The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-16
How to Organize and Conduct Temper
ance Societies and Meetings.

How to Organize and Conduct Temper
snce Societies and Meetings.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
The letter just published IN your columns rom
Western prelate, venerable alike for his years, his
virtues and the eminent services rendered TO his
people, has struck the Keynote OF sound temper
doctrine. IL marks clearly the excuses to be
avoided, both in explaining to the people the ma
tuce OF temperance and in expecting or exacting
from the laDoring classes an impossible degree OF
abstemiousness 1t Is cheering and healthful to
read such words amid the contradictions, the con-
fusion, and the petty passions which make SO
many Babels OF the most respectable temper
ance meetings, even when held in religious
edinces; even when opened by prayer and
accompanied with psalm singing; nay, even
when directed by ministers OF the Gospel.
Allow me to point out how temperance
meetings should be organized in order to reach the
masses and effect real change among the intem-
perate. and In what manner temperance societies
should be organized and controlled to secure solid,
serious and permanent good. The proper place to
hold such meetings is Gods house; the proper
spokesman is such man as that venerated arch
bishop who, for more than ten years. amid the
great labors of his Office and the nfrmities OF adj
vanced age. Will 'JOuch not, taste not for exam
ple's sake and the proper platform rom which
true teaching on temperance should descend on
the masses is the pulpit with the Bible as . test
book. incompetence is no new vice in our Chris
tan civilization, nor is abstinence novel virtue;
nor need We newly discovered principles on which
to denounce the one and persuade the practice OF
the other. But there are new forms OF intoXica-
ton in this nineteenth century and in our own
land particularly and frightlul evils growing out
OF these FORMS and there Is one new ele-
ment introduced into the history OF drunkenness
among us-namely, adulterated liquors. drugged
and poisoned alcoholic stimuants. Say that the
invention Of this is not from above-that it is
not Gods gift-and few will contradict you. Say
that pubic opinion and Legislative authority should
combine to prevent adulteratlon and to punish the
sale of these drugged stimulants and every sane
man will applaud you. Now, by whom are the
working people to be SHOWN the nature OF these
poisons introduced into their beverage, with the
authority ofirresistbe persuaslon If NOT by their
trusted religious guides and teachers And where,
without the excitement, confusion or conflicting
passions Of public assemhlages can they be taught
the beauty OF that virtue held to be of the
dina virtues by the old Greek pagans, as well as
by Christian theOl0gans If not while sitting in the
house OF prayer and listening calmly to simple,
unlmpassioned exposition OF the Gospel
great religious denomination represented by
Archbishop Purcell SIMULTANEOUS movement
congregation, that within the space OF one
month appeals should be made from every pulpit,
1t is morally certain that the victory would be won,
tue sale OF drugged stmulantS would be practi-
caly ended, so Tar as Catholics are concerned, and
they would be themselves prepared to ask for
legislative remedy against the manufacture and
the sale OF poisoned alcohol. This point IS urged
with ali respect on the attention OF those to whom
haps, are only waiting Tor the cali Of public opinion
to begin crusade whose success would not be
doubtful. The interest created by the present
agitation demands that clear and 1ull doc.
trlnal statement should go forth from the
Catholic episcopacy defining what is lawful
III the use AMI sinful IN the misuse,
OF all VINE and strong drinks explaining
authOritatvely to the manufacturers ana sellers
OF the posons now dealt out TO the poorer classes
the enOrmIty OF their guilt, laying down rules tor
the sale even OF wholesome liquors, which may
help to prevent their being dealt out to habitual
drunkards, to women ana children, and impOS-
ing such spiritual penalties on transgressors as
may rouse the vast population VINO thrive by the
guilty abuse Of this traffic and tnelr victims to
sense OF their wrOngdolng II can safely DE said
that ii some such authoritative declaration had
come from the Irish hierarchy when the Father
Matthew temperance movement was acquiring
vast proportions, not only cruel MISUNDERSTANDING
would have been prevented, but cOIu1ai unanim-
ity would have been secured between that excel
lent ana his ecclesiastical superiOrs AS 1t was,
those who took the pledge were allowed to remain
under the impression that 1t was tantamount to
VOW and that It's violation was deadly sin, apart
from the proper quit of intemperance. Even at
the present day the too fervent advocates OF the
cause, and among them not lew cergymen, II
they do not encourage this popular persuasion, do
not at least dispel Ii. This Observation-Disclosures
went far to mar the success OF Father Matthew's
crusade and created serious prejudice against
himself in high quarters The Church Will
never consent to make any compromise
with error, or to allow any one to say
or TO believe that there is sin where there is
none. That some sucn crusade IS now needed In
our country no one will presume to deny, that
this necessity extends to all religious denomlna-
mitted, that its success among Catho-
lies especially will depend manly II not
clergy appears unquestlonable, and That golden
opportunity Is now given them to 40 work which
snail be eternaiiy remembered to their honor in
America Is the deep conviction or the writer OF
these lines. 1t Will be said that very many clergy
men are afraid of speaking from the pulpit ON TINS
topic lest they should ALLEVIATE the influential
class OF 'publcans'' or liquor dealers, who, IN
several places, constitute not small share of
their pewhoders This, it is not to be denied, Is a
dence and moderation. But there IS q way OF get
ting out OF 1t. In town, which must not be
named pastor, superior alike for his talents and
his WISDOM had thrown his whoe soul
into the advocacy Of temperance. his
OF such as labored in .ounderies or cotton and
woollen factories, or OF large minority who sold
rum and bad whlskey ana absorbed most part q
the laborers' wages. He called together IN the
church all those who thus trafiiCked IN alcohol and
laid before them in such truthful colors the evil
OF selling drugged beverages, and OF selling them
at all times and TO all persons unfortunately,
that many were moved to tears He begged them
to meet together in the schoolroom on certain
day and to consult to what shall be done to save
their own souls and help him in the discharge OF
ms duty They mel and the upsh0t was tnat one.
third renounced dealing in alcoholic liquors. and
the Others drew up series Of rules which they
bound themselves to observe and which closed the
door 10 the most crying abuses OF the trade. These
were submitted to the pastor, altered, completed
and approved by him. He Immediately obtained
IRON the authorities the closing Of all the unlicensed
and low groggeres; read from the pulpit ON the
following Sunday the resolutions adopted by the
meeting oil tavern Keepers, and proceeded to Or
game his parisnioners into societies combining
the practlce OF temperance and benevoence.
There was no buster, no agitation, but quiet, en-
ergetic working, aided by a faithful, constant and
gentle discharge Oh every pastoral office and social
duty. And 1t was "A complete success There are
in every locality so many families ruined made
| desoate ana Kept IN HOPELESS wretchedness and
degradation by the unresti Icted sale OF intoXcat
ing drinks and by ttelr habtua misuse, that
any clergyman willing to do Gods work and do it
earnestly VIII ind abettors IN the large, sober
class among his hearers, powerful auxiiiaries IN
the wives ana children made miserable by drunk
Ell husbands and parents, much silent sympathy,
/ ii not active support, among the Incorporate
themselves. Let HIN who has to answer at the
| inlQnpnI SnllA entrusted In be