The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-03-03

REPORT or MRS. Z. d. STEWART, OF
vEnCENNEs.
Two years have passed since the or
gani2ation Of our society. While there
was large number in our midst, who
ut that time might have been called ad-
vocates Of temperance, who deplorcd
the presence OF so many drunkards upon
our streets, SO many low groggeries in
our midst, yet who considered the mod
crate use Of wines and other stimulants
by respectable people in respectable
places as not very wrong, indeed, as
rather essential to the maintenance of
responsibility, public sentiment was
not on the side Of total abstinence A
few felt there was danger in even a
look, and safety only in banishing from
I our midst every thing that would intox-
icate; that our respectable drinkers
were the worst enemies of society; that
the respectable places where it was sold
were serving as primary schools at
which large number were being fitted
for graduation from the colleges, as one
lecturer aptly styled our lowest grogge-
ries; but these few had but little faith
and less courage to brave public Opin-
ion, yet all n9le eed there was a necessity
for PRAYER.
With the understanding that no ag-
gressiye movement was contemplated,
for time at least, our society was orga-
nizeI, the monthly meetings being de-
voted mainly TO prayer.
1t was moi long before the conviction
settled upon the minds of some that il
we would have Gods blessing we must
do something toward answering our
own PRAYER in short, we must work as
well as pray. With great trepidation
and little opposition a petition was
drawn up and presented TO every wo-
man in town for her signature, appeal
ing to the heart of the rumseller, a copy
of which, with four hundred names APP
pended, was carried to every known
rumsellcr in Nergennes by members
volunteering 10 do the service.
We know not if there was single
glass the less Of liquor sold ON account
of this effort. but we had evidence that
some mind were aroused to painful lie.
J tlections, and the influence upon oul
own body WA, most excellent, develop
ing courage aud inspiring zeal.
AS time passed on, saloons multiplied
drunkennc-, increased, and even schoo
boys were docking to these places foi
drink. Something must be done. W.
had good laws and il was the duty ol
men to enforce them, yet they maintain
ed the utmost reserve. Emboldened
by the example Of our sisters in Other
places, we ycntnrcd upon the work OF
prosecution.
Complaint, were handed in to oul
states attorney, which received prompt
attention, trials resulted in convictions
and those rumsellers who had as vel
been unmoleSted began to be alarmed,
and Just as we were beginning to enter,
tain high hopes. this officer refused to
serve us.
! A few months later, SO urgent seemed
the need that we resolved to make all
other attempt, employing new clas:
Of officers. The first trial resulted il
conviction and the closing of one shop
and lot 1t be said TO the praise of God,
name, He has since brought this man to
the feet of Jesus where he is now sit
ting clothed and in his right mind
All felt to say 'well done," and We
fastened to put more work into theil
hands, rejoicing that we had founC
finch when called to duty. 1t ma,
have been for wise reasons, but no fur
ther notice was taken of our complaints
In this work we felt to show no parti
J ality, but to treat alike all engaged II
this traffic, and In entering complaint
we have adhered to this principle.
Last October we secured the service
of DIR. Reynolds for three days only
He gave new impulse to the work
He fed us to feel more than ever hefor
our dependence upon God, the powe
ofprayer, and mans utter Inability L