Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-03-12

1 Iptpsrrc4} 5stor the Hom.HS Temper
Gu-e GH.oR ig q il,H.tsr.
Hospitality IS domestic virtue which
cannot be TOO highly commended. Il Is
expressly commandeden the Bible; and
we know that from th.' ,it- OF the Patri-
archs, up to the time when Christ WAS
eniertained at the house OF Lazarus. twas
looked upon as q sacred duty.
In cur own day. and The existing state
%. society, it i "a power which occupies
uo mean position IN social life. Persons
IS hn unite in themselves the means and
ability 10 exercise this power are in u
certain sense bguciaciogs in the coinmuni-
y. provided they be governed by high
moral principle; and the exercise cf hos
pitality Is equally 4 power tor evil. when
any element OF Il dangerous nature is
allowed admittance.
The custom Of Offering intoxicating
drinks at social entertainments IS such an
element.
True, the last twenty-five years have
wrought a great change Tor the better in
this regard bat we cannot ignore the fact
that the custom Is still kept up. to Il Ger
tain extent, in nearly every community.
With some, doubtless. the custom was
adopted early in life, when it was more
popular than now and habit has so
strengthened it. that it Is matter of
course; with others, simply, TO introduce
some distinguishing characteristic into
their entertainments, which could not be
aspire,i to by their less fortunate neigh
uOr>-
With some the appetite ior intoxicating
drinks makes thcm locked upon y = ne
ee'>ity ON all occasions, while few per
maps. under the influence o. early aS-oela-
tons icel tHat ihrl IAN IN the exercise
oi hospitality Il they Go hot oHer WINE or
other liquors TO their guests
Bat here Jet Us ask. what l. the benefit
OF social Intercourse Is it not that.
under the genial Influences with which
hospitality surrounds IL. we Tor the time
forget our own selfish. iadidividual cares
and perpleXtles, and seek 20 gain some in
sight into the minds and characters OF
others? To do this ihe intellect should be
c.car,aud themoral perception, discerning.
Bur the use Of Intoxicating drinks does
not promote either oi these conditions.
That the custom OF introducing wine or
other liquors at dinners or ether social en-
tgraiumeGts has been the fruitful source
o: in;empersace cannot for moment be
questioned. There are many hones
made desJiaie by the ntemperance OF
father. husband, >'1 or brother, who first
learned to ldte the Intoxicating cup ut
home. IN the iaully circle, where 1t was
associated - TN ihe tendcre,t recollections
Ia lie. Many parent whose gray hairs
have been '' brought down with sorrow to
the grave ~ tie Iutcmperance and
ultimate RAN ot 81 once promising son.
has had . tNu-ioid polSnanct. gwen to
the aiilictiou. by the Thought that ms own
hand first dealt thr cup oi7oi>"u {" that
son
chiid naturally thl'$S that what h.
father does is right ana when ne sees hln
drirN VINE of brandy himself. and offer
them to his guests, he ilinAS II ~ desirable
thing to do, and ne I'oNS iorvard t" the
time wheH he >t1H pe enough a mdn L.
DO HkeWisc- N"t 'teIuentiy, loo 1t
happens lliI 'Ar clllu is lIlpN'u l" l'tstc
the beverage. trjn time u TIME, and 50,
it'ile ny hiii" an app -lIe lo' o. Is cult
vailed
iiai - lather. Will ans appreciation ui
his responsibilities a. such, can by his
example teach hi- ihnocent. tru-u ung
child 10 indulge I'D the use Ui That which
lat the last bites IEe 4 serp-u' and
silngS Ike an adder J. among the mys-
tcries Of our poor fallen nature.
And what Is trGc cd ones own sons. i
equally :rue OF other peoples sons |; -
a much 4 sin To tempt comparative
stranger to partakc OF what may prove
his ruin, Is TO tempt oue dearest friend
And no one caa know in whom the appe
tite lies dormant, ready 20 be reused latc
lie 10y the occasion aud excitement Ot
social intercourse.
This Is pre-emlnently true III regard to
the custom Of offering wine ON New
Years day. Many 4 Young man may
have started in the morning with the
resolution uot TO drink during the day.
but found his moral courage all 200
feeble 10 resist the temptation. when
placed before him bY the nOstesseS ot the
day. \ few wears agp. it was no uncUm-
mon sight. towards evening on New
Years day. to see Young men making
their round of Gals in condition which
gave urmi>takab!c evidence that Aiey
at least had not mad courage To refuse.
Ii is sometimes urged rs an apology Tor
Offering wine on New Y edr's day that 1t
is so much easier than 10 keep hot coffee
in readiness True. the labor of prepar-
ing the coffee may be greater. but which
think YOU would prove the greater bur
den to q conscientious, Christian woman.
this labor. or the thought. that she may
have been iutrumcntal in any degree in
sending young man to his home that
night, with his power to resist temptation
weakened, and his seli-respcct wounded.
perhaps well nigh gone.
DO not let u- deceive ourselves, We
dyc responsible FOR the consequences of
our actions in this matter. In this con-
neciion, We have word to say in rela-
ton 10 Il subject which should interest u
all
We have in this City an Institution that
exerts an influence which i felt in every
class in society. We do not mean that
The existence OF 4 COLLEGE here makes the