Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-09-03
Sunday Evening Temperance Meeting.


evening. Mr. d. Mcdonald, the chairman
after few remarks, called upon the Rev. Mr.
Cushman, Of Boston, who was followed by
Dca. Ward, Rev. j. y. Wright, Mr.. W. A.
Lord, and DR.. Brigham. Mr.. Mcdonald
wished the audience TO remember that balf
past FIVE, not six, was the time for opening this
meeting. lie said he was in perfect sympathy
with the subject az treated last Sunday eve.
ming believed the responsibility rested with
the church, whose Chief Corner Stone is lie in
whom all the nations Of the earth are blessed
II in this place every minister and member Of
each church would do his duty as a Christian,
then to the ranks Of temperance workers would
be added all that have named the namo Of
Christ.
Mr.. Cushman said intcmperance and most
other vices sprang from the same " root evil "
disqualification. This was the germ that sent
forth most luxuriart growths in the natural
man. and bore all manner Of evil fruit. If one
or more branches were Topped of, others sprang
up Immediately, and to the uprooting Of the
germ be commended our efforts. Paul describes
the carnal man as at enmity with the spiritual
+" To be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace" Brute
animals are guided by instinct and left to
themselves will never cat or drink to their
harm. Man is given reason for his ruler, and
it teaches him that all his appetites and pas
sions, if made subseryient to their master, are
n blessing TO him. The appetites arc
blessing spiritually, for the power and strength
exercised in subduing them are a means Of
growth. lnasmuch rs the spiritual transcends
the animal, so much do the joys Of true
Christian man transcend those Of a man who
is lost in the animal. Instead Of appetite and
passion being satisfied with their qualification,
they arc strengthened, and only as reason in
terposes, are saved from a selEinduigcnce that
would prove fatal to the physical as well as
spiritual life.
Deacon Ward thought moral suasion was
good, but IL needed law to perfect the work it
began They should no more be separated than
law and gospel. Let those who will, he a law
unto themselves but what shall we do with
those who persist, in spite of moral suasion and
the law Of God and man, in putting the bottle
to their neighbours MOUTH
Mr.. Wright thought those engaged in this
movement might take drop Of comfort from
MIR. Cushman's remarks for certainly we had
uphill work Of it, which would give us the dis.
cipline in the direction pointed out, and there
seemed q good prospect for the same in the
future. Those who are moved bya right spirit
must work, whether men will hear or forbear.
MIR. Wright said he could, without a breach Of
confidence give in substance a conversation he
held recently with young man in this place.
young man Of talent, Of education, and OF
influence among the young men, and older ones
too. This young man said that he, with the
young men with whom be associated, in talking
over this matter, acknowledged that every glass
they drank was harmful TO them he knew we
had reason and argument on our side Mr.
Wright said what could say when he ac-
knowledged 50 much? These young men,
possessed Of warm hearts and so many noble
traits-how my heart yearned for them, that
they, 50 near, might be moved 20 come yet nearer,
aud away from the treacherous ways upon
which 50 many noble lives have been stranded
Mr. lord said, although we had good au-
dience, be wished every one present would make
an effort to add one to the next Sunday even
ing attendance.
DR.. Brigham said he hoped the discussion
would not close, which had been in the line OIL
largely relying on the work Of the churches
and intoxicating the Christ-like doctrine of self
denial, without inquiring into the duties oil
government upon this question. Governments
were founded upon Christian principles If a
man would be law unto himself, it was most
certainly the best. But suppose he would not
as a very large factor in every community fully
proves he will not, without being compelled
| Government clearly has the right to affirm FOL
themselves and the peace Of the commonwealth
that they shall respect the principles Of Chris
tianity pronounced in the formulas of law
Government has right to compel such a lin,
of conduct in the citizen as conduces to thu
highest good of all. II men in our own com
munity are warning on the public veal, able
bodied men, who could add to the productive
industries Of the country, pursue a business t.
iiuu only shrk their share Of the neediul toll o
life, but were constantly incapacitating othe
members Of society, government has right t.
interfere. More men were engaged in th'
vending and manufacture Of spurious liquor
than were engaged in the combined depart
ments of education, religious included. Nor
money was handled 10 the unmanning man b.,
alcohol than is used in building sehool-house
and churches, and for teachers in both Will
the machinery Of a Christian government
clearly here is something to do. Let law pu
stop to this waster Of our products-th
vending OF poison to the people.