Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-02-04
Communicated.
West Augusta Lodge No. 20, In
dependent Order of Good

Templars.
This fourishing temperance lodge was
instituted Nov. 9th, 1870. For five years
it has successfully battled against the COM
bined powers of intemperance in ''high and
low places,' and to some extent counter
acted the blighting anti-christian influence
which has been, and continues to be every
day, (not even the holy Sabbath excepted)
poured fourth from more than score OF
whiskey establishments. Whilst as an or,
der we have been enabled to accomplish
much, although, unaided by those OF our
fellow citizens who should have given us
their co-operation-Oh! how very much
more we might have done had they united
with us, but strange to say, during the
five years, ending Nov. 9th, 1875, not
clergyman a doctor or lawyer, and with
but few exceptions no one with extended
influence h as joined our ranks. And, al
though, the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation organized for the express purpose
of exerting a hallowed, saving influence
over the young men of our city. Not one
of them have given us their active CO.
operation, except those W no were with us
before it was organized; and with but few
honorable exceptions have not even vlsl-
ted the temperance prayer meetings held
every Sabbath at 81 Z. M. in temperance
hall. During the week of prayer, prayers
were offered for the removal Of intemper
ance from our land. What are you doing
| by works to remove it I? 1 believe ssprayer
| as we'll as faith without works is dead"
All must acknowledge it the greatest
source of evil which covers our land-are
| you as protesting christians doing your
| whole duty to remove this evil. Alas
| too many when they see the poor inebriate
! instead of acting the good Samaritan
| like the ''Priest and Levite" pass by anoth-
| err way and leave him in his misery and de-
| graduation. Did the christian use half the
| diligence of the rumseller to entice men
| from the way of ruin, to the path of tenn
| perance what u revolution there would be
| for good in society Can it be said ''you
| lave done what you could"
During those tive years had we had your
| influence, more than one young man whose
| life went out in gloom and darkness and
whose bodies sleep in premature graves i'll
in Thornrose Cemetery, might now be liv-
| ing and their presence in their homes
would cast a halo Of glory and happiness
! was standing on the corner of Main AMI
| Augusta Streets, a gentleman laid his
hand upon my shoulder and said, can It you
get young man, (calling his name) to join
your ord-r, replied we have had him once
or twice, but we having none of his old a.
quaintances and associates to encourage,
him, left US. He replied l wish you could
| get him, l feel so sorry for him and more
especially his widowed mother, for he has
lost his situation. This is not an isolated
case, if necessary could mention many
such, but dem the foregoing sufficient to
illustrate nv position and show to the
christians of our city, that whilst they al, ,
doing much for the advancements of tn e
cause of Christ in our midst. there is Il
wide field for usefulness which is ready for
harvest which thew have not vet entered.