Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-02-11
TEMPERANCE

cSteu III leauiDS Se'cTAl UiAeteo III d 'oo-
| ton paper from the pen of Hon. Henry
Wilson, Of Mass, on the temperance ques-
ton. 1t appears that this cause is attract
ing unusual attention in some Of the East
ern States. The Senator from Mass, after
treating of the errors, and the failures, and
the successes Of the past, gives his opinion
respecting future efforts in tie following
language:
'In recent article in this paper, the
writer Of this suggested revival OF the
'oldf.shioned open temperance societies,
and special appeal to churches aud min
is.ers, expressing the belief that every
church Should be er-oGicio u temperance
society aud every pastor temperance
lecturer
Deeply impressed with this conviction
lie would suggest that both temperance and
religion, demand the realization of some
such idea. If no more satisfactory meth
Cd suggests itself. let there be, in every
town, townahip, or ward of Il city, meet
ing of the ministers aud III mbers of all its
churches, to which other friends of temper
ance should be invited, for the formation of
tn open temperance organization. Start
ing with lac dominant idea Of permanent
and persistent effort, let the constitution
make it the duty Of proper officers, chosen
for the purpose, to make thorough canvass
Of the town or ward, and offer the pledge
to every man, woman and child over ten
years OF age. Once month--say on the
afternoon or evening of the third Sabbath
let there be general, or separate meetings
in its behalf. BY the use of such ways ard
means as earneStness and wise expectancy
shall dictate, according to circumstances
and necessities; by sermons, lectures: es-
says, articles for the press, songs and the
circulation of documents, should they en-
ter upon it as part of their Christian, and
| life work.
Special efforts should be me- de for the at
tendance of all, not only those who have
| never strayed, but the fallen and the falling.
| Earnest women should be placed On the list
| of officers, not only to aid in canvassing the
| community, but to give special attention to
the children and youth, and to use their pc
culiar and potent sway in bringing and re-
| tanning the tempted and unwary within the
circle of the hcalthful and restraining inllu-
ences of such associations.
1t is, of course, easy to suggest and map
out such work, but to secure its faithful,
| fearless and persistent performance, is quite
another thing. But are such a union OF
Christians, and a monthly meeting, even
as permanent arrangement, too much to
ask for? Is not the cause of sufficient dig
| nifty ; are not the interests imperiled of suf-
ficient moment, and the rewards sought of
sufficient value? Would it not lift temper
a1ce from its present depression, and give
the cause a more persistent policy, and en-
sure more permanent victories? Would
not such work for the good of man and in
the name of Christ, augment, as hardly any
other human agency would, the spirituality
of the church, increase It's Christian actvi-
ties, and add largely to the growing tenden-
cy Of the times to Christian union--union
not so much in form, as in fact?'
1t appears that organizations similar TO
that suggested by Senator Wilson, have been
effected in several towns, why should not
something of the kind be done in our own
city. We become reconciled to evils by be-
coming familiar with them, and regard
them as matter of course, and as some
thing that cannot be remedied.
Should stately mansions or costly ware
houses, be seen daily, weekly OF monthly,
reeling and falling, and burying human be-
ings beneath their ruins, citizens at once
would say something must be done. We
daily witness feshly houses degraded and
fallen, crushing the hearts of fathers, moth
ers, wives, children and friends, and should
not something be done? We place our
children in the school where they are train
ell to order, useful knowledge and the de-
ye!opment of manhood. They are turned
into the streets, where by example-and
children are influenced more by example
than precept-they are trained to disorder,
pernicious knowledge and the destruction of
manhood.
Why should there not, and why can
there no. exist an influence out-ot-doors,
that will tend to elevate, to improve, to
strengthen manhood? Why should our
children be exposed to pitfalls and poison
Gus r,iasmas when they night be easily
displaced or remedied.
There has been an organization in this
city similar TO the one to which reference
has been made, and no formal disarmament
has taken place. 1t is in accordance with
the constitution of this society, l think,
that its officers shall serve till others shall
be appointed in their place. The President
is absent, but the vice-P Presidents, l.. W.
Hart, Esq. and Hyde, and Secretary Cad
well are here. Why should they not give
a call for a general rally. we hear of
King Alcohol being turned into the streets
and license fees increased. There should
be public sentiment manifested to sus-
tain these and even more stringent efforts,
if til y should be adopted.
A CI7IzfH.