Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-11-08
TOLEDO, Iowa. Nov. 4th 1867.

4 meeting of Tie citizens of Toledo was held
purpose OF organizing a Total abstinence So
cicty of Sabbath School scholars. \ few re
marks were made by the Rev. Wilkinson of
tile Congregational church relative to the OBJ
organized by electing Prof. j. Il. Stewart
President and electing as Vice President
Henry Reynolds and Miss Mary Graham as
assistant Vice President. j.. Rice being
"A APPOINTED as Secretary for the evening tho,
meeting proceeded to the transaction of the
business for which it was called.
\ motion was made by the Rev. Wilkinson,
that a Temperance Society composed of Sab
bath School Scholars be organized upon the
principles of Total Abstinence from the use as
a beverage Of all intoxicating drinks.
On the motion, tefore its being voted upon,
several speeches were made. Rev. Wilkinson
first made a few very pertinent and pointed
remarks Oh the Temperance question giving
very potent reasons for the organization of
such a society. After which Rev. Edwards
also gave his views as to the necessity of such
an organization. Children, he said, were easily
lead either in the wrong or right direction
Ii they were started right they would most
likely go right through life, s:as the twig is
bent the Tree is inclined" is true. Children
engage in all things with earnestness and en-
thusiasm, whatever they do, they do it with
their might. The influence too of children on
the child often lead the crring parent from the
ways Of dissipation into the paths of virtue
aud truth. Children have not the cares OH
their minds that olderpersons do usually, and
they are not tempted as they are. To thus
form a combination against those temptations
will prepare them to meet and successfully
resist those temptations when they grow old
er. These little girls will draw to them an
erring brother who is perhaps being lead es-
tray into the haunts of vice by evi! ~acsocia>
tons. If they bind themselves while young
to thus resist temptations to the use of strong
drink when they become older they are better
prepared to Withstand temptation. They will
some day, perhaps, become trees and mothers
and have under their charge precious minds
to cultivate, and teach the ways Of virtue and
right.
Rev. Underwood then followed with a few
very appropriate remarks. lie spoke Of three
thousand girls in New York city who were
complained of by their parents for drunken
ness. They are not so much in the habit of
drinking beer, but they want teiae. 1t is more
fashionable to drink wine than to drink beer,
aud the ladies like to follow the fashions. Not
only in New York city do girls drink and get
drunk, but in Iowa they do the same thing.
The question on the motion was called for
and the vote taken, motion carried.
Rev. Wilkinson then read the pledge which
he desired adopted. 1t is as follows:
S.. S. Temperance Pledge.
A pledge we make, Nor will we sin,
No wine to take; by drinking gin
Nor brandy red, And cider, too,
That turns the head Will never do:
Nor whiskey hot, Nor sparkling ale,
That makes the sot The face to pale;
Nor fiery rum, Nor brewers beer,
That ruins home; Our hearts to cheer;
To qucnch our thirst Wen always bring
Cold water from the we'll or spring;
So here We pledge perpetual hate,
To all that can intoxicate.
Moved by Rev. Eberhart that the pledge
read be adopted, carried.
Voted that all Sabbath School scholars un.