Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-01-24
CHURCH HILL, o., Jan. 16, 1872.

OAOECH ILL.,, Osg jan Az 1917
EDITOR CHRoNIcLE:-ThIs place is
progressing in one particular at least.
We have nine drinking saloons within
a radius of half a mile, all well patron
lied, if we can Judge from appearances.
The usual accomplishments are not
wanting. First bill settled is the one
for drink, which often absorbs a large
part of the months wages. tits unneees-
sary to enlarge upon further results. This
is bad enough, but what shall we say of
a practice gaining ground among pro-
fessedly Christian men, Of treating
miners to a barrel Of ale when a coal
bank is frst opened? There are a thou
sand ways of comforting gifts, showing
Indebtedness and appreciation, besides
bestowing upon inconsiderate men and
boys that which only tends to degrade
and ruin, as a roasted OK, an oyster
supper, a barrel ofapples to each family.
or a steamboat excursion, &c. Such a
gift would create no appetite for mad
dening drink, cause no children to blush
for shame, no mothers tears, no blighted
hopes of a fond wife. 1t is needless to
enlarge. Every one knows that intern
perance has not a single redeeming
feature. Every man knows that this
great question Of temperance is unaYoid-
ably presented for his acceptance or re-
lection. There is no neutral GROUND. Now
we hold that in any community where
the effects of intemperance are fearfully
felt, as men dying from it or murdered
by its influence, accidents caused by it
prize fights, Dissertation of the Sabbath,
psuperism, l-icentiousness and innumer-
able train of lewis which follow, that no
man can give a public entertainment Of
intoxicating drinks without setting the
law of God and man at defiance and
endorsing and approving every crime
and evil produced by intemperance in
that community. Avoid the conclusion
if you can. But coal is king, and the
king says that the money must come
keven if the repose Of the helpless dead
is disturbed, or ale barrels moan the
departure Of their spirits.
No doubt the above practice obtains in
many places from a want of proper
thought, and from yielding to the i'm
portunity of others, or from the mistaken
impulses of a generous nature. When
policy, self interest, and a desire to
fatter men in their evil doing in order
to secure their favor or patronage, lays
the foundation and furnishes the motive
power for such damnable practices,
every instinct Of our nature rises up in
revolt. Our deepest indignation is
stirred and seeks expression while We
hold it up to public odium. do right
though the heavens fall" Do right al
all hazards, and let the God Of righteous
ness and truth take care of the results,
How deep a sense of elf-complacency
must a deacon or class leader feel on the
ensuing Sabbath in the presence of his
flock, who has thus unwittingly for a
noble and generous purpose blessed the
community with the liquid spirituality,
and doubly so ifthe sands oftimeshould
be fast running out and the golden
opportunity swiftly passing by of estab-
fishing a precedent for others in like
office and responsibility. When we see
men in position whose moral sense is
so low, or who lack stamina to dare
to do right, we find in our hearts a
mingled feeling of contempt and com
miseration, hardly knowing which pre-
dominates. Let him that readeth -
the following understand Whosoevel
Therefore will be a friend Of the world is
the enemy Of God" ZENAs KLINE.