The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-02
Temperance sermon by Rev e. Mills.

delivered q sermon on temperance to
large and deeply interested audience. He
took his text from Matthew 1877 "Woe
unto the world because of offences . for
1t must needs be that offences come but
woe to that man by whom the offence
cometh!"
The sermon was mostly ertempore and
being specially adapted to the events of
the present time we give brief abstract.
The words of the text came with high
authority, from one endowed with divine
power and from Him who had seen from
His high standpoint that such offences
must come to the world, and that 1t would
be filled with nest of evils. But while
we see those evils upon our community we
find that among all that have been
hatched, intemperance Is the greatest. 1t
is the most far-leaching in its effects and
we therefore have to deal with it
as with no other evil. From the enor-
nifty of suffering to society which grows
out of it, it becomes bane to society.
hindrance to the morality, virtue and re-
ligion OF any community. The preacher
first would consider its deadly effects. 1t
takes men from their high standpoint and
by slow gradation brings them to the de-
graduation of the brute: removes them for
the respectable circles Of society and classes
then among the lowest of Gods creatures,
Instead Of being steady, honest and up
right citizen, through its effects, loving
husband and fond father, a man becomes
burden to society and Il curse to himself
and his family.
The preacher considered, second, Who is
responsible for the power and spread of
this deadly offensc?
First, he took up the manufacturer as re-
sponsible. inasmuch as 10 drunllards would
he made unless ntoXicants were manufac-
tured. They were considered as pcrverters
of Gods gifts to man. God made the bar
ley. grapes and corn, but men made the
malt. fermented the wine and distilled the
whlskey. He might move in the highest
circles, occupy the best pew at church and
pay the most for the spread of the Gospel,
yet he was responsible for this deadly eff
feet.
Second. The seller was held responsible
for this deadly evil. He may answer that
if he did not sell Others would. but that
was no apology. The effect produced was
just the same, and he is not justified in his
Ia ha horn liu-
ing and that the world owes it to him. lie
may say that he does not intend to sell 10
drunkards. yet he must see the result upon
moderate drinkers he knows that he is
violating a law Of the state ; he may be too
lazy to earn an honest living yet there were
public institutions provided for those I'M
able to support themselves. and it were far
better that the state pension them off than
to allow them to continue the business.
Third. We hold the moderate drinker re-
sponsible for this great curse to society.
lie may say he takes but little that he
drinks only the best or that he takes only
cider. Although he may drink no more
than he did year ago although men,
her of the church and discountenancer of
drunkenness yet we hold him responsible,
and verify believe that God does also, more
than all the other elements named. This
was d terrible charge and needed to be sns-
tanned The moderate drinlSer may have a
certain amoSint of responsibility which pos
sesses great influence The young man is
governed by him. He rarely takes exam
pie Of drunkard and so follows the man
who drinks without getting drunk, and
soon falls into the slough of the intempcf-
ate man.
Fourth. Public sentiment is responsible.
When public opinion is up to the point of
law and order, that prevails; when it is up
to putting down an evil it will be suppress
sed. That which public sentiment winks at
will live. The preacher felt sure that had
this temperance movement now going on
here had been started years ago and con
tnued, intempcrance would not now exist.
Such a movement was started three or toul
years ago and was allowed to die a sickly
death the advantage gained was not kept
and to-day we were worse off than foul
years ago. Public sentiment was respon.
sible for this retrogression. Ifsuch move
meats were spasmodic, if its movers wcn'
on at first as if to turn to the would upside
\ down and then all at once sit down W.
should be worse off than if they had nevel
started. Such a sickly impulse was to be
regretted. II it had a constant upward
tendency success was sure.
Fifth. We hold the plotting, place-seek
ing politicians responsible. Many men il
their secret hearts regretted this vice ant
had great reason therefor on account o
their sons and yet, with their hearts bleed
ing, they were plotting for place and powe
and disposed to parley with the rum-selle
and deal double with the temperance men
! Just so long as tins was the case we nigh
as well do nothing for the cause.
Many times had the speaker seen thes
politicians in this community selling TEN
perance men in this way at lower figure
even than Judas sold his Lord and Master
Sixth. A silent pulpit and dumb preach
er were held responsible. He who stoo
as representative of purity and religio
and yet standing mute in regard to the ten
perance cause was responsible. The speake
cared not whether he condemns the Goo
Templars or the Good Samaritans, or an
organized effort being made. but as mir
lister it became his duty to lift up his voic
and reveal to his people the evils and @
fccts of this poison. A preacher has n
business to question on which side his brea
was buttered in this NATTER his duty wa
plain.
The preacher then briefly referred to til
compassion of God, His infinite mere
al