Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-01-20
Communications.


Feeling greatly interested in the temper
ance reformation, which seems to ne NOV
ing so deeply the hearts OF many of our
citizens at the present Time I wish to say
one word as its advocate, and that word is
to the women of Brattleboro. We have ell
oquent orators to warn young men of their
danger-brave earnest, true men, who re-
joicing in their own freedom, and standing
up in the strength of their restored man
Illness, are ready TO help those who are
striving to help themselves to nobler and
better course of life and men of science
to discuss the evil effects of intemperance
upon the physical and moral life. But my
appeal is specially to the mothers at this
time; feeling that we have n work that no
other can do, and may God help us to do it
with an earnestness and faithfuness suit
ed to its sacredness and importance.
First, we must fully realize our great re-
sponsibility and accountability in this mat
ter, and see to it that our hearts are wholly
consecrated to the work; that "touch
not, taste not, handle mott is inscribed
upon our banners before we can lead on to
victory, or be prepared to labor success
fully for our children and others. We
must know that with us it remains largely
to say whether the looming man" shall
drink wine, whether the morals of this
town shall rise to a sublime height of puri-
ty and beauty, whether its men shall be
noble, strong andbrave, or degraded, weak,
helpless, slaves TO evil passions, and strang-
ers to purity and God.
One fault with US is we do not begin ed
ucating our sons for temperance men ear
ly enough. We allow the streets and sa-
looms to begin the work of education in
the downward course before we arouse
ourselves to the fact that we have some
thing to do in another direction. These
things cannokbe left to chance ttemptation
assails the child at every step, and unless
we are vigilant and careful, guarding the
young life step by step, with pure exam
pie, wise counsels, and many prayers, ere
we aware, the tide Of evil influences has
arisen and is sweeping our darling boy
away beyond our reach. Too often our
prayers and tears are unheeded. He hears
only the mad laughter of his companions,
and the song of the revel, till he drifts on
his mothers heart broken, and his fathers
gray hairs brought with sorrow to the
grave.
The mothers cradlo-hymn should be
"cod water song" her dedication vow at
the baptsmal font, IL conSec:ate my child
to temperance, to virtue and to God Her
prayer by the little bed, "sufier him not to
be led into temptation" while her own
gentle hand must guide him into llie's safe
and pleasant paths. | would chat there
might be temperance plcd-c in every
household, where the names of parents
and children, insert bed in shining letters
shall remain sacredly preserved from gen
GRAFTON t. generation.
| know sunny haired boy Of eight years,
who hearing OF temperance societies, and
temperance pledges, said to his mother
"Cau't you and have a little pledge all to
| ourselves ?" Eyes, dear" replied his
mother, "and how shall write t?" "Say
that promise my mother that l will new
er drink rum, never chew tobacco, and
never swear" The little pledge WAS writ
ten and signed, and though many years
have passed away, and the boy is now
man, still, thank God, that little pledge TO
his mother is unbroken. Our children
cannot begin too carly to love the right, and
| despise the unclean thing. And could that
young lady, who stands by her lovers side
amid the gay and beautiful, with light and
music floating around her, slipping the
| sparkling champagne, could she know that
| there is a serpent in the cup that will one
| day sting her to the heart, desolate her
home and extinguish forever the light of
joy and hope in her life, now would she
dash the cup TO earth and pray that God
would deliver her from evil and give her
strength TO resist te nptation.
Is not our duty apparent? Let us hast
en- then with willing hearts and active
hands TO help on the good work, and "do
| it so gently, so wisely, so WELL" that our
children shall rise up and call us blessed,
and future generations be better and hap
! pier for our devotion 10 the cause of tenn
perance,
\ DAUGHTER OF TEMPERANCE.