North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-06-01

l. "a pledge of total abstinence the
only requisite Of membership" The
pledge to be circulated at all meetings, and
every one individually asked to sign it.
9. "Moral suason" to be the means
used to induce others to adopt their prin.
ciples.
3. "Every man to come himself to the
meeting and to bring a man with him.
4. personal experiences to have
precedence over oil other addresses.
S. "No creed in religion nor party in
politics. to be recognized and no po.
litic2l or religious action to be introduced
into their operations.
The last point was carried at first fur.
ther even than this, some objecting to
prayer at the opening Of their meetings
but this prejudice rapidly disappeared,
and the distinction was made thereafter
between sectarianism and reverential &C
knowledgemcnt of the Divine.
From such small and apparently ux-
promising begiAning Of drinking men over
their cups in Lar room, this movement
rapidly grew, developing power which
attcsted how it had struck the public
heart. Of its triumph during the Golden
Fra of temperance ! need net speak at
length. Hundreds of thousands Of mis-
erable families were lifted into into su-
preme happiness. Wherever drinking
men were induced by the appeals Of
friends or former boon companions to at
tend these meetings, ninc-tenths Of them
yielded to their new and happy surround
ings, signed the pledge, and entered upon
lives Of total abstinence. SAloon-keerers
were themselves converted, and abandoned
their business. Others yielded to the b
seeching committees Of wives and daugh-
ters of those who had wasted their sub
stance and stupifed their brains at their
bars. Others sold their stock, and it was
poured out into the streets in presence of
enthusiastic assemblages. Others were
starved ou. from the loss of customers.
Like the prairie lire tho good cause swept
rapidly over the land. Week after week
the meetings went on, the labor cheerful
" given, because the results were SO hap
py. Song and oratory were added to the
original programme Of personal expert
ence. But the pledge, and the individual
Of all, were kept uppermost.
"Come yourself and bring a man." was
the constant injunction. There was no in
ebriate who was not appealed to over and
over again, with the kindest, most persist
ent solicitations. There was no moderate
drinker who was not personally warned
that every drunkard began his fatal ard
downward career by being a moderate
and that the only safety, and the
only sure wall of defense was total absti-
nence. And Gods approval of the work
was seen in the many religious revivals,
that followed these temperance revivals,
and the conversion of thousands who
had not entered church building for
years, till persuaded to attend temper
ance meeting within its walls.
In this great work lawyers and doctors,
ministers and exhorters, teachers and
statesmen Joined with the reformed on the
common platform Of the Pledge. And. be-
fore it spent its force, it had gathered
millions, including nearly all the youth Of
both sexes into its organization for sta
tistics show that two hundred and fifty
thousand were pledged in Ohio alone.
All that it effected for our land no one can
Its results, only Eternity can
reveal.
Some may insist that it was too narrow
in it's sphere. To this the answer is, that
it was blessed as no other movement of
the kind has been. Whether its persua-
siye character, its sympathy with the ine-
briate, its doctrine of individual RESPONSE
bility, its inculcations of willing, hearty
labor on all, gave it this strength, do
not attempt to argue. But the country
longs for another revival Of the same
character and power for good. And be-
lieve it is ripe Tor it. In it, church and
Sabbath school men and women, the learn
cd and the unlearned, of all denomina-
tions and Of none must join. The pledge
must be the banner of the cause. Sym
patby for the fallen must be its inspira'
ton. And with that inspiration SINGER
ely believe the whole country could be
stirred, as in that era Of the past, when
the heart of every lover Of humanity re.
joiced at the triumphs of a cause which 81.
evated and blessed and honored all who
yielded to its iaflsence.
The EaEs.
Dr.. Hall Says picking the ears" is q
mosi nis atSds practice; in attempting
to do thiS with hard substances, an un.