Smyrna times., 1871-04-05
lFor the Smyrna Timesl
The Good Templars.---Their Claims
Upon the Community.
SMYRNA, April 4th, 1871.

Mr.. Editor For a long time we, the G ,od
IemPIars, of Smyrna, have been laborlng with but
little success to stem the food If nteInperance that
is SweepnE, with its resStless tide SO many Of our
noblest, brightest and best young men, youths the
middle aged, and even those whose hairs have
grown white With age, to drunkards graves. And
we are not little surprised at the marked indffer-
ence oil very large majority of the relatives and
'riends, and OF the churches at large, with which
they aze upon the sad wrecks that lnlemperan nee
mas caused IN our community. Ii a pla que, in the
shape OF some Infectious disease, should break out
IN our midst, and should do one half the damage
that Aic"hOIc Stimulants doing, every member
OF this community would feel it to be their duty to
rush to the rescue with all the energy Of their
nature But IN this matter of intemperance, those
mat are nearest connected with the victim SIT IDLY
ny with ut ever raising hand to strike a blow,
however small 1t is every. day occurrence that
we see young men, the iavorite sons of devout and
P'ous parents. filling high positions in Church and
Stale, reclng under It's influence and suferisg from
It's dre consequences.
The Bible t. lis us that " No drInkard shall in
hefit the kIngdo.I Of Heaven" Then in the face
OF TINS decree Can you expect entering the
haIlS OF our temperance organizations, aud seeing
The church almost wholly unrepresented, and feel
that these proiessed Christians are what they pro
Tess Can we have confidence in your sincerity OF
purpose when you neg Letting interest of so
vital Importance We think not A.; and certainly
such dlstrust should behnove you to look around
and begin TO W. rk while it is called today" And
nav, as members nf the |. o. Of &. r., OF Smyrna,
we ask md besecch you all-fathers, in behalf of
your families; m"ihers, behalf of your hu usbands,
your sons and daughters; sisters and brothers, in
behalf of one another; the ministry. who profess
To be about their Fathers business in spreading
the gospel, in the cause Of suffering humanity !;
those who would receive the paudit "come We bles-
sed - those who profess TO feel deep interest
in the salvation of immortal souls; the moral man
and woman; every good citizen of our town and
community, of whatever creed or denomina tIon we
beseech you join with in heart and hand, and
with the assistance Of the God Of battle
deal blows that will only be felt in our own i'm
mediate ghorhOod, but IhrOng hont lcmg tn ard
breadth of our land We have it IN our power, and
why delay longer. Y0u know your duty and do
il not" The answers generally get from mem.
bers of church when asked to Join Lodge are
TO this effect: am temperate. ] do not drink
and it is not necessary that l should join temper
ance socety,"-Ignoring the fact that every man.
woman and child have their influence; and if you
do not exert IT for good you exerng it for evil
and while we are laboring with vour sons vour
husbands, your fathers, and your friends urging
them'to Jnln our Lodge, you, by your actions are
advising them TO stay away.
IL has been Iruthiully demonstrated that temper
ance organlz itlo"s are absolutely necessary 10 a
Work o. reiormatICn-ihey the stepping. stones
the preparatory department If the church II is NJ
our Lodges where we take the poor, miserable
drun%ard from the gutter and make sober men of
them' thereby fitting their hearts for receiving the
seeds OF Eternal Truth. More than once have we
taken your sons into our Lodge and begun the
work OF reformation; but he received no encourage
ment at your hands; it was not you 10 say II is
Looge night. and time we were going;" or he might
nave started without you. but meeting an old
associate who invited and insisted upon him 10 take
us' Que ur'hS h'S courage faltcrs, he gives way TO
s appetite, aud before lie is aware of il he is drunk
"ora of encouragement from you might have
strengthened his resolution or your presence might
nave prevented the invitation from being extended
% ahu hlm rom breaking his pledge and instead of
making night hideous with their bowling thew
would have been true 10 their pledges, ornaments 10
socety' and blessing to their families We ng,;n
ssk yon TO help us. We will extend to you the right
ho." amu r 1' 'elnwship and hail You made mem
hers OF our honored fraternity stampipg uno, vo'r
forehead in letters of living light.
Coon TEMPIAR.