The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-01-05

By REV. THEODORE L. curLrR.

terrific rate, dragging wngon that contained
a small lad who was screaming with fright.
The wagon brought up against tho sidewalk
with fearful crash. A crowd hurried 10 the
spot One old lady, with cap strings flying,
rushed out into the street, although her
daughter exclaimed, "Mo,her, mother, don't
get into the crowd; you cart do any good"
Seeing her agitation, lady who was passing
by kindly inquired, Is he yonr sohT "Oh
op replied the true-hearted matron, "but
be is somebody's SON.
The good mother was willing enough to
lend hand to save somebody's boy who was
iu danger Of death; but We fear there is many
matron and many daughter who, during
the approaching holiday festivities, will lend
hand to lead somebody,s soma right forward
to destruction! They are already planning
Christmas party or New Years entertain
nent; and in their liberal bill of fare will be
ineladcd full supply Of champagne and sher.
ry, perhaps, too, Of hot punch and brandy.
These are days Of fast living; money comes
e.sy; who csresi Coed friends! thsie are
many Of US who care for our children if We do
not for our purses; and before you set forth
those attractive poisons, suffer me to make an
appeal in behalf of one hundred thousand tenn
pted young men.
/. Let me say to you that true hospitality
does not require intoxicating liquors on such
occasions--nor on any occasion. We honor
the kindly spirit which, on the birthday OF the
year, prepares liberal entertainment. We
honor the hospitality which filings wide the
door to all who wish to come in and enjoy it.
But the we'll furnished markets and groceries
of every town have an ample store Of "crea-
ture comforts without drawing upon the
lou or cellars and wine vaults. There are
many drinks both palatabe and proper that
never cause redness Of the eyes, or thickness
of speecl, or delerium of the brain. Under
their influence, young men do not reel on the
sidewalks, or mistake the door-plates of their
friends, or venture on silly impertinencies
towards the ladies who spter,aip them. Uu
der their influence noJody's son Is carried
home drunk-to shame and rend q parents
heart. But the pernicious custom OF wine.
giving Ind punch brewing on New Years
day produces many sad scene Of excess and
inebriation. On all festive occasions tempta-
.ion grows strong. and self restraint grows
weak. On every New Years day, hospi,able
private dwellings are turned into drinking
houses. Young men enter them with flush
ed faces, and with tongues quito too rapid for
proprety. Many merchants clerk has
wbetled an evil appetite that has cost him
valuable situation. A returned officer who
went out last New Years day to receive the
congratulations of his friends, found the de-
canter more fatal than rebel shells, and when
he reeed hone, his shame.stricken family
/ n !. a. i'm i.I ND
bleeding from the battlefield. He was
somebody's son-and somebody's husband too
Friends! you have no moral right thus tc
tamper with other peoples appetites or tc
rob other households Of their hopes and thei
happiness. "Wos unto him that putteth tht
bottle to his neighbor!p S.o
| III. As second reason against offering
strong drinks on holidays or at any social en-
tertainment, we would urge that many per
sons are confirmed by them in habits Of intox
icatiop. Social drinking, yes, and drunken
ness, were never more prevalent than now
There are members Of my own church, proba
bly,, too, of most other churches who are al
ready sliding insensibly oyey that "9lass rail
road whose smooth track leads down 10 per
di,iop. Thousands Of youpg men are iacip!
an enemy far moro deadly than ever frownec
from the heights Of Fredericksburg. Will
such young men a contest is now waglng be
tween conscience and appetite. They SCI
their danger. They realize in their calm mo
ments that they will soon lose their self con
troll, ans arc periljng their p'a:es, their bealtb
IL cir life and their undying souls. Thes
,, young men enter your dwellings with shar
conflict going on between their siege Of righ
aud their appetite or their regard for fashion
, If no intoxicating cup j. held out to them
they are comparatively safe.-They vii! nc
seek tho drink unless the drink seeks them
But one glass may ruin them. On the sum
, init of 6ill in a western State is a court
house so situated that the rain-drops tha
.. fall on one side of the roof descend into LAX
Erie, and thence through the st. Lawrenc
: into the Atlantic; tho drops on the other sid
trickel doNn from rivulet TO river until the
:, reach the Ohio and the Mississippi aud eGte
! the ocean by the Gulf Of Mexico. y fair
!. breath Of wind determines tho defamation {
: tthesc ran.drops for three thou and miles. 5
; single act determines sometimes a huma
" destiny for all time and for eternity! A fast
! onable young man partially reformed fror
!. drinking habits came home TO his father
: : house, rejoicing in bis emancipation. His ga
: light hearted sister thoughilessly proposed
J. glass Of wine to drink his safe return.Y II
was excited and off his guard; he yielded, an
: the single glass rekindled thirst that carrie
!. :. him back again into drunkenness. 'rho han
! that should bave sustsined him laid him low
: II all the ruined men who have first receive
: ihe fatal glass from woman's hand could u,t
:. their testimony, low many drnn.ard's graz
" would become vocal with terrible upbraining
: Surely one would think that woman had q
! ready suffered enough rom the poison OF tb
" adder TO male her refuse 70 touch the cy
: that corceals bis serpen, fang.
Mothers! fathers ! il is only somebody's SO
= = who is in danger. Theie is a boy near
), hone who is watching your example. III
;, darling who neslIed in your own arms may
;, the victim Of the glass you oif-r TO otbcrs.-
;, And how dare you warn your OWE cbIldr'
\ against dissipation, when they see the deca
- tsr on Your own sideboa,d, aud are coniront
10 by the ten plcr on your own tables! X
may remember the anecdotc which Dr.. l.
man Beecher loved 10 tell Of The Lond
:. clergyman who vhils walking the street, 81
i loaded dfay comiug on rapidly tovatd J
~ tie schoolgirl who Was just crossing tue wa
:. Tne foremost horse was almost upon her,
n L.