The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-29
TEMPERANCE MEETING.
Mr.. Durant's Address.

Mr.. L. l.. Durant, of Montpelier, spoke
on temperance at the town hall last evening
to crowded house. The address lasted
abont two hours. Mr.. Durant gave brief
sketch of his own life--a story which In
its main features has many familiar par
alicia life begun in quiet Christian
home in Vermont, whose restraints were
abandoned, as the boy began to be man,
for the less guarded ways Of the west; re.
turn to Vermont with good habits some
what weakened and taste for stimulants
acquired; exposure TO fresh temptations
while studying the Law entrance on his
profession with brilliant prospects down
ward course, with steady increase OF the
appetite for strong drink, till friends, for
tune, health and hopes for time and eter-
nifty were well-nigh lost. But on the gath
OF April last light came to him. An i'm
pulse strengthened by determination
that his little boy should not grow up to
the disgrace or having drunkard for his
father, led him to join the Reformed Mems
club.
Abiding to the work of the club. Mr..
Dursnt said it dealt not with the arm of
the law, but with methods of kindness
This vice Of intemperance attacks not tho
misers. but the generous and whole-souled
and such are best reached by words of
sympathy and encouragement He urged
the members of the club to 90 on with
their good work--to gather round their res
cued brothers and sustain them. lie urged
drinking men to stop and renect-to ask
themselves what they are doing that ia
worthy to live after ihem-to turn over q
new leaf, before their moral part has be-
como wholly blunted and destroyed and
hope and fortune lost If they cannot re-
sist the associations surrounding them, then
let them fly from the CRY. But act, and
act now, for there ia no promise Of morn
ing. He urged fashionable, high.toncd,
moderate drinkers. to consider the example
they are getting, and t. beware lest their
sons should yet have it to say that they
owed their ruin 10 their fathers example.
Addressing the ladies, Mr.. Durant said
the women suffered most Of all from the
consequences of intempersnce, and they
could accomplish as much as any IN this
cause. Two good women, Mrs. Crossman,
and Mrs. Prentiss, of Lewis on, Maine,
started this movement which ia sweeping
oVeI thc COuutIy anu gathering urUDkdTuH
by thousands into clubs like this. He al
luded with feeling to words and acts of
sympathy received by himself from ladies
since his reform. We desire, he said, your
prayers as we travel amid the pitfalls of
temptation most of you are church mem
bers but this work cannot go on if it ia
only thought Of ON Sundays, and
in connection with church ser
vices. The hard drinkers do not
90 to church. They must be sought out
side. There is too much sleepjnees in the
churches on this subject. This sin must
be eradicated. We who stand here as a
warning and as an encouragement have our
work to do, and it must. most of it. be
done outside Of the platform. 1t will be
lifelong happiness il we be the means Of
saving but single soul from ruin.
Mr.. Durant spoke with earnestncss and
feeling, and was listened to with close at
tention and applauded At the close Of the
address five persons signed the pledge.
During the meeting collection of S145O
was taken up to defray expenses.