Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-03-20
GrnrraI iHtscellanp.


and social question which has brought SO many Of
as together this evening. Indeed, | suppose the
meeting was not called for the purpose Of going
over old and worn out Arguments in favor Of
abstinence from intoxicating drinks but rather to
STIR one another up by way Of remembrance, and
enkindle new Enthusiasm, and awaken a new
zeal.
Now, have no experience 10 narrate-certainly
am ! not one Of the old apostles who have grown
gray IN the service ! Joined the Congressional
temperance Society because thought il would be
best for myself my children. and for those who
might look to me for an example, or over whom |
may exert the least influence. And, again. the
time il propitous for the advancement Of every
moral and social enterprise. For the last few
years we have thought Of nothing but the terrible
war which has devastated our beloved country
deuged the land with blood, and brought amen-
tation and mourning to All o.r households. Sweet
peace has dawiicd-thc passions Of men are more
or less subducd purer purposes and influences
are working upon the individual and upon society,"
and The heart seems % long for something better
and holier than bloody and cruel war. Hence %
would seem, from the condition of things, that IL
IS the day Of progress, and in my judgment the
earnest, thoughtful laborcr for the good of his
lellow-man will reap an abundant harvest, which.
in the last great day will add new Jewels to his
crown OF rejoicing.
Man is splendid creature God thought so
when he created him. God thought so when he
gave his only and well-heoyed Son--our blessed
Sayiour-to die for him. The earth, with its
mapnidcencc of beauty--thc heavens, with their
Undesirable glorics. were made for man, and
when God breathed into the nostrs Of His image
Ills own breath Of lie everything was so perfect
and glorious that the morning stars sang together
for JOY
The sun, as it walks in majesty through the
heavens, gives light, and heat and llc--the little
violet at our feet, which tells us that spring time
and the singing of birds is comiug-the stars. AS
they dazzle and sparkle in the sky. and the little
freely, as it lights up the swamps at night, were
all made for the benefit and comfort OF man How
great then, is the dignity of manhood and how
fearful are its responsibilities Whatever thought.
whatever act, whatever purpose, whatever habit
detracts from that dignity is wrong. Whatever
course of action fails to meet those high response
bihties is also wrong
Hence the proprety, and even the necessity. Of
temperance, and hence also, the duty of active
vigorous, kindly, loving effort TO raise up those
who have yielded to temptation, and 10 prevent
the young man from falling into the fatal snare.
Young man, yen feel that you are safe. Per-
haps you have never been intoxicated You only
take social glass with your genial lriends--al Of
them gentlemanly and upright young uen--aiter
the labors OF the day are over. Many young
man, with mind well poised. with as much
sell-cuntrol, with geut,many habits and pur-
pose Of thought and action as you now have, has
been in the same position. Where are they now 2
Gone TO an untimey and dishonurcd grave. lcav-
ing behind them blasted hopes, sad mcmorios, and
broken hearts.
Men are creatures of habit "Excess Of appc-
lite doth grow by what it feeds on lou know
aud know that as general rule, the habit cree ps
upon one with an insidious uosless tread. He
that takes glass to-day must take two tomorrow
and then three, and four, and five, and six. and
ere he knows it tie seipents coil is about him.
and he htctmcs the almost hopeless and despair
/ ing victim Of intemperancc. See how 1t is with
! other habits Take the use of toll acco. MbU
/ first used IT, it was disgusting il made me sick
/ but thinking it to be manly, perseyered, amidst
! vomitings and cramps until ! could smoke with
| out nausea. thought / was q man Now what
is the result To-day ! am a slave to the abomi-
nahle habit, ard would give good Vermont farm
TO be rid OF it. IL may be difficult to account for
this, but the fact exists.
Then, why put yourself in Ills danger? You
| do not require he stimulaIt now. You are il the
| midst Of our manly pride and strength Then
taste not touch not handle not, lest by and by it
! biteth like serpent and stinqeh like an adder.
would like TO talk 10 the ladies little as to
their duty, for it is always pleasant for gentle
man TO talk TO the pures and most beautiful part
of creation but time will not permit
IL is sometimes said that IT is almost useless TO
| cndcayor TO reform the confirmed nehriatc and
that our efforts must lie devoted to the prevention
! rather than the cure. do not think SO. Mems
hearts seem TO be hardened against the unfortunate
victim OF this ineNorahle habit They are apt to
| say, "Ohl he is miserable drunkmd. Let him
go" Sir, that man may once have been as good
| as you or l. and saving that unfortunate habit he
may, in the eye OF God, who secs not as men see,
be as good or better than YOU or to-day When
| himself he may be good to the poor, kind and
loving TO his family obedlcnt to the law, respect
| u to the ordinances OF religion. | confess, sir,
when see drunken man my impulse is TO 60 to
him and kindly lead him 20 place of safety
Think a moment lie is our brother. God made
him. hist died for him and knocks at his heart
as he does at ours, for admission. Think again
Of the wife, who, IN the freshness and beauty OF
! her early youth pledged this man her love, and
with thai fidelity which kept woman last at the
cross and brought her first at the tomb, clinps to
him now Think OF her prayers ascending like
pure incense 10 her Heavenly Father, that her
husband may be reclaimed. Think, too, OF those
/ little children watching AT the window when night
has fallen, for the approaching shadow OF their
| father or listening for his footsteps refusing to
| leave their dear mother until he is in safety
/ Think, too, Of the prayers and groans of this UNI
fortunate man, as, IN the darkness and stiffness oil
/ midnight he pleads to be delivered from this ter
rible woe and as in the morning he leaves hi,
home, his children cover him with kisses, and the
lace of his wife lights up with angels smile
as he promises to drink no more. He is honest in
that promise, but the tempter comes and he fall,
/ again. Reyile not, upbraid not that poor unior-
tunate man. Rather lit him up with kindness
and encouragement from the pit into which he has
fallen Show him the dignity of his own nature
the beauty of truth, and purity and sobri,ty, and
bid him 60 and sin no more II he falls again,
and perhaps he may, once more put your arm,
around him, and by and by he may become clothe,
aud in his right mind and be once again man
If there is JOY in Heaven over one sinner that re-
penteth, is 1t not worth while for man to say,
one soul from drunkard's grave The happiness
OF life is reflex. 1t comes from without and no
from within, To do good is to be happy.
Let us, then, IN this aud all other things siriy,
to promote the welfare of our brother-nan, anc
( then, when kind hands smooth for the last time
our pillow, as we are about to cose'our eyes for
ever upon earth, we may say, "When the eye saw
me then, 1t blessed me. When the ear heard me
II gave witness TO me-for / delivered the poor
that cried ihe fatherless and him that had none
to help him, the blessing of him that was ready
to perish came upon me, and | caused the widows
heart to sing for JOY"
WAsnINGToN AND WASHINGTON IRVING
There is little anecdote Of Washington Irving
whose authenticity is perfectly reliable, which
shows the