Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-23
Earnest Words to Good Templars.

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It would seem to q casual visitor,
o some of our lodge meetings, that we
we're almost entirely overlooking the
object for which this Order was es-
;ablished.
Is there no work for US to do even
in temperate Vermont, in the great
and momentous cause Of temperance
cause that is founded on the very
best and noblest of motives; that in
auence the actions of mankind; that
Of elevating and ennobling the human
race, preventing the young from fall. |
ing into evil habits, that if persisted
in, can only lead to their destruction
also, leading those back to virtue,
who have already disgraced them
selves and their friends, by the unrea-
use of one of the devils most
effective agents, for the destruction
of the body, the mind and the very
soul of man. An agent so potent
that it requires a constant and untir-
ing resistance, by even strong and
healthy minded men, to prevent its
gaining an ascendency over their bet
ter Judgment. But it attacks the
weak and insipid, and clings to them
with fatality, that is too we'll known
to need any comment here. 1t not
only entices them to pour a slow
poison down their own threats, but
also to induce others to do the same.
When You see young man persuad-
ing a less reckless companion to drink
with him, you can safely mark him as
one who is fairly launched on the sea
OF destruction, over whose senses
there is quietly but surely creeping
that lethargic sleep. That utter OPP
position to all that tends to his we'll
being in this and even in the world to
come. 1t is for the regeneration of
this class of drunkards that our influ-
ence can be most effectively directed.
To these must we turn; men who hav-
ing themselves been led from the path
of rectitude and honor, seek to drag
others down on a level with them
selves. Who can imagine a more
disgusting sight than to see a young,
intelligent man staggering along the
street, vacantly staring into the faces
of the passersby, giving utterance to
fearful oaths; he reels on to his home
and there sleeps off the immediate
effect of the last dose of poison that
he has introduced into his system
But his brain reels on forever. He
is lost! In few years you viii, see
his bloated face. his blood-shot eyes,
his trembling limbs-the very en-
bodiment of Observation-Disclosures
out weary existence, every hour of
which to him is day, and every day
an age, praying for death and hell, as
it we're, to relieve him from his pres.
ent agony of mind and body.
How many are about to start on
this broad road to destruction, and
how many have started? And why
Simply because they have not or did
not have any good Samaritan, any
Good Templar to point out to then
the sin and crime of making beasts
of themselves, by indulging in intoxi
eating drinks. Shall we stand idly
by and see our brothers and sisters
our friends and comrades unconscious
ly sell themselves to the devil, and no
make the least effort to save them
You have friend perhaps who vii
say that his mind is strong, that b.
can drink a little and then stop; il
this very self assurance of strength
lies his greatest danger; for trustin,
) in his ability to leave of, at any time
; he drinks more and more, gets drum
; perhaps, but still says to himself, al
; | should only make up my mind t,
stop, | could do it, and so he drink
on, until his mind becomes weakened
8 and he loses the ability even to sincer'
l ly make up his mind to stop. Hi
! self assurance vanishes into thin ali
and his mind becomes a nonentity
r He is as surely gone. as the man VIII
1
e sets sail on the downward cours
{ never intending to move the helm a
: inch to the right or to the left. b.
t why do people drink ardent spirits
s. This is an apparently unanswerab
It question; but for four-fifths of the h
d man family it can be answered vel
& quickly. 1t is on account of the u
Is equal distribution of property;* tt
l. withholding from them, the necessiti'
n of life; compelling them to use u
u natural exertion to obtain livelihoo
they consequently use unnatural meal
g to obtain certain elevation of spiri
n that will enable them to enjoy ca,
r. others society. They have to wol
'e like slaves, for those who wrongful
n. hold more than their share of prope
10 ty; that is, more than it would tai