The Morning herald., 1877-07-18
THE TEMPERANCE QUE>TION-
TROUBLE IN CAMP.

men Ihere was very sIim attehoance
in the Opera House, on Sunday afternoon
and much surprise was manifested by an
announcement by Mr.. Wells, that the cler'
gymen Of the city refused to read the no
tices for the meeting. 1t did not, however
clearly appear, that the notices were actu
ally delivered, as there seemed to be a
doubt it-at least there was want of pos
tive evidence of their delivery. This re.
Aux is result we feared all along. There
was an overweening air of selfsreli ,nce
about the tent-men, which has always failed
to bear good fruitage Of works, in the
moral, or religious world.
The Temperance cause deserves success,
as it would carry peace to many troubled
home, If its influence were universal but
it is not on the road to success in this city.
Mr.. Wells and his followers exalted, The
temperance gatherings into the region of
holiness, and held that subsection Of a
morbid appetite was holiness, and that
their gatherings partook of the nature Of
religious worship, inferentially adopting
the materialism of Spinosa, Comte, and,
Hobbs. But i. must be conced that Mr..
Wells has labored faithfully, and well in
the cause.
The Gospel men, on the other hand gave
to their meetings such an evangelical hue,
that they were in fact religious, and meas
ureably UNCONVENTIONAL in their character.
1t is extremely difficult to hit upon the
best line of action, where there are so
many jagged edges to be avoided. About
one-fourth Of the population of the city,
we mean the Catholics, cannot be induced
to take part in these meetings, as at pres
ent conducted, much as many Of them de-
sire to forward the cause of temperance !;
because they are in fact meetings, to all
appearances, for religious purposes, and
there is no use of argument, or of saying,
they are not-so long as they are almost
solely managed by Clergymen, and at which
Prayers, and Psalms, are made leading
feature, the moral object is being subordi-
mated to the religious. The class we refer
to will stay away, 80 long as the temper
ance meetings are thus conducted.
We are of opinion that the religious fea-
ture at such meetings are quite proper at
Church rally's in favor of sobrie;y, but in
general Town meetings, where men of all
religions, and of no religion, are invited to
g, programme different from that pro-
pr, for the Lecture room Of Church
olgbt to be insisted npon, The great Il. ass
O. our citizens, although living and mov-
Ing every day among Roman Catholics,
remain in profound ignorance Of their
filth, and religious feelings, and ideas; and
from this ignorance many mistakes arise.
aud much harm is done.
1t may appear strange, but it is no less
true, that good deal which usually take
pace, at temperance meetings, shock the
religious sensibilities Of Catholics. The
holy name Of Jepus, is frequently used
with frequency, flippancy, and familiar
ity, by some speakers, as to horrify Chris
tan, whose catechism teaches him to bend
the knee, or reverently bow the head, al
the m ntion of the name Of Jesus :-"Je-
r." says the Little Catechism, used bv
Catholic children, "sigpi6es Saviour and
J. Christ anointed, and St. Paul Gays at the
name of Jesus, eysy knee should bend"
They who are taugh.> ere the lis, of in
fancy has passed away, act so reverently
:, the Holy name, look Ion its familiar
!; use q dozen times, in speec. of five min
.utes, as shocking.
We are not arguing, either for against
this. or that mode Of phraseology; e are
only stating one among various reaA Aps,
vby. Catholics fail to take part in ma
Nthings, wherein they sre expected to assist
erN If the temperance movement was seeu'
ized, we think it would be much nor NOR
ssssful. The excitement Of meeting
tAu.ual sustainment Of personal fellow
shAh he magnetism Of oratory, whe'eve1
yoS find an orator, all are great help
anu upht to be enlisted in the cause,
20 1ss \ acts, or customs permitted.
tn". and all the energies which
wv he vsiasm give, be direettd t.
~ Sa, ,ublic\pd gradually cult vat
/ sotaileSl the evil Of drunk en-
y y - uAnpse