Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-27

peranee lectures 10 be delivered by the clergy
of the city. Mr.. EELLs' discourse was most
excellent one, a brief report of which we give
below. The next of the course will be deliv-
cred by Rev. Mr.. WHITE on the evening of the
sth of August.
Mr.. EELLs began by saying that if there
were any present who came TO hear rhetori-
cal flourish on the subject of temperapcn or an
argument to prove that intemperanee is an evil,
they viii go away disappointed. The time for
both rhetoric and logic was long since past
His object was simple and practical, and it
would be attained If it should appear there is
need that something should be d0ne and that
each one should feel that he ought TO make the
attempt
We're there monster living in this vicinity
that daily made Tayages on our citizens and de-
strOyed their lives and Propeny-weTe son or
other members of some family every day to dis
appeal, until hardly a house had been unvisited-
you would not wish in your households that the
monster were dead, and meet each other in the
street and ask who went last, and shake your
heads and hope that something would be done
20 remove the evil-yOu would feel that there
was demand that something be done by you
to Kill the foe to your whole city; every man
would be reused, every child would beware lest
he become the next victim, and all would start
IN mass TO hunt the monster who rayages
upon body and money, and happiness and hope
and SOU, which exists among US; we lCok serious
when we behold his attacks we hope some
thing will Kill him by and by-but are struck
with paralysis when a thought that lre can do
anything TO destroy him is presented TO our
minds. The apathy upon this subject is most
amazing-we have looked upon the dreadful
evil till We seem to have became accustomed
to it.
Into the first family on this side of the food,
the inebrlating cup brought humiliation and
disgrace, and degradation and misery have
ever since been its constant attendants.
We have seen everything holy in religion; ex-
alted in intellect, pure in virtue, precious in
reputation, and lovely in the social affections,
crumble to ashes under its searching power
yet. strange TO tell, though these effects are as
common as the days of our lives, we meet men
now who tell US that We are medling with that
which does not concern us Were there no
interests at stake than those of the misguided
victims themselves, humanity herself would
weep, if no tears were shed by philanthropists
over their dreadful ruin, and if the most streH-
uous efforts were not employed to redeem
them. Every one owes something 10 his iel-
lows, and something to his God,-besides to do
nothing, is to be borne ourselves along upon
that tide Of death which is sweeping away so
many around US. The alarming fact stares US
in the face, that intemperaaee is increasing
among US. In the name of humanity and God
shall we DO nothingi
Finger boards pointing out the drunkard's
way 10 he'll, are on more houses within our Inn
its than eyerbefore,-an army of souls is march
surr this roaA If hnr xxlala MI Of
more than SO, 600 annually, in the country, fall
over the Preeipice, while your sons and associ
ates and friends, if not yourselves are filling up
the ranks
Poverty, disease and shame, sit like shapes
hot from Tartarus, around the desolate hearth
stone, and howl their orgies amid the groans of
wives and children, and ridicule their tears ! In
fine, money Is wasted, eharacteri is ruined, bodies
are destroyed, families are cursed, the eommu-
nifty is abused. souls are lost. and must We not
do something
In view Of these considerations, there is need
of some more decided and harmonious action of
the church in regard to this outcryiDg evil
There is no other hope that il can be stayed for
any great period, or utterly removed He had
no confidence IL any scheme for the destruction
of evil, that is not based on the Bible, and that
does not associate the church among its chief
defenders This is the God-appointed leaderof
reform,-ihis must take field and maintain the
contest until the victory is won. But while he
said this, he did not believe that church infiu-
enee need fight alone in this field. He would
not shut philanthropist from the ranks,-nor
command any one to stand apart, because he
did not SIT at the same communion table with
him. This cause appeals to Us as men, not
alone as christians,-aDd there is no danger that
-. ~ 4 IL
soon, if all who hate it shall join hands IN the
contest.
What can all who are temperance men dol
First, We can give the cause of tenn
perance the benefit of our constant example BE
would not take time to argue this Point-argu-
ments in its support are now suPerhuOus. Yet
the caution that we let our example always be
In behalf of Temperance, may be of service to US
notwithstanding There are many good tenn
perauce men who nevertheless do very little
good by their example. The temperance mans
example should be conspicuous, SO that at home
and abroad none should mistake his sentiments.
he hoped he did not misjudge when he ex-
pressed the fear that some Of the best friends Of
the eause were not such avowed and uncom-
promising advocates Of temperance as they
might be. He would have them known to all
the world, not as the foe fthe dunkard, but of
what makes him drunk-not Of the liquor sell
Ter, but of the liquor.
Agaih All might give the cause the benefit
of their influence. Aside from the fact that We
are known never to drink liquors I'VE all have
influence as friends, as neighboTs, as men of
known character, as citizens and christians We
have influence with those who sellintoxieating
drinks and with those who buy them-they all
respect Us more OF less in some Of our relations
TO them-we have influence with those who
buy them, whether they get drunk or only
drink moderately-with those exposed to temp
tafion but not yet drawn into lie power We
should spend time and labor, and if needs be
money, 10 make our influence felt There is
power within our hands, which we ought to
wield-a POWER which would restrain many
young man who is on ruins verge frem rushing
over the precipiee-which weuld fortify many
a boy against the temptation to drink, which
will overcome him unless thus fortifed-whieh
viii wipe many tears from the eyes Of weeping
wives and mothers, and save many q child
doomed otherwise to suffering, and poverty,
and disgrace We have the ability to mould
public sentiment-tO control tive have power
to overcome this stupendous evil, and make
this mighty river Of desolation which sweeps
through our town dwindle 10 a rill, if not 70
dry Up its source.
Once mOre-We can put forth united, decided
and perseFering effort. In this has been the
most grieFOus neglect Of temperance men, and
for this reason the evil has so rapidly increased
There needs more enterprise and concert Of
feeling and aetion-We want some definite plans,
some arrangement of forces-some enthusiasm
thus seeured-if we would see much rapid pro-
gress This is one efficient means of success in
other matters this is the way that public SEN
timent is cultivated more than any other. He
would like to see another set of men like the
first agitators Of total abstinence-he would
hail temperance societies and pledges, and mass
meetings and gatherings in school houses; could
we haYe them again in harmony with what we
have already-he should expect 20 see even
more glorious results. Let us not remain idls
in some way let US all join hands-at some
noinrs let ms meet not tn look AT one another