is little doubt but intem-
pcrance was one of the grievous sins which that
great Flood was especially designed to sweep
from off the earth BE that as it may, we GER
tainly can find some excellent lectures upon the
subject among the writings of the Apostles
which give unquestioned proof of its existence
az early as their day.
This then is vice, not Of this generation
alone, nor of single century'S growth; but
one that has spread its parayzing influence
| tions of society We then choose to examine
it in this light; for were it confined to single
class only whatever grade in the scale of hui
man society that class might occupy, the ever
whitening rebuke Of public sentiment would ere
now have driven this scourge from our land.
But instead of this being the case, it has
spread its devastating effects among the high
and the low, the rich and the poor. So uni
versal has been its ravages, that the Press
which has not unwiSely been called the " Ar
chimedian lever which moves the the universe, y
dare not speak, except in tones of doubtful
meaning. The Clergy, too, class of whom |
would speak deferential enough, are mute or
perhaps look upon it with awe and amazement,
afraid to grapple with the monster. And dwhy?
Is it because the subject is of too delicate a
matter to openly denounce from the Holy desk?
for fear some influential, or perhaps more like
ly, some wealthy member may happen to think
your remarks too personal or what is some
times unhappily the case, may themselves fear
the Scriptural reply, Physician heal thy self p
Or is it because intemperance is of too little
consequence for teachers of Holy calling to en-
gage in? Or, would they have US believe thar