The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-09-29
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THIS COLUMN is OPEN TO ALL.
For The Cecil Wing.
MARTINDALE in PORT DEPOSIT.

We had the extreme pleasure of listen
ing cree again TO the voice of the Rev. r.
f. Martindale, as he addressed the meeting
of the Christian Temperance Union on
Tuesday evening last. Rev. +. J. Aiken,
in introducing him, said it was only neces-
saly to announce that Martindale was to be
present, to insure a full house anywhere in
Port Deposit, and the audience on this
occasion proved it.
Mr. Martindale, after expressing the
pleasure he felt in placing his feet once
more upon the granite of this town, that
had become so dear to him that it seemed
! like his birthplace, commenced in his usual
analytical style to deal with some of the
strong points underlying this movement.
| Men are too apt to take Il mere superficial
view of things and not appreciate the close
relation they have to every other interest of
society.
| The word " form - is, in itself, full of
meaning, and from the Latin derivation is
APPLY applied to its present use in reference
| to temperance. The reforming' of a
drunkard is, i'll fact, a new creation. The
elements OF manhood that have been de-
throned, have to be again united together,
and once more placed under the guidance
of the will. The Almighty has so con-
structed man with such a wonderful mocha
nism, each part acting in conjunction with
every other and all under the guidance of
the brain, that not one part Of it can be
injured without etfectlng every other. The
first and inevitable consequence Of the use
of alcoholic stimulus. is to destroy this equi-
ilbrium. Even the slightest disarangement
of these God-given faculties is attended
with fearful consequences. The loss to the
rictf In, IL ,,,ritf hn
surgeon, from Just the unsteady hand, is
stupendous, but not to be compared with
the loss entailed upon humanity by the
unsteady will and brain made SO by this fell
destroyer. Reverence, that divine attribute
in man, is obliterated, and the most sacred
things pertaining to the souls eternal vel
fare are made common subject for bar
room jest.
Disspate"' What does it mean? Lit
orally, Ito scatter, to dispense" How
often We hear the term Of 81: disspated
young man"'-one with all his energies
scattered and wasted. How true it is, and
how great is the work before us! 1t is
comparable to taking the dry bones of the
valley and bringing bone to his bone and
sinew to sinaw.
They now have in Virginia 4 "Drink
Register " to keep the count of liquors con-
sumed, one of which is placed in every bar
room. They tax the drinker so much on
each glass. and expect from this scource to
pay the debt of the State. This invention
may show the money spent, but who shall
record the pains. and miserieS, and broken
hearts. None but the Infinite can do this.
Who can estimate the loss to society from
100, 900 unsteady brains in our land? from
the family circles destroyed? The family
circle is, above all else, the divine institu-
ton upon which the whole structure Of
society must rest. The traffic that under
mines the happiness of this, lays it's sui
cidal hand upon the throat of the nation.
And what remedy is proposed for ali this
evil? AS first step to correct it, sign the
pledge. This may seem like a triiling thing
to some, yet it is often these trtles that
determine the whole course of life. And
there is philosophy in this pledge signing.
Our forefathers were fully determined to
bleak from the tyranny Of the British yoke,
but nothing was accomplished until the
Declaration was signed. If a man once
puts his name to this pledge with honest
intentions, it becomes his declaration of
independence from the thraldom of drink,
and his intentions are then crystaliZed in
tangible shape. There is also u fellow feel
ing among pledged men that is a help to
each other in the hour of temptation.
Mr.. Martindale also spoke of the work
now going on at Middletown, Del, and the
great interest being manifested in it by all
| classes. Some of the oldest or most con
tirmed drunkards, who had lost all hope of
ever being men again, signed the pledge,
and were now the best workers in reclaim
ing others. The Governor of the State
was present at recent meeting, lending
his aid, and has ceased to give ont ntoxi-
eating drinks at. his house. Two of his
sons have been reclaimed since these meet
ings started. A religious interest is awak-
ened by this work, and hundreds now
attend places of worship who once allowed
the decanter to keep them away.
His remarks were iuterspersed with apt
illustrations, and produced Il marked i'm.
preston. At the close of his address, sew
eral influential citizens added their names
| to the roll of honor, and thus the work
moves on. PUBIIUs.