The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-04-30
Iuicmperanre.
nv HON. SCHUYLER CoLFAN.

A work of bcncvolence anl Of human
ity toward our brethren like starting an
inebriatc's home, should enlist every heart
that is touched with feelings for human
iniirmity. There is a question which
comes down to all Of US through the cen-
turics, from the birthplace of mankind,
full of momentous interest to every one
upon the footstool of God 1t is ques.
ton Cain asked the Almighty, not as a
question, but as defence against arraign-
mcnt for his crime 1t was, "Am my
brothers keeper ?" In every civilized
land throughout the globe in every civil
lied nation, and State, and community,
the answer comes back to that question
"You are your brothers keeper" 1t is>a
responsibility that none Of you can deny
or evade. Every statute you find in
your statute book for the punishment of
crime and fraud is the answer TO the
question, cam my brothers keeper ?"
Every Jail and prison that cast their
shadow over the land every sheriff and
police officer, is the answer that the CON-
munity make to this question as old as
mankind itself. Every re 'ormatory and
amcliatory institution that blesses this
land of ours, is the answer we give to the
question that comes to us almost from
the Garden of Eden itself. The institu.
tions Of which we are so justly proud,
where the mind is restored to those whose
reason has been dcthroned-in the asylum
for the insane, those institutions where
the blind are almost made to sec, the
DUN b to speak, the deaf to hear, in every
institution for the relief of the poor and
distressed, We have the answer of society
to the question: Gam | my brothers
keeper?" And those who labor in the
noble work which the temperance men
are engaged in, TO save those who have
been deluded and self-destroying victims
of the temptation. even they are their
brothers keeper God speed you. God
bless you in this noble work in this
great world of ours, springing, as we DO,
from the hand of n common Creator,
believing, as we do. in the brotherhood of
man, every one whom you meet in your
pathway is your brother. He may be
poor, he may be pcnnilcss he may be
humble criminal or fallen, but they are
brethren of the dust pilgrims on the
same journey, travelling to the same tomb
If God has blessed you with the strength
of will that you have been able to fortfy
yourself, it is for you to lift him up from
that depth to which he has fallen, and
put him on his feet and redeem him, if
possible, from living. worse, even, than
the death of the tomb.
1t is the miserable, the 9;ingy, penuri.
Gus, and tight-fsted who are free from
this evil. 1t is the largest-hearted, social
man who cannot resist the temptation of
a social gass-thc genial man, the gen.
erous men, whom this tcmpter finds as
its victims. 1t assails ali classes alike.
You can find it crouching at the hearth.
stones of the poor, and it casts its gloomy
shadow over the marble mantcls of the
Iich--the most brilliant worshipping at
that shrine through temptation which
they cannot resist, and which urges them
On to drunkard's grave tell you,my
friends, there Is only one way in which
you can resist the temptation. there is
only one taisman and that is to touch
not, taste not, handle not the unclean
Thing. la the early years of my man.
hood, when saw n young friend who had
been travelling the same pathway with
myself, when | stood by his bedside and
his spirit was about to leave his body and
he calling upon God to damn his soul, in
his delirium, for one, resolved that |
would turn my back upon it henceforth
and forever. 1t is the true pathway in
private life, in public life. in social life,
and in individual life.