Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-30
Sunday Evening Temperance Meeting.


We had fair attendance at our last meet
ing, in spite Of threatening clouds and the ex.
treme heat Of the evening. Our chairman,
Mr.. Henry Mutt, called upon the Rev. Mr..
Sherburne for prayer, after which we listened
to brief addresses from the Rev. Mr.. Cushman,
Of Boston, and Rev Mr.. Sherburne our
townsmen, Mr.. A. @. Brown, and Mr.. Lull,
also giving us few words Of counsel and
encouragement
Mr.. Cushman said, by invitation OF one OF
the ladies', he had again the privilege, as at
one Of the earlier meetings, Of addressing us
on the subject that must interest every one who
had the welfare Of their fellow beings at heart.
lie would congratulate us that so good an ed
ucator as these Sunday evening meetings had
been inaugurated, that their " length of days
entitled them to be named with other noble in
situations Of the place. The results Of our
years labor might not be oil we hoped yet il
would be impossible TO tell all the influences
that have gone out from 20 great and good
work. The fact that these meetings are held
every Sunday evening, has its influence on
community, lis really an educator in the right
direction. Like church, no matter of what
denomination, one 10 passing il is forced for
the instant to a recognition Of the fact, that
il stands for God and truth. If knowledge
Of the existence Of good institution has its
effect, how manifold for good must be the influ-
ences that 70 out from these meetings every
week. Godslone can tell all the results of these
labors To carry forward this work TO final sue
cess, the friends OF temperance need practice
patience, perseverance and faith.
We have helps in our work which men Of
fifty and seyenty-tve years ago did not possess.
Science has come to our aid, and shown alcohol
to be deadly poison, and although capable Of
Nrousing tagging energies for the time, it does
it at the expense Of the vital forces, which in
the end is death This truth must address
itself to every thoughtful man, and add one
more reason for persistent action in all temper
ance work
The physical the basis of intellectual
strength, is a subject which more and more
engages the minds Of men. And, farther,
that in a greater or less degree the moral and
spiritual are dependent upon the same
God is the author Of physical as well as
moral law, and we cannot disobey either with
out bringing upon ourselves the penalty at
tached to broken law. A known physical law
cannot be outraged without double punish
ment The mind is abused as well as the
body, by being accessory to the wrong inflicted,
and both are debauehed in the same degree.
It is the object of temperance to raise the in
temperate from this dangerous state, and bring
him to a sense Of his duty to himself, his fell
low man, and his responsibility to God. Per
severe in the good work you have commenced,
and God will reward you with final success.
Mr. Sherburne said as drinkers thought rum
was good in cold and heat, in wet and dry, 80
he thought of temperance lie found it good
last winter, and good this summer, and good
in all seasons and weather. lie counted ii
privilege to speak for temperance, and especially
on this occasion. Those who instituted this
movement and kept it alive had great reason
for thankiulness, that they bad been instru-
mental Of so much good. In travelling about
the State he had noticed with pleasure the in
terest shown towards this temperance revival.
The reports Of these meetings published in our
papers were read all over the State, and many
were the prayers offered for our success by
earnest Christian workers in the same cause
Following our example, meetings hal been
established in other places, and it had been
his pleasure TO take part in some Of them. Mr.
Sherburne thought that with the young we had
the most hopeful field of labor. 10 the homo
circle, in the Sabbath school, day school, any
and everywhere the young are taught,-let
lessons Of temperance and sobriety be given.
Temperance men need 10 exercise all the vir-
tues Of true Christian. Consistency is the
crowning glory Of a true temperance man. If
be talks temperance, he should lire temper
ance if be lives temperance at home, he
should abroad. There are men to whom the
church are all hypocrites, and every professor
Of temperance a sly drinker. If this judg
ment does no credit TO their sagacity, it lifts n
window that gives us look into their moral
mechanism. That occasionally there is one
who dishonors himself and brings discredit
upon church and temperance organization. we
admit, but we believe them to be exceptional
cases. Doctors have great responsibility in
in these matters. 1t is too often by their pre-
scriptions that appetite is created. or an old
flame kindled The man who introduced Mr.
Cough in England was reformed drunkard,
and being very sick at one time, was told his
life could only be saved by stimulants. lie
said he preferred death to life, with the risk Of
waking his old appetite. But by the earnest
entreaties of friends he was persuaded to par
take. He lived, but became the thing he
feared. In ST. Adams his friends gathered
around him, and by the help of God he was
again plucked from his dire fate. lie became a
Christian and now, with clenched hand and
bated breath, showing his deep feeling, he says
he would not dare TO taste at communion the
iermented wine, lest it wake the demon to
which his earlier courses enchained him
Mr.. Sherburne said he had read the appeal
of the Ladies Association to the citizens OF
Montpelier, asking them to come to their help
by full and impartial enforcementof the law.
1t seemed to him that every man must respond
to so earnest call. lie hoped the law breaker
Of the gilded saloon would meet his deserts a,
well as the occupants Of less attractive quar-.
tiers. Those who train men for drunkaIds, de-
serve their dues as well as they who finish them
of. Mr.. Sherburne exhorted us to work as for
God, and lie would bless US by browning our
efforts with success.
Mr.. Brown read by request, letter address,
ed to the Secretary of our Association, from the
Secretary of the Womens Temperance Associ-
alton Of Brooklyn, N. Y, in which the writer
says she has read some OF our appeals aud OF
our meeting, and expresses wish that some
move could be made towards a concerted &C.
ton on the part OF all Ladies' Temperance Or.
CARNATIONS, hoping to induce General Govern,
ment to some step in favor of temperance. Mr.
Brown thought the good results of the ladies'
work in this place were not all counted, until
the good that the ladies had received them.
selves from the very efforts made for the bene-
fit and relief of the suffering around them was
taken into account lie seemed to think there
was room in this field Of labor for any desi.
rous either Of getting or doing good. He spoke
of the ladies' Thursday afternoon meetings as
councils Of war.
Mir. Lull said it made him think that il there
were any councils Of war, he hoped they would
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