The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-12-01

Some may say this Is not our business. They
acknowledge the evil and argue that II Is disas-
trous in its consequences, but they say we
should let religion aud the ministers OF moraIt y
and the law attend to these things: we have
nothing to do with themi o, my friends, do
not thus try TO deiude and deceive yourselves.
We have a remarkable instance of u,a n try
ing TO wash his hands clear Of the guilt OF Inno-
cent blood. and you remember tbe Jews cried
out Let His blood be upon Us and our chill
drenl And do we not to some extent imi'ai e
the Roman governor when we say we nave
nothing TO do with these things. And ohl let
us have cat lest the blood OF the Innocent
victims be upon us and upon our chiidrep. FOR
each and every member of society will be &c
sins of his fellow men unless he does his utmost
to prevent, TO discourage and to destroy crime.
We know as Christians that We have an ac-
countabiiity under the law OF scandal FOR the
example we set our fellow men aDd We must
remember, too, that "those who are not with
us are aRalnst us may be applied 10 us with
regard to so important question OF morality.
Yes. my friends. we have accountability
yea, great snd avfui spon.;eiiity, for cur
children aud those under our care, and hence
IL is our business, our most important business.
10 take an interest in = matter or such vital i'm
as well as in the next. Besides. the duty thu. rs
imposed upon us we must never through n
cold and cruel philosophy, dictated by the yo-
taries OF the world, lose sight of tho grand pre-
ccpt: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God WI n
shy whole heart and with thy whole soul and
with all thy strength and with ali thy mind,
and thy neighbor as thyself This do and thou
Shalt i've"
Another object of our society IS rnenral and
intellectual i'm provement and an interchsnre
Of thought, opinion, etc. This TOO. my friends,
Is en object oe Importance being a great
helpmate to preserve US in the practice OF tota.
abstinence and To arm us sgainst tho tempTa-
uons and scductions Of the world. It I. also a
great object in the way OF mutual benefit and
friction of thought and opinion with thought
aud opinion our ideas are polished and bright
strengthened. More than this. mu tIlaI assncia-
tion strengthens the bond OF ueixhhory affec-
tion and feeling. while it tends to render our
lives purcr- happier and better
And in this temperate association there is no
temptation to run to excess in eatiIg and drink
ing, or 10y any of the channels to which the
conV!vial meeting IA the board OF Bacchus Is
make an aPpea! TO you to hesitate II moment
ere you condemn our society; 10 look about
uttered and that confront you at every step.
Let me conJure you by your respect for your
and above all for your souls welfare, to en-
courage and not frown upon any aud all efforts
as drunkard's death and n drunkards grave
any person thus unfortunately tending.
And, oh my friends, Il thus banded together
In the good cause. our efforts should prove su &C.
ccssful in snatching from he horrid gulf even
one OF our fellow beings --even one young maj
how grand ald full a reward will be ours, and
now well we will merit and receive the heart
felt gratitude not only of the rescued one him
self, but the loving thanks and soul-fe1t graft.
tude OF dotfng father and fond. loving mother
Ana viii we not, too. draw npOn ourselves the
choicest blessings of Pro, and have !,
share in the rcioicings of the pure spirits in
heaven. whose glad songs, arc told, make
formation of one soul on earth.
Yes, honored President and fellow members
let US take heart and courage from he kind a l.
tencance OF so many fair and loved ONES here
tonight. aud here and now let us solemnly re.
I solve that having put our hands to the plow
we will not look back, and with the blessing Of
COD. upon which we must mainly depend, for
'nness He build the house they labor in vain
that build il" we will continue and extend Our
EFFORTS towards the permanent establishing of "a
total atstincEcc society. and trust to Him, To
tie fruits or our efforts, to the approval of our
own couscfences, and TO the kind Providence of
n loving Creator for a fun aud fitting and am
pie reward for Dur Christian endeayore.